Fishing in the Black Hills & West
Explore fishing in the Black Hills & West of South Dakota. Pactola Lake, Sheridan Lake, Rapid Creek, Angostura Reservoir
Pactola Lake offers excellent fishing in the Black Hills & West of South Dakota with good public access.
1. Pactola Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Pactola Lake, South DakotaPactola Lake offers excellent fishing in the Black Hills & West of South Dakota with good public access.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
2. Sheridan Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Sheridan Lake, South DakotaSheridan Lake offers excellent fishing in the Black Hills & West of South Dakota with good public access.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
Boat Launch: Sheridan Lake Marina →
3. Rapid Creek (Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie)
Rapid Creek, South DakotaRapid Creek offers excellent fishing in the Black Hills & West of South Dakota with good public access.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined (10 possession)
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
4. Angostura Reservoir (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Angostura Reservoir, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
5. Bear Butte Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Bear Butte Lake, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
Boat Launch: Bear Butte Lake →
6. Belle Fourche Reservoir (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Belle Fourche Reservoir, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
7. Gardner Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Gardner Lake, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
8. Horse Thief Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Horse Thief Lake, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
Boat Launch: Sheridan Lake Marina →
9. Lakota Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Lakota Lake, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
Boat Launch: Sheridan Lake Marina →
10. New Wall Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
New Wall Lake, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- ⚠ This water: Pennington County | Crappie (>13 inches)
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
11. Newell Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Newell Lake, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- ⚠ This water: Butte County | Walleye (>18 inches) Northern Pike (>18 inches)
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
12. Shadehill Reservoir (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Shadehill Reservoir, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
Boat Launch: Shadehill Reservoir →
13. Stockade Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Stockade Lake, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
14. Sylvan Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Sylvan Lake, South DakotaPopular fishing lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
15. Cottonwood Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Cottonwood Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- ⚠ This water: Spink county | Walleye (>21 inches
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
Boat Launch: Cottonwood Lake →
16. Dry Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Dry Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
Boat Launch: Stink Lake Public Water Access →
17. Drywood Lakes (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Drywood Lakes, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
18. Dumarce Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Dumarce Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
19. Durrstein Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Durrstein Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
20. East Clubhouse Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
East Clubhouse Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
21. East Coteau Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
East Coteau Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
22. East Flat Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
East Flat Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
23. East Lake Badus (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
East Lake Badus, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
24. East Slough (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
East Slough, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
25. Lake Eli (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Lake Eli, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
26. Elm Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Elm Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- ⚠ This water: Brown County | Walleye (>25 inches)
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
27. Lake Emeline (historical) (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Lake Emeline (historical), South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
Boat Launch: Mill Site River Access →
28. Lake Emma (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Lake Emma, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
29. Englehardt Slough (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Englehardt Slough, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
30. Fairfax Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Fairfax Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
31. Lake Fargo (historical) (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Lake Fargo (historical), South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
32. Feinstein Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Feinstein Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
33. Fensterman Slough (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Fensterman Slough, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
34. Enemy Swim Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Enemy Swim Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
35. Fish Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Fish Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
36. Flat Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Flat Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
37. Flight Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Flight Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
38. Lake Florence (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Lake Florence, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
39. Foldager Slough (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Foldager Slough, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
40. Ford Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Ford Lake, South DakotaNamed lake in the Black Hills & West region of South Dakota.
- Crappie · Limit: 15 (30 possession)
- Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) · Limit: 15 combined (30 possession)
Fishing Tips for the Black Hills & West
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid state fishing licence — check your state's wildlife agency site.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in South Dakota; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Black Hills & West waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in South Dakota
- Glacial Lakes & Northeast
- Lake Francis Case & Central
- Lake Oahe & Missouri River
- Southeast & Missouri Bottoms
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