Fishing Waubay Lake

AKA: Waubay Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Waubay Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Waubay Lake, SD

Popular Fish Species Waubay Lake, SD

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to good fisheries management by the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks, a healthy population of quality walleye are thriving in Waubay 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 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.

Waubay Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are a favorite of many locals at Waubay Lake, as they are tough fighters and exciting to catch. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing.

Yellow Perch Fishing

Waubay Lake 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. 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. These perch are a great way to introduce new anglers to fishing. 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.

Waubay Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

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

Walleye, in good numbers and size, are the reason anglers are drawn to Waubay Lake, a 15,000-acre lake, located at Grenville. Shaped like a giant splatter of paint, this lake has hundreds of miles of shoreline, and it's loaded with fish.

Walleye fishing is a major attraction at Waubay Lake, and the lake has gained a reputation as one of the best walleye fisheries in South Dakota. Smallmouth bass is another prized species in here. Black crappie and white bass are also abundant in the lake. Northern pike is a top predator in Waubay Lake, and the lake offers excellent pike fishing. Bluegill and yellow perch are also plentiful in the lake and are perfect targets for kids and novice anglers.

There is a boat launch ramp on the north shore at the Grenville Access Area, one at the upper west shore off 136th Street and Gaikowski Drive, and nice boat ramp on the southwest shore at the Kanago Access Area off 436th Ave. Even though the lake is most suited for boat fishing, anglers wishing to fish from the bank can find access all around the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Waubay Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Waubay Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

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

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

Grenville Access Area Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off State Route 6, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.