Popular South Dakota Fishing Destinations

No matter what time of year, travelers who enjoy fishing can take advantage of this sport. Those who enjoy fly-fishing don't have to put their rods away, since ice fishing is also popular. Don't leave South Dakota without visiting one of the many fishing destinations. 

The Best Places to Fish

Sheridan Lake: Sheridan Lake, located southwest of Rapid City, has a wide variety of fish. Of course trout is the most popular, but yellow perch and some northern pike are also there. The lake is stocked every spring with rainbow fingerlings. Sheridan Lake also freezes solid in January, for those who enjoy ice fishing. 

Deerfield: Deerfield, which is located northwest of Hill City is populated with rainbow trout, and brookies, but is also stocked every three years with splake, a char-brook trout hybrid. Deerfield is popular every season of the year. All winter long, the higher elevation of Deerfield, sitting at 5,900 feet has ice on the lake with fishing beginning in December all the way through March. 

Pactola Reservoir: This reservoir, located just south of Rapid City, comes with rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and some wild brown trout stock. Due to its large surface area, the reservoir freezes later in the season, just in time for ice fishing.

Center, Legion, and Stockade Lakes: These three lakes, all located in Custer State Park, are popular for crappie and trout fishing. Stockade lake has more lunkers in the winter because the fish meander to more shallow waters as the season changes. 

French Creek: Also located in Custer State Park, is mostly populated with buffalo. The abundance of this park will allow you to hike into the wilderness, or fish near the highway. Upstream you will find more trout. Some other fishing destinations include Newell Lake, Sylvan Lake, Orman Dam, and Bear Butte Lake. 

Of course when you are fishing, you want to catch a plentiful amount. Here are some tips to help make the best of your outing. 

• To catch the best winter trout in the Black Hills, some of the best trout bait include earthworms, red worms, salmon eggs, mini-marshmallows, whole kernel corn, and grubs. These work best on a #10 of #12 hook.
• Other things that attract trout are humpies, mosquitoes and adams.
• If you are fishing during the fall season, be careful when you are approaching stream, as trout tend to be wary and sometimes scare easily. Usually mornings, evenings, rainy, snowy and overcast weather are excellent for trout fishing, since they are cold weather fish.
• Another good way to catch trout is to approach from the rear and to cast upstream, as trout tend to face the current.
• Keep in mind that you will need a fishing license. Most places do offer one, three, and year long licenses.