Fish Species

The average age of a twenty inch walleye in South Dakota fisheries reflects the health of Lake Oahe and conservation efforts.

Lake Oahe walleye size and growth rates depend on rainbow smelt forage, water temperatures between sixty and seventy degrees, and population density.

South Dakota state record brown trout weight is twenty-eight pounds and six ounces, caught by an angler in the Black Hills.

South Dakota rainbow trout record weight details a thirteen pound eight ounce fish caught by Mark Nesbitt at Pactola Reservoir.

South Dakota state record crappie weight is three pounds and ten ounces, caught from a Minnehaha County farm pond in 1960.

South Dakota state record catfish weights reach 57 pounds for channel catfish on the James River and 78 pounds for flathead catfish.

South Dakota Chinook salmon weight records, Lake Oahe habitat, and stocking management by Game, Fish and Parks supporting massive sportfishing.

South Dakota state record smallmouth bass weight reaches seven pounds and three ounces, caught in Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River.

The South Dakota state record northern pike weighed forty pounds and was caught from Lake Oahe in nineteen ninety-three.

South Dakota state record walleye weighed sixteen pounds and two ounces when caught in 1979 at Lake Sharpe by Paul Christopolis.