11 public waters in the West River region — 2 lakes/reservoirs and 9 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.
In Hughes, Lyman, Stanley and 2 more counties in South Dakota, Lake Sharpe is a 58,420-acre lake, managed by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. One of South Dakota's four Missouri River mainstem reservoirs — the 'Great Lakes of South Dakota' (Oahe, Sharpe, Francis Case, Lewis and Clark), all US Army Corps of Engineers dams. Walleye and Sauger are the headline fisheries, plus smallmouth and White Bass, Northern Pike, a stocked Chinook Salmon fishery (Oahe), trophy channel and Blue Catfish, and Yellow Perch. Huge open water with a strong summer boating scene.
Woodruff Lake (86 acres) sits in Hughes 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.
This 732 km stretch of the Missouri River flows through six South Dakota counties and ranks among the region's premier walleye and sauger destinations. Smallmouth and largemouth bass, white bass, northern pike, and channel catfish provide excellent mixed-species action, while spring Chinook salmon runs add seasonal appeal. The river also harbors abundant Common Carp—a hard-fighting, under-fished resource that has gained a devoted following among regional anglers.
Medicine Knoll Creek runs 65 km through Sully, Hughes and Hyde 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.
In Hyde, Hughes and Hand Counties, South Dakota, South Fork Medicine Knoll Creek is a 42 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.
Hughes and Hyde Counties, South Dakota — Chapelle Creek is a 40 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 Hughes and Hyde Counties, South Dakota, South Chapelle Creek is a 30 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.
In Hughes County, South Dakota, Joe Creek is a 16 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.
In Sully and Hughes Counties, South Dakota, Cow Creek is a 14 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.
Chaney Rush Creek runs 12 km through Hyde and Hughes 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.
Mush Creek (13 km) flows through Hughes and Stanley 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.
Across its mapped waters, Hughes County holds 14 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Common Carp, Walleye, Sauger and White Bass.
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.