Chamberlain/Oacoma Area Recreation Guide • Page 5
2011 flooding brought great fishing
Walleye population stays strong in 2012 outlook Jessica Giard, editor - Chamberlain/Oacoma Sun
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nglers on Lake Francis Case caught a good through the dam system last summer kept the water catch in 2011, despite historic, record-breaking cooler for longer. That kept walleye more active, but flooding and releases from the dams up and delayed production of the walleye's prey fish, gizzard down the Missouri River. The good catch looks to shad. continue through 2012. “The lake heated up to 70 degrees about “The Lake Francis Case walleye population one month later than average,” said Longhenry. typically responds favorably to high water conditions, “Additionally, the cooler water delayed most of and 2011 was no different,” said Chris Longhenry, the gizzard shad spawn until one month later than normal. While this didn't hurt the walleye population, fisheries biologist with S.D. Game, Fish and Parks. A combination it probably of factors last resulted in less year – cooler food available in water through the the first half of the season, a resilient summer, giving population of the walleyes prey fish, and fewer choices an ongoing solid and making them walleye population more susceptible – attracted anglers to anglers.” to the river, despite A string of the area's high good production water. years on Lake “There were Francis Case a number of over five of the factors that likely past seven years South Dakota Tourism Photo played into the bolsters the Fishing on Lake Francis Case at Chamberlain should stay strong in 2012, says phenomenal fishing Game, Fish and Parks. A healthy walleye population faired well through the healthy walleye population. last year. The first flooding on the Missouri River in 2011. is that we were, and Above normal still are, sitting on a run-off and high very healthy walleye population,” said Longhenry. flows through the system help the walleye stay more While boating access was severely limited last active and productive. GF&P survey results indicated summer with the high water, anglers who managed strong reproduction last year. to get on the river saw good success later than “The above normal runoff brings in nutrients and usual into the season. The bite typically drops as the organic matter which fuel primary production of weather warms into July and August, but higher flows continued on page 6