The 10 Best Fishing Lakes in South Dakota

Discover the best fishing lakes in South Dakota! With this guide, you’ll find fishing hot spots to have an enjoyable experience and land the big one. Learn about the best lake fishing spots, the types of fish you can find, and the best time to go. Get ready to make some amazing catches!

Lake Oahe

Lake Oahe is located along the Missouri River near Pierre, South Dakota. It is the fourth-largest reservoir in the United States, covering over 230,000 acres.

Types of Fish: walleye, northern pike, small and largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and sturgeon
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: GrandStay® Hotel & Suites Pierre and Rodeway Inn Pierrer
Nearest Fishing Store: Grandpa’s Little Bait Shop, 12 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps, marinas and campgrounds
Nearest Gas Station: Casey’s, 8 miles away

Lake Sharpe

Lake Sharpe is located in central South Dakota near Pierre, and is a reservoir on the Missouri River. It covers over 32,000 acres.

Types of Fish: walleye, northern pike, small and large mouth bass, bluegill, and catfish
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Holiday Inn Express Pierre SD, Best Western Ramkota Hotel
Nearest Fishing Store: Grandpa’s Little Bait Shop, 12 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps and campgrounds
Nearest Gas Station: Casey’s, 8 miles away

Ft. Randall Reservoir

Ft. Randall Reservoir is located in southeastern South Dakota near the town of Pickstown, and covers over 60,000 acres.

Types of Fish: walleye, small and large mouth bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Pickstown, SD and Super 8 Pickstown
Nearest Fishing Store: Anglers Paradise, 7 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps, campgrounds and picnic areas
Nearest Gas Station: Melchior’s Marathon, 5 miles away

Lewis and Clark Lake

Lewis and Clark Lake is located in southeastern South Dakota near Yankton, and covers over 20,000 acres.

Types of Fish: walleye, northern pike, catfish, small and large mouth bass, bluegill and crappie
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Super 8 Yankton SD, Americas Best Value Inn Yankton
Nearest Fishing Store: Yankton Outdoors, 7 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps, campgrounds and picnic areas
Nearest Gas Station: Kum and Go, 4 miles away

Angostura Reservoir

Angostura Reservoir is located in southwestern South Dakota and covers over 8,000 acres.

Types of Fish: walleye, catfish, white bass, small and large mouth bass, crappie and bluegill
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Econo Lodge Hot Springs and Comfort Inn Hot Springs
Nearest Fishing Store: Angostura Bait & Tackle, 8 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps and campgrounds
Nearest Gas Station: Casey’s, 4 miles away

Lake Thompson

Lake Thompson is located in southeastern South Dakota near the town of Lake Preston and covers over 6,000 acres.

Types of Fish: walleye, bluegill, small and large mouth bass, northern pike, and catfish
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Super 8 Lake Preston and AmericInn Lodge & Suites Lake Preston
Nearest Fishing Store: Lake Thompson Bait & Tackle, 8 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps and campgrounds
Nearest Gas Station: Kum & Go, 6 miles away

Lake Kampeska

Lake Kampeska is located near the city of Watertown in northeastern South Dakota, and covers over 4,000 acres.

Types of Fish: walleye, white bass, northern pike, crappie, small and large mouth bass, bluegill, and catfish
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: America’s Best Inn and Suites Watertown and Super 8 Watertown
Nearest Fishing Store: Fisherman’s Corner, 8 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps and campgrounds
Nearest Gas Station: Casey’s, 6 miles away

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is located near Vermillion in southeastern South Dakota, and covers over 900 acres.

Types of Fish: brown trout, bass, crappie, walleye and bluegill
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Americas Best Value Inn Vermillion and Comfort Inn & Suites Vermillion
Nearest Fishing Store: Vermillion Bait & Tackle, 10 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps and campgrounds
Nearest Gas Station: Kum & Go, 5 miles away

Sherman Reservoir

Sherman Reservoir is located in southeastern South Dakota near the town of Clark and covers over 3,000 acres.

Types of Fish: largemouth bass, walleye, bluegill, catfish, and crappie
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Super 8 Clark Hotel and Best Western Ramkota Hotel
Nearest Fishing Store: Clark Bait and Tackle, 8 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps, marinas and campgrounds
Nearest Gas Station: Gulfillan’s, 4 miles away

Lake Poinsett

Lake Poinsett is located near Arlington in southeastern South Dakota, and covers over 2,500 acres.

Types of Fish: walleye, small and large mouth bass, bluegill, crappie, northern pike, and perch
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Arlington and Comfort Inn & Suites Arlington
Nearest Fishing Store: Lake Poinsett Bait & Tackle, 8 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps and campgrounds
Nearest Gas Station: Casey’s, 6 miles away

Okobojo Creek

Okobojo Creek is located near the town of Fort Pierre in central South Dakota, and covers over 2,000 acres.

Types of Fish: walleye, northern pike, small and large mouth bass, bluegill, and catfish
Types of Fishing: trolling, drift fishing, jigging, still-fishing and fly fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: GrandStay® Hotel & Suites Pierre and Rodeway Inn Pierrer
Nearest Fishing Store: Okobojo Creek Bait & Tackle, 10 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: South Dakota fishing license and limits for species
Amenities: boat ramps and campgrounds
Nearest Gas Station: Casey’s, 6 miles away

Find Good Fishing Spots in South Dakota and Other Nearby Lakes on The Map

If you are looking for a great fishing spot in South Dakota, the Google map below can help you explore the area and find your ideal location. From the Missouri River to the many lakes in the Black Hills, South Dakota is a great place to take a fishing trip. The map can help you find the best spots for fishing and other lakes in the area that might offer an even better experience. So whether you’re an experienced angler or just getting started, check out this map and explore the great fishing locations South Dakota has to offer!

Check the Weather Forecast for Your Next Fishing Trip to South Dakota

The weather in South Dakota is generally mild throughout the year, making it a great destination for sport fishing. Summers can get quite hot, with temperatures often reaching into the upper 80s and 90s. Winters tend to be cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing and snowfall common. Spring and fall tend to be mild, with temperatures ranging from the low 40s to the mid-70s. Overall, South Dakota offers a great climate for sport fishing year-round.