Each year, biologists working on Lake Oahe collect information on fish populations and angler use of those populations. This information helps biologists predict how fishing will be the following year.

This article contains a brief summary of the status and trends of the Lake Oahe fishery and predictions for the 2004 fishing season.

Why the discontinuation of the "Oahe-only" fishing licenses?

The Lake Oahe-only licenses were used to increase walleye harvest by attracting anglers to Lake Oahe. High daily limits during the same time period, also help to attract anglers to maximize walleye harvest on each visit to Oahe. The increased walleye harvest helped decrease walleye numbers and allowed the rainbow smelt population to improve. The intent was not to have these licenses for a long period of time. These licenses have served their purpose and now is the time to discontinue the license as the Oahe fishery continues to improve.

Gizzard Shad are now found in Lake Oahe:

A very interesting note on Oahe, is the establishment of gizzard shad into South Dakota’s Lake Oahe. Shad were native to the Missouri River prior to the creation of the dams, but after damming the Missouri, shad were assumed to be unable to survive the cold waters of Oahe during the winter months. In Lake Sharpe and Francis Case, the shad can survive winters by staying close to warm-water springs within these reservoirs. During summer sampling in 2003, gizzard shad were found throughout Oahe from Oahe Dam all the way to Pollock. Shad were the most abundant shallow water baitfish found in 2003. The shad will help provide an additional food source for many species of fish, but if a hard winter returns to the plains and the reproducing adult shad die, the shad population will be eliminated once again. Walleye growth when feeding on gizzard shad is not as fast as with rainbow smelt due to the warmer environment shad inhabit. Warmer water increases the walleye’s metabolism and slows their growth. There is also a portion of the year when there is a lack of small, young shad available as food. With rainbow smelt, walleyes inhabit cooler waters and have slower metabolisms and faster growth.

Walleye: Walleye sizes caught during 2004 will be more evenly distributed between small and larger (18 inches or more) fish than during the past few years. Catches of walleye longer than 18 inches will be more common as the walleye population matures. Your best chance to catch a larger walleye will be in the spring or fall and in the lower portion of Oahe. Walleye fishing usually peaks on Oahe during June and July. Fishing in the upper region usually peaks from late May through June and the middle and lower regions peak during June and July. During peak fishing times, catches of walleye by anglers will be higher in upper and middle Oahe than lower Oahe. Angler catch rates, or fish caught per hour, will be lower in 2004 than during the past few years but the average size of walleyes will increase for 2004 compared to previous years.

Northern pike activity increases when open water starts to show up around the edges of the ice cover. Northern pike stay in shallow water through June, then typically go deeper for the rest of the summer. The majority of the northern pike in Oahe were produced from 1993-1995, when abundant flooded vegetation existed. Few young fish are present in the population. Expect most northerns caught in 2004 to be 10+ pounds. When water levels increase in Oahe, northern pike will have better spawning habitat. Expect improved fishing for northern pike in the future.

Channel catfish: Channel catfish abundance in Lake Oahe is very high, and they are found in a wide range of depths and habitats. Excellent shore fishing opportunities for catfish exist. Channel catfish are excellent to eat and easy to catch. There is no daily limit for Lake Oahe channel catfish. Read the Oahe catfish brochure for catfish fishing tips.

Chinook salmon abundance in Lake Oahe will be low during 2004 because no salmon were stocked during 2001 and 2002. The break in stocking salmon was to allow the rainbow smelt population to recover. A small stocking was made in 2003, and stocking will continue annually for salmon in Oahe.

White bass fishing on Lake Oahe in 2004 should be good in May and June. Fish the wind-blown shorelines in large bays and tributary arms, especially the Cheyenne River. White bass are best if eaten fresh rather than frozen. Removing the red meat from the fillets will make a tastier meal.

Smallmouth bass: Shore fishing for smallmouth bass is best in late May and June when fish seek out warmer water for spawning. The best areas to fish include areas of large rocks in shallow water (less than 20 feet) and rip rap areas. During the summer, main lake points and flats are prime areas for smallmouths to fish.

Key issues for 2004:

Water levels have reached an all-time low on Oahe and as water levels drop on Lake Oahe during 2004, lake access will be affected. However, Game, Fish and Parks will work hard to provide usable boat ramps in all areas of Oahe during 2004.

Dropping water levels may affect rainbow smelt and walleye spawning success in 2004 if water is released during the critical time of spawning, hatching and initial growth of young fish.

Rainbow smelt numbers are improving but are not back to the levels observed during the 90s.

Gizzard shad will serve as a buffer prey species to help reduce the impact of predators on the rainbow smelt population.

Walleye limits may not be attained by many anglers, due to lower catches of walleye by anglers by because of increased prey populations.

South Dakota Division of Wildlife