Walleye
Walleye fishing usually peaks at different times for each zone on 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 will be higher in upper and middle regions of Lake Oahe than lower region of Lake Oahe.

Northern Pike
Anglers fishing for northern pike on Lake Oahe have the best opportunity to catch one in the early spring. Northern pike activity increases when open water starts to show up around the edges of the ice cover. Northern pike stay in shallow water through June, and then typically go deeper for the rest of the summer. In the spring, many anglers fish from shore or shallow water with a dead smelt on a treble hook rig or cast slow moving lures. Northern pike seek out the warmest water available in the spring and feed on anything they find, including fish that died during the winter months, such as gizzard shad.

Channel Catfish
Channel catfish abundance in Lake Oahe is high and they are found in a wide range of depths and habitats. Excellent shore fishing opportunities for channel catfish exist throughout the lake. There is no daily limit for Lake Oahe channel catfish. To effectively fish for channel catfish, an angler should fish in the back of large bays with a variety of baits such as night crawlers, minnows, and commercially prepared baits.

Chinook Salmon
June and July are typically the best months to catch Chinook salmon. However, early spring can also be a good time to fish for Chinook salmon. If you are after larger Chinook salmon, try fishing in the late summer and fall.

To effectively catch Chinook salmon on Lake Oahe, an angler needs to remember Chinook salmon are cold water fish. The warmer the water gets, the deeper Chinook salmon tend to go to find food. In the spring and fall, in the lower portion of the lake, anglers can do well trolling with spoons and plugs. During the warm summer months, Chinook salmon tend to concentrate below the thermocline, in the cold water layer and downriggers equipped with plugs, spoons, herring, dodgers, flashers and squids are used to get fishing lines down to where the fish are. During the fall, shore anglers can do well casting spoons and plugs from shore around Whitlock Bay when the Chinook salmon are preparing to spawn.

Smallmouth Bass
Shore fishing for smallmouth bass is best in late May and June when fish seek out warmer water for spawning. The best areas to fish include areas of large rocks in shallow water (less than 20 feet) and rip rap areas. During the summer, main lake points and flats are prime areas for smallmouths to fish.

White Bass
White bass fishing on Lake Oahe should be good in May and June. Fish the wind-blown shorelines in large bays and tributary arms, especially the Cheyenne River.