18 public waters in the James River Valley region — 12 lakes/reservoirs and 6 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a South Dakota licence.
See every public fishing venue in South Dakota on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
White Lake, a 2,463-acre lake in Aurora, Bennett, Marshall and 2 more counties in South Dakota, managed by Public boat ramp (GFP): A GFP-managed public lake or state recreation area lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel Catfish and often a stocked Walleye fishery.
Platte Lake, a 966-acre lake in Aurora County, South Dakota, managed by Public boat ramp (GFP): A GFP-managed public lake or state recreation area lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel Catfish and often a stocked Walleye fishery.
Fish Lake (927 acres) sits in Deuel and Aurora Counties, South Dakota, managed by Public boat ramp (GFP). A natural lake in South Dakota's Glacial Lakes region (Kampeska, Poinsett, Madison, Herman, Cochrane, Enemy Swim, Waubay, Bitter, Pickerel, Big Stone, Traverse, Thompson, Byron) — Walleye and Yellow Perch headline, plus Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, White Bass and Carp. Shallow, fertile, glacially-formed lakes across the northeast corner of the state, many with a state park or GFP recreation area on the shore.
Horse Shoe Lake, a 580-acre lake in Aurora County, South Dakota, managed by State Fish and Wildlife: A GFP-managed public lake or state recreation area lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel Catfish and often a stocked Walleye fishery.
Crystal Lake, a 244-acre lake in Aurora and Marshall Counties, South Dakota, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: A GFP-managed public lake or state recreation area lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel Catfish and often a stocked Walleye fishery.
Aurora County, South Dakota — Wilmarth Lake is a 106-acre lake, managed by Public boat ramp (GFP): A GFP-managed public lake or state recreation area lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel Catfish and often a stocked Walleye fishery.
In Aurora County, South Dakota, Schmitz Lake is a 32-acre lake, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A GFP-managed public lake or state recreation area lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel Catfish and often a stocked Walleye fishery.
Aurora County, South Dakota — Scott Lake is a 29-acre lake, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: A GFP-managed public lake or state recreation area lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel Catfish and often a stocked Walleye fishery.
Fraser, a 24-acre lake in Aurora County, South-Dakota, managed by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Aurora County, South Dakota — Stickney Lake is a 13-acre lake, managed by State Fish and Wildlife: A GFP-managed public lake or state recreation area lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel Catfish and often a stocked Walleye fishery.
Old Stickney Lake, a 8-acre lake in Aurora County, South Dakota, managed by State Fish and Wildlife: A GFP-managed public lake or state recreation area lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel Catfish and often a stocked Walleye fishery.
Aurora County, South Dakota — Luxemberger Lake is a 8-acre lake, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: A GFP-managed public lake or state recreation area lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Crappie, Channel Catfish and often a stocked Walleye fishery.
In Davison, Jerauld and Aurora Counties, South Dakota, Firesteel Creek is a 85 km river or creek. A South Dakota river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, GFP access sites and public parks.
Platte Creek (58 km) flows through Charles Mix and Aurora Counties, South Dakota. A South Dakota river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, GFP access sites and public parks.
Davison, Aurora and Hanson Counties, South Dakota — Enemy Creek is a 51 km stream: A South Dakota river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, GFP access sites and public parks.
In Aurora, Jerauld and Davison Counties, South Dakota, West Branch Firesteel Creek is a 40 km river or creek. A South Dakota river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, GFP access sites and public parks.
East Fork Platte Creek (17 km) flows through Aurora, Charles Mix and Douglas Counties, South Dakota. A South Dakota river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, GFP access sites and public parks.
Brule, Aurora and Jerauld Counties, South Dakota — Sayles Creek is a 7 km stream: A South Dakota river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, GFP access sites and public parks.
Across its mapped waters, Aurora County holds 13 species on PiscaMaps, including Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Walleye, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass and Common Carp.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the South Dakota map Join PiscaMapsOne South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks fishing licence covers every public water in the state, the Missouri River reservoirs and GFP recreation areas included — the resident annual is about $28, the non-resident annual about $73, with non-resident 1-day and 3-day options. No separate trout stamp is required — the standard licence covers the Black Hills trout streams and lakes. South Dakota residents 65 and older can buy a discounted senior combination licence, and anyone under 16 fishes free with a licensed adult. Buy at gfp.sd.gov.