South Dakota Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in South Dakota.
Lake Francis Case
Lake Oahe
Lake Poinsett
Lake Sharpe
Lake Thompson
Waubay Lake
More South Dakota lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Lake PoinsettHamlin & Brookings Counties
Lake Poinsett
A large glacial lake in eastern South Dakota known for walleye, perch and white bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the SD GFP or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Poinsett are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Dunham's Sports20.2 mi1721 6th Street Directions ↗
Local tips
- Shallow and wind-swept.
- Good ice fishing.
- Part of the Glacial Lakes region.
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Lake SharpeHughes, Stanley, Lyman & Buffalo Counties · 56,884 acres
Lake Sharpe
The Missouri River reservoir below Oahe Dam near Pierre. It's known for walleye and smallmouth bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the SD GFP or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye 15 in minimum except no minimum in July and August; max 1 fish 20 in or longer | 15 in | 4 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Carl's Bait ShopNearby610 W Highway 14/34, Fort Pierre, SD 57532(605) 223-9453Directions ↗
- Pierre Sports CenterNearbyPierre, SD(605) 224-5546Directions ↗
- Dakota Walleye AdventuresNearby1406 E Church St, Pierre, SD 57501(605) 222-3157Directions ↗
Local tips
- The Oahe tailwater at Pierre is a walleye hot spot.
- Current helps the bite in the upper lake.
- Popular for tournaments.
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Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
Lake ThompsonKingsbury & Miner Counties · 16,236 acres
Lake Thompson
One of South Dakota's largest natural lakes, about 6 miles southwest of Lake Preston near De Smet. The lake was dry in the 1930s, refilled in the 1980s, and is now a popular walleye, northern pike and yellow perch lake.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Wind-blown shorelines and rocky points in spring and fall. Jigs with minnows, crawler harnesses or trolled crankbaits in summer.
Yellow Perch
Often best through the ice. Small jigs tipped with minnow heads or waxworms.
Northern Pike
Shallow bays and flooded vegetation early in spring, and tip-ups in winter.
Crappie
Present in smaller numbers. Look around flooded trees and rock in spring.
Largemouth Bass
Present in smaller numbers in shallow, weedy areas in summer.
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Lake Thompson Recreation AreaFeeSD Game, Fish & Parks state recreation area off US 14. Ramp, campground, cabins, fish cleaning station. Park entrance license requiredDirections ↗
- Thompson Southwest Public Water AccessPublicSD GFP boat ramp on the southwest shoreDirections ↗
- Thompson Northeast Public Water AccessPublicSD GFP boat ramp on the northeast shoreDirections ↗
- Lake Thompson Land Use AreaPublicSD GFP boat ramp near De SmetDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Thompson are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Lake Thompson ↗Local tips
- The lake is big, shallow and open to prairie wind, so waves build fast. Watch the forecast and stay off in strong wind.
- The recreation area has a fish cleaning station, campground and cabins, which makes it a good base for multi-day trips.
- Ice thickness varies across this large lake; check local reports before driving or walking out.
Waubay LakeDay County · 15,540 acres
Waubay Lake
A large glacial lake in northeast South Dakota known for walleye, pike and jumbo perch.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the SD GFP or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Waubay Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Dakota Lakes Lodge and BaitNearbyWebsterDirections ↗
Local tips
- Flooded trees and roads from high water. Go slowly.
- Popular ice-fishing lake.
- Waubay National Wildlife Refuge is nearby.
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Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.