Lake and Pond Fishing

Fishing is allowed on all lakes in the Black Hills National Forest. The three largest areas on the Forest are Pactola Reservoir, Deerfield Reservoir and Sheridan Lake. Smaller lakes include Roubaix Lake, Horsethief Lake, Dalton Lake and Lakota Lake.

Lake and Pond Fishing Areas

Central Hills - Rapid City
The Mystic Ranger District is located in the central portion of the Black Hills National Forest and has an office south of Rapid City, SD.
Deerfield Reservoir Complex
- Fish Your National Forest
  
  Deerfield Reservoir is located 20 miles west of Hill City, SD. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the dam and water. Castle Creek flows into and out of the reservoir and provides additional fishing opportunities. Ice fishing, snowmobiling and ice skating are popular winter sports here. The complex has three campgrounds, two picnic areas and the Deerfield Lake Loop Trail (Trail #40L). There are two boat launch areas; one at Dutchman Campground (south side) and one at the Custer Trails Campground (north side). Travel on the reservoir is limited to five miles per hour and there is a no-wake restriction which provides for peaceful fishing and boating experiences. Reservoir water levels and boat ramp data can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation website for Pactola and Deerfield Reservoirs: http://www.usbr.gov/gp/boat/ Fish Your National Forest!
Pactola Reservoir Complex
- A Water Playground
  
  Pactola Reservoir is located 15 miles west of Rapid City. It is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills National Forest, boasting 14 miles of shoreline and 150 foot depths on 800 acres. (Photo by Bradley Block/USDA FS)
The Bureau of Reclamation manages the dam and water. Record lake trout are caught each year. Large brown trout are caught in Rapid Creek above and below the reservoir. Facilities include a full service marina with gasoline, oil, groceries, and food service. Forest facilities include an 88 unit campground, a group campground, swim beach, picnic areas, two boat launches, a paved accessible trail, day use trails and portions of both the Centennial and Deerfield trails. Fly fishing below the spillway is exceptional. A National Forest Visitor Center on the south side of the dam is open seasonally and provides visitors with information about the building of the dam and forest management.

Reservoir water levels and boat ramp data can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation website for Pactola and Deerfield Reservoirs: http://www.usbr.gov/gp/boat/
Jenney Gulch Picnic Area Fishing Access
Veterans Point Fishing Pier
Sheridan Lake Complex
- A Fishing Paradise
  
  Sheridan Lake is located 15 miles west of Rapid City. This warm 375 acre lake provides anglers with opportunities to fish for trout, northern pike, perch, bass and other pan fish. fly fishing is popular in Spring Creek below the dam, and ice fishing is popular on the lake in winter. The largest campground (129 camp sites) on the Black Hills National Forest is located on the south shore, along with a boat launch, swim beach, picnic area and trailheads for the Flume Trail and access to the Centennial Trail. The north shore has a group campground, marina with slip rental, groceries and angler supplies, the largest swim beach on the forest, a picnic area and large boat launch. Fishing piers are located in various areas around the lake.
Northern Hills-Spearfish
The Northern Hills Ranger District covers the northern portion of the Black Hills on the South Dakota side. Spearfish has nearby access to over 300 miles of snowmobile trails, groomed and ungroomed cross-country ski trails, a 100 mile long hiking trail (Centennial Trail) and many other trails, a 110 mile long biking, hiking and horseback trail (Mickelson Trail), and 2 downhill ski areas (ski areas are near Deadwood, SD - 15 miles away).
Dalton Lake
Roubaix Lake
Spearfish Canyon
Overview

Spearfish Canyon is renowned for its natural beauty & history framed by towering limestone canyon walls.
- Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
  
  This byway is the best place in the Black Hills to see waterfalls, including Bridal Veil, Little Spearfish & Roughlock Falls. The byway is a favorite fall color drive when the aspen changes in Sept. The Byway also follows an old railroad grade that was abandoned after massive flooding in 1933. Old rail stops & mining camps include Savoy & Elmore.
- Scenic Areas
  
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- Hiking
  
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Yates Pond
Strawberry Recreation Site
Northwestern Hills - Sundance
Bearlodge Ranger District (Northwestern Hills) encompasses the northern portion of the Black Hills on the Wyoming side.In the immediate vicinity is trout fishing, access to over 300 miles of snowmobile trails, hunting, hiking and camping. Forest Service campgrounds near Sundance are Cook Lake, Reuter, and Sundance Trailhead.
Cook Lake Recreation Area
Southern Hills - Custer
The Hell Canyon Ranger District is located in the southern third of the Black Hills National Forest, with offices in both Newcastle, WY and Custer, SD.
Bismark Lake
- Ideal Fishing
  
  Bismark Lake is set amidst a scattering of aspen groves and Ponderosa pine. This is a great place for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest. The lake is an ideal spot for fishing and supports populations of rainbow and brown trout, a variety of sunfish, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and catfish. Non-motorized boating is allowed. Acess to this lake is through Custer State Park near the West Highway 16A entrance. (Photo by Dave Pickford/USDA FS)
Horsethief Lake
- Horsethief Lake
  
  Horsethief Lake is located near Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Fishing, especially ice fishing, is popular at this lake. Dredging operations were completed a few years ago to clean out excessive sediment to restore the depth and improve water quality. Enjoy this beautiful lake while fishing for trout from the shore, non-motorized boat or from the ADA accessible fishing pier.
Horsethief Lake Day Use Site
Lakota Lake
- Overview
  
  Lakota Lake is located southeast of Keystone, SD, on US Highway 16A (Iron Mountain Road), within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. It is a small, non-motorized lake and a popular destination for fishing and kayaking. A hitchrail is provided for horses, along with access to Iron Creek Trail #15. Several picnic tables offer a scenic view of the lake. Lakota Lake Road was upgraded in fall 2021. The Great American Outdoor Act provided funding for the reconstruction of the road going into the day-use area, the parking area and needed gate repairs. The project reconstructed the road to two-lanes, fixed drainage issues, eliminated ruts, resurfaced the road and parking, added barriers, and replaced non-functional gates. Black Hills Back Country Horsemen of South Dakota assisted the Forest with installing hitch rails and a map kiosk at Lakota Lake in fall 2019.