South Dakota has some special fisheries, and whether it is the trophy walleye fishery that is Lake Oahe or the Glacial Lakes region that supports tremendous yellow perch populations the diversity of fisheries is of much interest for many anglers. Find out what makes South Dakota’s fisheries so special and learn more about why these fisheries function as they do!
2025 South Dakota Fisheries Updates and Outlooks
The largest waterbody in South Dakota, Lake Oahe, often finds itself in the spotlight. The expansive reservoir, which stretches from Bismarck, North Dakota to Pierre, South Dakota, is one of the most dynamic fisheries in the country. While this “boom and bust” fishery has gone through many cycles, anglers should be hopeful 2025 is a year that features ample “boom!”
The spotlight is going to be on Lake Sharpe in 2025 and all signs point to the popular fishery being ready to have one of its best years in recent memory. Known for being a walleye factory, Lake Sharpe has produced an excellent supply of walleyes in recent years and is ready to meet the anglers’ demand for the coming season.
The 2024 season saw tough fishing on Lake Francis Case, but all indicators report there is an ample number of highly quality walleye in the system. Anglers are hopeful 2025 is a different story, and the lake survey numbers indicate there is much to be excited about for this year on Lake Francis Case!
Lewis and Clark Lake often does not receive the same attention the reservoirs further up the system do but offers a complex and interesting fishery for anglers along the South Dakota and Nebraska border. Anglers should be excited about what 2025 has in store for Lewis and Clark Lake!
South Dakota Fisheries Highlights and Breakdowns
The Midwest Walleye Challenge will be coming to South Dakota and in addition to being a fun and exciting way to compete with fellow anglers this event will provide valuable information to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) fisheries biologists.
This winter the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) held public fisheries meetings in Pierre, Mobridge, and the first ever virtual fisheries meeting. There’s plenty of technical terms that have come out at these meetings, but the moral of the story is that fisheries management comes down to three elements: recruitment, growth, and mortality.
Similar to prospectors looking for gold, anglers targeting perch often follow many of the same patterns. Overall, the top perch fisheries can be classified as “boom or bust” and the best bite can vary widely from lake to lake, year to year, and even within the season. The variable nature of this fishing may make anglers think, “will the gold run out?” To answer this question, one must understand the dynamics of yellow perch in South Dakota.
When discussing the Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota, the term “walleye factory” is often brought up when speaking of Lake Francis Case and Lake Sharpe. Indeed, these fisheries can crank out incredible numbers of 15-20 inch fish and provide ample opportunities for anglers to fill a limit throughout the season. Sitting above these fisheries is another, one that is not a “walleye factory”, but rather a “trophy walleye factory.”
Gold has a rich history in South Dakota, and while many may think of the prospectors in the Black Hills, a different kind of gold continues to attract individuals to the state year after year. The gold we’re referencing, of course, is yellow perch. When it comes to targeting jumbo perch, true jumbos that are 12-15 inches plus, the Glacial Lakes region of South Dakota is one of the top destinations for prospectors.
Find the Latest Fishing Reports
Looking for the latest fishing reports? We’ve got you covered! Find the latest fishing reports and the best bites the boys are currently on by visiting our Fishing Reports page!
South Dakota Outdoors News, Reports, and Updates
The outdoors is our passion in South Dakota, and whether you enjoy fishing, hunting, camping, or more we’ve got you covered on everything you need to know outside across the state! Find information on South Dakota’s fisheries, hunting seasons, and state parks on our South Dakota Outdoors News, Reports, and Updates page!
Fishing Tournament News
Looking to find information regarding walleye fishing tournaments across South Dakota, Nebraska, and the rest of the country? We’ve got you covered! Check out our Fishing Tournament News page to find the latest results, schedules, and updates across the walleye fishing tournament trails!
