Fishing in Southeastern South Dakota

Walleye is the most populated predator fish in this region’s lakes. Walleye anglers in this region troll crankbaits to locate schools of feeding fish in the flat-bottom lakes. Backwater bays, sandbar drop-offs, creeks and stands of rushes provide the habitat for both walleye and bass. Casting toward structure with various crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits are popular methods, along with jigging during the heat of the summer. Don’t be surprised, however, if a large northern pike takes the bait as well. Sauger and catfish can also be caught by anglers on Lewis and Clark Lake.

For young and old alike, nothing keeps fishing attention longer than bullheads. These scrappy fish are found in most waters. A simple hook-and-worm combination will keep most anglers busy throughout the day. Good bullhead waters include most lakes and the Big Sioux and James Rivers. Panfishermen will want to look for shallow weed beds during the spring and drop-offs during the summer. Still-fishing with a small jig or fly fishing with wet flies or small poppers is effective for bluegills.

With more than 29,000 acres of surface water, Lewis and Clark Lake draws anglers from across the nation, thanks to the alluring combination of largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Northern pike tend to be on the edges of weeds, rocks or other structure, which may hold the prey fish they are hunting. Lures imitating wounded prey fish work well to entice waiting pike.

Ice fishing in the southeastern region can be very effective when using jigging spoons or teardrop hooks tipped with a minnow or wax/meal worms. Pike, walleye, bluegill and perch are favorites. Concentrations of trucks and ice houses on a lake will usually indicate where the bite is taking place.