Flood Affects of Lake Oahe Fishing Under Study

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - State biologists in South Dakota are already
trying to determine how many smelt avoided being swept through the
Oahe Dam last summer and whether walleyes are finding enough to
eat.
     Record amounts of water were flushed through the dam during the
Missouri River flooding, and biologists and anglers worried about a
repeat of 1997. Hundreds of millions of baitfish that year were
sucked through the dam and left Oahe's walleyes starving and
skinny.
     The issue concerns not only local anglers, but also the bait
shops, restaurants and motels that depend on business from the
boatloads of anglers from other states who show up every year to
pursue those walleyes.
     Biologists say it's too early to tell what will happen to game
fish and baitfish in the reservoir.