Andrew Martinsen's Walleye Fishing Secrets

Sign up for FREE Walleye Fishing Tips


• Sign up for a Complimentary Copy of My Report Called "Secret Sauce: The Bait Recipe for More and Bigger Walleyes."


• PLUS, you also get a complimentary subscription to my exclusive email publication, jam-packed with loads of "under-the-radar" walleye fishing tips that can help you to catch walleyes fast!

Contour Trolling  |  Fishfinder Tips  |  Jigging Tips  |  Crankbait Tips  |  Trophy Walleyes  |  More Reports...


Andrew Martinsen's Walleye Fishing Update


South Dakota's Lake Oahe Is a Walleye Paradise

A Great Place to Catch Walleyes

Understanding where on Lake Oahe to walleye fish is key to being able to successfully catch these fish. Located in South Dakota, Lake Oahe walleye fishing is one of the best in the country, according to other avid anglers. Because of the size of the lake, you need to know where the fish congregate more than you need to know what type of presentation to use.

One thing that all walleye fishing fanatics need to keep in mind: this is a manmade lake (it's actually a reservoir) and currently there is a daily four fish limit that allows one fish to be larger than 20 inches.

Lake Oahe fishing is good all year round. Most walleye anglers here have good luck using trolling and casting for the fish. Slip bobbers, lindy rigs, bottom bouncers and jigs all equipped with live bait will bring the walleye into you. Crank baits are best for trolling if you use a lead core line which also serves the fisher for casting. Minnows are a good option for live bait as this is the natural spring diet for walleyes.

Before covering the best place for walleye fishing we need to cover two things that all walleye anglers need to worry about on this lake. The first thing is the curly ponder weed. Walleyes do hide in this weed and if you plan on fishing for them here, make sure you use a heavy bouncer on your line and drop it as close to the middle as you can. Otherwise you may find that the weed is enjoying your bait and not the fish. The second thing anglers on Lake Oahe need to be aware of is the wind conditions. There are some wind issues on the lake that could cause you to retreat to a safer position on the lake if you are fishing from a boat. If you want to boat fish on the lake, try to do it in the morning or at dusk.

The way Lake Oahe was designed makes it perfect for walleye fishing. The underwater layout of the lake provides the walleye with plenty of places to hide as well as breed. There is also plenty of bait fish in the lake that will help bring the walleye to you. If you are looking to bag a trophy fish, you will probably do it while fishing on Lake Oahe.

April seems to be the best time of year to go walleye fishing. You need to go right after the ice has broken and use light weight jigs that are baited with minnows. When June rolls around the weather has warmed, a bottom bouncer fit with a hook and night crawler works best when fishing in the middle of the lake. The fish move to the cooler, deeper water of the lake when it gets hot and this will require a lead core line with bottoms bouncers and spinners to catch your walleye. Crank baits are recommended during the cooler, autumn months.

The area of the lake near Pierre and Gettysburg are prime locations for walleye fishing. The lower regions, which include Pierre, are best fished during June and July. May and June is perfect for fishing the lower regions of the lake which includes Morbridge. The shore becomes filled with walleye during the spring when they spawn, making the shorelines located in the upper and middle sections of Lake Oahe perfect for fishing.

The lake itself is filled with shad so there is ample feeding for the fish everywhere in the lake. The area around Whitlock is a good area for middle section fishing and you should be able to hook walleye with a night crawler, bouncer and hook in this area. If you want to try your hand at walleye fishing in the creeks and rivers that make up the lake, check out Tall Prairie Chicken creek, Charlie creek and the Cheyenne River.

Boost Your Walleye Catch Rate

Sign up for Your FREE Copy of the Secret Sauce Walleye Bait Recipe Report!