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South Dakota · Fishing
Veblen sits in the northeast corner of South Dakota, where the glaciated prairie left behind a scatter of small lakes that hold fish year-round. The fishing around town centers on three lakes: Cottonwood, Horseshoe, and Hoop.
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Veblen sits in the northeast corner of South Dakota, where the glaciated prairie left behind a scatter of small lakes that hold fish year-round. The fishing around town centers on three lakes: Cottonwood, Horseshoe, and Hoop. All three are lake fisheries, which means you're working from shore or a small boat rather than wading a current, and the pace tends to be slower and more deliberate than river fishing. Northeast South Dakota lakes like these typically hold walleye, perch, bluegill, and northern pike, though you should check current South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks stocking and survey reports for each specific water body before you go -- species composition and size structure can vary a lot between lakes that are only a few miles apart. Access is generally straightforward, and none of these lakes require a long hike to reach the water. If you're driving up from out of town, Veblen makes a reasonable base: the lakes are close together, so you can reasonably fish more than one in a day if one isn't producing. A valid South Dakota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
There are three lakes with active fishing access in the Veblen area: Cottonwood Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and Hoop Lake. All three are lake fisheries, so you'll be fishing still water rather than moving current.
Northeast South Dakota lakes in this region commonly hold walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, and panfish like bluegill. That said, species presence and population health vary by water body and year, so check the South Dakota GFP lake survey data for Cottonwood, Horseshoe, and Hoop specifically before your trip to know what's actually in each lake right now.
Cottonwood Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Waubay Lake
~51 min drive
Moderate
Hoop Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Horseshoe Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Crystal Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Turtlefoot Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Goodbird Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Simmon Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Goodbird Lake
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Fourmile Lake
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Island Lake
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
Lost Lake
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near SD.
A medium-light to medium spinning setup covers most situations on small prairie lakes -- jigs, small crankbaits, and live bait rigs like a slip-sinker with a nightcrawler are versatile starting points. If you're targeting northern pike, bring a short wire leader to avoid bite-offs. A small boat or kayak expands your options, but shore fishing is workable at all three lakes.
Early spring just after ice-out and late fall before freeze-up are typically the most productive windows on South Dakota prairie lakes, as fish are more active in shallower water. Summer fishing holds up best early in the morning or in the evening when surface temperatures cool down. Ice fishing is also popular in this part of the state once the lakes freeze solid, usually from December through February.
Yes, a South Dakota fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older. You can purchase one online through the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website or at local sporting goods and bait shops. Make sure you also review any current possession limits or special regulations for the specific lakes before you fish.
