Lake Oahe is the 4th largest man-made reservoir in the United States. Lake Oahe stretches 231 miles (372 km) up the course of the Missouri River to Bismarck, North Dakota. The shore line encompasses 2,250 miles, beginning at the dam just north of Pierre, South Dakota.
The AIM Pro Walleye Series will hold their August tournament on Lake Oahe. August 13 to 15, 2009 will be the dates of the event, based out of Akaska, South Dakota. This tournament will expand the South Dakota Walleye Classic which debuted in 2008, and bring the AIM Pro Anglers from across the U.S. to this premier fishery.
http://www.sdwalleyeclassic.com/
Anglers Insight Marketing will expand on the success of the inaugural 2008 event. At that event, over 400 fans witnessed the crowning of Champion Lynn Jurrens. In 2009, the AIM Pros will hope to unravel the hundreds of square miles of Missouri River to find heavy daily limits of seven Lake Oahe walleyes.
With the AIM Pro Walleye Series exclusive “Catch-Record-Release” format, Pro Anglers will be able to “weigh” their seven largest fish each day. The immediate release format will allow the Pros to bypass the restrictive slot limit that would otherwise restrict the daily catch to only ONE fish over 20 inches. The AIM Pro Walleye Series format will allow all seven fish to exceed 20 inches! A healthy 20-inch Lake Oahe walleye may weigh more than two, or even three 14-inch fish that would otherwise be included in daily baskets.
The AIM Pros will need to bring all their expertise to Lake Oahe. This body of water has features of a river (with distinct channels), reservoir (including flooded timber), and a lake (with hundreds of miles of shoreline, points, and bays.) Past experience predicts that presentations will include crank bait trolling, live bait rigging, and many variations of jigging. Complicating the Pros’ decisions will be varying water levels that are common on the huge Oahe system.
Quotes from the Pros
“Akaska, I travel all around the country chasing walleyes, but I always look forward to coming home. I am very privileged to get to enjoy Lake Oahe and the billions of hungry walleyes that live there.”
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Chad Shilling
“Akaska, very good bite, lot of fish in the 18 - 22" range.
- John Kolinski
“Akaska South Dakota was the start of my walleye career as a co-angler. Good fishing—great people!”
- Jesse Buechel
“Lake Oahe is back and better than ever. This fish factory produces fast and furious bites. Precision trolling tactics will rule in this event.”
- Tom Kemos
“Akaska, another great reservoir that has flourished the last few years. Abundance of walleyes anywhere from shallow to deep can and will be caught during this hot summer bite.”
- Jason Przekurat
“Akaska SD - Some of the nicest people on earth mixed with walleyes that have nasty appetites”
- Tom Gatzke
"Every time I fish the Akaska area, I enjoy the Lewis and Clark adventure feeling. It's ALWAYS like new frontier."
- Steve Fellegy 26 years of tournaments on the River
“Oahe is booming for fishing and the fish are big. Since the water is rising, we will have many choices. Fish by the landing, go North or South, fish shallow or deep or find trees. Besides the fish we will have Dakota landscape which is priceless”.
- Doc Samson
“Lake Oahe at Akaska SD has become one of the best fisheries on the Missouri system-well managed and getting better every year.”
- Rod Putnam
“Alaska, SD in August heats up. The temps get hot and the bite gets hotter. This is one of the best times of the year to put together big weights averaging over 7lbs. Fish will be caught in many depths ranging from 5ft to 50ft.”
- Sam Anderson
“Combine the pristine beauty of the Missouri River, the down home goodness of communities such as Akaska, Selby, etc. along with the phenomenal fishing that is present on Lake Oahe, and this tournament will not only AIM to please - It will satisfy your walleye hunger!”
- Tommy Skarlis
“I fished in Akaska last year, the fishery offers unlimited miles and techniques to fish, and the weigh in's were the best attended I've ever been at. Fun for all!”
- Kelly Klemm
“Akaska – I am really looking forward to a tournament in South Dakota where, because of CRR, we will be able to catch as many of the biggest fish on the system as possible. Get out the Leadcore and Flicker Shads – it’s going to be an Old West shootout!”
- Keith Kavajecz
“Akaska - Lake Oahe is my favorite body of water and it's been a long time since I fished a tournament there without the restrictive slot limits, it's going to be great!!”
- Rick Olson
“Akaska the fishing is superb with a diverse river system and possibly the best fishing the Missouri has had in many years with fish over 23" abundant”
- Rich Boggs
“Lake Oahe in August is a perfect venue to use the CRR format. At this time of year on this body of water there should be several anglers who hone in on those 22-27” fish that are abundant in the system. It’s going to be a real shoot out with the CRR format”
- Pat Neu
