Page 21 - 2022 Digital Visitor Guide
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> >  Walleye                                  > >  Panfish

                 Walleye is king on the Missouri River.         Bluegill, crappie and perch dominate
                 Anglers come to Pierre from across             the dozens of small lakes and ponds
                 the and country to reel in these fish          within a short drive of Pierre. Whether
                 that are prized for their taste.               caught on a fly rod or bamboo pole,
                                                                these fish are remarkable for their
              > >  Northern Pike                                aggressive attacks on everything
                                                                from poppers to worms.
                 Both the deep, cold waters of Lake
                 Oahe and the shallow, warm water of
                 prairie ponds provide excellent year-      > >  Fly Fishing
                 round fishing for northern pike. These         Pierre is a premier fly fishing destination.
                 fish often reach 20 pounds. The current        Every fish swimming down the Missouri
                 record is a 36-pound pike pulled from          is susceptible to the right fly. Our cold,
                 Oahe’s chilly depths.                          clear water makes Pierre ideal for fly
                                                                fishing adventures.
              > >  Bass

                 Found throughout the Missouri              > >  Fishing Tournaments
                 River system, white, smallmouth and            Pierre hosts many tournaments,
                 largemouth bass are prevalent. Bass            including the South Dakota Governor’s
                 are the second most commonly caught            Cup and Winter Fishing Weekend. It
                 fish in this area.                             has also become a familiar stopping
                                                                point on professional walleye and bass
              > >  Salmon                                       tours. Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe have
                                                                been recognized nationally as prized
                 From the face of the Oahe Dam                  bass destinations. Pierre hosted the
                 to Gettysburg, Lake Oahe offers                Bassmaster Elite Tournament in 2018,
                 excellent fishing for Chinook salmon.          bringing in professional anglers and
                 It is the only stretch in South Dakota         ESPN national coverage. In 2023,
                 for salmon fishing.
                                                                Pierre will host the World Walleye
                                                                Championship.
              > >  Catfish
                 An easy catch from small craft or          > >  Boat Ramps
                 the shore, channel catfish are found           More than three dozen boat ramps
                 at many depths in both Lake Sharpe             dot the shores of Lake Oahe and Lake
                 and Lake Oahe. You could catch prize           Sharpe. Access to Lake Oahe sites
                 specimens — perhaps over 30 pounds!            depends on the reservoir’s water levels.
                 The best fishing time is spring through        Updates on ramp closings can be found
                 fall, when warmer waters create peak           at gfp.sd.gov. For more details, check
                 spawning conditions.                           out the map on page 30.



                             For information and insider tips on the best fishing holes, bait and lures,
                                                            visit pierre.org/your-community/fishing.
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