Autumn's Embrace: The Golden Hour for Walleye on Oahe and Sharpe

The crisp chill in the air, the turning leaves – there's just something inherently magical about autumn, isn't there? And for those of us with a rod in hand, it means one thing: the fall fishing bite is truly here, and it’s spectacular. Especially, it seems, on the magnificent waters of South Dakota's Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe.

Honestly, you could say the season has well and truly hit its stride. Word from the water, thanks to folks like Tony Peluso who keep a keen eye on things, is that the action is not just good; it's exactly what every angler dreams of as summer fades. Let's dive in, shall we, and see where the fish are hiding and what they're biting on.

Now, let's cast our gaze towards Lake Oahe. It’s always a grand lady, full of surprises, and right now, her walleye population is showing a bit of a split personality – but in the best possible way, I promise you. Many of those elusive beauties are still holding deep, really deep, in fact, often lurking in the main channel at depths between 50 and 70 feet. For those, a bit of persistence with your sonar and a good vertical presentation is key. But, and this is where it gets really interesting, some are pushing shallower. We’re talking 15 to 25 feet, particularly in those inviting bays and around prominent points, especially as the day stretches on into the late afternoon or evening.

For those shallower fish, the techniques are a little more dynamic. Think about jigging Raps, or perhaps some Rapala Shads, maybe even a well-placed blade bait. And don't shy away from casting those trusty crankbaits – they can be incredibly effective when walleye are actively chasing baitfish, which, by the way, are absolutely everywhere right now. It feels like the larger walleye, you know, the real trophies, are making that much-anticipated move into more accessible depths, which is just fantastic news for us all. Oh, and you might still hook into a stray Chinook salmon, though that bite is definitely starting to taper off. Plus, for a bit of extra fun, the smallmouth bass are absolutely crushing it on the rocky points; a truly underrated fight, if you ask me.

But wait, there’s more! If Oahe is the grand, somewhat mysterious dame, then Lake Sharpe, well, she’s a party. An absolute party of walleye, if you ask me. The fish here are simply everywhere and they are active. We're talking serious numbers in the main channel, especially near West Bend, and in those deeper holes and troughs. Live bait rigging with minnows seems to be a real winner here, or simply jigging with minnows — sometimes simplicity really is king, isn't it?

And it's not just walleye putting on a show on Sharpe. Anglers are also reeling in a good mix of crappies, those feisty smallmouth bass (again!), and even, surprisingly, a few northern pike. The consistency on Sharpe right now is just phenomenal, and honestly, every indication suggests it’s only going to get better as the temperatures continue their gentle decline. You just can’t beat that kind of steady action.

Honestly, what a time to be an angler in South Dakota! The fall bite, as Tony Peluso so aptly puts it, isn’t just on track – it’s sprinting, full steam ahead. There are good numbers of quality fish out there, just waiting. So, grab your gear, bundle up just a bit, and head out. These golden days on the water? They’re just waiting for you.