Page 5 - visitor-guide-2020-2021

Walleye Salmon, Trout and Catfish
The walleye rules on the Missouri River. Prized for their taste From the face of Oahe Dam north to the Cheyenne River,
and abundance, walleye are fished with jigs and minnows in Lake Oahe offers excellent fishing for Chinook salmon. These
the spring, crawlers and leeches in the summer and through cold-water fish are pulled from depths of 50 to 100 feet or more.
the ice in the winter. Captivated by the walleye, anglers come The salmon’s primary prey is the rainbow smelt, and the most
to Pierre from across the region, state and country. The site of effective lures imitate this silvery fish.
numerous tournaments, including the South Dakota Governor’s Pierre’s reputation as a trout hotspot is growing, thanks to a
Cup, Pierre has become a familiar stopping point on the healthy population of large rainbow trout, some weighing over
professional walleye tours. But day in and day out, it’s the 10 pounds. Trophy catches have been pulled from areas below
amateurs who reign. They come from behind office
desks and out of operating rooms, sales offices and
retail stores. They come for a day, they come for a
week, but they all come for walleye.

Northern pike
Both the deep, cold waters of Lake Oahe and
the prairie lakes of central South Dakota provide
excellent year-round fishing for northern pike.
Caught with dead bait rigs in the cool, early spring;
spoons and crankbaits as the water warms, these
fish often reach 20 pounds or larger. In the spring
of 1993, for example, a record-setting
36-pound pike was pulled from Oahe’s
chilly depths. Trophy pike are fished
from local lakes year-round; the species
is a common ice-fishing catch.

Bass
Found throughout the Missouri River
system, both white and smallmouth
bass are prevalent in Lake Oahe, and
in Lake Sharpe, bass are the second
most commonly caught fish. Smallmouth
fishing peaks during the May–June
spawning season in clear water near rocks, logs and dams. Oahe Dam, often using silver and chartreuse lures that imitate
Deep-diving lures bring success through the heat of summer. smelt and baitfish. Fly fishing is increasingly common near the
Native to eastern South Dakota, largemouth bass are tailrace and marina, starting in the season just after ice-out.
dominant in the calm, well-vegetated ponds and smaller lakes of An easy catch from small craft or the shore, channel catfish
Pierre. Similar to smallmouth bass, largemouths spawn in spring are found in many habitats and depths in both Lake Sharpe
when water temperatures climb to 65˚F. The most popular large and Lake Oahe. You’ll land prize specimens — perhaps over
mouth lures are plastic worms, jerkbaits, crankbaits and pork 30 pounds — using night crawlers, chicken livers, crawfish and
rind. other meaty, strong-smelling bait. Look for the best fishing from
spring through fall, when warmer waters create peak spawning
conditions.

Panfish
Bluegill, crappie, large mouth bass and perch dominate the
dozens of small lakes and ponds within a short drive of Pierre.
Whether caught on a fly rod or bamboo pole, these fish are
remarkable for their aggressive attacks on everything from
poppers to worms.

Boat Ramps
More than three dozen boat ramps dot the shores of Lake
Oahe and Lake Sharpe; access to Lake Oahe sites depends
Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe have been recognized nationally on the reservoir’s water levels. The map on page 26-27 shows
as a prize bass destination. Pierre hosted the Bassmaster Elite the locations of area boat ramps. Visit the website of the
Tournament in 2018, bringing in professional anglers and ESPN state Game, Fish and Parks Department, www.gfp.sd.gov, for
national coverage. updated information on possible ramp closings.

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