The 81 Ponds is an interesting complex. This is an area that used to be shallow sloughs and have expanded creating a large complex of ponds. The structure present is very diverse as flooded fields, roads, timber, fence lines and culverts are present all across the lakes. While one area may get only as deep as 6ft, a mile down the road may reach 12-13ft deep and back from that can reach 22-24ft deep. This is a complex system that offers a wide variety structure and lake areas to fish.
This complex is also known for producing 8-10lb walleye with fish bigger than that certainly present. By the numbers, 81 is one of the best places to catch a 25 inch plus walleye in the Brookings area. Jumbo yellow perch are also present as well as trophy caliber northern pike and a fishable population of muskies with fish reaching 47 inches or bigger present in the system. The system can also produce some trophy smallmouth bass fishing as well as a tremendous white bass fishery.
Angling Information
Lake Background
81 Ponds is a really interesting waterbody. This waterbody is all along the Highway 81 grade south of Arlington, SD. The grade actually creates about six ponds along the highway and then the main lake extends to the west and north. During years of extremely high water, the ponds can actually touch and close Highway 81. In 2019, an emergency construction project was implemented to raise the highway because of this. This project has been completed and has changed the structure of the shoreline along the highway grade itself.
The layout makes for some really interesting fishing as the majority of the lake is over flooded farmland. This creates some fun structure with field edges, culverts and old roads all holding fish.
Species
This complex is a trophy angler’s paradise! Trophy caliber walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch are all present in the system. Multiple Proud Angler white bass are also produced each year. The lake also is one of the few muskie fisheries in South Dakota, with multiple fish reaching the upper 40s.
Walleye
The whole complex is filled with huge walleyes, with fish in the 25-30 inch bracket dang near common. The walleye fishing is often the best in the early spring and mid to late fall. The lakes can produce good fishing in both the winter and summer months, with some particularly nice fish being caught through ice each year. Regardless what time of year you’re looking to fish, expect the best walleye fishing to take place right as the sun is going down or right at sunrise.
Ice
Ice fishing can be a challenge on 81, but when you are on the fish you have a fantastic chance at a real trophy! The key to fishing 81 through ice is timing. The lake is very much a dark bite and much like in the spring and fall, the best time to fish is at sunset and the first part of darkness.
The walleye favor live bait-chubs and shiners are key to catching big walleyes here. Hanging these baits under tip ups and large bobbers is the best option. While fish may come into your jigging presentation, it is often the dead sticks they will bite on.
Many anglers look to fish in the deeper basin area through the ice season, but even in the middle of winter 5-10ft can produce some of the best fishing. Fishing adjacent to rocky shorelines or reeds is key. While being close to deep water is important, fish generally move up shallow to feed at these certain times.
Spring
During spring, fishing a 4″ BFishN Authentix Moxi Ringtail on a 1/16 oz jig produces best. Top colors are white, chartreuse and pink/white. The 4 inch bait on such a light jig may not make much sense, but slow rolling is just enough to float the bait along bottom and trophy walleye have no trouble attacking the bait and getting hooked.
(Find out more about this technique in Upsizing Plastics for Goliath Spring Walleye!)
As the water warms, jerkbaits such as Rapala Husky Jerks and Rapala X-Raps begin producing better and better. Fishing these baits on top of emerging weed beds is key for big fish looking to pile on the calories following spawning efforts. Fishing these baits with several twitches and long pauses is most effective.
(Find out more about this technique in Suspending Jerkbaits for Cold Water Walleye!)
Fall
In fall, Rapala Shallow Shad Raps are the angler’s choice. Generally the #7 sizes in Purpledescent, Hot Steel and Perch are best. Don’t count out the Phantom Lures VooDoo Shad though. Mason Propst has had some of his best walleye fishing on purple VooDoo Shads!
(Learn more about this technique in Over-sized Baits for Over-sized Fall Walleyes!)
While sunset and dark bites have excelled in the spring and ice season, the wind can really fire up the fish on the wind blown shorelines and make them bite even in the day. There is of course, still a very strong sunset bite and dark bite.
Fishing the wind blown shoreline is always a good option. Finding feeding flats and weed patches adjacent to deep water is the key to success. When you combine rocks and weeds and put them close to deeper water, you often are going to have a very good spot picked out!
(Learn more about what to look for in Staying in the Red Zone for Trophy Fall Walleye!)
Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth bass fishing is not a great numbers bite, but some really dandy fish can be caught. Don’t expect fast action, but fishing more natural presentations can produce some monster bass. Fishing for bass is often better in the spring time, but fall can produce some good fish as well.
For presentation, suspending jerkbaits are the most popular option. Baits like Rapala Husky Jerks, Shadow Raps and X-Raps produce the most fish. Natural colored #5 Rapala Shallow Shad Raps are also good options. These include Perch, Yellow Perch and Silver.
Muskie and Northern Pike
Anglers targeting the large predators are in luck. 81 Ponds has one of the few muskie fisheries in the state and large northern pike over 40 inches are also present in the system. Many times, these find themselves on the end of walleye angler’s lines as well!
Anglers looking to target these fish have the most success fishing the shallow weed patches. These weed areas, usually less than 6ft, hold the best fishing for these large predators!
Other Species
Yellow perch and white bass also can reach really nice sizes as well. As with most of the lakes in eastern South Dakota, perch can grow to sizes over 14 inches and multiple white bass over 17 inches can be caught by anglers as well.
White bass will often hammer the same crankbaits you use for walleye, while the perch favor slipbobbers and minnows.
Surrounding Area Information
Nearby Towns: Arlington, Volga, Brookings
Nearby Lakes: Lake Sinai, Brush Lake, Lake Poinsett, Lake Albert, Lake Whitewood, Lake Thompson
Area Bait Shops: Handi-Mart (Arlington), The Bait Box (Lake Preston), Sioux River Outfitters (Volga), Gas N Mor (Brookings), Runnings (Brookings), Porters Bait Farm (Brookings), Dakota Wholesale Bait (Brookings)
Area Lodging: Arlington Inn (Arlington), Pheasant Motel (Arlington), Bait Box (Lake Preston), American (Madison), Super 8 (Madison)
Numerous hotels and motels in Brookings
Area Restaurants: 14/81 Grille (Arlington), Schmidty’s Bar and Grill (Arlington), Cardinal Tap (Arlington), Lucky Dog Bar and Grill (Volga), CCs Bar and Grill (Volga)
Numerous restaurants in Brookings and Madison
Related Articles
The most important factor in having success in the fall is finding the high percentage areas that the trophy walleyes are going to be. With football season in full swing, walleye anglers need to find their own Red Zone. In Staying in the Red Zone for Trophy Fall Walleye, Nick details everything you need to know to find your Red Zone for trophy walleye.
Once you’re in the Red Zone, it’s all about running the right play to score. In Over-sized Baits for Over-sized Fall Walleye, Nick details the presentations he likes to run to score those trophy walleyes of fall!
Nick Harrington details his secret to catching trophy pre-spawn walleye in the early spring. He utilizes over-sized plastics and under-sized jigs to target the biggest fish in the area in Upsizing Plastics for Goliath Spring Walleye.
Nick Harrington discusses two different styles of casting jigs for early spring walleye. The first focuses on targeting trophy fish with bigger baits, while the second focuses on covering water and catching numbers of fish in One-Two Plastic Punch for Spring Walleye.
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81 Ponds is a special place for the Lip Ripper Fishing crew. Chris Seylar, Mason Propst and Nick Harrington all spent time fishing the Brookings area during their time at South Dakota State University and 81 was their favorite waterbody. Stay up to date with what bites they are chasing by following Lip Ripper Fishing on Facebook!
