South Dakota has Chinook Salmon in Lake Oahe (Missouri River impoundment) and a Ladder and spawning station in Whitlock Bay. Rainbow Smelt were introduced prior to salmon as the forage base. Lake Oahe has maximum depth of 205 feet and is 370,000 acres. The record Chinook on Lake Oahe is 24 lbs 8 oz. Upstream in North Dakota on Lake Sakakawea there is also a fisheries department ran Chinook Salmon program. Rainbow Smelt and Sisco are the primary forage for salmon on Sakakawea. North Dakota record Chinook Salmon is 31 lbs and 2 oz. The size of these freshwater Chinook is well below record size Chinook returning from the ocean. These Chinook Salmon programs have been operating since the 1970's.
