Lake Oahe Walleye

Regulations for Lake Oahe Walleye

Lake Oahe walleye regulations include a daily limit of 4 walleyes, which may include no more than one walleye 20 inches or longer, per day, year-round and the possession limit is 8. The regulation is the same as the standard statewide regulation.

Walleye Fishing Trends for 2012
Walleye abundance is indexed using the average number of walleye caught per gill net. In 2011, the walleye abundance index was 25 walleye per net. This was the highest walleye abundance seen since the mid-1990’s. In 2011, the walleye abundance index was well above the average for Lake Oahe of 17 walleye per net. This means there are more walleye in Lake Oahe currently, compared to recent years.

Walleye abundance in Lake Oahe is usually greater upstream due to higher natural production of young walleyes in the upper section of the reservoir. The middle and lower portions of Lake Oahe have a good abundance of walleye as well. Overall walleye abundance has increased due to production of young fish during the 2005 to 2011 period. Walleye fishing should be good in all regions of Lake Oahe in 2012.

Typically, the average size of walleye decrease as you move upstream from the lower end of the lake. Fish less than 15 inches will be common in 2012 in the middle and upper regions of the lake. This is due to high reproduction in recent years. Walleye 20 inches or larger make up a greater portion of the population in the lower reach of the lake, but large fish are found throughout the lake. Larger fish will be more common as the walleye population continues to mature. Your best chance to catch a larger walleye will be in the lower/middle portion of Lake Oahe.

The average size of walleye caught and kept by anglers has averaged 17 inches the past several years. In 2011, the average size decreased slightly due to the high numbers of small walleye available in the population currently and will continue into 2012.

Lake Oahe has many fish species that serve as prey for larger predators. In the cold, deep water, rainbow smelt and lake herring are the primary prey fish. The shallows contain a different array of fishes including emerald and spottial shiners, yellow perch, freshwater drum, and white bass.

With the increased productivity of Lake Oahe beginning in 2008, the prey fish abundance also increased. The walleye growth rates and condition, or plumpness, increased as well and the walleye condition in 2011 was ideal and has been that way since 2008.

Walleye fishing usually peaks at different times for each region of Lake Oahe. Fishing in the upper region of Lake Oahe usually peaks from late May through June. The middle and lower regions of Lake Oahe peak during June and July. During peak fishing times, catches of walleye by anglers can be higher in upper and middle regions of Lake Oahe than the lower region of Lake Oahe. Angler catch rates, or fish caught per hour, were very high in 2011 due to the high numbers of small fish in the population. In 2012, above average catch rates may continue due to the high numbers of walleye in the population.

In the past, low lake levels created access issues which will not be a problem in 2012 due to increased water levels in Lake Oahe beginning in 2008. The overall quality of the walleye fishery has improved, so enjoy the excellent fishing Lake Oahe has to offer.

Rainbow Smelt and Flood Affects of 2011
The flood of 2011 caused increased amounts of water to be released into and through Oahe Dam. The high flows through Oahe Dam caused many rainbow smelt to be pulled through the dam and into Lake Sharpe. Survey estimates show a loss of 84% of the rainbow smelt population. It appeared that the majority of the rainbow smelt lost were young, newly hatched fish. The adult rainbow smelt population is reduced but have enough numbers that, depending on spring spawning conditions, they have the potential to rebound very quickly.