Lake Oahe - Restaurants and fishing methods

[wish2fish]

My brother and I are heading out to Lake Oahe tomorrow for some fishing. Neither of us has been there before and this is a spur of the moment trip.
Our goal; BS'n, eating and fishing. We have the BS'n part down.
What restaurants are favored around the Pierre area and what Walleye fishing methods (we jig usually) do you use?

Thanks

[Dutchman]

The first item on your list would be to get bait and talk to the good folks at Georges (the old Carls) baitshop in Ft Pierre. They'll put you on fish and tell you how others are catching them. As far as eating there are lots of great places to go. Heck ask them about that too.....

[Chuck Pederson MN]

I usually fish farther north of there around the Cheyenne River but I got a flyer on a new place Mike McClelland put up --Cheyenne Ridge Outfitters and lodge. It's 18 miles north of Pierre on Okobojo Creek. 1-800-223-9126 This place is new and I hav'nt been there but it looks first class by the flyer. Good luck I'll be on that water next monday.

[Gabby_SD]

While staying at Pierre try the "Cattlemens club" steakhouse its about 3 miles east of Pierre on hwy 34 along river or in town try "Mad Mary's". But I'd go with the other comments and travel up to the Cheyenne, water is awfully low in Pierre

[SetTheHook]

I second the suggestions for Mad Mary's and the Cattleman's Club. I hope you like beef, because that's what's best in Pierre.
If you're looking to have a drink and are up for some fine BS sessions after a day on the water, you can't beat Bob's in downtown Pierre.

[CAD master]

Whenever I'm anywhere near Pierre I go to Bob's Steakhouse. Its west of Gettysburg (where 212 crosses the MO). They have the best steaks in South Dakota. Its about an hour from Pierre but its worth the drive. You won't be disappointed.

[waterfowler]

I like to eat at Cow Creek lodge, they used to have all you can eat ribs on Wed or Thurs. Can't remember? I have layed my share of BS down in Bob's lounge. I used to work at the bank up the alley. Cattleman's is a great place to get a steak.

I heard the fishing really took off in the Okoboji area this past weekend, you might want to dock at spring or cow and fish okoboji. Tossing jigs shallow seemed to be the hot bait. Good Luck!!! Send us a report when you get home.

[buddy]

We take our fillets to the resturant in the Ramkota Inn in Pierre. They will fix them any way you like them. Enjoy!

[wish2fish]

Oahe fishing update...

We stayed at Bob's west of Gettysburg. The steaks were great. We had to drive into Gettysburg to get breakfast. Bob's doesn't serve lunch or breakfast. The next resort to the east, Southview??, has breakfast and lunch on the weekends. their food was very good.

The fishing was FANTASTIC for us. We fished the Whitlock area and caught fish from 10' to 30'of water. We spoke with others out there and it was about 60/40 those catching and those not catching many fish. Those not catching were still getting 5-8 fish or more per boat.

We caught fish on minnows and worms, i tried worms to see if they would slow down;-). We caught over one hundred fish mostly 13"-16", we had two over 22" and tossed them back. Species caught; walleye, northern pike, channel cat and white bass.

I have seen the other threads about 'Oahe smelt' and 'Oahe fishing limits'. I heard both sides of the issue while I was out there. The GFP guy that checked us one day told us the large walleyes were dying off because of the lack of forrage. I hope it works well for SD. Lake Oahe seems like a great fishery and I will go back.

The license fee was $20.00 for an annual non-resident, Lake Oahe only, license.

If you go you will have fun.