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South Dakota · Fishing
South Dakota fishing runs the full range from shallow prairie potholes to massive Missouri River reservoirs, and the 118 listings on Roamze reflect that variety.
118 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 118 spots
South Dakota fishing runs the full range from shallow prairie potholes to massive Missouri River reservoirs, and the 118 listings on Roamze reflect that variety. In the northeast corner of the state, the lakes around Lake City, Webster, and Florence sit in the Coteau des Prairies — a glaciated plateau loaded with natural lakes like Horseshoe, South Waubay, Simmon, Cooley, and Medicine Lake, most of them productive for walleye and panfish. Head west and the character of the water changes completely. Lake Oahe near Mobridge is a deep Missouri River reservoir at 1,617 feet elevation where walleye, northern pike, chinook salmon, and smallmouth bass are all in the mix, and the sheer size of the water means you'll want a boat and some local knowledge before you go. Lake Sharpe near Pierre offers similar reservoir fishing in a slightly more accessible setting. In the Black Hills, the Southern Hills area near Custer and Bismarck Lake give you a different experience entirely — smaller, tighter water in ponderosa pine country. For anglers who prefer moving water, the Big Sioux River through Sioux Falls holds walleye, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and northern pike at a manageable 1,430 feet elevation and is rated easy access. Whether you're chasing a specific species or just want to wet a line somewhere new, South Dakota has enough water to keep you busy across every skill level and season.
Walleye is the most consistent target across the state and shows up in reservoirs like Lake Oahe near Mobridge and Lake Sharpe near Pierre, as well as river systems like the Big Sioux near Sioux Falls. Northern pike are common in many of the same waters. The Big Sioux also holds smallmouth bass and channel catfish, and Lake Oahe is one of the few places in the state where you can target chinook salmon.
It depends on the water. The Big Sioux River near Sioux Falls is rated easy access and is fishable from the bank without a boat. The northeast prairie lakes like Cooley, Medicine, and South Waubay Lake are generally smaller and have public access points, though a kayak or small boat opens up more water. Lake Oahe near Mobridge is a large, deep reservoir where a boat is a real advantage — bank access exists but covers a fraction of the productive structure.
Zell Lake
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Gerkin Lake
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Lake Douglas
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Alkali Lake
~48 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Stafford Dam
~60 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Wall Lake
~1h 4m drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Wall Lake
~1h 4m drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Blank Dam
~1h 12m drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Lake Byron
~1h 17m drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Lake Parmley
~1h 20m drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Also worth it near here
creekWild TroutFly fishing
Lead, SD
brown trout, rainbow trout
reservoirLake fishing
Hot Springs, SD
walleye, smallmouth bass
lakeLake fishing
Mitchell, SD
walleye, northern pike
reservoirLake fishing
Mobridge, SD
walleye, northern pike
lakeLake fishing
Estelline, SD
walleye, northern pike
Lake fishing
Northville, SD
Lake fishing
Leola, SD
Lake fishing
Clark, SD
Lake fishing
Clark, SD
riverRiver fishing
Sioux Falls, SD
walleye, smallmouth bass
Lake fishing
Custer, SD
Lake fishing
Shadehill, SD
Lake fishing
Ipswich, SD
Lake fishing
Waubay, SD
Lake fishing
Webster, SD
Lake fishing
Wallace, SD
Lake fishing
Clark, SD
Lake fishing
Eden, SD
Lake fishing
Eden, SD
Lake fishing
Rapid City, SD
Lake fishing
Florence, SD
Lake fishing
Veblen, SD
Lake fishing
Rosholt, SD
Lake fishing
Ramona, SD
Lake fishing
Lake City, SD
Lake fishing
Spearfish, SD
Lake fishing
Waubay, SD
Lake fishing
Fort Pierre, SD
Lake fishing
Willow Lake, SD
Walleye fishing on the Missouri River reservoirs tends to peak in spring shortly after ice-out when fish move shallow to spawn, and again in fall as water temperatures drop. Summer midday heat pushes fish deeper on big water like Lake Oahe, so early morning and evening are more productive. The northeast lakes ice over in winter and draw ice anglers for walleye and perch, so there is genuinely a year-round season depending on what you're after.
You need a valid South Dakota fishing license, available through the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks department. Non-residents pay a higher rate than residents, and there are separate fees for certain species and water types. Regulations on the Missouri River reservoirs and border waters can differ from inland lakes, so check the current year's regulation booklet for the specific water you plan to fish before you go — possession limits and size restrictions vary by species and location.
The Big Sioux River near Sioux Falls is rated easy difficulty, sits at 1,430 feet elevation with no significant terrain to navigate, and holds multiple species that respond well to basic setups. The smaller prairie lakes in the northeast — places like Fish Lake near Astoria, Lake Henry near De Smet, and Twin Lakes near Marvin — are generally calm, accessible, and forgiving for newer anglers. A simple spinning rod with a jig or live bait rig will cover most situations on these waters.