Guide To Fishing At Lake Thompson
AKA: Thompson Reservoir

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.
Bass, crappie and bluegill spend much of their time in the shallower water of over forty miles of shoreline . Walleye and perch tend to remain offshore around the river channel, ledges and humps. 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.
What to fish for...
Fishing for smallmouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass, yellow perch and northern pike at Lake Thompson in South Dakota.
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.
Click here for a South Dakota Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Lake Thompson State Recreation Campground - 605 847-4893
North Shore Lodging and Campground - 605 690-5729
Lake Thompson SD Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Lake Video
Contact Information
Lake Thompson
Lake Thompson State Recreation
21199 Flood Club Rd
Lake Preston, SD 57249
605 847-4893
Fishing lakes in each state.
Lake Thompson in SD
SOUTH DAKOTA


Fishing for crappie, walleye and perch in central SD.