Fishing Big Stone Lake

AKA: Big Stone Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Big Stone Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Big Stone Lake, SD

Popular Fish Species Big Stone Lake, SD

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to a significant baitfish population, and presence of numerous small sunfish in the lake, walleye are thriving in the fertile waters of Big Stone Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Northern Pike Fishing

Northern pike are voracious feeders and they have the tools necessary to catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. They are currently thriving in the cool waters of Big Stone Lake. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. Summer is spotty but pike can be caught all summer long. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can also be a big help.

Yellow Perch Fishing

Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Big Stone Lake. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. They are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing as well. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.

Big Stone Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, green sunfish, rock bass, white bass, yellow perch and northern pike at Big Stone Lake in South Dakota.

Bass, walleye and perch are the main attraction at Big Stone Lake on the eastern border of the state, at Big Stone City, SD. The plethora of rocks and boulders in the lake bed are what gave this 12,600-acre lake its name.

One of the most popular fish species in Big Stone Lake is walleye. Largemouth bass is another sought-after species. Big Stone Lake offers opportunities to catch white crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, and sunfish, as well as white bass and northern pike which also inhabit the waters of Big Stone Lake.

There are nearly 60 miles of shoreline, half in South Dakota and half in MN. The complete list of targeted fish in the lake includes bass, crappie, walleye, sunfish, white bass, perch and northern pike. This is a year-round fishery. Spring, summer and fall provide excellent fishing from the shore, fish houses, and all types of boats - from canoes and kayaks to pontoons and all kinds of fishing boats. During winter ice fishing is quite popular and generally quite successful. Local fishing guides offer trips by boat and through the ice. Boat launch ramps are available at Hartford Beach State Park and Schmidt's Landing for launching pleasure and fishing boats.

Primary fish species residing in Big Stone Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Big Stone Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Schmidt's Landing
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
605 432-6911

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Douthitt Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Lake Street, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Hartford State Beach Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Hartford Beach Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Kasuske Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off 479th Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Rearing Ponds Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Rocky Point Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Schmidt's Landing Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Schmidt's Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Marinas

Schmidt's Landing
48140 Schmidts Road
Big Stone City, SD 57216
605 432-6911