The Best Fishing Lakes In South Dakota
Guide to the top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in SD.
Big Stone Lake, Lake Oahe, Lake Poinsett, Lake Sharpe, Lake Thompson and Lewis And Clark Lake are the most popular places for fishing in South Dakota, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species. In winter, once the ice is safe, many of these lakes afford the opportunity to go ice fishing.
South Dakota is blessed with numerous fishing lakes, providing a wide range of opportunities for anglers to pursue different species in both warm water and cold water environments. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, and the species found in each lake.
Among the warm water lakes, Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case are popular destinations for anglers seeking walleye, black crappie, white crappie, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. These lakes are part of the Missouri River system and offer excellent fishing experiences throughout the year.
For those looking for cold water lakes, Lake Pactola and Sheridan Lake are great choices. These lakes are nestled in the scenic Black Hills and are known for their trout populations, including rainbow trout and brown trout. These cold water lakes provide picturesque settings for anglers to enjoy their fishing trips.
Lake Oahe, a massive reservoir along the Missouri River, offers both warm and cold water fishing opportunities. Anglers can find walleye, smallmouth bass, white bass, northern pike, bluegill, and yellow perch in its waters, making it one of the most diverse fishing lakes in South Dakota.
In addition to the larger lakes, South Dakota is dotted with numerous smaller ponds and lakes that offer various species, including crappie, bluegill, sunfish, perch, and more. Many of these smaller water bodies provide great fishing experiences for families and beginners.
Whether you prefer the tranquility of cold water fishing in the Black Hills or the thrill of reeling in walleye on the Missouri River, South Dakota's fishing lakes cater to all preferences and skill levels, making it an angler's paradise in the heart of the Midwest.
Bass
Angostura Reservoir, Big Stone Lake, Lake Kampeska, Lake Oahe, Lake Poinsett, Lake Sharpe, Lewis And Clark Lake, Shadehill Reservoir and Waubay Lake are considered the best options for largemouth and smallmouth bass. More...
Catfish
Lake Oahe, Lake Poinsett, Lake Sharpe and Lewis And Clark Lake are favorite options for channel, blue, white and flathead catfish. More...
Crappie
Big Stone Lake, Lake Poinsett, Lake Sharpe, Lake Thompson and Lewis And Clark Lake are the most popular for black and white crappie. More...
Sunfish, Perch & Panfish
Big Stone Lake, Lake Poinsett, Lake Sharpe, Lake Thompson and Lewis And Clark Lake are popular spots to fish for bluegill, bream, perch and other sunfish. More...
Walleye
Angostura Reservoir, Big Stone Lake, Lake Francis Case, Lake Kampeska, Lake Oahe, Lake Poinsett, Lake Sharpe, Lake Thompson, Lewis And Clark Lake, Shadehill Reservoir and Waubay Lake are considered the top locations for walleye fishing. More...
Trout
Lake Oahe is the favorite, major lake for lake trout. More...
Salmon
Lake Oahe, Lake Poinsett and Lake Sharpe are the most popular for chinook salmon fishing. More...
Visit the South Dakota fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the South Dakota map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating in SD at many of the most popular destinations in the state.
Best Destinations By State.
SOUTH DAKOTA
