Lake Thompson is another large, fairly deep body of water. This lake is very similar to Lake Poinsett. The crappie fishing is excellent, but walleye and yellow perch offer excellent fisheries as well. The water is also clear, although shallow sloughs connected to the lake can present some excellent fishing especially during high-water years.
Fishing Information
Ice Fishing
Schaeffer’s Slough, a small slough connected to Thompson on the northeast corner of the lake draws early ice anglers every year. This is for good reason, Schaeffer’s shallow, protected nature allows it to freeze up sooner and there is often fantastic crappie fishing to be had.
Water levels can fluctuate year in and year out, but Schaeffer’s is often between 3-6 feet deep. Don’t let this fool you though, the crappie fishing can often be excellent, especially early and late in the season. Large walleyes are also occasionally caught following the crappie around as well!
While this is a popular early ice fishing spot, this means there is often a heavy amount of angling pressure as well. Anglers should be aware that many times there will be a significant amount of people on this relatively small area.
Top presentations for this area is tungsten jigs and plastics. A wide variety of plastics are going to work, but the whites, pinks and reds are all popular options for colors. Natural options like wax worms, red spikes and minnow heads are also good baits as well.
As the season rolls on, fishing begins to transition towards the main lake basin. Fishing the northeast corner of the lake, outside of the mouth to Schaeffer’s Slough, is a popular option.
Here, fish begin to get more into the routine they will have in the winter. Thompson is known for its low light bite and often the bite window for both crappie and walleye will be extended, but still at certain periods.
The first period is from roughly 6:00-9:00 a.m. for the morning bite and the evening bite runs from roughly 5:00-8:00 p.m. These times will of course vary based on weather conditions, angling pressure and other day-to-day differences, but they are a good starting point.
When the bite is on, it’s all about being on fish. During this period, much like what we discuss on Waubay Lake, it doesn’t really matter what you put infront of the fish as long as you are infront of them. Aggressive baits like rattle spoons, flutter spoons or jigging minnow baits are all great options.
Once you are on fish, it is all about getting the bait down to them as quickly as possible and keeping them interested in the area. Having a partner to share a hole with or quickly unhooking and dropping back down without rebaiting are good choices.
Outside of these bite windows, you can still catch fish on the right day, but they are going to be much less active. The same tungsten jigs and bug resembling options that were successful during early ice will be top options again.
What many anglers do is fish the early morning bite on Thompson, then at about 9:00-10:00 a.m. drive over to Lake Whitewood, a lake that features a strong daylight bite for both perch and the occasional walleye, for a day of perch fishing. At about 4:00 p.m., they head back to Thompson for the evening action.
Spring
The Oldham Grade becomes a shore angler’s paradise come spring time. The rocky grade and moving water opens this area up first and also draws fish in. On any given day, you can catch a wide variety of species. Walleye, crappie, northern pike and white bass can all find themselves in an angler’s bag on any given day.
Top options for walleye are your standard jig and plastic combinations. Paddletail swimbaits like Berkley Ripple Shads are popular options Top colors are white, purple and blue.
The crappie anglers have the most success with slipbobbers and minnows and also hair jigs or tube jigs underneath these slipbobbers. Casting these jigs can also produce fish as well. Anglers find the added color to these slipbbober rigs is particularly effective when tipped with a minnow.
The northern pike and white bass anglers have the most success being closer to the moving water. Shallow running crankbaits and jerk baits are popular options for these fish. Many walleye anglers will often catch some fish with the same mindset as well.
Other areas such as the northeast side by the state park and also the northwest side by Lake Henry present strong wader fishing options in the spring as well. Here, casting jerkbaits such as Rapala X-Raps and Husky Jerks produces great results for both walleye and northern. At certain times, these areas can also produce good crappie fishing.
Pitching jigs from a boat in similar areas can produce fish as well. Vertical jigging in deep water with one rod and pitching into the shallow water is a deadly combination.
Fall
The Oldham Grade can fire up for shore anglers again. The walleye fishing can be particularly good this time of year, especially when a north wind begins blowing onto the grade.
Blue is always a good starting point for presentation. Lipless rattling lures, especially in blue or silver, are excellent baits. Casting these out and letting them sit on bottom then giving a violent rip and retrieving in this approach is very effective.
Rapala Scatter Rap Shads and Shallow Shad Raps can also produce fish as well. The best size is #7 for both these baits and different variations of blue, silver and walleye colors are all good options.
Surrounding Area Information
Nearby Towns: Lake Preston, De Smet, Arlington
Nearby Lakes: Lake Whitewood, Lake Henry, Lake Poinsett, Lake Albert, 81 Ponds, Lake Sinai
Area Bait Shops: The Bait Box (Lake Preston), Cowboy Country Store (De Smet)
Area Lodging: North Shore Lodging and Campground, Lone Pine Lodge, Lake Thompson State Recreation Area, De Smet Super Delux Inn (De Smet), Cottage Inn (De Smet), The Bait Box (Lake Preston)
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