Lake Alvin

Lincoln County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks The Lake Alvin Recreation Area on the northeast side of the lake has a single lane boat ramp, boat dock, concrete vault toilet, and parking lot as well as several areas accessible to shore fishing. On the southeast corner of the dam there is a handicapped accessible fishing dock and several additional shore fishing areas. The Southwest Access Area has a public toilet and a narrow boat ramp with a dock suitable for small boats. There is plenty of shoreline to fish but the lake is shallow in this area. The entire lake has been designated as a no-wake zone to protect the shoreline from erosion. At no time can boats exceed 5 mph or produce a visible wake. Anglers can expect to catch walleye, northern pike, crappie, sunfish, perch, catfish and bullheads. 

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Antelope Lake

Day County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Antelope Lake, located 2.0 miles south and 2.0 miles east of Webster, is managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery but other fish species (e.g., northern pike, smallmouth bass) are present and may contribute to the fishery.

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Beaver Lake

Minnehaha County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks The lake access area features a concrete boat ramp, boat dock, concrete vault toilet and gravel parking area. Shoreline access is limited to the southwest road right-of-way, especially when the lake is full. Beaver Lake contains relatively few fish species and black bullheads are usually the most abundant. The lake is primarily managed for walleye, yellow perch and black crappie and frequent stocking is needed to maintain these populations.

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Bitter Lake

Day County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Three public access sites are located on Bitter Lake. Two are maintained by SDGFP; the first located on the east shore off Day Co. Highway 1 includes a large parking area, double-lane concrete boat ramp, and dock; while the other located on the west shore off 442nd Avenue includes a smaller gravel parking lot, concrete-plank boat ramp, and dock. The third access, which is privately owned, is located near the Bitter Lake Lodge on the lakes northeast shore. Currently, Bitter Lake covers in excess of 15,000 acres and is managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery.

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Blue Dog Lake

Day County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks The Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery is located on the northwest shore of Blue Dog Lake. Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery produces walleye, yellow perch, and muskellunge for stocking across South Dakota. Historically, 14 different fish species have been reared at the hatchery.

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Brant Lake

Lake County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks The East Brant Access Area has a double lane boat ramp, boat dock, concrete vault toilet and large parking lot. The West Brant Access Area also has a double lane boat ramp, boat dock, concrete vault toilet, large parking lot and several shore fishing areas. The South Brant Access Area offers many shore fishing locations. Brant Lake is actively managed for walleye and yellow perch, but black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, northern pike and white bass frequently provide additional fishing opportunity.

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Brush Lake

Brookings County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Most of the east and south shoreline is owned by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The north shore is considered a public right-of-way for US Highway 14. The remainder of the shoreline is privately owned. The outlet flows west into the Highway 81 Lake complex. There is a grassy shoreline on the south shore of the lake where small boats can be launched with difficulty. There are several areas suitable for shore fishing along Highway 14 and the public properties described above. The lake is managed primarily for walleye and yellow perch and these populations are maintained by stocking whenever there are gaps in natural reproduction.

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Bullhead Lake

Deuel County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Bullhead Lake, located 4.5 miles north and 2.0 miles east of Goodwin, is managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery but other fish species (e.g., northern pike) are present and contribute to the fishery.

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Lake Campbell

Brookings County

Information from Lake Campbell Improvement Association Lake Campbell is a prairie glacial lake covering approximately 900 acres in Eastern South Dakota.  It is located on the southwest edge of Brookings County and straddles the Moody County line.  The kidney bean shaped lake is fed by Battle Creek flowing into the lake from the south and exiting the north of the lake into the Big Sioux River.  The construction of a dam in the 1900’s has assisted in maintaining a consistent water level over the years.  Just a short 10 miles south of Brookings, SD, Lake Campbell is inhabited by year around lake homes and summer cabins.  Boating, swimming and fishing contribute to the recreational atmosphere of the lake. Common fish species include yellow perch, walleye, channel catfish, white sucker, saugeye, black bullhead, common carp, bigmouth buffalo, and northern pike.

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Clear Lake

Deuel County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Clear Lake, located 2.0 miles east of the City of Clear Lake, is managed as a northern pike and yellow perch fishery; other fish species (e.g., walleye) are present and contribute to the fishery.

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Clear Lake

Hamlin County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Clear Lake, located 1.0 mile east of Thomas, is managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery but other fish species (e.g., black and white crappies, northern pike) are present and contribute to the fishery.

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Covell Lake

Minnehaha County

Covell Lake is an oxbow lake formed from a cut-off branch of the Big Sioux River. It is a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing in Sioux Falls. In 2023, South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks stocked the lake with black bullhead, northern pike, and rainbow trout.

 Click here  to learn about the history of Covell Lake. View the lake stocking history  here .

Diamond Lake

Minnehaha County

Diamond Lake is a 266 acre lake. A boat ramp is located on the northeast corner of the lake. Diamond lake is a popular fishing, kayaking, and canoeing spot. White pelicans, ducks, and beavers are commonly spotted on the water. Common fish species include yellow perch, walleye, black bullhead, and bigmouth buffalo.

Dry Lake

Codington County

Dry Lake is a 1,361 acre lake located 0.5 miles south of Florence, SD. Common fish species includes yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, common carp, and white sucker.

Dry Lake Number 2

Clark County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Public access to Dry Lake #2 exists via a double-lane concrete boat ramp located on state-owned land in the southwest corner of the lake. Lands adjacent to the lake are owned by the State of South Dakota, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and private individuals. Dry Lake #2, located 2.5 miles west and 2.5 miles north of Willow Lake, is managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery, but other fish species (e.g., northern pike) are present and contribute to the fishery.

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East Oakwood Lake

Brookings County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Nestled among eight connecting glacial lakes, Oakwood Lakes State Park provides a never-ending variety of activities throughout the year, from hiking and swimming, to ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Shaded campgrounds and picnic areas complement the park's excellent swimming and boating facilities. Common fish species include yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, white sucker, bigmouth buffalo, and common carp.

Click the following links to learn more.  South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks   Trails Map and Guide   Travel South Dakota 

Enemy Swim Lake

Day County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Two public access sites are located on Enemy Swim Lake (southwest and south shore) and each is maintained by the SDGFP. Lands adjacent to Enemy Swim Lake are owned by the State of South Dakota, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and private individuals.

Major surface water inlets to Enemy Swim Lake include Lewandowski Creek at the northeast and Burns Slough at the southeast. Water exiting Enemy Swim Lake drains into Campbell Slough from there it flows into Blue Dog Lake and then into a series of connected lakes (Rush Lake, Minnewasta Lake, Waubay Lake and Bitter Lake).

Enemy Swim Lake supports one of the most diverse fish assemblages in northeast South Dakota. Currently, Enemy Swim Lake is primarily managed as a panfish (i.e., black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch), black bass (largemouth and smallmouth), and walleye fishery.

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Goldsmith Lake

Brookings County

Goldsmith Lake is a 308 acre natural lake with about 2 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 9 feet. The watershed area is comprised of mostly cropland, and the launching area is located across from a corn field. There is also a wooded area with a long beach that goes along the southern end of the lake. Common fish species in Goldsmith Lake include yellow perch, walleye, saugeye, bigmouth buffalo, northern pike, white sucker, black bullhead, common carp, black and crappie.

Goose Lake

Codington County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Goose Lake, located 7.0 miles west and 2.5 miles south of Watertown, is managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery but other fish species (e.g., northern pike, white bass) are present and contribute to the fishery.

Grass Lake

Codington County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Grass Lake, located 1.5 miles northwest of Florence, is managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery but other fish species (e.g., northern pike) also contribute.

Lake Herman

Lake County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Lake Herman State Park is located on a peninsula and offers visitors spectacular views of Lake Herman. Camping, boating, fishing, and cross country skiing are favorite activities at the park. Observe wildlife in the native oak woodlands and prairie grasses that inhabit a variety of birds and animals. Common fish species include walleye, yellow perch, white sucker, channel catfish, black bullhead, white bass, northern pike, and common carp.

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North Island Lake

Minnehaha/McCook Counties

North Island Lake is a 458 acre lake located on the border of Minnehaha and McCook Counties. Common fish species include bluegill, black bullhead, yellow perch, walleye, common carp, black crappie, smallmouth bass, and muskellunge.

Lake Kampeska

Codington County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Lake Kampeska is a natural lake covering approximately 5,250 surface acres, within the city limits of Watertown, South Dakota. Many public access sites are present on Lake Kampeska, with four being maintained by the SDGFP. Lake Kampeska is connected to the Big Sioux River through a single inlet-outlet channel located on the northeast side. A weir structure installed on the inlet-outlet channel of Lake Kampeska is intended to slow the input of sediments to the lake basin. When the Big Sioux River is high, water enters Lake Kampeska. Conversely, when the water level in Lake Kampeska is higher than the Big Sioux River and above the weir structure, water exits Lake Kampeska through the v-notch.

The lake is a popular site for recreational activities including fishing, boating, swimming, waterskiing, camping, and picnicking. Public access is exceptional with access locations on the north, east, south (Sandy Shore Recreation Area), and west shores of the lake. Lake Kampeska is primarily managed as a smallmouth bass and walleye fishery; however, crappie (black and white), bluegill, channel catfish, northern pike, and white bass are important components of the fishery.

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Lake Lakota

Lincoln County

Lake Lakota is part of Newton Hills State Park. It is located about a mile south and east of the park. Historically, the lake has been a popular area for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Today, Lake Lakota is nearly dry and not accessible for recreation.

Long Lake

Codington County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Long Lake, located 3.0 miles north and 3.0 miles east of Henry, is managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery but other fish species (e.g., northern pike) are present and contribute to the fishery.

Lake Madison

Lake County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Walker's Point Recreation Area is tucked along the shore of Lake Madison. This small but complete park meets the many needs of campers, anglers and boaters. Campsites offer picturesque views of the 2,800-acre lake, while anglers enjoy both on- and off-shore fishing. Common fish species in Lake Madison include walleye, bigmouth buffalo, yellow perch, black bullhead, white bass, smallmouth bass, common carp, bluegill, white sucker, and black crappie.

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Lake Marsh

Hamlin County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Lake Marsh is a 1,595 acre lake located in Hamlin County. Common fish species include northern pike, black bullhead, and yellow perch.

Minnewasta Lake

Day County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Minnewasta Lake, located 4.0 miles north and 2.0 miles west of Waubay, is managed as a northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch fishery; other fish species are present and contribute to the fishery.

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Lake Norden

Hamlin County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Lake Norden is a 733 acre lake located in Hamlin County. Common fish species include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, white sucker, bigmouth buffalo, channel catfish, black bullhead, common carp, and white bass.

Pelican Lake

Codington County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Pelican Lake, located near Watertown, is managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery but other fish species (e.g., northern pike, white bass) are present and contribute to the fishery.

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Pickerel Lake

Day County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Noted for its cool, spring-fed waters, Pickerel Lake is one of the deepest natural lakes in the state. Located 6.0 miles northeast of Grenville, Pickerel Lake is managed as a multi-species fishery including panfish (i.e., black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch), smallmouth bass and walleye; other fish species (e.g., northern pike, white bass, etc.) also contribute to the fishery.

 Click here  to learn more about Pickerel Lake Recreation Area and view trail maps.

Lake Poinsett

Hamlin County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks One of the largest lakes in the state, Lake Poinsett provides excellent camping opportunities, as well as many otherrecreational activities. Located 7.0 miles west of Estelline, Lake Poinsett is primarily managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery but the lake supports a diverse fish community, and a variety of species contribute to the fishery.

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Reid Lake

Clark County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Reid Lake, located 5.5 miles west and 4.5 miles south of Bradley, is currently connected to Round Lake and the two lakes are managed as a single waterbody. The Reid/Round Lake Complex is a meandered waterbody owned by the State of South Dakota and the fishery is managed by the SDGFP. Two public access sites exist (including boat ramps); one is located on the northwest shoreline of Reid Lake and the other is located on the west shoreline of Round Lake and they are maintained by the SDGFP. Reid Lake is closed to boating from October 20 through December 31. Reid Lake is primarily managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery.

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Rush Lake

Day County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Rush Lake is located in Day County south of Minnewasta Lake and west of Blue Dog Lake. Common fish species include walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, common carp, white bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, black crappie, black bullhead, and white sucker.

School Lake

Deuel County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks School Lake is located in Deuel County. Common fish species include saugeye, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and black crappie.

Scott Lake

Minnehaha County

Scott Lake (also known as Scotts Slough), is a 107 acres lake with an average depth of 4 feet in Minnehaha County. The southern access point is located just north of Hartford on 258th street, and the area is well maintained with good parking lot space, a fishing pier, a launch ramp, and toilets. Common fish species include walleye, bluegill, black bullhead, northern pike, common carp, black crappie, and yellow perch.

Lake Sinai

Brookings County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Lake Sinai is a 1,178 acre lake in Brookings County with an average depth of 17 feet. Common fish species include muskellunge, walleye, white bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, northern pike, yellow bullhead, common carp, and yellow perch.

Lake St. John

Hamlin County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Lake St. John is located in Hamlin County, south of Lake Norden and north of Lake Albert. Common fish species include walleye, saugeye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Swan Lake

Clark County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Swan Lake is a non-meandered lake and the fishery is managed by the SDGFP. A single public access site is located on the northeast shoreline and is maintained by the SDGFP. Swan Lake is currently managed as a walleye and yellow perch fishery.

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Twin Lakes/W. Hwy 81

Kingsbury County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Twin Lakes/W. Hwy 81 is a 1,580 acre lake located in Kingsbury County. Common fish species include walleye, muskellunge, yellow perch, bluegill, white bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, pumpkinseed, and sunfish hybrid.

Twin Lakes

Minnehaha County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Twin Lakes are a 304 acre lake located in Minnehaha County with an average depth of 11 feet and a maximum depth of 21 feet. Common fish species include yellow perch, walleye, and black bullhead.

West Oakwood Lake

Brookings County

Information from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Nestled among eight connecting glacial lakes, Oakwood Lakes State Park provides a never-ending variety of activities throughout the year, from hiking and swimming, to ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Shaded campgrounds and picnic areas complement the park's excellent swimming and boating facilities. Common fish species include yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, white sucker, bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, and common carp.

Click the following links to learn more.  South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks   Trails Map and Guide   Travel South Dakota 

Wall Lake

Minnehaha County

Information from Minnehaha County Wall Lake Park is a 25-acre public use area featuring the county's only swimming beach. The park is adjacent to the lake and provides a variety of outdoor recreation activities. Picnic tables and grills are provided at several sites and apicnic shelter overlooks the lake from a hilltop. These facilities are available on a first come, first served basis. Children can enjoy the playground equipment and a spacious open area is available for field sports. Conveniences include a modern restroom and drinking fountains. Common fish species include walleye, black bullhead, common carp, channel catfish, northern pike, black crappie, bigmouth buffalo, yellow bullhead, and pumpkinseed.

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