South Dakota trout fishing means finding a Black Hills beaver pond and sneaking up to hook a meal. It can mean fishing a dam on the Missouri River where you might laze about in a belly boat while a large hooked trout pulls the boat around in the water. To South Dakotans, the state is a logical place for trout fishing, though to many it may not be the most obvious destination. From rainbows, to brook or brown trout, there are plenty to be had in the state's streams, rivers or stocked lakes.
The Waters
The Missouri River and the creeks and streams of the Black Hills are the main trout destinations in the state. But some of the lakes have trout as well. Lake Francis Case is an option, as is Lake Oahe. Anglers are not disappointed in Deerfield Lake or Canyon Lake. The higher elevations are best for trout in the hot months, though the deepest parts of the Missouri have good angling then. In the other seasons the trout are found in all South Dakota waters, though may be less likely to feed.
The Fish
Anglers for trout will find five species in the waters of South Dakota. Rainbow, brook, brown and cutthroat trout as well as lake trout can be caught. Hungry brook trout are not difficult to catch, but the reclusive browns are tricky. The brook trout will not be found unless the water is really cold and pure. The other trout can handle a broader range of temperature.
The Records
Newcomer anglers to the state might want to head for Deerfield Lake where the trout that holds the state record was caught. The record brown trout came from Canyon Lake at a hefty 24 pounds and 8 ounces. An angler at Rapid Creek pulled up the record cutthroat. The Pactola Reservoir Lake was the last address of the 27 pound and 14 ounce record lake trout.
The Black Hills
Creeks like Rapid Creek and Spearfish Creek are Black Hills destinations for trout fishing. Wild brown trout, 8 to 12 inches long and smaller brook trout are found in Black Hills streams. Rainbows are there too, especially near the headwaters. Black Hills lakes are often stocked along with streams that do not have self-sustaining trout populations. The best fishing is in deep ponds like those created by beaver damming a stream. These pools create deep cold water and good food sources for the trout.
The Missouri
Missouri River trout can be as large as 10 pounds or more. Anglers like to go to the tailrace area of the Oahe Dam or to the marina area. The state record rainbow trout, at 19 pounds and 4 ounces, came from these waters. Walleye fishing is more common than trout fishing in the river, but the trout fishermen with large rods and big gaudy or silvery lures do well. The winds can be strong near the dam so the cast has to be powerful and the fly line weights forward.
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