Fishing Lake Oahe

AKA: Oahe Reservoir

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

Popular Fish Species Lake Oahe, SD

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to excellent fisheries management by the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks, a healthy population of walleye are thriving in the waters of Lake Oahe this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method 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. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Lake Oahe Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are another favorite of many locals at Lake Oahe, as they are tough fighters and exciting to catch. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers. When the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies.

Crappie Fishing

Black and white crappie both reside in Lake Oahe. They generally school by species, but once you locate them around cover, you may catch both species due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a quick limit of crappie.

Lake Oahe Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

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

A fertile smallmouth fishery, Lake Oahe is a 231-mile long stretch of the Missouri River, created by Oahe Dam. This 370,000-acre impoundment which runs from Pollock to Pierre, with over 2,200 miles of shoreline.

One of the primary attractions for fishing enthusiasts at Lake Oahe is the abundant walleye population. For those seeking the thrill of catching a powerful fish, Lake Oahe offers excellent smallmouth bass fishing. Lake Oahe is also renowned for its lake trout fishery, and chinook salmon population. Northern pike, known for their aggressive strikes, are another popular species that can be found here. Channel catfish add to the diversity of fishing opportunities as well.

While there are plenty of places with access for fishing from the bank, which is often successful, the best way to fish this monstrous lake is from a boat. Well over a dozen boat launch ramps are located all around the lake for easy access from any direction. Ice fishing in winter can be very productive, especially for crappie and walleye. The winds can be excessive at times so caution is advised for safe boating. Plenty of campgrounds, RV parks and lodging options are available, primarily on the east 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: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Stores: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurants: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Bridge City Marina and Resort
Rentals: Pontoon boats
605 845-9129

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bush's Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off 182nd Street, this is a three lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Chantier Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Chantier Creek Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Cow Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Cow Creek Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Dodge Draw Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Dodge Draw Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Indian Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off 288th Avenue, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Low Water Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off 104th Street, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Minneconjou Recreation Area Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Minneconjou Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Okobojo Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Goose Pass Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Peoria Flats Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off 280th Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Spring Creek Recreation Area Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off 196th Street, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Marinas

Bridge City Marina and Resort
12940 288th Rd
Mobridge, SD 57601
605 845-9129