Lake Sharpe is a reservoir situated in South Dakota, created by the construction of the Big Bend Dam on the Missouri River. It spans approximately 57,000 acres and is a popular fishing destination, as it boasts a wide range of game fish including walleye, smallmouth bass, and catfish.
A handful of invasive plant species can be found within Lake Sharpe, such as Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leafed pondweed. The reservoir is of huge economic value to the surrounding area, and as a result, its ecology (specifically its fish populations) is carefully managed.
List of Fish Species in Lake Sharpe
1) Walleye (Sander vitreus)
Walleyes commonly grow to around 54 cm (1 ft 9 in) in length, although maximums of 107 cm (3 ft 6 in) have been recorded. These fish are slender in shape, with a large mouth and two dorsal fins. They are olive or gold in coloration, fading to a white belly, and there are at least five black bands extending across the back.
This species requires clean, warm water, typically preferring rocky or gravelly shores on which to spawn. Populations also require optimum light conditions, and where water clarity is low, very few walleyes are found. Walleyes have a varied diet, including insects, fish, crayfish, snails, and frogs.
The breeding season for walleyes is in early spring, during which time all females undergo synchronized development of their ovaries in preparation. Spawning occurs in small groups and includes behaviors such as chasing and swimming around each other in circles. This species does not provide any parental care to its offspring.
2) Sauger (Sander canadensis)
The sauger can attain lengths of 76 cm (2 ft 6 in). This species is closely related to the walleye and displays a similar coloration, with olive or bronze scales and a white belly. The two species can be distinguished by examining the tail: walleyes have a white-tipped tail, whereas saugers lack this.
Saugers are also much more tolerant of low water clarity than walleyes and will occupy muddy pools as well as reside over sandy or gravelly substrate. These fish are also very sensitive to light, and will often hide underneath aquatic vegetation in an attempt to remain in darker conditions. Their diet consists predominantly of insects and fish – they have been reported to consume mayfly larvae and emergent juvenile fishes.
Individual saugers in Lake Sharpe are reported to be larger than average. They grow fast during the first three years of life, after which growth slows down significantly. Blade baits are recommended for fishing for sauger, as these mimic the appearance of small fish.
3) Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Smallmouth bass are typically found at lengths of just 8 cm (3 in), although a maximum length of 69 cm (2 ft 3 in) has been recorded. The coloration is usually green, black, or brown, with brown stripes running vertically down from the back. Another characteristic feature is that the upper jawline extends back to the middle of the eye.
This species prefers shallower waters, usually over a gravelly or sandy substrate. Its diet varies as it matures; fry consume microcrustaceans, juveniles feed on insects, crayfish, and fish, and adults tackle larger fish and crayfish. In high-density populations, these fish may also be cannibalistic.
Smallmouth bass are a popular game fish on Lake Sharpe. Although they can be found throughout the reservoir, some of the best places to look for them include the lower end of the reservoir, between West Bend and the dam.
4) White bass (Morone chrysops)
White bass reach lengths of up to 45 cm (1 ft 6 in) and have a stocky build with a small head. As their name suggests, they are white in color, although the back may be gray or black. There may also be several thin dark lines running horizontally along the sides.
Morone chrysops prefers cool, clear waters, and is typically benthopelagic, a habit that enables it to stay cool when air temperatures rise. This species is highly tolerant of very cold conditions, relying on a regular intake of unsaturated fatty acids to support its metabolism through the winter.
The diet of the adult consists of various fish species, while juveniles feed on invertebrates such as copepods and midge larvae. A study of white bass in Lake Sharpe found that populations may adjust their diet depending on the season, with a greater volume of fish being consumed during the growing season.
5) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
The channel catfish is large, reaching lengths of up to 132 cm (4 ft 4 in) – Lake Sharpe is reported to have numerous good-sized individuals. The coloration of this fish is blue-gray across the dorsum, while the underside is white. There are often dark spots along the sides, and the head is broad, adorned with barbels.
Ictalurus punctatus resides in deep water with plenty of rocks or vegetation to provide cover. Crevices between rocks also provide suitable spawning habitat and it is essential for these fish that the water is clear and well-oxygenated. Individuals forage for crustaceans, fish, clams, and snails along the bottom of the lake, using their barbels to detect them.
The barbels are covered with taste buds, enabling the catfish to taste their environment and identify their surroundings by detecting molecules such as amino acids. Individuals move these barbels back and forth until they discover prey, at which point they suck it into their mouths.
6) Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)
Flathead catfish are characterized by their broad, flattened heads with a protruding lower jaw. Individuals can attain lengths of up to 155 cm (5 ft 1 in) and are yellow or brown with dark mottling across the dorsum, and a paler belly. Juveniles may be darker in color, with some being almost black.
Suitable habitat for this species includes plenty of logs and debris, usually in shallow water with high turbidity – these conditions appear to encourage rapid growth in juveniles, more so than clear water. Individuals feed predominantly on fish or crayfish, but they have also been observed to consume clams and aquatic insects.
The flathead catfish spawns between May and August, using logs or caves for their nests. It is the male that constructs the nest, and once the eggs are laid, he defends them. He also fans them with his tail to ensure they remain well-oxygenated.
7) Northern pike (Esox lucius)
The northern pike is commonly found at lengths of around 40 cm (1 ft 4 in), although maximums of 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) have been reported, with females typically being larger than males. Lake Sharpe has been known to produce some especially large individuals. Pike have long snouts with large mouths and are dark in color with paler markings across the back and sides.
This species resides in clear waters with plenty of aquatic vegetation – these areas have been suggested to provide greater habitat diversity, and greater biomass of both invertebrates and vertebrates, providing ample prey for the northern pike. Adults typically feed on frogs, fish, and crayfish; however, cannibalism is common in juveniles.
Northern pike are usually solitary, coming together only to breed. They seek out well-vegetated areas in which to spawn, although females have been observed spawning with their backs out of the water.
8) Yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
The yellow perch is a popular game fish, reaching around 50 cm (1 ft 8 in) in length. Aptly named, its scales are golden yellow, fading to white on the belly, and there are several dark bars running vertically down its sides. Females tend to be larger than males.
Perca flavescens tends to be associated with the shoreline and prefers areas with surrounding vegetation – research has found that individuals that developed in near-shore habitat had deeper bodies and larger dorsal fins, presumably due to the risk of predation. This species prefers clear water and becomes less abundant as turbidity increases.
Although yellow perch can now be found fairly easily on Lake Sharpe, in the past, populations suffered declines. This was thought to be due to the degradation of spawning habitat by both erosion and sedimentation.
9) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
The black crappie can be distinguished from the white crappie by its deeper body and silvery green scales, with dark mottling across the back and upper sides. Individuals can attain lengths of 49 cm (1 ft 7 in) and have spines on their gill covers, earning them the name ‘Pomoxis’, which means ‘sharp operculum’.
Pomoxis nigromaculatus prefers deep water with a firm substrate and can be found near aquatic vegetation. This species is much less tolerant of high turbidity than white crappie. In South Dakota, black crappies have been found to spawn over silty substrate in areas with debris or vegetation to protect them from wind and waves.
Juvenile and small adult black crappies feed on planktonic crustaceans and dipteran larvae, while larger individuals consume fish. In terms of fishing for this species, live bait is reported to be best, such as worms, insects, and minnows.
10) White crappie (Pomoxis annularis)
The maximum recorded length of the white crappie is 53 cm (1 ft 9 in), and this fish has a deep body and a large mouth. White crappies have silvery sides, with a grayish-green back and a white belly. There are subtle dark vertical bands on the side, although these are less prominent than in the black crappie.
Suitable habitat for white crappie includes plenty of cover in the form of submerged trees, boulders, and vegetation. This species is tolerant of turbid waters and prefers areas with muddy or sandy substrate. It consumes a varied diet, including zooplankton, aquatic and terrestrial insects, and fish.
White crappies spawn between May and June, with older females producing more eggs than younger females. Males construct the nest and guard it fiercely, remaining for a few days after hatching to guard the fry.
11) Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Chinook salmon are large, growing to around 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) in length. They have streamlined bodies, with blue-green scales across the back, which fade into silver on the sides. The dorsum is covered with numerous small black spots, and during breeding season adults develop a reddish coloration.
This species is most abundant in Lake Sharpe during the fall and spring, particularly in the Oahe Dam tailrace. It feeds on aquatic insects and microcrustaceans when in lakes or rivers, although while out at sea its diet also includes fish. Some populations are migratory, while others remain inshore for the entirety of their lives.
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha has not been assigned a conservation status by the IUCN, however, it is believed in some areas to be imperiled. Potential threats include the construction of dams, irrigation, logging, and mining.
12) Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus)
Despite reaching up to 108 cm (3 ft 7 in) in length, the shovelnose sturgeon is the smallest of the native American sturgeon species. As its name suggests, the snout of this fish is flattened and shovel-like – it is used to push into sandy substrate and search for aquatic arthropods such as flies, mayflies, and caddisfly larvae.
This species tends to be found in greater abundance in more turbid waters, generally over sandy or silty substrate, although some individuals have been found in more rocky or gravelly areas. These fish can be found in warm waters, with one study identifying a temperature range of 17 – 28.5°C (63 – 83°F).
Shovelnose sturgeon are thought to spawn over rocky or gravelly substrate between April and June. Little is known about the reproductive habits of this species, but males are believed to reach sexual maturity at the age of five, whereas for females it is seven.
13) Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
The common carp is an introduced species to North America. It has a maximum recorded length of 120 cm (3 ft 11 in) and can live for up to 20 years. This fish has a stocky build, with large scales that fade from bronze across the back to a yellow belly – the intensity of this coloration can be altered to match the environment, a feature which is controlled by chromatophores in the skin.
Cyprinus carpio is abundant across South Dakota, occupying warm waters with plenty of aquatic vegetation. Its preferred breeding habitat is in shallow marshy areas. When this species exists in deeper waters, its diet appears to vary depending on its size: smaller individuals consume cladocerans and ostracods, while large individuals feed on phantom midge larvae and larger chironomids.
Due to being an invasive species, the common carp may have a number of detrimental effects on lakes such as Lake Sharpe. Some of the most notable changes are an increase in turbidity and a decrease in invertebrate prey resources, which can cause declines in native fish species.
14) Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum)
The gizzard shad is an important forage fish species, reaching a maximum length of 57 cm (1 ft 10 in). It has a deep body, with a small head and mouth and a blunt snout. This fish is grayish-brown across the back, fading to silvery sides and a white belly, with a subtle dark spot on the shoulder.
Populations of gizzard shad in South Dakota delineate the north-western edge of its native range. Lake Sharpe is thought to be a particularly important location for the spawning and early life of this species, which prefers warm, shallow waters with a muddy substrate. Individuals are omnivorous, consuming detritus and zooplankton.
The abundance of gizzard shad in Lake Sharpe is high, and this species is the primary forage fish in the lake. It is often predated on by catfish, bass, and pike.
15) Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens)
The freshwater drum can attain lengths of up to 95 cm (3 ft 1 in), although it is more commonly found at lengths of 45 cm (1 ft 6 in). This fish has a deep body, and its dorsal fin is divided into two distinct sections. It is silver in color, with a slightly darker dorsum and a paler belly.
Lotic habitats seem to be the most productive in terms of freshwater drum populations, and individuals appear to prefer fine substrate. These fish will venture into deeper water during the summer but avoid this through the winter. Their diet consists of aquatic insects, amphipods, fish, crayfish, and mollusks.
Male freshwater drums produce grunting noises which sound like a drum. This sound is produced by muscles vibrating against the swim bladder and is thought to be related to spawning.
16) Shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum)
The shorthead redhorse is a slender fish that can grow up to 75 cm (2 ft 6 in) in length. Being a sucker, its lips point downwards. The coloration of this species is olive-brown across the back and upper sides, fading to golden yellow on the lower sides and white on the belly. The scales have dark edges, and the tail fin is bright red.
Moxostoma macrolepidotum is adaptable in terms of the habitat it occupies; however, it is most abundant in areas with sandy or gravelly substrate. It is tolerant of turbidity but is not found in areas where turbidity is particularly high, and prefers a moderate water flow through its habitat. Its diet consists mainly of aquatic insects and mollusks.
Fishing for shorthead redhorse requires enough weight on the line to take it to the bottom, as this is where this species spends much of its time. Worms and nightcrawlers are the best bait – however, shorthead redhorses are often used as bait themselves.
17) Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
The rainbow trout is a popular game fish that can grow up to 122 cm (4 ft) in length. It has an elongated, compressed body, and is, true to its name, a whole plethora of colors: blue-green sides, with black spots along the body and a red lateral line. Populations found in lakes tend to be lighter and more silvery in color.
This species occupies areas with clear, cold water over a rocky substrate, often relying on cover from undercut banks or vegetation. It consumes aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, and a variety of small fish, and in turn, falls prey to herons, kingfishers, otters, and raccoons.
Rainbow trout are stocked in Lake Sharpe. They have previously been subject to studies in which individuals were fitted with transmitters, enabling their availability to anglers to be tracked. Although these fish are a cold-water species, they are tolerant of the warmer temperatures in South Dakota.
18) Shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus)
The shortnose gar grows to 88 cm (2 ft 11 in) and has a very long, cylindrical body. Its snout is very long and is armed with numerous sharp teeth, and its coloration is olive or brown across the dorsum, fading to white on the belly. There may be irregular black spots on the unpaired fins.
This species prefers warm, sluggish waters, where it may be seen basking in the sun. It is a facultative air-breather and can swallow air and store it in its swim bladder – much like a lung. The swim bladder of gars is highly innervated and vascularized, which are adaptations for the role it plays in respiration.
Shortnose gars stalk their prey, waiting until they are very close to it before they strike and grip it in their jaws. They then wait for it to stop moving before swallowing it whole – typical prey items include aquatic insects, crayfish, and various fish.
19) Burbot (Lota lota)
Burbot are commonly found at lengths of around 40 cm (1 ft 4 in), although maximum lengths of up to 152 cm (5 ft) have been recorded. These fish have long, slender bodies with a very long anal fin and long posterior dorsal fin. Their scales are tiny, and the coloration is brown or olive across the back, fading paler on the belly, while there are dark mottled patterns on the head, body, and fins.
This species prefers deep water over a rocky substrate, where it often shelters under large rocks, banks, or dense vegetation. Individuals may venture into shallower water at nighttime, especially during the summer, to obtain food. Juvenile burbot consume zooplankton and amphipods, while adults feed on insect larvae, crayfish, and mollusks. Particularly large adults may consume fish.
The burbot spawns during winter, often underneath the ice on lakes. Climate change may be having a detrimental effect on the reproduction of this species, due to warming waters and decreased ice coverage.
20) River carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio)
The river carpsucker can attain lengths of up to 64 cm (2 ft 1 in) and has a thickset build with a distinctive tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fin. This fish is silvery in color, with some olive-brown along the back and a white belly, while the fins are usually dark yellow. Females often grow faster than males.
Carpiodes carpio resides in quiet areas with a silty substrate, often preferring more turbid waters. It is omnivorous, feeding on organic detritus, algae, and small invertebrates. Individuals have large vagal lobes, which enable them to sort food items from other materials, such as the substrate, by texture and taste.
River carpsuckers are best fished from the bank, using a small weight and a light line. They do not tend to pull on the line, so it is best to remain vigilant and be ready to pull when they approach the bait.
