Lake Sharpe Fishing
category : Fishing
Fishing is a very popular activity on Lake Sharpe and in the tailwater area. Walleye is the primary sport fish although sauger, small mouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, and northern pike also provide great fishing action.WALLEYE
Fishing activity peaks at different times in different areas on Lake Sharpe. Fishing usually takes off in the upper region, near Pierre, and then progresses downstream to the lower third of the lake. Walleye fishing in the Pierre area is usually best in the spring and fall. In June, fishing improves in the lower third of the reservoir and remains good throughout the summer.
For Lake Sharpe, fishing patterns develop due to the reliance of walleyes and other fish on young gizzard shad as food. In the spring, with shad numbers are low, walleye are easier to catch. In the summer, as the shad become large enough for walleye to eat, walleye are harder to catch because they have full stomachs. In the fall, walleye become more catchable as the walleyes migrate upstream and concentrate in areas of Lake Sharpe and as the water cools walleyes become more active striking anglers lures.
SMALLMOUTH BALL
Smallmouth bass are found throughout Lake Sharpe but the best fishing is in the lower half of the reservoir. Smallmouth bass are the second most common species caught by anglers in Lake Sharpe. Shore fishing opportunities are best in May and June. The release of all smallmouth bass over 18 inches is encouraged to help increase the number of trophy bass in Lake Sharpe.
Smallmouth bass spawn in May to early June in Lake Sharpe. The male builds a nest in the shallows and attracts a female to his nest. The male will guard the nest and newly hatch fry for sometime after hatching. After spawning, smallmouth bass will disperse from the shallows and cruise the "flats" for food during the summer feeding to regain strength from spawning. Walleye anglers are fishing the "flats" as well and commonly catch smallmouth bass.
The smallmouth bass population is in the process of maturing into an excellent and important fishery in South Dakota. The Lake Sharpe smallmouth bass fishery is beginning to attract anglers from across the Midwest who enjoy fishing for this great sport fish.
TROUT
The tailrace area below Oahe Dam is well known for trophy trout fishing. Fishermen commonly catch large trout in the marina next to the tailrace during the winter and spring and in the tailrace throughout the year. In April, catchable rainbow trout (9 inches long) are stocked in the marina. This provides an excellent angling opportunity for everyone, especially children, the elderly, and disabled individuals. In 2006, a stocking of trout will also be made in April near the LaFramboise Causeway near the city of Pierre fishing piers to provide an easily accessible place for children to fish for trout. Catchable trout that survive past the first spring, can grow to a large size in the Oahe Dam tailrace, adding to the number of large trout available to anglers.
CATFISH
Catfish are found throughout Lake Sharpe. They are abundant but overlooked by most anglers. Lake Sharpe catfish average 15 inches in length. Shore fishing with live, cut, or stink bait is especially effective and can be extremely fast during the summer months.
Walleye
When: Early May to late June; mid September through November
Where: Tailwater, Lake Sharpe
Small & Largemouth Bass
When: May, June, September & October
Where: Tailwater, Lake Sharpe
Crappie-Northern Pike
When: Early April after ice out; late fall.
Where: Stilling basin, Tailwater
Catfish
When: Late June, July, August
Where: Tailwater
Address: 3 mi N. of Fort Thompson S.D. off Hwy 47
Phone: 605-245-2255
Our Email: dll-cenwo-bigbend@nwo02.usace.army.mil
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