Stretching over 200 miles through the Dakotas, Lake Oahe ranks among the top fishing destinations in the Northern Plains. Its massive reservoir covers nearly 370,000 acres and harbors walleye, smallmouth bass, catfish, trout, and more.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore Lake Oahe’s premier fishing locations. Discover the hotspots for each species and get insider tips to help you catch more fish on this sprawling reservoir.
From structure fishing for bass to trolling open water for walleye, Lake Oahe offers amazing angling opportunities. Keep reading to start planning your next Lake Oahe fishing adventure!
Overview of Lake Oahe
Lake Oahe was created with the construction of the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River in central South Dakota. The reservoir stretches over 230 miles from Bismarck, North Dakota down into central South Dakota near Pierre.
At its maximum, Lake Oahe covers 370,000 acres, making it one of the largest reservoirs in the country. The lake has nearly 2,250 miles of shoreline dotted with secluded bays, rocky points, and flooded timber. The Missouri River channel runs the length of the lake, with several major tributaries including the Grand, Moreau, Cheyenne, Bad, and Cannonball rivers feeding Oahe’s fertile fishing grounds.
Lake Oahe boasts a variety of fish species for anglers to target:
- Walleye
- Smallmouth Bass
- Northern Pike
- Chinook Salmon
- Lake Trout
- Burbot
- Yellow Perch
- White Bass
- Channel Catfish
- Crappie
The fishing is good year-round, but peaks during the warmer months from late spring through early fall when most species are actively feeding and easy to catch. That said, hearty anglers can still enjoy excellent ice fishing on Oahe in winter.
Next, let’s break down the top fishing spots on Lake Oahe by region and target species.
Lake Oahe Fishing Spots by Region
With so much shoreline and open water, it helps to break Lake Oahe down into regional sections. Here’s an overview of prime fishing areas moving from north to south:
North Dakota: From Bismarck Dam to Mobridge
The upper third of Lake Oahe north of Mobridge offers some of the best walleye and smallmouth bass fishing on the entire reservoir. Key areas include the Willow Creek arm, Little Heart bottoms, Fort Rice bay, Tobacco Gardens, and Shell Village.
Central: From Pollock to Fort Thompson
The expansive central region features major tributaries like the Little Bend, Moreau, and Cheyenne Rivers. Look for walleye, smallmouth, pike, and catfish around the river mouths and flooded timber areas like Duck Creek and Porcupine Creek.
South: From Chamberlain to Oahe Dam
The southern section contains the lower reaches of the Moreau, Cheyenne, and Bad Rivers along with many long, narrow bays. Target bass, walleye, panfish, and catfish near creek channels, the old Missouri river channel, and vast stands of flooded timber.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at the premier fishing spots on Lake Oahe by species:
Top Walleye Fishing Spots on Lake Oahe
As the most popular gamefish, walleye draw the most angler interest on Lake Oahe. Here are some of the top walleye hotspots:
The Mouth of the Little Missouri River
Near Watford City, ND, the Little Mo River dumps into Oahe. The current here concentrates baitfish that walleye key in on. Troll bottom bouncers and spinner rigs along the mouth.
Beaver Creek
This creek located north of Mobridge SD is a major walleye spawning area in spring. Concentrate efforts where the old creek channel meets Oahe – a classic post-spawn spot.
Standing Rocks
These rocky structures flooded when Oahe was created attract walleye year-round. Vertical jig or troll diving crankbaits near Standing Rocks north of Mobridge.
Whitlocks Bay
A renowned walleye destination south of Gettysburg SD, Whitlocks Bay sees a lot of spring crappie fishing pressure. But once spawn ends, the walleye take over – work the bay’s many isolated points.
Okobojo Bay
Okobojo Bay near the Oahe Dam is a wind-sheltered walleye magnet, especially the upstream mouth where fish transition in and out of the reservoir. Live bait rigs shine here.
Premier Smallmouth Bass Fishing Locations
Oahe’s expansive rocky substrate fosters a thriving population of bronzeback bass. Top smallie spots include:
Grand River Arm
The standing timber and rocky points where the Grand River enters Oahe near Mobridge hold smallmouth bass year-round. Target main lake points at Hell Creek and in Six Mile bay.
Cheyenne River
The flooded timber and riprap banks in the Cheyenne arm from Cherry Creek north to Billy Creek give up lots of hungry smallies.
North Shore Breaks
The steep breaks running south from Hazelton Bay down to Mahto Bay hold bass seeking deeper water access in summer. Drag tubes and grubs along break edges in 15 to 20 feet.
Creek Channels
Smallmouth congregate in creek channels, especially where they drop off into the old Missouri river channel. Key spots are Porcupine and Chouteau creeks.
Okobojo Docks
The shallow docks around Okobojo Bay and Oahe dam attract bass – work tube jigs and small crankbaits around dock posts.
Top Catfishing Locations on Oahe
Take advantage of Oahe’s dense channel cat populations at these prime spots:
Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek in central Oahe is a channel cat spawning haven in late spring. Set up juglines or drift fish bait along the creek mouth in May.
Missouri River Channel
Use electronics to locate holes and structure along the deep Missouri River channel running through Oahe – classic catfish haunts. Slow drift or anchor cut bait to target cats.
Pierre/Ft. Pierre Area
Numerous sleeper catfish spots dot the lake from Farm Island up to Platte Creek. Rigs or slip-sinker rigs paired with prepared stink bait works well.
Whitlocks Bay
The upstream end of Whitlocks Bay holds catfish in summer – still-fish chicken liver, crawlers, or cut bait on the bottom in 10 to 15 feet near creek inflows.
River Confluences
The mudline current seams where tributary rivers and creeks enter Oahe attract catfish. Target the Cheyenne, Moreau, Grand, and Cannonball river mouths.
Top Locations for Panfish and Yellow Perch
For fast and fun action on scrappy panfish, try these Lake Oahe hotspots:
Shelter Bays with Flooded Timber
Calm bays with flooded timber like Mahto, Porcupine, and Whitlocks harbor crappie, perch, and bluegill, especially near marina docks or creek channels.
Rock Piles
Look for perch stacked on submerged rock piles – drift or anchor small jigs tipped with minnows or worms. Rocks near creek mouths are prime spots.
Bypasses and Dams
Current created by old river bypasses and dams concentrates baitfish and panfish. Examples include Beaver Creek and the old Fort George dams.
Creek Channels and River Backwaters
Sloughs off the main reservoir channels provide calm panfish habitat. Find them tucked along creek arms like Moreau River, Porcupine Creek, and Okobojo Bay.
Shoreline Docks and Piers
The many private and public docks provide wood cover highly attractive to crappie, bluegills and perch. Target them in spring and again in fall.
Northern Pike Hotspots
Lake Oahe’s pike are spread throughout, but a few areas hold higher concentrations of these toothy gamefish:
Aquatic Vegetation Beds
Pike seek out weedy areas to ambush prey – fish weed edges around Seven Sisters and north of Mahto Bay. In spring, target weedbeds adjacent to spawning areas.
Creek Mouths and River Backwaters
Flooded timber and vegetation where creeks meet Oahe give pike ample ambush habitat. Examples include Porcupine Creek, Medicine Creek, and Moreau River mouth.
Whitlocks Bay & Peoria Flats
North of Gettysburg, SD, this shallow zone with flooded timber and weeds holds lots of pike. Work daredevils, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, or bulky swimbaits.
Underwater Points and Humps
Submerged points and humps on the main lake concentrate baitfish activity, drawing pike. Many offshore humps north of Mobridge hold big pike.
Best Lake Trout Fishing on Oahe
Lake trout thrive in the cold waters of the Missouri River channel running through Lake Oahe. For lakers, concentrate efforts in these areas:
Main Channel Rocky Structure
As a coldwater stenothermic species, lake trout frequent the Missouri River channel, relating to deeper rock humps and shelf-style contours in the main basin. Vertical jigging works well over these areas.
Whitlock’s Bay
A broad saddle region on the border of North and South Dakota, Whitlock’s Bay has a series of rock humps, deep holes, and ledges where migratory lakers can be taken on spoons and minnow baits, especially during spring.
Beaver Creek
Lake trout stack up in Beaver Creek and the surrounding area during the spring spawn. Troll shallow-running crankbaits that imitate baitfish over creek arms, points, and submerged rock piles where lakers lay their eggs.
Okobojo Point & Blue Blanket Bay
The tilting shoreline south of Okobojo Point and Blue Blanket Bay provides rock and shale drops frequented by lakers in summer. Target them by trolling diving planers in 15 to 35 feet here.
Best Salmon and White Bass Spots
Here are a few key areas to intercept Chinook salmon and white bass on Lake Oahe:
Whitlock’s Bay & Peoria Flats
Shallow Whitlock’s sees an early fall salmon run as Chinooks move into the lake via the Oahe Dam. Troll spoons and crankbaits along the old Missouri River channel through this area.
Oahe Dam Discharge
The best spot on Oahe to catch salmon and white bass is right below the Oahe Dam discharge. Find boiling schools of baitfish as salmon and white bass blitz them while current concentrates the bait.
Grand River Mouth
The Grand River holds good numbers of salmon that migrate upriver to spawn in fall. Target the Grand’s mouth where it enters Oahe near Mobridge by casting crankbaits, spinners, and spoons.
Cold Water Discharge from Dams
Seldom fished, the cold water discharges from Fort Randall Dam at Pickstown and Gavin’s Point Dam at Yankton attract salmon and white bass seeking chilly water when Oahe heats up.
Best Ice Fishing on Lake Oahe
Here are some top spots for frigid yet rewarding ice fishing on Lake Oahe:
Missouri River Channel Edge
Use an auger to drill holes along channel edges and structure spanning 20 to 40 feet deep – hotspots for walleyes, trout, pike, and perch. Underwater points and humps also shine.
Creek Mouths and River Channels
Creek channels hold schools of walleye and perch – key areas are Beaver Creek, Moreau River, and Okobojo. Move around and drill test holes to find concentrations of fish.
Whitlock’s Bay & Peoria Flats
This expansive shallow basin freezes thick for winter access. Ice anglers catch walleye, pike, perch, and panfish in a couple feet of water on tip-ups and rods.
Sheltered Bays
Calm bays with less current freeze readily for safe ice travel by foot or machine. Target sheltered and wind-protected bays on Oahe’s east shore like Mahto, Porcupine, and Three Rivers.
Structures Near Dams
Rocky structure and current seams near dams attract baitfish and gamefish in winter. Key spots are below Fort Randall, Big Bend, Oahe, and Sharpe dams.
Best Lake Oahe Fishing Ramps
Here are some of the most popular and accessible boat ramps on Lake Oahe:
Hazelton Ramp – North Dakota
- Great central ND ramp
- Access to Hazelton and Sweet Briar bays and upper lake
- Concrete ramp, docks, and courtesy pier
Beaver Creek Ramp – North Dakota
- Provides access to prime walleye habitat
- Sandy launch, duck blinds, fishing piers
- Connected to ponds and sloughs
Mobridge Ramp – South Dakota
- Gateway to hot smallmouth and walleye spots
- Near Standing Rocks and Grand River
- Concrete ramp, dock, RV camping
Pollock Ramp – South Dakota
- Southern ramp for upper half of Oahe
- Adjacent to reservoir and Missouri River
- Gravel ramp with dock
West Whitlock’s Ramp – South Dakota
- Access to Whitlock’s Bay walleye hotspot
- Gravel ramp, loading dock, fish cleaning
- RV camping, security lights
Okobojo Ramp – South Dakota
- South Oahe access near Fort Pierre
- Steep ramp to deep water and dam
- Docks, fish cleaning station, RV sites
Lake Oahe Fishing Regulations
Make sure you understand the rules before fishing Lake Oahe:
- South Dakota and North Dakota issue separate fishing licenses required to fish either state’s waters within Lake Oahe.
- Both states follow similar regulations on Oahe for species, seasons, and creel limits. Know the specific rules for the state you’ll be fishing in.
- A variety of state, tribal, and federal lands border Lake Oahe, each with own regulations. Research fishing guidelines for the specific area you’ll be in.
- Some areas of Oahe fall under tribal jurisdiction which may require tribal permits for non-members to fish. Check tribal websites for permit information.
- Many river tributaries, bays, and deltas are closed seasonally or permanently for fish spawning protection. Watch for posted signage.
- Most gamefish have minimum length and creel limits – generally 15 inches for walleye and smallmouth. Know the regulations before keeping any catch. Expect frequent creel checks by wardens.
For complete fishing regulations on South Dakota’s portion of Lake Oahe, check this article.
When to Visit Lake Oahe
Lake Oahe offers good fishing most of the year:
Spring (April – May): Walleye running up rivers to spawn. Smallmouth move shallow. Trout in tributaries.
Early Summer (June): Warming water activates catfish. Bass occupy shorelines. Pike in weeds.
Summer (July – August): Hot temps drive some species deeper – target walleye, smallmouth, white bass over deep water.
Fall (September – October): Cooling water triggers feeding activity. Fall salmon run begins.
Winter (November – March): Ice fishing for pike, walleye, perch, and panfish in the bays.
While fishable year-round, late spring through early fall provides the most consistent action when most species are actively biting. The warmest months of July and August can see fishing slow with high water temps – go deep or target catfish.
Lake Oahe Fishing Tips
Keep these tips in mind when fishing Lake Oahe:
- Oahe is an extremely large reservoir – be prepared to cover water to find fish
- Pick areas based on season – know where species spawn, feed, and migrate throughout the year
- Vary lure colors and techniques until you get bites – don’t be afraid to experiment
- Downsize your presentations for clear water – use lighter line, smaller lures/jigs/baits
- Make use of electronics to pinpoint fish-holding structure – know how to read your fish finder
- Adjust to fishing pressure – try less-pressured areas
- Watch spring water levels – rising water draws walleye and trout into rivers
- Safety first – carry required gear and monitor weather on this huge reservoir
A little homework before your Oahe trip can pay big dividends – study lake maps to identify key habitat areas for the species you’re targeting. Local bait shops are also great sources of insider location tips.
Top Lake Oahe Fishing Guides
Consider hiring one of these experienced guides to show you the best of Lake Oahe:
Oahe Guide Service – Mobridge SD
- Targets: Walleye, smallmouth, pike, salmon
- Seasons: Year-round trips
- What They Offer: Half-day to multi-day trips, all gear/bait provided
Your Oahe Guide – Hazelton ND
- Targets: Walleye, smallmouth, crappie, catfish
- Seasons: April through October
- What They Offer: Personalized fishing trips from the boat or shore
Mobridge Ice Institute – Mobridge SD
- Targets: Walleye, perch, crappie, pike
- Seasons: Ice fishing trips December through March
- What They Offer: Heated ice fishing shacks, all equipment and bait provided
WestWhitlocks Walleye Charters – Gettysburg SD
- Targets: Walleye, smallmouth bass, catfish
- Seasons: Spring through fall open water trips
- What They Offer: Half and full-day walleye targeting charters
Missouri River Walleye Adventures – Bismarck ND
- Targets: Walleye, sauger, white bass, pike
- Seasons: March through November
- What They Offer: Personalized fishing trips throughout Lake Oahe
A guide can help you learn Lake Oahe and maximize your time on the water. They know where fish are biting and how to catch them in all seasons.
Whether you fish from shore or a boat, Lake Oahe stands out as a premier fishing destination in the Upper Midwest. This expansive reservoir offers amazing variety, from monster walleyes to acrobatic smallmouth bass. Its secluded bays and vast open waters provide endless exploration.
Use this guide to discover the top fishing spots on Lake Oahe and start planning your next memorable fishing adventure! Let us know how your trip goes – good luck out there!