Custer State Park is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Miles upon miles of hiking trails, an abundance of wildlife to view, and gorgeous views abound throughout the park. One of the most overlooked activities in the park is fishing, and anglers wishing to try their luck in the Black Hills streams can enjoy all of these activities in one spot at the Grace Coolidge Walk-In Fishery.
The Grace Coolidge Walk-In Fishery is exactly what it sounds like, with the Grace Coolidge Walk-In Area trail connecting six lowhead dams along a series of creek crossings. The trail itself is about three miles one-way, and offers a moderately difficult hike. The six dams are dotted along the trail, meaning anglers can fish these areas as they work their way up and down to find the best bite.
All six of the Grace Coolidge Dams are full of rainbow trout. These trout populations are annually maintained by stockings from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Similarly, Grace Coolidge Creek receives the same rainbow trout stockings. This means there are always rainbow trout both present and eager to bite!
While fly fishing is always an option for anglers, the lowhead dams provide an opportunity for anglers fishing with traditional equipment to effectively target trout. Both casting and even fishing vertically can produce fish, depending on where the fish are staging and the location of the angler.
The lowhead dams offer an opportunity for anglers to fish on top of the dam and simply drop a line with a jig over the edge. This can be particularly effective, as trout will use this area to take advantage of both the deeper water and shade created by the dam in the middle of the day. This makes for both simple fishing and fun fishing, as watching the fish strike can be particularly exciting.
Anglers looking to cover a bit more water can cast shallow running crankbaits along the entire dam. Baits that dive 1-3 feet are particularly effective, which makes the #4 Berkley Fishing Shallow Money Badger a top option. The small profile, combined with a shallow dive, and aggressive action are perfect for trigger strikes from aggressive trout.
One of the most effective ways to target trout along the dam, particularly when the sun is high, is to focus on casting shadows. The trees along the trail offer a number of shadow spots on the water depending on the time of day, and trout will use these to stay cool and comfortable. Casting along these edges provide natural ambush points, and is a great way to cover water and contact fish.
Mixing in a number of twitches, jerks, or other elements to your retrieve can also be particularly effective as many times trout will follow the bait without striking. These elements to the retrieve provide a unique, unexpected action, and can often trigger reaction strikes. When a fish does follow and doesn’t strike, short casting to just past where the fish was at the time of disengagement can also produce bites as this keeps active fish engaged.
One of the most unique aspects of the fishery is the ability to easily move between dams. If the bite is slow on one dam, the fish may be very active at the dam just a little bit further up. Continuing to bounce between dams means anglers can stay on biting fish, get more steps in, and enjoy a variety of scenery throughout the day.
Sitting at the top of the trail is Center Lake, a popular fishery itself. Center Lake’s stockings include both rainbow trout and cutthroat trout, which makes for a variety of fishing opportunities. Tiger trout are also present in the lake and present their own unique challenge for anglers wishing to target them. White suckers and creek chubs are also present within Center Lake.
As a whole, the complex presents both a unique and exciting challenge. The ability to target six different dams, Grace Coolidge Creek as a whole, and Center Lake all powered by foot makes for one of the most unique fishing opportunities in the state. Whether fly fishing or fishing with traditional methods, there are opportunities along the area to be successful.
The combination of hiking and fishing means individuals can get the best of both worlds. They can get their steps in, enjoy the gorgeous Black Hills, and feel a bite at the end of a line. The Grace Coolidge Walk-In Fishery is truly a special location within Custer State Park.
When you’re planning for your trip to Custer State Park remember to bring a fishing rod, a small box of baits, and some pliers. The walk-in aspect of the fishery means anglers need to pack light and bring only the essentials. Fortunately, the simple nature of this bite makes this easy just bring your favorite baits, tools, and a rod or two. That’s all you need to enjoy this fishery anyway! Good fishing!
Custer State Park Fishing Regulations and Reminders:
- All of Custer State Park is open to fishing;
- A valid South Dakota Fishing License is required, licenses can be purchased through Go Outdoors South Dakota or through one of the four resort locations;
- There is no minimum size regulation for Black Hills trout;
- The daily limit is five trout;
- Only one trout can exceed 14 inches;
- Both artificial and livebait is allowed; and,
- Complete fishing regulations can be found in the South Dakota Fishing Handbook.
South Dakota Fishing License Costs:
- One Day: Resident $10, Nonresident $26
- Three Day: Nonresident $45
- Annual: Resident $31, Nonresident $80
- Habitat Stamp (Required for Three-Day or Annual License Purchase): Resident $10, Nonresident $25
Hiking into Rainbow Trout in Custer State Park
The Grace Coolidge Walk-In Fishery provides non-stop action, and this was on full display when we checked out three of the dams in September 2025. Check out both the scenes and the strikes and see what the fishery can provide!
Learn More About Fishing in Custer State Park
There are numerous fishing opportunities in Custer State Park. These options include Legion Lake, Center Lake, Sylvan Lake, Stockade Lake, and the Grace Coolidge Walk-In Fishery. We highlight many of these fishing opportunities in Finding the Fish in Custer State Park!
