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Reservoir•South Dakota Lakes•Hughes, Stanley, Sully, Potter, Walworth, Campbell, Corson, Dewey (SD), Emmons, Morton, Sioux (ND) County

Lake Oahe, South Dakota: Map, Depth, Size & Information

Comprehensive hydrographic guide to Lake Oahe featuring verified USGS & USACE water statistics, interactive topographic mapping, shoreline facilities, boating ramps, and game fisheries.

Directions
Surface Area
370,000 acres
1497.3 km²
Max Depth
205 feet
62.5 m
Elevation
1,607 feet
490 m ASL
Shoreline
2,250 miles
3621 km
Coordinates
44.500°, -100.400°
GPS WGS84
Verification
Official Data
2026-03-04
Live Hydrographic & Conditions Telemetry

Lake Oahe Live Water Level Status & Wind Conditions

Reservoir Hydrography
Water Level Status & Capacity
Current Water Elevation
1,604.49 ft
Normal Full Pool: 1,607.00 ft
Below Full Pool
Difference from Full Pool
-2.51 ft(below)
Reservoir Waterline & Storage Capacity91% of Conservation Pool
0%
25%
50%
75%
100% Full
Full Pool: 1,607.00 ft
24h Change: +0.07 ft / 24hEst. Volume: 20,875,400 acre-ft
Inflow Rate
11,442 cfs
River tributaries
Dam Outflow
10,455 cfs
Hydro & spillway
Water Temp
61°F
Surface layer
Water Clarity
15.2 ft
Secchi disc depth
Hydrologic balance: Current net flow is +987 cfs (Gaining volume). Water level is rising at 0.07 ft per day.
Atmospheric & Surface
Live Wind & Wave Simulator
Good Boating Conditions
Nautical Wind Compass Rose
NESW
SSE 148°
12 mph
Gusts: 26 mph
Blowing from SSE (148°) at 12 mph
Surface Wave Conditions0.8 ft wave height
Light Chop (0.5 - 1.0 ft)
Moderate Surface Ripple
Barometer
29.86 inHg
Steady pressure
Solunar Bite
Peak Feeding Window
High game fish bite
Hourly Forecast Timeline Scrubber:12 PM • 12 mph SSE
Calculate Water Level & Volume ChangesModel acre-feet storage loss, shoreline recession, and drought reserve projections for Lake Oahe.
Open Calculator

Interactive Map of Lake Oahe

44.5000° N, 100.4000° W|Get Directions
Centroid Coordinates: 44.5° N, -100.4° WOpen Directions in Maps

Where is Lake Oahe?

Lake Oahe is located in Hughes, Stanley, Sully, Potter, Walworth, Campbell, Corson, Dewey (SD), Emmons, Morton, Sioux (ND) County in the state of South Dakota, at geographical coordinates 44.5000° North latitude and 100.4000° West longitude. The water body lies at a surface elevation of approximately 1,607 feet (490 meters) above mean sea level.

Nearby Cities & Distances

Pierre
5 miles away
Mobridge
3 miles away
Fort Pierre
6 miles away

About Lake Oahe

Vast blue expanse of Lake Oahe winding through the South Dakota Great Plains
Reservoir • Missouri River Mainstem ReservoirVerified 2026-03-04

Lake Oahe is the fourth-largest man-made reservoir in the United States, beginning just north of Pierre, South Dakota, behind Oahe Dam and extending 231 miles north into North Dakota. Renowned for its rugged prairie cliffs, native grasslands, and world-class walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike populations, Lake Oahe offers pristine wilderness boating.

Hydrographic Classification:

Lake Oahe is categorized as a Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir. Its designated primary authorized uses include Flood Control (Oahe Dam), Hydroelectric Power, Irrigation Storage, Recreation.

Activities & Recreation

Sport Fishing

Lake Oahe is known for its resident game fish species. Common targets include:

WalleyeNorthern PikeChinook SalmonSmallmouth BassChannel CatfishCrappie
Boating & Watersports

Popular watercraft activities permitted across regulated channels:

Trophy Walleye FishingSalmon DownriggingCamping along Prairie BluffsHunting WaterfowlBoating

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Public Parks

Marinas (3)

  • •Oahe Marina & Resort
  • •Spring Creek Marina
  • •Bridge City Marina (Mobridge)

Public Boat Launches (4)

  • •Oahe Downstream Launch
  • •Spring Creek Recreation Ramp
  • •Bush’s Landing Ramp
  • •Walth Bay Ramp

Parks & Recreation (3)

  • •Oahe Downstream Recreation Area
  • •West Whitlock Recreation Area
  • •Cow Creek Recreation Area

Boating Safety, Wake Zones & Aquatic Regulations

• Speed & Wake Buffer Zones:

A mandatory 100-to-200-foot no-wake zone is enforced around all public boat launches, designated swimming areas, private docks, and moored vessels. Vessel operators must maintain idle speed in narrow coves and bridge passes.

• Safety Gear & AIS Protocol:

Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are required for all vessel occupants. To prevent aquatic invasive species (quagga mussels, hydrilla), boaters must adhere to Clean, Drain, and Dry inspection procedures prior to launching.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns for Lake Oahe

Spring (March – May)Pre-Spawn & Spawn

Game fish move into sheltered secondary coves, shallow flats (4–12 ft depth), and creek mouths as surface temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Target submerged timber, riprap, and emerging vegetation with spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

Summer (June – August)Thermocline & Main Basin

Predators retreat to deep underwater humps, main river channel ledges, and thermocline layers (20–45 ft). Peak activity shifts to dawn, dusk, and night trolling. Use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, drop-shots, and downrigger spreads.

Autumn (Sept – November)Fall Turnover & Feeding Blitz

Cooling weather triggers lake turnover and intense schooling feeding. Bass, trout, and walleye push baitfish into primary points and pocket coves. Fast-moving topwater plugs, lipless crankbaits, and swimbaits produce explosive strikes.

Winter (Dec – February)Deep Suspension & Ice

Fish consolidate around deep wintering holes (40–80+ ft) or under safe solid ice on northern waterways. Slow finesse presentations—vertical jigging spoons, blade baits, and live bait rigs—dominate the cold-water season.

Lake Oahe Statistics & Hydrography

MeasurementImperial ValueMetric Equivalent
Surface Area370,000 acres1497.3 km²
Maximum Depth205 feet62.5 meters
Average Depth62 feet18.9 meters
Water Surface Elevation1,607 feet above sea level490 meters
Shoreline Length2,250 miles3621 km
Lake ClassificationReservoir (Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir)
GPS Coordinates44.5000° N, 100.4000° W

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Oahe

7 verified answers
How long is Lake Oahe?+
Lake Oahe extends 231 miles upstream from Oahe Dam near Pierre, South Dakota, all the way to Bismarck, North Dakota.
How deep is Lake Oahe in South Dakota?+
Lake Oahe reaches a verified maximum depth of 205 feet (62 meters), with an estimated mean operating depth of approximately 62 feet (19 meters). The lake bathymetry features typical reservoir bottom topography with distinct drop-offs, deep submerged channels, and shallow littoral zones that support aquatic vegetation and forage species.
What is the surface area, shoreline length, and elevation of Lake Oahe?+
At normal conservation pool, Lake Oahe covers approximately 370,000 surface acres (about 578.1 square miles or 1497.3 km²) at an elevation of 1,607 feet above sea level. The shoreline extends for 2,250 miles (3,621 km) throughout Hughes, Stanley, Sully, Potter, Walworth, Campbell, Corson, Dewey (SD), Emmons, Morton, Sioux (ND) County, featuring numerous sheltered coves and bays.
What game fish can you catch in Lake Oahe?+
Anglers on Lake Oahe target Walleye, Northern Pike, Chinook Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie. Peak fishing occurs during spring spawning runs in shallow bays and submerged timber, followed by summer deep-water trolling near thermocline depths and structural humps. Autumn brings aggressive feeding activity along windward points.
Can you boat on Lake Oahe and where are the public ramps?+
Yes, recreational boating is permitted on Lake Oahe. Public boat launch facilities include Oahe Downstream Launch, Spring Creek Recreation Ramp, Bush’s Landing Ramp. Full-service marinas including Oahe Marina & Resort and Spring Creek Marina offer slip rentals, marine fuel, and boat repair services. Boaters must adhere to state navigation laws, maintain required life jackets and safety gear, and respect posted no-wake zones near docks, coves, and designated swimming beaches.
Who manages Lake Oahe and are there campgrounds or parks nearby?+
Lake Oahe is managed and monitored in coordination with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Omaha District) & SD Game, Fish and Parks. Lakeside recreation areas and campgrounds include Oahe Downstream Recreation Area, West Whitlock Recreation Area, Cow Creek Recreation Area. Visitors can take advantage of developed campgrounds with tent and RV hookups, scenic hiking trails, day-use picnic areas, and boat launch access.
Where does the data for Lake Oahe come from and how is it verified?+
All hydrographic statistics, water surface elevation gauges, surface acreage measurements, and bathymetric soundings for Lake Oahe are cross-referenced from authoritative federal and state geospatial databases, primarily U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Omaha District) & SD Game, Fish and Parks and the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Records undergo programmatic sanity verification and were last verified on 2026-03-04. Detailed ingestion pipelines, calibration procedures, and agency citations are published on our Data Methodology page (/methodology/).
Review Full Data Methodology & Verification Guidelines
Authoritative Data Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Omaha District) & SD Game, Fish and Parks
Last verified: 2026-03-04 • Record ID: lake-oahe-sd
View Official Source

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