Bismarck Tribune

By JONATHANBy JONATHANRIVOLI

The continued lack of recreational opportunities on Lake Oahe has piqued the concern of local fishing and conservation groups, who met Saturday to discuss solutions.

Members of Bis-Man Reel and Rec. and Voices for Lake Oahe spent the day brainstorming ways to bring tourism back to the area.

"We have to start somewhere to even get to this type of thinking," said Ron Kraft, of Bis-Man Reel and Rec.

The groups' ideas, voiced in a meeting with state and federal officials, involve the renovation of boat ramp sites and parks along the river where visitors can stop to fish or bring their boat to the river.

There are numerous such sites up and down the river, including Beaver Bay, Cattail Bay, Hazleton, Jennerville and Ohlhauser Ramp.

All of the sites are on the lake's east bank.

Voices for Lake Oahe member Tom Splonskowski said three of the sites Cattail, Jennerville and Langliers aren't in usable condition.

Improvements allowing boat use from these areas would have to be approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Corps checks surrounding areas to make sure boat use wouldn't damage any significant natural or archaeological sites.

Lake Oahe, which runs along the Missouri River from Bismarck to Pierre, S.D., was created when a dam was installed near Pierre for flood control. It stretches more than 230 miles and is the fourth largest man-made reservoir in the U.S., according to the Corps.

At Hazleton, the Corps is installing improvements that include electrical hookups for campers and playground equipment.

Farther down the river at Langliers, which is just a few miles from the South Dakota border, the groups had hoped to have an operational boat ramp.

The plan didn't work out because of conflicts with a landowner who worried about how it would affect his cattle.

"It was just difficult because we had put so much effort into it," Kraft said.

The groups are now looking to refocus their efforts on the park near Beaver Bay.

One idea is to install a weir to keep more water in the tributaries that flow into the lake. This would raise water levels in the tributary areas and create greater opportunities for fishing and recreation.

Another idea is to petition for the park, which is currently managed by the Corps, to be turned into a state park with more amenities and recreational opportunities.

Along the shores between docks, the groups' concerns about the corps' restrictions on driving along the shore.

Splonskowski said many fisherman have to park their cars, walk to the shore with their heavy fishing equipment and then walk back.

He said they're asking the corps to ease these restrictions because they discourage fishing, especially among older fishermen.

About 20 people showed up for Saturday's meeting.

(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@;bismarcktribune.com.)