- South Dakota's salmon may be found in Lake Oahe, which was created from a large man-made dam. The dam's construction began in 1948 by the Army Corps of Engineers. The dam was completed in 1958, and over time, Lake Oahe was formed. Today, the lake is the fourth largest artificially constructed reservoir in the country. It extends more than 23.5 million acres from the capital of South Dakota, Pierre, to Bismarck, North Dakota, more than 230 miles away. Named after the Lakota Indians, Lake Oahe is the premiere South Dakota salmon fishing spot.
- Chinook salmon are found in Lake Oahe. Similar in color, size, and appearance to rainbow trout, the chinook are Pacific Ocean natives artificially placed into Lake Oahe. Since chinook do not naturally breed in the lake, their population is controlled only by commercial stocking. Salmon survive only in cold waters, and Lake Oahe's deep, cold waters are ideal. Feeding on local rainbow smelt, the salmon thrive in the bottom of the lake.
- Chinook are identified by dark spots along their dorsal fins and back. They have a dark pigment on their mouths, and are commonly referred to as "blackmouths." They are greenish-colored, although they turn bright red when they are spawning. Although they may reach more than 100 pounds in their native Pacific waters, they will only weigh up to 20 pounds in Lake Oahe.
- Since Lake Oahe is not a native home for chinook salmon, the salmon are artificially bred in a spawning station next to Lake Oahe. The Whitlock Spawning station contains four ponds and a massive water pumping system. The station allows the salmon to spawn in a semi-natural habitat to supplement the salmon populations in Lake Oahe. The lake is actually one of the only North American reservoirs hospitable for salmon fishing.
The station offers guided tours during October, the only month it is open. Playing a pivotal role in the spawning process, Whitlock Spawning facilities maintain the salmon population in Lake Oahe, as workers collect more than a quarter-million salmon annually. - Chinook salmon are best caught by anglers or fly fishermen. Ideally, angling lures should mimic the look and movement of their prey, rainbow smelt. However, squids and flashers also work well as bait. For fly fishing, both dry and wet flies may be used. Salmon fishing is best in late spring to late summer.
To salmon fish in South Dakota, you must have a valid South Dakota fishing license. There are a few licensing options. General resident licenses are only issued to South Dakota residents. They may be purchased at the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks website athttp://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/licenses/. South Dakota also offers non-resident licenses for a $60 annual fee. However, as of 2010, daily fishing permits are also offered for about $14 per day. There is a daily five-per-person allotment for chinook.
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