Fishing Lake Thompson

AKA: Thompson Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Thompson Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Lake Thompson, SD

Popular Fish Species Lake Thompson, SD

Walleye Fishing

Many walleye tournaments are held annually on Lake Thompson, with nice catches consistently reported. Thanks to good fisheries management by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, a healthy population of walleye are thriving here. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, staying close by 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. 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.

Lake Thompson Popular Fish - Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch Fishing

Lake Thompson continues to have a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake as well. 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. They make for an excellent fish fry, are a food source for many of the larger predator fish in the lake, and they are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing.

Lake Thompson Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

Black crappie reside in good numbers throughout Lake Thompson, and they are averaging a very good size this year. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water. White crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of crappie.

Lake Thompson Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass, yellow perch and northern pike at Lake Thompson in South Dakota.

Rocky shorelines and submerged timber create great cover for all the fish species thriving in Lake Thompson, a 15,000-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at De Smet.

Walleye fishing is a major draw at Lake Thompson. Anglers can find walleye in abundance, particularly during the early morning and late evening hours when these elusive fish are most active. Smallmouth bass and white bass are also popular. Northern pike is another sought-after species in the lake. Bluegill and yellow perch are plentiful in Lake Thompson and are perfect targets for families and novice anglers.

Fishing report for Lake Thompson

There is a nice boat landing at Lake Thompson Public Water Access on the northwest shore, and a boat ramp at Lake Thompson State Recreation Area in the northeast corner of the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Thompson

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Thompson Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

436th Avenue Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off 436th Avenue, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

State Lakeside Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off 436th Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Thompson Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off 439th Avenue, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.