Ice fishing is a popular winter pastime

Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing in South Dakota begins as soon as the lakes freeze over and the ice is safe. That’s usually about mid-December. Ice cover typically persists on Deerfield until early April.

The key to ice fishing in the Black Hills is to find shallow water, where the fish are closer to the surface. Local fishermen feel the best trout lakes are Sheridan, Deerfield, and Pactola.

Sheridan Lake, located just southwest of Rapid City, remains at a fairly stable level, and freezes solid in January. Sheridan offers the most variety for fishing because it holds not only trout, but also yellow perch and some northern pike. It is stocked once a year in the spring with large rainbow fingerlings to reach catchable size the following year.

Deerfield, northwest of Hill City, is a popular fishing lake every season of the year. The higher elevation of Deerfield (5,900 feet) keeps ice on the lake all winter long with fishing beginning around mid-December and ending as late as March. Fishermen especially relish “ice-off” when the winter ice begins to break up, making for very hot fishing. Deerfield holds rainbows, naturally reproducing brookies and every three years is stocked with splake (a char-brook trout hybrid).

Pactola Reservoir, just west of Rapid City, holds mostly rainbows, a few cutthroat trout, and some wild brown trout stock. Pactola usually freezes later in the season because of its large surface area and depths reaching 170 feet. The edges of Pactola and its narrow gulches freeze in time for great fishing.

Center, Legion and Stockade Lakes in Custer State Park are good for crappie and trout fishing. Both Stockade and Bismarck Lakes, near Custer, produce more lunkers in the wintertime than in any other season. That’s because as the season progresses, the fish move to more shallow waters.

Sylvan Lake, north of Custer, is a popular trout fishing lake. Head for Angostura Reservoir near Hot Springs to catch walleye, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, perch and largemouth bass.

Other ice fishing spots include Shadehill near Lemmon, Newell Lake, Orman Dam near Belle Fourche and Bear Butte Lake outside of Sturgis.

Fishing licenses are required at all public fishing areas. Non-resident license fees are $14.14 for a One Day permit; $34.14 for a Three Day license; or $61.14 for an Annual permit. All fishermen over the age of 16 must have a valid South Dakota fishing license in their possession. Non-residents under the age of 16 can fish free with a licensed parent. Licenses and information is available through the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

Check local regulations for daily limits and catch-and-release areas.

Fishing licenses, handbooks, theSouth Dakota Fishing Guides,  Black Hills Fishing Guide  and maps are available at local Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks offices, information centers throughout the state Game and Fish and many local stores that carry fishing gear.







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