LAKE OAHE 2009 FISHING FORECAST

Click Here to Access PDF File of 2009 Lake Oahe Forecast

Each year, biologists working on Lake Oahe collect information on fish populations from netting surveys and information on angler use and harvest of those populations from creel surveys.  By looking at trends in fish populations and anglers use and harvest, predictions can be made about fishing on Lake Oahe for 2009.

Key Issues for Lake Oahe in 2009     

• Water levels increased 12 feet during 2008 and are higher than previous years.

• Lake access should not be affected in most regions of the lake, depending on water conditions. 

• Rainbow smelt numbers have been increasing since 2002, but are not back to levels observed during the mid 1990’s.

• Gizzard shad are found throughout Lake Oahe and serve as an additional food source for many species of fish, including walleye and salmon.

• As water levels continue to increase on Lake Oahe, shoreline vegetation will be flooded increasing the productivity of the lake.  Many species of fish will increase in abundance by using the newly flooded vegetation as spawning habitat, including northern pike and yellow perch.

• Lake Oahe should have good fishing for many species of fish during 2009.