We’re fortunate to have numerous quality fisheries across South Dakota, and even more access points to get us on those fisheries. The abundance of water, and excellent fisheries, in northeast South Dakota can present a daunting challenge for anglers to focus their efforts. Likewise on the Missouri River, the miles upon miles are only outnumbered by the number of points, rock piles, submerged trees, and other structural elements.
To help make 2025 your best season yet, we’ve outlined our favorite spots to fish across South Dakota. Whether you’re looking to fish the Missouri River, northeast South Dakota, or even a family vacation to the Black Hills we’ve got you covered!
Downs Marina (Lake Sharpe)
Downs Marina is the most popular ramp on Lake Sharpe, and anglers heading both downstream and upstream can find excellent fishing. This is going to be an extremely busy ramp in 2025, with both the National Walleye Tour and Sharpe Showdown launching out of this ramp onto Lake Sharpe!
Cedar Shore Resort and Marina (Lake Francis Case)
It’s no secret Chamberlain is the epicenter of walleye fishing in the Midwest in the springtime, and the most popular ramp is Cedar Shore Resort and Marina. Similar to Downs Marina, anglers can head both downstream and upstream of this ramp and expect to find great fishing either direction they head! Anglers can even find good fishing directly in front of the marina too!
Spring Creek Recreation Area (Lake Oahe)
The largest and most popular boat ramp on the lower end of Lake Oahe, Spring Creek Recreation Area is the go-to spot for whatever species you’re targeting on the big water. Salmon anglers can find excellent fishing along this stretch of river, smallmouth bass are abundant, and there are numerous quality walleye spots nearby as well!
Farm Island Recreation Area (Hipple Lake/Lake Sharpe)
A unique element of the Missouri River, Farm Island Recreation Area provides anglers access to Hipple Lake. Hipple Lake is an oxbow lake off the back of Lake Sharpe, and features some of the largest walleyes in the reservoir. Fed by gizzard shad, white bass, crappie, and yellow perch Hipple Lake walleyes vary greatly than main-body Lake Sharpe fish!
Roy Lake State Park (Roy Lake)
Tucked away in northeast South Dakota, Roy Lake quietly features a remarkable fishery. While walleye are king in South Dakota, anglers can find fantastic bluegill and crappie fishing in Roy Lake with great numbers of quality panfish! Don’t rule out a trophy caliber smallmouth bass too!
Lake Poinsett Recreation Area (Lake Poinsett)
Lake Poinsett is one of the first fisheries anglers think of when they think of the Glacial Lakes of South Dakota, and it’s for good reason. Lake Poinsett offers excellent fishing for walleye, yellow perch, crappie, smallmouth bass, and northern pike. The large bowl shape of the lake makes trolling and bottom bouncing an excellent way to cover water and contact fish.
Grace Coolidge Walk-In Fishery (Custer State Park)
When you think Custer State Park you probably think buffalo, but don’t count out trout! The Grace Coolidge Walk-In Fishery is one of the most unique fisheries in the state, and is sure to be a favorite for both hikers and anglers!
Lake Thompson Recreation Area (Lake Thompson)
Similar to Lake Poinsett, one of the largest natural lakes in the state features basin type fishing and excellent walleye, crappie, yellow perch, northern pike, and white bass fishing. Whether it’s in the early spring off the Oldham Grade, first ice in Schaeffers Slough, or trolling the main body in the summer Lake Thompson is one of the best year-round fisheries in eastern South Dakota.
Indian Creek Recreation Area (Lake Oahe)
The upper end of Lake Oahe is a unique fishery, and Indian Creek Recreation Area puts anglers right in the center of both the Grand and Moreau Rivers. These major tributaries hold excellent numbers of walleye, and Indian Creek conveniently sits right in the middle of these areas to provide anglers easy access heading both upstream and downstream from the ramp.
Platte Creek Recreation Area (Lake Francis Case)
Generally speaking, the best fishing on Lake Francis Case takes place between Platte Creek Recreation Area and Snake Creek Recreation Area. This area features large tributaries, submerged trees, and large flats. Whether it’s spring, summer, or fall, this often has some of the best, and biggest, walleye fishing opportunities on Lake Francis Case.
West Bend Recreation Area (Lake Sharpe)
It’s tough to find a more convenient boat ramp in the state, as anglers fishing out of West Bend Recreation Area can literally start fishing the second they pull out of the marina and expect to catch fish. The large flats offer both an abundance of walleyes, and easy fishing for anglers on the lower end of Lake Sharpe.
West Whitlock Recreation Area (Lake Oahe)
Lake Oahe is home to big walleyes, and if there’s a neighborhood that they live in it would be the West Whitlock Recreation Area. The submerged trees and large flats between West Whitlock and Walth Bay are often home to the largest walleyes in the system, which is pretty dang large!
North Point Recreation Area (Lake Francis Case)
Quietly providing excellent fishing opportunities, North Point Recreation Area and the surrounding boat ramps of Prairie Dog Bay and St. Francis Bay all provide access to good fishing areas at the very end of Lake Francis Case. Submerged trees, points, and rock piles all have very large walleye that call this area home!
Bitter Lake (Glacial Lakes Region)
The diverse nature of Bitter Lake makes this one of the most interesting waterbodies to fish in the state. Excellent yellow perch fishing attracts ice anglers, while numerous quality walleye call this lake home as well. Whether it’s the main lake, or one of the many back sloughs, anglers will find no shortage of fish to target!
Oahe Dam Tailrace (Lake Sharpe)
The Oahe Dam tailrace offers some of the best shore fishing in the area. Beginning in approximately June, continuing through the summer, and reach it’s height in the fall, this area makes the perfect area for an hour to cast at the end of the day. This area also offers some of the largest walleyes in Lake Sharpe as well.
Dry Lake #2 (Glacial Lakes Region)
There may be no easier to catch walleyes on the road, literally, the flooded roads under Dry Lake #2 are some of the highest percentage areas to target walleyes.Whether it’s through the ice, from the boat, or in waders, Dry Lake #2 always seems to produce excellent fish.
Oahe Downstream Recreation Area (Lake Sharpe)
Sitting just below Oahe Dam, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area provides easy access to both the tailrace and stilling basin areas on Lake Sharpe. Whether it’s a night in the boat in the fast water, or a day targeting the stilling basin, some of the largest walleyes from Lake Sharpe often find themselves caught out of Oahe Downstream Recreation Area.
Lake Sinai (Glacial Lakes Region)
An outlier from it’s nearby waterbodies, Lake Sinai features deep water and main lake structure. Reaching depths in excess of 30 feet, including three main lake humps, Lake Sinai fishes much different than other lakes in eastern South Dakota. What isn’t different, is the quality walleye, smallmouth bass, crappie, and yellow perch the fishery can produce!
Fort Pierre City Boat Ramp (Lake Sharpe)
The Fort Pierre City boat ramp is the perfect location for an easy boat ride, as several large sandbars can be found within a mile or so from the ramp. Even better, the new all season fishing cleaning station is now open and right there for anglers to clean their catch!
Waubay Lake (Glacial Lakes Region)
Similar to Bitter Lake, Waubay Lake is one of the largest and most productive waterbodies in northeast South Dakota. The walleye fishing is spectacular, and the diversity of main lake structure, weedlines, and submerged trees offers numerous areas for anglers to target.
Indian Springs/Antelope Complex (Glacial Lakes Region)
Another model Glacial Lakes region fishery, the Indian Springs/Antelope Complex provides both remarkable walleye and yellow perch fishing. Shallow weedlines are a critical component of this waterbody, and are home to both big walleyes and northern pike.
Sutton Bay Recreation Area (Lake Oahe)
While it’s tough to pinpoint the exact “best” fishing on Lake Oahe, the area between Bushes Landing and Sutton Bay Recreation Area makes a pretty strong case. The remote nature of these areas reduces the number of anglers, and there is no shortage of walleyes. Anglers can find both eater and trophy caliber fish in this area, with fewer anglers fishing for them as well.
Fort George Access Area (Lake Sharpe)
Shore fishing might not be the first thing you think of when you think of the Missouri River, but it’s tough to find a better shore fishing spot than the Fort George Access Area. Along a large flat that holds excellent numbers of fish, improved gravel roads and stairs makes accessing this area easier than ever.
81 Ponds (Glacial Lakes Region)
A special fishery to the Lip Ripper Fishing boys, 81 Ponds offers the best fishing along a highway you’d ever find. Yes, really. A shore angler’s paradise, this is one of the best areas to catch a trophy caliber walleye in the Brookings area.
Fort Randall Dam Tailrace (Missouri River)
Directly below Lake Francis Case is the Fort Randall Dam tailrace, and this area offers some under the radar fishing opportunities that can be very good from both the shore and boat. Whether it’s casting crankbaits off the rocks, or jigging from the boat, this is often one of the first spots to offer open water fishing opportunities in South Dakota.
South Dakota is home to numerous excellent fisheries, hundreds of boat ramps, and even more shore fishing areas. Whether it’s the expansive Missouri River, northeast South Dakota, and ever spot between, there is plenty to explore in South Dakota.
