Lots of Options Up for Grabs

South Dakota has many fishing spots to offer to the fishing enthusiasts in search of that perfect experience. Other than the state’s designated fish species, the walleye, you can expect to find a variety of different species in the many creeks, rivers, and lakes the state offers.
Bass, crappies, catfish, perch, Rainbow trout, Cutthroat trout, Brook trout, Brown trout, Lake trout, Coho salmon, and Chinook salmon are some of the most common ones you can find in the waters of South Dakota. You may even expect to catch Sauger, Sturgeon, Tiger muskie, Longnose gar, Muskie, Northern pike, and Paddlefish in this region.

Types of Catch Available

Freshwater

Chinook Salmon

Coho Salmon

Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout

Cutthroat Trout

Brook Trout

Muskie

Walleye

Crappie

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Spotted Bass

White Bass

Carp

Whitefish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Bullhead Catfish

Bluegill

Yellow Perch

State Fishing Records

Top 10 Fishing Spots Across South Dakota

From trout fly-fishing at Black Hills Stream, catching trophy-sized Walleye from Missouri region to fishing for crappie from a north-eastern glacial lake, South Dakota will impress you with its amazing fishing spots.
Picking the best fishing destination is very challenging and has the potential to make or completely ruin your fishing trip. We have filtered the top-ranked fishing spots for you to help you experience South Dakota’s fishing experience at its best!

Horsethief Lake

Located in Keystone in Pennington County, the Horsethief Lake is the closest fishing spot to Mount Rushmore. It lies at an elevation of 4,905 feet and offers a wide variety of fish species. You may expect to catch brown and rainbow trout, perch, walleye, and crappie here at the Horsethief Lake.
A gang of horse thieves used to operate in this region. It is due to this the place has been named as the Horsethief Lake. People from all around the globe head to this place during the winter as it offers the most amazing ice-fishing experience. You may expect to catch trout here throughout the year in this region. For fly fishing, you may visit the Horsethief Lake in October and November.

Reausaw Lake

Located in Lawrence County, South Dakota, this lake is 5 acres in size. Situated at a distance of 9 miles northwest of Nemo, Reausaw Lake does bring you not only the best quality of rainbow trout but also has a restroom and an excellent shoreline to facilitate you during the adventure!
When talking about the opportunities that South Dakota brings for anglers, it’s safe to say that there are many of them. Largemouth bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Walleye are the top fish species found in the lake water.

Iron Creek Lake

When talking about the best fishing locations in South Dakota, Iron Creek Lake is the first one that comes to mind. It is located 10 miles south of Spearfish and covers an area of 10 acres. Iron Creek Lake not only offers a fishing pier but also easy shore access and a fully-facilitated campground.
The main species that can you expect to catch in this lake are rainbow trout, walleye, largemouth bass, crappies, and bluegills. By choosing Iron Creek Lake, you will get a chance to experience the best of South Dakota fishing.

Little White River Project

Little White River Project

Little White River Project is a tributary of the white river and is 234 miles long, covering an area of 167 acres. Located in Bennett County, South Dakota, Little White River is considered as one of the best shoreline fishing spots of the state as there are multiple fishing spots here for anglers. The environment here is great and promises the fishing lovers an out-of-this-world fishing experience.
Fishers may catch Crappie, White Crappie, Yellow Perch, Saugeye, Largemouth bass, Walleye, and Northern pike here at this river.

Curlew Lake

Curlew Lake in South Dakota is a dream destination for fishing fanatics! Whether you are a seasonal-angler or a fishing-pro, this place is a perfect option for you. Lying 25 miles away from the U.S Canada border and covering an area of 126 acres, Curlew Lake is rich in fish species. Walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, black bullhead, northern pike, and channel catfish are the fishes you can find in the region.
It is not only home to a diverse fish species but also offers the most scenic views that keep the fishers captivated throughout their trip. The best thing about this lake is that it allows anglers to fish from a Kayak, Motorboat, and a Canoe.

Lake Oahe

Lake Oahe, the fourth largest reservoir, located on Missouri River behind Oahe Dam, links both South and North Dakota. It is 370,000 acres of the reservoir with a maximum depth of 295 feet. It lies just a mile away from Mobridge; it offers the perfect fishing opportunities.
When you come to Lake Oahe for fishing, the most popular fish here is striped white bass. Other popular fish species are Chinook salmon, Northern pike, White bass, Walleye, Smallmouth bass, and Channel catfish.

Spearfish Canyon

For people who love fishing in a region where they can spend the whole day in complete solace, visiting the Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota is exactly what they need. It is the best fishing destination in the state that lies close to the Spearfish town. It is located in the Black Hills and is the second-largest stream in the region.
Rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, and walleye are some of the fish species that you can find in the waters of Spearfish Canyon. For the most productive fishing experience, time your trip in the early morning or late evening hours. It is a treat for the pro-anglers as the river offers tough challenges such as rapids, lazy ponds, and boulders.

Brakke Lake

Brakke Lake

Brakke Lake is located in Lyman County, South Dakota; this lake covers the area of 130 acres. Hiding under the water of Brakke Lake, there is a vast population of fish that is a prime attraction for anglers.
The diverse fish species, which include Largemouth bass, Walleye, Bluegill, Musky, Yellow perch, and Yellow bullhead, offer a great chance to get the best of your fishing trip!

Pactola Lake

Pactola Lake

The broadest and deepest reservoir in South Dakota, Pactola Lake, is a fishing haven. It is an exquisite location that boasts the most majestic views. If you wish to plan a fishing trip amidst the gorgeousness of nature, Pactola Lake will not disappoint you. Lying 11 miles north of Hill City, this lake is located deep within the Black Hills.
The deep blue water of the Pactola Lake is home to rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, largemouth bass, and black crappie. The 14-mile shoreline offers many facilities to help the visitors enjoy the most phenomenal fishing experience in South Dakota.

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

Located in McCook County, close to Canistota, the Lake Vermillion Recreation Area offers the most exciting fishing experience in the state. The lake covers an area of 513 acres, and not only does it provide an excellent game fish variety, but even allows the visitors to enjoy other adrenaline-rushing recreational activities.
Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, walleye, white crappie, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch are the common fish species that you can find in the lake. It even offers you a fish cleaning station and allows you to prepare your fish for the pan. You can then enjoy your fish while relaxing at the beach!
A fishing day trip means relaxing day at a lake, away from the discomfort of the city, amidst the art of nature. The phenomenal fishing spots in South Dakota offer you exactly that! Not only do you get a rich bank of fish but you also get the peace and tranquility, the purpose of a fishing trip. Enjoy fishing in South Dakota’s breathtaking fishing spot and experience the highest form of relaxation on the water!

South Dakota State Fishing Records

Species	Weight	Location	Angler	Date
American Eel	5 lbs 3 oz	Missouri River	Velma Weverstad	6/29/1969
Bigmouth Buffalo	51 lbs 9 oz	Mitchell Lake	Reg Young	4/24/1993
Black Bullhead	4 lbs 5 oz	Lake Poinsett	Adam Arendsee	5/31/2009
Black Crappie	3 lbs 8 oz	SDSU pond	Benjamin Wight	5/27/2004
Blue Catfish	99 lbs 4 oz	Big Sioux River	Steve Lemmon	7/21/2012
Blue Sucker	12 lbs 7 oz	Ft. Randall Tailrace	Larry Peters	4/28/1988
Bluegill Sunfish	3 lbs 4 oz	Stock Dam	Scott Sanner	5/24/1980
Brook Trout	11 lbs 3 oz	Deerfield Lake	Ryan Rempfer	1/1/2007
Brown Bullhead	3 lbs 11 oz	Big Stone Lake	Mike Piechowski	6/13/1993
Brown Trout	24 lbs 8 oz	Canyon Lake	Wilfred H. Huether	12/9/1990
Burbot	12 lbs 3 oz	Lake Sharpe	Norman Sheldon	4/3/1974
Channel Catfish	55 lbs 0 oz	James River	Roy Groves	5/18/1949
Chinook (King) Salmon	23 lbs 14 oz	Lake Oahe	Keith West	8/16/2003
Cisco	4 lbs 3 oz	Lake Oahe	Lee Delo	7/28/1999
Coho Salmon	3 lbs 5 oz	Missouri River - Oahe Tailwaters	Barbara Poaches	2/18/1974
Common Carp	37 lbs 7 oz	Waubay Lake	Stephen Wood	4/21/2012
Creek Chub	0 lbs 9.7 oz	Big Sioux River	Sharon Peterson	4/7/1998
Cutthroat Trout	6 lbs 5 oz	Rapid Creek	Dick Rossum	9/24/1989
Flathead Catfish	60 lbs 8 oz	James River	Roger Adam	6/2/2004
Flathead Chub	0 lbs 1.85 oz	Keya Paha River	Nick Backlund	7/2/1993
Freshwater Drum	36 lbs 8 oz	Missouri River	Alvin D. Williams	9/25/1971
Gizzard Shad	4 lbs 6 oz	Lake Sharpe	Slim Rutschke	10/8/1992
Golden Shiner	0 lbs 4 oz	private pond	Vicki Raths	5/27/1985
Goldeye	3 lbs 13 oz	Missouri River - Lake Oahe Tailrace	Gary Heuer	8/9/1987
Green Sunfish	1 lbs 5 oz	Minnehaha Co. Stock Pond	Alex Meland	5/7/2005
Kokanee Salmon	2 lbs 11 oz	Pactola Reservoir	Russ Backus	8/2/1974
Lake Sturgeon	40 lbs 0 oz	Missouri River	Daniel Bouza	3/13/1990
Lake Trout	28 lbs 5 oz	Pactola Reservoir	Steve Matheny	5/17/2009
Largemouth Bass	9 lbs 3 oz	gravel pit	Richard Viereck	11/14/1999
Longnose Gar	16 lbs 12 oz	Missouri River	Curt Larseon	4/6/1996
Mooneye	1 lbs 7 oz	Missouri River - Lake Oahe Tailwaters	Roe Gifford	6/16/1967
Muskellunge	40 lbs 0 oz	Amsden Dam	Daniel B. Krueger	4/16/1991
Northern Pike	36 lbs 3 oz	Lake Oahe	Jeff Case	4/3/1993
OrangeSpotted Sunfish	0 lbs 0.55 oz	Big Sioux River	Rebecca Zirbel	6/23/1999
Paddlefish	120 lbs 12 oz	Missouri River - Ft. Randall Dam Tailwaters	Don Gregg	4/19/1979
Pallid Sturgeon	28 lbs 8 oz	Lake Sharpe	Donald Chambers	5/26/1971
Pumpkinseed Sunfish	0 lbs 12 oz	Lake Carthage	Pat McCart	5/28/1970
Rainbow Smelt	0 lbs 4 oz	Lake Oahe - Oahe Stilling basin	Roger Pederson	1/22/1984
Rainbow Trout	19 lbs 4 oz	Missouri River - Oahe Tailwaters	Rom Moore	7/4/1980
Red Shiner	0 lbs 0.045 oz	Big Sioux River	W. Alan Wentz	7/17/1976
River Carpsucker	7 lbs 15 oz	Lake Sharpe	Paulette H. Gun	5/15/1999
River Herring	1 lbs 5 oz	Missouri River	E. Jansevigs Sr.	8/20/1988
Rock Bass	2 lbs 0 oz	Lewis & Clark Lake	Joe A. Kippes	7/14/1990
Sand Shiner	0 lbs 0.124 oz	Big Sioux River	W. Alan Wentz	7/17/1976
Sauger	7 lbs 7 oz	Missouri River - Oahe Tailwaters	Harvey Holzworth	5/3/1960
Shiner	0 lbs 1 oz	Little Minnesota River	Mike Stapleton	5/31/1980
Shorthead Redhorse	3 lbs 11 oz	Missouri River - Oahe Tailwaters	Phil Laumeyer	5/22/1997
Shortnose Gar	5 lbs 10 oz	Ft. Randall Tailrace	Leo Hopkins Jr.	4/25/1998
Shovelnose Sturgeon	6 lbs 10 oz	Lake Sharpe	Don McMullen	5/8/1987
Smallmouth Bass	6 lbs 9 oz	Lake Poinsett	Darin Laue	4/27/2008
Smallmouth Buffalo	30 lbs 0 oz	Missouri River	Bill Lynch	1/14/1986
Splake	10 lbs 13 oz	Deerfield Lake	Dennis Larive	4/22/2005
Stone Catfish	0 lbs 5.28 oz	Big Sioux River	Duane Stanley	5/20/1980
Tiger Muskellunge	37 lbs 7 oz	Lake Sharpe-Stilling Basin	Jason Besmer	5/30/2003
Tiger Trout	1 lbs 2 oz	Center Lake	Tom Reeve	4/24/2012
Walleye	15 lbs 3 oz	Lake Sharpe	George Heyde	4/7/1979
White Bass	4 lbs 12 oz	North Rush Lake	Steve Kennedy	4/12/2011
White Crappie	3 lbs 9 oz	private pond	Gary Ernst	4/28/1974
White Sucker	9 lbs 5 oz	Rush Lake	Domanic Heim	4/11/2012
Whitefish	7 lbs 9 oz	Missouri River - Oahe Tailwaters	Clinton Woody	5/31/1988
Yellow Bullhead	2 lbs 11 oz	Big Stone Lake	Robert Adams	5/24/1980
Yellow Perch	2 lbs 12 oz	Bitter Lake	Dave Engels	2/28/2004

Brown Trout

Appearance

Brown trout vary greatly in appearance, but are generally olive green to brown on top, shading to a creamy, golden yellow on the sides and an off- white along the belly. Most brown trout are covered with black spots along their sides, back, and dorsal fin with each spot surrounded by a light halo. Frequently, the spots near the lateral line are red. Unlike other trout species, brown trout tails have few if any spots.

Habitat

Brown trout occupy a range of aquatic systems and habitats from Coldwater mountain streams to larger rivers, ponds and lakes.

Diet

Brown trout feed on several animal prey species, aquatic invertebrates being the most abundant prey items. However, brown trout also feed on other prey such as land-based invertebrates (e.g. Hymenoptera) or other fish. Moreover, in brown trout, as in many other fish species, a change in the diet composition normally occurs during the life of the fish, and piscivorous behavior is most frequent in large brown trout.

Fishing for Brown Trout

Fishing for brook trout with a Bubble Fly or Bubble Bait rig is a great way to catch brook trout. The Bubble allows for easy casting or float and release to get to the hard bends and deep pools. Using a spinning reel or fly rod the bubble can help get to the fish. For lake fishing the Bubble works great with a nightcrawler and letting the bubble troll the bait for you using water current or wind.

Top 5 Bubble Fly Combos for Brown Trout

Ant, Cricket, Hopper, Adams Parachute, Wullf Royal

Top 5 Bubble Bait Combos for Brown Trout

Nightcrawler, Wax Worms , Corn, Power Bait, Salmon Eggs

Bubble Fly Challenge Games for Brown Trout

Panfish & Trout

Lots of Options Up for Grabs

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Types of Catch Available

Horsethief Lake

Reausaw Lake

Iron Creek Lake

Little White River Project

Curlew Lake

Lake Oahe

Spearfish Canyon

Brakke Lake

Pactola Lake

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

Rainbow Trout

Appearance

Habitat

Diet