South Dakota Fishing

In Southeastern South Dakota we have more than 175 fishing lakes ranging in size up to 29,000 acres. There are three major rivers running through the region: the Big Sioux River, James River and the Missouri River, which includes Lewis and Clark Lake, a 30-mile-long Missouri River reservoir. We are prepared and able to host fishermen year-round with open seasons on most species of fish.

Obtaining a South Dakota fishing license can be as easy as visiting a local gas station, not only can most of our gas stations help you with a fishing license they can also supply you with the bait and fishing gear you'll need. We have many bait & tackle shops whose focus is fishing and helping you be successful with your South Dakota fishing experience.

Walleye and bass compete for top honors in this region. Lewis and Clark Lake reservoir, above Gavin's Point Dam, draws anglers from across the nation with its alluring combination of largemouth and smallmouth bass. It is said that the Walleye is the most populated predator fish in this region's lakes. Fish for South Dakota walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Accessible fishing piers have been installed in a number of state parks. These piers feature low railings, accessible ramps, sidewalks and nearby parking. These fishing piers can be found at Lake Herman, Walker's Point, Lake Vermillion, Lake Alvin, Lewis & Clark and Springfield Recreation Areas.

SouthDakota fishing waters, excluding tribal trust land, are open to anyone during the weekend prior to Memorial Day weekend to fish without a license. This “free fishing” weekend is open to all ages, the dates for this year are May 21 – 23, 2010.

How about Paddlefishing? There are two options: a summer archery season and a fall snagging season. Both seasons occur in the Missouri River, downstream from Gavin's Point Dam, near Yankton, the only area that paddlefish can be taken legally in South Dakota.Anglers must apply for a paddlefish tag of which there is a limited number.

Than there is ice fishing? For the sportsman with a warm disposition and a good down parka, ice fishing can be a great relief to cabin fever. With a large population of perch, bluegill, crappie and many other species of fish across the lakes of this region it's unlikely you'll go home skunked.

The South Dakota fishing season never closes. Your annual license is good year-round so don't delay, start planning that fishing trip now. We're pretty sure you'll want to come back.

 

 

South Dakota Fishing
Waters, Species & Facilities

Lakes & Reservoirs

Armour
(kids pond) 2 acres. Largemouth bass, bluegill.

Beaver Lake
300 acres, near Hartford. Bullhead, crappie, walleye.
Facilities: boat ramp.

Beaver Lake
72 acres, near Utica. Bullhead.

Brant Lake
943 acres, near Chester. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, catfish, crappie, northern pike, perch and walleye.
Facilities: toilet, boat ramp, dock, handicap access.

Burbank Lake
100 acres, near Burbank. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, crappie.

Clear Lake
472 acres, near Colton. Bullhead, northern pike, perch.
Facilities: boat ramp.

Corsica Lake
110 acres, near Corsica. Largemouth bass, bullhead, northern pike, perch.
Facilities: camping, toilet, boat ramp.

Covell Lake
15 acres, Sioux Falls. Bluegill, bullhead, crappie, northern pike.

Dell Rapids Dam
5 acres, near Dell Rapids. Smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, northern pike, perch and walleye.

Diamond Lake
256 acres, near Franklin. Bullhead, northern pike, perch and walleye.

Dimock Lake
75 acres, near Dimock. Largemouth bass, bullhead, catfish, perch and rainbow trout.
Facilities: boat ramp, dock.

Ethan Dam
27 acres, near Ethan. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, catfish.
Facilities: boat ramp.

Forsch Lake
160 acres, near Salem. Bullhead, northern pike, perch and walleye.

Fulton Lake
18 acres, near Fulton. Bullhead, northern pike, perch.

Grass Lake
340 acres, near Humboldt. Bullhead, northern pike.

Gross Lake
100 acres, near Spencer. Bullhead, northern pike, perch.

Island Lake
250 acres, near Franklin. Bullhead, northern pike, perch and walleye.
Facilities: boat ramp.

Jansen Lake
4 acres, near Emery. Largemouth bass, bullhead.

Lake Alvin
90 acres, near Harrisburg. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, crappie, northern pike, perch and walleye.
Facilities: camping, toilet, boat ramp, dock, handicap access.

Lake Badus
230 acres, near Ramona. Bullhead.

Lake Carthage
203 acres, near Carthage. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, northern pike, perch and walleye.
Facilities: camping, boat ramp.

Lake Hanson
55 acres, near Alexandria. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, perch.
Facilities: boat ramp.

Lake Henry
46 acres. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, crappie.
Facilities: toilet, boat ramp.

Lake Herman
1,350 acres, near Madison. Bluegill, bullhead, crappie, northern pike, perch, saugeye and walleye.
Facilities: toilet, boat ramp, dock, handicap access.

Lake Lakota
90 acres, near Canton. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, catfish. Cold water species: rainbow trout.
Facilities: toilet, boat ramp.

Lake Madison
2,800 acres, near Madison. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, crappie, northern pike, perch and walleye.
Facilities: toilet, boat ramp, dock.

Lake Mitchell
670 acres, Mitchell. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, crappie, muskie, northern pike, walleye.
Facilities: camping, toilet, boat ramp, dock.

Lake Yankton
250 acres, near Yankton. Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye.
Facilities: camping, toilet, boat ramp.

Lewis & Clark Lake
29,000 acres, near Yankton. Largemouth bass, white bass, catfish, crappie, muskie, northern pike, sauger, and walleye, brown trout.
Facilities: camping, picnic areas, toilet, boat ramp, dock, handicap access.

Long Lake
257 acres, near Franklin. Bullhead, northern pike, perch.

Loss Lake
82 acres, near Humboldt. Bullhead, northern pike, perch.
Facilities: boat ramp.

Lyons Lake
159 acres, near Emery. Bullhead.

Marindahl Lake
139 acres, near Volin. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, catfish, crappie, walleye, rainbow trout.
Facilities: toilet, boat ramp.

Marion
(kids pond) 1 acre. Bullhead, perch.
Facilities: camping.

McCook Lake
274 acres, near North Sioux City. Largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, catfish, crappie, walleye.
Facilities: boat ramp.

Scott Lake
80 acres, near Hartford. Bullhead, perch, walleye.

Silver Lake
431 acres, near Dolton. Bullhead, northern pike, perch.
Facilities: boat ramp.

Swan Lake
182 acres, near Hurley. Bullhead, crappie, northern pike, perch, walleye.
Facilities: boat ramp.

Tripp Lake
12 acres, near Tripp. Largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish.
Facilities: boat ramp.

Tyndall
(Kids pond) 2 acres. Bullhead, northern pike.

Vermillion Lake
550 acres, near Canistota. Largemouth bass, bullhead, crappie, northern pike, perch and walleye.
Facilities: camping, toilet, boat ramp, handicap access.

Wall Lake
207 acres, near Hartford. Bluegill, bullhead, northern pike, perch and walleye.
Facilities: toilet, boat ramp.

Westside Park
(Kids pond) 1 acre, Yankton. Bullhead, northern pike.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

Big Sioux River
390 total miles. Smallmouth bass, bullhead, catfish, crappie, northern pike, sauger, and walleye.
Facilities: camping, boat ramp.

James River
307 total miles. Smallmouth bass, bullhead, catfish, crappie, northern pike, perch, sauger, and walleye.
Facilities: camping, toilet, boat ramp.

Missouri River
75 total miles. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, catfish, crappie, sauger, sturgeon, and walleye.
Facilities: camping, toilet, boat ramp.

Split Rock Creek
Smallmouth bass, bullhead, catfish, crappie, northern pike, perch, and walleye.

Vermillion River
131 total miles. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bullhead, catfish, crappie, northern pike, and walleye.

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Background photo by Marty DeWitt