Popular Choices For Great Fishing In South Dakota

Guide to fishing in the Mount Rushmore State

Last updated on January 17, 2026.

Major Lakes & Species
Lake Sizes & Locations
South Dakota Fish Species & State Records

South Dakota offers a diverse and abundant variety of fish species, making it a popular destination for anglers of all kinds. The state of South Dakota offers excellent fishing for big walleyes, bass, crappies, catfish, perch and more. Plus find lots of great places to fish for them, including big lakes, small ponds, streams and rivers. Ice fishing is an option in winter at many of the fisheries across the state. The state's fishing opportunities encompass warm-water fisheries, cold-water fisheries, and everything in between.

Popular Fishing Options

In the warm-water fisheries, anglers can target popular species such as walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, channel catfish, and white bass. Lakes like Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River system are renowned for their warm water species, providing exciting fishing adventures for enthusiasts.

On the other hand, the cold-water fisheries in South Dakota offer excellent opportunities for trout fishing. The Black Hills region is home to beautiful lakes and streams like Pactola Lake and Rapid Creek, where anglers can catch rainbow trout, brown trout, and even the elusive cutthroat trout.

In addition to the larger lakes and rivers, South Dakota is peppered with numerous ponds and smaller lakes that are stocked with various fish species. These ponds provide a great opportunity for families and beginners to enjoy fishing in a more relaxed and accessible setting.

The state's rivers, including the Missouri River and various tributaries, also offer excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can find a mix of warm water and cold water species in these waters, making them a popular choice for fishing throughout the year.

South Dakota's fishing scene is incredibly diverse, catering to anglers with different preferences and skill levels. From the serene lakes and rivers to the breathtaking landscapes of the Black Hills, South Dakota's fishing destinations promise unforgettable experiences and the chance to reel in some remarkable catches.

Here, you can fish for many species, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, spotted sunfish, white bass, yellow perch, chinook salmon, longnose gar, muskie, northern pike, paddlefish, sauger, sturgeon and tiger muskie in local lakes, rivers, ponds and/or streams.

Major South Dakota Lakes & Species

Lake & Fish Chart

This chart shows the major lakes, cross referencing them with major species to be found in each of the lakes. For a detailed list of primary fish species in SD, plus state fish records, see the list below.

Fishing lake sizes and locations in the state

Angostura Reservoir is a 4,800-acre lake in the southwest part of the state, 5 miles south of Hot Springs.

Belle Fourche Reservoir is an 8,000-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, at Belle Fourche.

Big Stone Lake is a 12,600-acre lake on the eastern border of the state, at Big Stone City.

Bitter Lake is a 3,600-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Waubay.

Lake Albert is a 3,600-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Lake Norden.

Lake Francis Case is a 100,000-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, running from Fort Thompson to Pickstown.

Lake Kampeska is a 4,800-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Watertown.

Lake Madison is a 2,800-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Madison.

Lake Oahe is a 370,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, running from Pollock to Pierre.

Lake Pelican is a 2,800-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Watertown.

Lake Poinsett is an 7,900-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Stone Bridge.

Lake Preston is a 5,400-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Lake Preston.

Lake Sharpe is a 55,000-acre lake in the central part of the state, running from Pierre to Fort Thompson.

Lake Thompson is a 15,000-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at De Smet.

Lake Traverse is an 11,200-acre lake on the eastern border in the northeast corner of the state, 10 miles east of Sisseton.

Lake Whitewood is a 4,700-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Lake Preston.

Lewis And Clark Lake is a 31,000-acre lake on the southern border of the state, from Yankton to Springfield.

Shadehill Reservoir is a 5,100-acre lake in the northwest part of the state, at Summerville.

Waubay Lake is a 9,600-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Grenville.

SD Walleye Fishing

A nice Walleye being released to grow for another day To many, it's known as the Mount Rushmore State. To walleye anglers, it's walleye paradise. Click here for information on walleye fishing in South Dakota.

State of SD Fishing Information

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website offers a great deal of information about fishing in South Dakota. Click here for a South Dakota fishing license.