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Lakes & Reservoirs

Lake Oahe Fishing Guide

South Dakota

A huge Missouri River reservoir and one of the best walleye lakes in the country.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lake Oahe for chinook salmon, smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike. The best months overall are Apr to Oct. In October, chinook salmon, smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike are in season, and Ned Rig, Spinnerbait and Suspending Jerkbait are a good place to start. There are 3 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Oahe Tackle in Pierre, 12 mi away.

Best Months

Apr to Oct

In October

Chinook Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike

Methods

Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

J
F
M
A
M
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J
A
S
O
N
D

What You'll Catch

Lake Oahe Species

Chinook Salmon

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: May to Oct

Smallmouth Bass

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Oct

Walleye

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Northern Pike

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

8 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass

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  • Ned Rig 2.5 to 3 in

    Lure

    Finesse · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Spinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Northern Pike

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Walleye

    Shop This Lure

  • Tube Jig 3 to 4 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Northern Pike

    Shop This Lure

  • Jig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Walleye

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Walleye

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Chinook Salmon

Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.

Smallmouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Walleye

Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Northern Pike

Fly 9 ft 8 or 9 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, wire or 40 lb bite tippet.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy casting rod, 30 to 50 lb braid, steel or titanium leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lake Oahe

Rods

Ugly Stik Bigwater Trolling Rod

A long, forgiving trolling rod for downriggers and planer boards.

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Crankbaits

Rapala Shad Rap

A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.

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Rigs

Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness

Crawler harnesses trolled behind bottom bouncers for summer walleye.

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Reels

Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcasting Reel

A reliable baitcaster for jigs, Texas rigs, and moving baits.

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Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

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Hard Baits

Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait

A suspending jerkbait that shines in cold, clear water.

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Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.

Check Price

Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Lake Oahe