Tours of Fort Randall Dam and the Powerhouse are available during the summer. The dam consists of an earthen embankment, a powerhouse, and eight gates on a concrete-lined spillway. Whether anglers are looking to enjoy a strong bite in the spring, turn their pheasant hunt into a blast and cast in the fall, take advantage of the action fishing in the summer or catch fish out of the boat in the winter Sharpe provides an abundance of opportunities for anglers. Froelich Dam. Every day is different so you need to try different bait. |
Followers 37 Catches 1 Spots 0. The water behind Big Bend Dam is called Lake Sharpe, which extends 80 miles behind the dam, where it backs up to the Oahe Dam. Ground was broken at the dam site on May 18, 1952, in a ceremony attended by Lieutenant General Lewis Pick, then Chief of Engineers, and the Governors of South Dakota and Nebraska. Fort Pierre has two of the most popular . Fishing Reports available for your local region or casting type at Sportsman's Warehouse. More information about the projects features are available here. From Lake Oahe to Lake Sharpe, the South Dakota Missouri River region is full of beautiful lakes and rivers, full of outdoor recreational bliss. From shore to 20 feet is the best right now using bottom bouncers, crawlers, leeches and minnows. Find more fishing reports in South Dakota. Missouri River Flood Regulation. Pease Creek to the Fort Randall Dam is going good. Eric Lundgren of Ruger, which now owns Marlin, highlights the features of both rifles with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Here walleye and bass are hitting either jigs or bottom bouncers and minnows. The sand bars in town can also produce very good fishing opportunities. See auction date, current bid, equipment specs, and seller information for each lot. Tell them Glacial Lakes & Prairies sent you! It's no secret that tailrace fishing is king when it comes to early-spring walleyes in the Dakotas. Tours are by special appointment only. Lake Oahe is a deep reservoir so Continue Reading President Dwight D. Eisenhower threw the switch that started the first power generating unit in 1954. In the spring, this is particularly true. Sharpes fishery is predominantly fed by gizzard shad. The Oahe Dam Visitor Center provides a complete history of Lake Oahe and the surrounding area. Omaha District completed several risk reduction actions at Big Bend Dam after the flooding of 2011. Big Bend Tailrace - Boats not allowed below Big Bend Dam for 500 feet. Big Bend Dam Fishing near Fort Thompson, South Dakota Big Bend Dam is a dam located just 1.4 miles from Fort Thompson, in Buffalo County, in the state of South Dakota, United States. When youre out on the water be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife thats a great part of fishing! Outside of pitching jigs, trolling flats with crankbaits can produce success as well. At Akaskathe wind caused a slowdown over the weekend, but things are picking back up. It is safe to say the stilling basin can become the capitol of walleye fishing at the capitol. Remember this report is a snapshot in time and changes can occur quickly. There are few fisheries that can offer a strong walleye bite all 12 months of the year, but Sharpe is one of these fisheries. Below the dam is the charging water that feeds Lake Francis Case, one of the most popular fisheries in South Dakota. Typically, open water exists for about five miles below the dam, depending on weather and water releases, and good fishing exists throughout the area. Major to record flooding occurred on the James, Vermillion and Big Sioux Rivers in eastern South Dakota in March 2010 following an excessively wet fall and winter. AroundSpring Creek /Cow Creek - Anglers are fishing in shallow stained water with jigs/gulp minnows and bottom bouncers. Missouri River region daily river bulletin - main stem reservoirs, selected tributary reservoirs and selected river gage readings, Midnight water temperature readings for the main stem reservoirs for about the last 30 days. This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 23:50 (UTC). Nick is originally from Gretna, NE. Primary recreational opportunities are listed below. While Lake Oahe has been plagued with a predator/prey problem that has left the system full of small, hungry walleyes, Hendrickson says the resident walleyes in the Garrison tailrace look good. Some fish are being caught in back of bays in shallower water and many fish are out on he main lake points much deeper so hunting them is much harder. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including crappie, northern pike, white bass, muskie and walleye here. Trolling crankbaits is an excellent way to locate pods of fish to pitch or grind out a limit of fish throughout the day as well. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Boaters are reminded they must pull their plugs every time after they load up and only put them back in once they are ready to launch. At times, this water can be so muddy it can dirty the entire reservoir. The Cheyenne River is going well for limits. There are numerous recreational areas along Lake Sharpe's path. The paddlefish "paddle" is called a rostrum and is a . The lake has an area of 56,884 acres (230.20 km2) and a maximum depth of 78 ft (24 m). It's going well both north and south of Chamberlain. Northern, catfish and smallmouth are going well right now. The stage at Morrilton was steady at 11.68 feet (flood stage is 30 feet). In the autumn, hunters use this as a base camp to hunt pheasants and Canada geese. Average depth of 11 feet, maximum depth of 33 feet. During periods of high flows, the coldwater prey species of Lake Oahe may be flushed through the dam and diversify the Sharpe forage options. By 1962, the Oahe Dam was functioning and producing hydroelectric power. Lower Lake Oahe gets fired up late June and early July. "There is no secret spot or lure; everybody's just catching fish. The daily creel has a minimum size-limit of 15 inches and allows for only one of those walleyes to be 18 inches or longer. Overall, expect many of the Lake Sharpe walleyes you encounter to be in the 15-18 inch size variety. You can experience the raw beauty of this landscape by driving the Native American Scenic Byway. Big Bend National Park, Black Gap WMA and Big Bend State Park. The rugged bluffs that line Lake Sharpe continue to harbor many species of waterfowl and wildlife.
Search Search Cancel. If those times won't work for you, 12:00AM to 12:00AM looks promising , as does 12:00AM to 12:00AM Remember to adjust these times based on barometric pressure, and weather changes. We catch a lot of walleyes in the 17-inch range to fill the slot. A few miles down river, the large sand bars near the bridges in town can produce excellent fishing as well. Omaha District Flood 2011. Marlin is back in the game with the re-introduction of the classic 336 and 1894 lever-action hunting rifles. The Santee and Winnebago Tribes were soon relocated further downstream, and in 1865 the Lower Yanktonai, a subdivision of the Dakota tribe, were gathered on the reservation. Bottom bouncing with Smile Blades and crawlers in 7-10 feet of water can produce excellent fishing at times. Project staff at Big Bend Dam walk below a huge spillway gate during a dam safety inspection. For shore anglers, this is the best opportunity to catch a trophy caliber fish on Lake Sharpe. Anglers are fishing in 5-15 feet using spinners and crawlers or minnows. The lake is named after South Dakota Governor Merrill Q. Sharpe. Any ice conditions can limit locations anglers can target, but look for fish on sand bars or in the submerged timber adjacent to the main river channel. A few salmon have been caught at the top of Oahe. During fall, fishing will again be strong and continue to produce fish sometimes even all winter long. Big Bend Dam is a major embankment rolled-earth dam on the Missouri River in Central South Dakota, United States, creating Lake Sharpe.The dam was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Pick-Sloan Plan for Missouri watershed development authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944.Construction began in 1959 and the embankment was completed in July 1963. Hornady's Seth Swerczek goes in depth about the new cartridge with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. The winding Missouri River creates miles of shoreline with great structure to promote fishing. Camping is found along the shores as well as hotel/motel accommodations in nearby towns. If you want to catch walleyes in North Dakota and South Dakota this month, then fishing below the big dams is your best bet. Hunting opportunities include Canadian geese, duck, grouse, pheasant, deer and antelope. Lake Sharpe. These fish can end up going through the dam from above Lake Oahe and will often stay close to the colder, flowing water of the dam. Lake Sharpe is a excellent walleye lake. Nick breaks down the best approach to finding success in the early fall inBouncing Around Early Fall Walleyes. The lake extends for 80 miles (130 km) up the course of the Missouri River past Pierre to Oahe Dam, another major power-generating and flood control . CX Outfitter, 180 gr. Details: . As I eased across the Big Bend Dam overlooking the "Fort's" tailrace, I was surprised to see so many boats waiting to unload.
Whether catching numbers of walleyes, the hard fighting white bass and smallmouth bass or hook up with the abundant channel catfish, bonus northern pike or any other fish in-between anglers will often enjoy a busy day of reeling fish in when out on Lake Sharpe. Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller gets more info from Hawke's Paige Shipe at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. White bass surpassing 17-18 inches are certainly possible for any angler targeting these hard fighting fish and catching fish literally by the bucket full is possible. Sportsman's Warehouse: Shop online or in-store for quality hunting, fishing, camping, recreational shooting & outdoor gear at competitive prices. Lake Oahe. Due to increased security, visitors for powerhouse tours must arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour and visitors over 18 years old must show a government issued photo ID. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Fishing is the main attraction to the area, with walleye being the primary sport fish, although sauger, smallmouth bass, white bass, channel catfish and northern pike also provide great fishing action. But more than that, fishing is at its best in March. Scattered early white settlements began at this time. As a result, the pool level of the Big Bend Dam is the same as the outflow level of the Oahe Dam, and the pool level of the Fort Randall Dam is the same as the outflow level of the Big Bend Dam. Lake Sharpe is approximately 80 mi (130 km) long, with a shoreline of 200 mi (320 km). Hunters also pursue big game animals such as white-tailed deer, mule deer and antelope. The Visitor Center is open Memorial Day to Labor Day with off-season hours September through October. At the end of the cut banks where the river turns lies the famous Crow Creek area. And if last fall was any indication, fishing should be superb this spring in the tailrace. Lake Sharpe provides many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Trophy caliber walleyes will reside in the tailrace year-round and any angler with a line in the water has a chance at one of these fish. Big Bend Map. In thePollock and Mobridge areas the fishing is really kicking into gear. The dam is located near Fort Thompson, South Dakota, USA. Naturally, a cloud of freezing rain had hovered over us the last 20 miles of the trip, and it was now glued onto the boat and our equipment. Big Bend dam was the last of the six great Missouri River dams built under the Pick-Sloan act of 1944. Fishing is good north and south of town. At this point in its course, the Missouri makes almost a complete loop, traveling 25 miles before returning to the "neck" where the land is only about one mile wide. LaRue's Ethan Alexander talks about the Siete's features with Game & Fish's Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. In the early fall, fishing will really begin to take off in the Oahe Dam tailrace. Today, approximately 80,000 acres of public lands and water provide a variety of benefits to the public including flood control, recreation, conservation of our natural resources, fish and wildlife habitat, irrigation, and hydropower production. TItle 36, Parks, Forests, & Public Property, Chapter 3; Code of Federal Regs. These narrow, winding waters more closely resemble what Lewis and Clark would have seen as they came up the Mighty Mo. Lake Sharpe. Subscriber Services. One of the best shore-fishing spots I know is along the tail-race beneath the Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. PO Box 2714 | 1-800-767-5082 | 701-255-3031. Big Bend Dam began operating in 1964 as one of the six large federal dam and reservoir projects on the upper Missouri River that, as a system, reduces flood risks for the populations and urban and agricultural properties downstream. Early groups inhabited isolated locations such as wooded draws and terraces which offered protection from the elements and access to food sources. From Chamberlain to the Platte/Winner Bridge fishing is really picking up. A fisherman reported seeing an antelope swimming at Whetstone Bay! Big Bend Project. "The fishing is fast and furious," explains Palmer. The Oahe Dam tailrace can produce excellent fishing all year, thanks to the cold waters coming out of Lake Oahe keeping a consistent forage base, but it can be exceptional come fall especially for shore anglers. Pierre is the state capital of South Dakota. Tribal licenses not required unless fishing inland on reservation soil. Northern Pike and white bass round out the primary species available on this Missouri River impoundment. Channel cats and . It creates the fourth largest artificial reservoir in the United States, supplying irrigation, conservation, flood control and electric power to many Midwestern states as well as abundant recreation along Lake Oahe. Give a Gift
REMINDER: Help stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species! It is important to understand that the dam is designed to release up to 493,000 cfs when necessary and that dams do not eliminate flood risk. Anglers looking to target walleye in November and December, when the weather allows, will often find the best success pitching jigs and minnows. All Rights Reserved. For more detailed information call the store at (605) 336-9132. . It is operational mid-May through mid-September. Lake Sharpe begins at the Oahe Dam and flows for 80 miles south to the Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. Page 1 of 1. Smallmouth Bass are found statewide in both warm and cool waters. "Anglers should also pay attention to the excellent opportunities for white bass, smallmouth bass and channel cats in the system.". . Generally these fish will use the flats as areas to rest and look for a meal, making trolling a perfect way to contact fish and put together a strong bag at the end of the day. Palmer's favorite way to catch tailrace walleyes is with the jig-and-minnow. He has fished across the Midwest on top waterbodies, but calls the Missouri River reservoirs his home. Residents of South Dakota. Fishing in this area can be good through most of the summer, particularly as the sun goes down in the evening. Winter is prime eagle-watching time. The lake is over 60,000 acres and reaches depths of over 75 feet. As part of its Dam Safety Program, Omaha District conducts detailed engineering analyses to ensure its dams are safe and that risks to the public, property, and the environment are minimized to the extent possible. The public land and water of the project also provide a wide variety of recreational activities, such as fishing, boating, and camping. Fishing over the weekend was very good. This means the fishing will often be dictated by the time of year, with spring producing the best fishing when gizzard shad are least abundant. According to Gerald Wickstrom, wildlife biologist at the American Creek Fisheries Station in Chamberlain, water levels actually held strong during the spawn. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks officials report that because of the rule, 40 percent of the walleyes over 18 inches that were caught last season were released. Instagram: mrwalleyesd. Pitch jigs in the morning and pull bottom bouncers during the day. ELD Match, and 175 gr. For one thing, the areas below the big dams have open water, which is scarce come March in our part of the country. Lake Francis Case. A large sand bar infront of Marions Gardens is another popular location as large numbers of fish will stage on this sand bar, producing an excellent numbers bite for anglers pitching jigs. The lake is over 60,000 acres and reaches depths of over 75 feet. Overall, Lake Sharpe is a spectacular action fishery. Below the dam is the charging water that feeds Lake Francis Case, one of the most popular fisheries in South Dakota. Today, the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, overlooking Gavins Point Dam, offers exhibits on the river's natural resources, the people who have lived along its banks and Lewis and Clark's expedition. Lake Francis Case cuts through grassy prairie and grain fields that provide habitat for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, prairie chickens, turkeys and geese. Accessible out of Downs Marina, the area along LaFramboise Island will lack the current of the main river and feature areas of weed growth not seen along most of the reservoir. Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Association, Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association, Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association. Trying casting shallow running crankbaits into the reeds on the upper end of the reservoir. The Lewis and Clark Center is located on top of Calumet Bluff just downstream from the Gavins Point Power plant. The spillway was designed to additionally release up to 390,000 cfs. Limits are coming in. As with all walleye fishing at this time of year, Palmer echoes the sentiment that this is a great time to catch a wallhanger, as big aggressive females feed actively prior to their spawning. The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. Of course, there are plenty of smelt coming through the dam from Lake Sakakawea and those are quickly gobbled down as well, so the fish are in good shape.". Palmer likes to be on the water early and says that the walleyes are very current orientated. Waterfowl and upland game birds include ducks, geese, pheasants, prairie chickens, and grouse. That way youll be assured of a great trip! On Lake Francis Case, call Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679 or Circle H Motel at 605-487-7652. Depending on the weather conditions, the first part of winter can produce spectacular fishing. High winds over the weekend slowed things down a little, but temperatures are up this week and then winds should be down. Outside of walleye, smallmouth are a commonly sought after species. Not only is the adrenaline running for spring fishing and getting geared up, but fish are easy targets in shallow waters. Fish the east side, and go to the area of the second lamp pole once you are on "the . The hooks will be flying May 1 below Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson as a revived state paddlefish season gives anglers a change to hook into Missouri River trophies that could weigh 100 pounds or more. Left Tailrace Campground at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Big Bend Project, sits on the shore of Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River below Big Bend Dam. Tours are by special appointment only. This recreation area in Hot Springs is great for anything water related. South Jordan, UT Change Store. Hunting Limits of walleyes are commonly taken by anglers who are willing to work for them. At Yankton the fishing is going well with the warmer weather. Today, visitors can walk the parade grounds and imagine what life was like at this lonely frontier post. Fishing is a very popular activity on Lake Sharpe and in the tailwater area. Smallmouths are also being caught and lots of catfish are being brought in from the creeks. Tours are by special appointment only. For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing Lake Oahe, please call Kemnitz MoRest Motel in . On either end of Lewis and Clark Lake sit two natural segments of Missouri River that flow unrestricted. During this time, fishing depends on the ice conditions, but is generally confined to the upper end of the reservoir. Check out the SD Game, Fish & Parks weekly report to the right as well. Cottonwood Lake. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679. The Oahe Dam Visitor Center, located above the dam, is open year-round, featuring interactive displays and information about the Oahe Dam and the Missouri River. The NWTF is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Lake Sharpe is named for former South Dakota Governor, Merrill Q. Sharpe, who was instrumental in implementing the construction of USACE dams on the Missouri River. The lake covers over 56,000 acres and offers 200 miles of scenic shoreline. For more information, please call (605) 245-2255. SOUTHBEND GRIDDLE Other Items Online Auctions at EquipmentFacts.com. We stuck with the timberline for about an hour, but as the wind increased and the action decreased, we decided to make the move back toward the dam and the protection of the high cutbanks. Description. Successful anglers use a combination of light jigs and slow-rolled live-bait rigs. Walleye/sauger regulations feature a 15 inch minimum, except during July and August. These include the installation of additional instrumentation to enhance foundation monitoring and upgrades to key foundation drainage systems (as well as installation of additional drains) to prevent water from eroding the dams foundation. south dakota water data maintainer Exhibits feature the history of the construction of the dam/power plant, and the natural history of Lake Oahe and the Missouri River. The project's primary purpose is for the . The dam was dedicated on August 17, 1962, by President John F. Kennedy. The Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge, just below Fort Randall Dam, is where visitors often spot bald eagles sitting high atop cottonwood trees lining the shore. Lake Sharpe- Big Bend Dam, South Dakota. . Lake Sharpe, better referred to as "the river" by Pierre . 3. The Oahe Dam was authorized in 1944 by the Flood Control Act. Other commonly caught species include smallmouth bass, white bass, northern pike and perch. They are fishing mainly in the back of the rivers or creeks. View is upriver to the west-northwest. "Never had to scrape the windshield on the boat before," Dale said with a puzzled look. Strong year-classes keep the fishery running, so expect plenty of fish in a variety of sizes. Lake Sharpe resembles more of a river than a typical lake. Arkansas River at Morrilton. Lake Sharpe is created by the Big Bend Dam, which is located near Fort Thompson, just south of a major bend in the Missouri River. While fall is one of the best times to fish all year, the transition from summer to early fall can often come with some struggles. The lake was named after Merrill Q. Sharpe, the 17th Governor of South Dakota. Both pitching and vertical jigging in the stilling basin can produce both numbers of fish, but also quality fish as well. Featured People on Fishidy. Anglers are casting to shore and fish are being caught in 18 feet or less. But smelt have never been as big of a factor in the extreme upper reaches of the system as they are in the southern two-thirds. They prefer rocky, clear-water habitats of lakes impoundments and small to medium sized streams. Significant numbers of shad can be found in this 6-8 foot fish bowl and trolling crankbaits or bottom bouncing with spinners can produce walleye, northern pike, channel catfish and yellow perch. North Shore Fishing Reports . West Bend Recreation Area is one of the South Dakota state parks along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Once again, the daily creel has a minimum size limit of 15 inches and allows only one of those fish to be 18 inches or longer. "Fishing has been really hot, and limits are very common.". Website offering information about Corps lakes nationwide. Tribal bison herds can be seen grazing the lake area's grasslands north of the towns of Fort Thompson and Lower Brule. At Big Bend Dam, eight spillway gates hold and release water to help reduce downstream flooding on the Missouri River. Fishing Update for The Missouri River in South Dakota. Address and Phone Number for Big Bend Dam, a Power Plant, at North Shore Road, Fort Thompson SD. As summer rolls on, an abundance of gizzard shad will greatly slow down the bite. "The stilling basin is void of current, and the water is warmer than the main channel. Big Bend Dam: A unique bend in the Missouri River in south central South Dakota brings the river to a near complete loop . If the water is not too dirty, fishing opportunities slowly begin to expand downriver. DeanneHA/Tripadvisor. Smallmouths are going well in this area also. No reports. Bend Sunday, Feb 26 2023 Ochoco Reservoir New. Most notably, the stilling basin will be the epicenter of fishing efforts. Browning's Rafę Nielsen shares details on the new X-Bolt Pro LR McMillan hunting rifle with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. 1 of 3. . Gavins Point Dam, located four miles west of Yankton, was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944. "The walleyes that come up from Oahe and the river portion of the system near Bismarck are showing lower weights and sizes. Outflow = 26258 (cfs) as of: 03/MAR/2023 19:00. Spinners and bottom bouncers and minnows are working well, with some starting to pull plugs. was created by the completion of Big Bend Dam in 1966. . As spring progresses, the flats between Stony Point and Fort George will begin holding more and more fish as they move up and down the reservoir. Down in this area, the reservoir begins to act like a lake as opposed to the river qualities of the upper end. Generally, the Oahe Dam tailrace remains open throughout the year and the section of river in Pierre will often remain open except for maybe a few weeks in the winter depending on conditions. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Open water fishing is available from the day the ice leaves until it reappears again 9 or 10 months later, which makes the lake a magnet . The current, regulated by releases from nearby Oahe Dam, is needed to trigger feeding. During normal operations, USACE releases water through the powerhouse to generate power and balance reservoir levels for other uses. Boat ramp elevation readings for Fort Peck, Garrison, Oahe and Fort Randall Projects. Big Bend Dam is operating as designed but in the unlikely case of uncontrolled reservoir releases, significant consequences could impact downstream populations, including numerous urban centers along the Missouri River. Try casting shallow running crankbaits such as the Rapala Shallow Shad Rap, Rapala Husky Jerk or other similar baits. One cubic foot of water, or cfs, is equal to 7.5 gallons. It is worth noting that the winter and spring periods provide anglers their best chance at catching a trophy caliber fish on Lake Sharpe. 2021 . Date: 14 July 1998: Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Digital Visual Library Image page Sharon J. G./Tripadvisor. Old Fort Randall, a military fort built in 1856, once stood in the shadow of Fort Randall Dam. When we neared the trees that line the bend entering Crow Creek, Dale eased back on the throttle and crawled our boat into the 14 feet of water that guarded the standing timber. Whether you are looking for a fishing trip on Lake Sharpe, turning your South Dakota pheasant hunt into a blast and cast or are looking at the other hunting and fishing opportunities the Missouri River region has to offer, the Pierre area has everything you need. The lake has an area of 102,000 acres and a maximum depth of 140 feet. Lake Sharpe flows for 80 miles from the Capital City of Pierre to the Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. Visitors can view the Oahe Dam and Lake Oahe by following the highway seven miles north of Pierre. . The Calumet Bluff Theater programs highlight construction of Gavins Point Dam, the Lewis and Clark Expedition and native wildflowers. On our second rods, we went with our usual backups, consisting of light Lindy rigs. When: Early April after ice out; late fall. The Glacial Lakes in northeastern South Dakota also reached record high levels. The dam takes its name from the unique bend in the Missouri River just seven miles upstream. It stretches for 231 miles from Oahe Dam, near Pierre, all the way north to Bismarck, N.D. Eventually, the Arikara were gradually displaced by Dakota and Lakota people moving into the area from the east. Cottonwood Lake is a 1650 acre lake located in Spink County. The tailrace below the Oahe Dam that feeds into Lake Sharpe is on fire right now with hot walleye angling. NOTE: Data displayed may contain bad points (spikes) that could be related . As of Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam was 38,257 cfs. Key features include muzzle velocities of 2,215-2,400 fps. Big game animals include whitetail and mule deer, elk, bison, coyotes and wild turkeys.