Fishing Lake Oahe

AKA: Oahe Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Oahe Reservoir Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
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Lake Oahe, ND

Popular Fish Species Lake Oahe, ND

Walleye Fishing

Lake Oahe is home to a hearty population of big walleye. Nutrient water and excellent forage in the lake, have them growing fat and healthy. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very rewarding. Use GPS to locate fishing spots you normally fish during other times of the year. Walleye have excellent vision in low light scenarios which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water anytime there are low light conditions. During May and June is the optimal time to catch them, while feeding in shallower water. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Lake Oahe Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are the most sought-after species at Lake Oahe, with fish over 3 pounds very common. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good when they move to shallow water. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around any sort of rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, when the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies. Other times, focus your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Northern Pike Fishing

Big northern pike are thriving in the cool waters of Lake Oahe. This year they are being caught in good numbers with an occasional giant. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. They are extremely active when feeding and they can catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. Summer can be spotty but pike are caught all through the summer. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can also be a big help. Throughout the season, effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey.

Lake Oahe Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, lake trout, Chinook salmon and northern pike at Lake Oahe in North Dakota.

In the upper reaches of the Missouri River, behind the Oahe Dam, lies Lake Oahe. One third of this 370,000-acre lake is in south-central North Dakota, including a third of over 2,200 miles of shoreline.

Walleye is the most sought-after species in Lake Oahe, known for its abundance and size. Smallmouth bass fishing in Lake Oahe is highly regarded, attracting anglers with the promise of trophy-sized fish. Lake Oahe is also famous for its excellent lake trout fishery.

Chinook salmon, also known as king salmon, is another prized species found in Lake Oahe. Channel catfish, yellow perch, bluegill, and northern pike are also popular species in Lake Oahe.

It is a very fertile smallmouth fishery and also maintains abundant schools of catfish, walleye, trout, salmon and pike. The real draw is the population of quality smallmouth bass. Four to five-pound fish are quite common, and smallies over six pounds are not uncommon. Walleye, lake trout and landlocked salmon also grow big here and draw attention from fishing enthusiasts. The ideal way to fish this large body of water is from a boat, yet anglers can find plenty of places to fish from the bank. At least a dozen boating access areas have boat launch ramps. General Sibley Park & Campground has a boat launch for small craft (up to 15 ft) and is ideal for launching canoes, kayaks and car-top boats. Ice fishing in winter can be very productive for crappie, walleye and pike. Plenty of campgrounds, RV parks and lodging options are available, primarily on the eastern side of the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Oahe

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Oahe Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Beaver Bay East Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off State Route 1804, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.

Beaver Bay Main Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off State Route 1804, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Cattail Bay Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off 91st Street SW, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Fort Rice Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off 63rd Street, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Fort Yates Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Proposal Avenue, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Langeliers Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off 100th Street, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Maclean Bottoms Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off 106th Street SE, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Prarie Knights Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off 80th Street, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Misty Waters Marina
5800 Burnt Creek Loop
Bismarck, ND 58503
701 223-9003

Ricker's Marina
2540 Marina Rd
Mandan, ND 58554
701 222-2000