Future Fishing in central South Dakota

Open the Floodgates!  (Stilling basin - 2011)

Optimistic Game, Fish and Parks professionals met 80-90 fishing enthusiasts at the Holiday Inn Express in Ft. Pierre on February 6, 2012 to discuss the flood and the impact it may have on the warm-water fisheries of the Missouri River system.  The focus of this informative session was not specifically on the future of individual game species, but more on the food sources present in our fisheries that directly impact the population and location of the predator species.


There are two primary prey species present in the Missouri River fishery system of South Dakota,  Rainbow Smelt and Gizzard Shad.  





Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) - The primary food source for predator species in Lake Oahe Reservoir. Hundreds of millions of rainbow smelt roam these waterways each year.  A significant change in the smelt population (one way or another) will have a direct impact on the population of predator species.  Based on testing 






Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) - Gizzard shad thrive in the missouri river waters, especially Lake Sharp.  Winters are the prime factor determining the gizzard shad population from year to year.  Harsh winters are tough on shad, so they don't survive well under ice.

There are other prey species in this system including, but not limited to: perch, drum, white and smallmouth bass.  After the amazing fishing seasons we've had the last few years (especially in 2012) and long period of drought, it's upsetting to revisit the conversation regarding the future of this historically great fishery.  We are fortunate to have a number of game fish in the Missouri River system and will continue to experience great fishing, whether for Eyes, Northern, Bass, Cats or Salmon.  But we'll need to be extra diligent as stewards of this great resource to ensure it returns to the glory days of fishing years passed.