The ten Largest Lakes in South Dakota

Nestled within the coronary heart of the USA, South Dakota is an impressive state with tough pure magnificence and numerous scenic points of interest. South Dakota’s diversified geography welcomes nature lovers to discover the state, with rolling prairies, badlands, deep underground tunnels, wealthy inexperienced forests, and gorgeous lakes. Western South Dakota, japanese South Dakota, and the Black Hills are the three separate areas that make up Mount Rushmore State.

The Missouri River divides the state in two, geographically splitting east and west. The japanese half of South Dakota is probably the most populated, because it’s the state’s flattest portion, and the western half incorporates hilly and mountainous terrain. The state’s japanese aspect is residence to many various lakes that sprouted through the current ice age. A number of the lakes are small, whereas others cowl an space of greater than 120,000 hectares. They arrive in various sizes and styles, and their depth varies relying on whether or not they’re within the mountains or at sea stage. Regardless, they’re all superb. Under are South Dakota’s 10 largest lakes.

The ten Largest Lakes in South Dakota

    10. Shadehill Reservoir

Shadehill Reservoir is a reservoir on the Grand River in Perkins County, South Dakota, that was inbuilt 1951 by the US Bureau of Reclamation’s Shadehill Dam. Walleye, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, yellow perch, northern pike, and customary carp are among the many fish species that thrive within the 4,693-acre (18.99 km²) lake. The South Dakota Division of Recreation, Fish, and Parks manages the bigger Llewellyn Johns Recreation Space and the smaller Llewellyn Johns Recreation Space that provide tenting, swimming, picnics, and boating.

Hugh Glass Lakeside Use Space, named after the mountain man Hugh Glass, is situated across the reservoir managed by the Recreation, Fish, and Parks, and a historic monument honoring Hugh Glass lies close to the location of his mauling.

    9. Lake Kampeska

Lake Kampeska is an inland glacial lake with a floor space of 5,250 acres. It’s fully inside Codington County and the Coteau des Prairies, situated west-northwest of Watertown, South Dakota. The lake is of course formed and has over 13.5 miles (20 kilometers) of residential shoreline, making it probably the most developed lake in South Dakota. A single inlet-outlet canal on the northeast aspect of Lake Kampeska connects it to the Massive Sioux River. Leisure actions similar to fishing, boating, swimming, waterskiing, tenting, and picnicking are widespread on the lake. The fishery of Lake Kampeska thrives with smallmouth bass and walleye, though it additionally consists of crappie (black and white), bluegill, channel catfish, northern pike, and white bass.

    8. Lake Poinsett

Lake Poinsett spans practically 8,000 acres, and isn’t solely one of many state’s largest but in addition probably the most visited. That is due to its unbelievable recreation space, located on the lake’s southern edge. The lake’s title got here from Joel Poinsett, the US Secretary of Conflict earlier than, and was important in supporting the realm’s exploration. Explorers camped alongside the lake’s shoreline in 1838, and it’s nonetheless a well-liked spot for tenting at this time. A go to to this attractive lake will offer you fun-filled actions to make your journey memorable. In case you admire water actions, think about happening a boating journey and swimming within the calm waters. Play a spherical of golf alongside the gorgeous lake for those who’re into golf.

    7. Lake Traverse 

Lake Traverse sits on the southern a part of Hudson Bay watershed of North America, sitting on the border between Minnesota and South Dakota. Lac Traverse is an Anglicization of the French time period Lac Traverse, which suggests “throughout the lake.” Trying again, the lakeshores had been utilized as a buying and selling publish as early as 1786, with the Hudson Bay Firm following in 1792. The 11,528-acre lake is now a well-liked vacation spot for water sports activities aficionados. In summer season, the lake bustles with actions like swimming, boating, crusing, canoeing, water snowboarding, fishing, and extra. Cross-country snowboarding, snowmobiling, and ice fishing are widespread winter sports activities through the cooler months. Fish are plentiful in spring (pre-spawn) patterns, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, panfish, bluegill, northern pike, yellow perch, white bass, catfish, widespread carp, and the drum among the many species obtainable.

    6. Massive Stone Lake

Massive Stone Lake is an extended, slim freshwater lake in the USA that’s on the border between western Minnesota and northeastern South Dakota. The lake is 12,610 acres (51.03 km²) in dimension, reaching 26 miles (42 kilometers) from finish to finish and about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) in width. It’s the lowest level in South Dakota, at 965 ft (294 meters). Massive Stone Lake is an impressive lake that invitations you to chill out and revel in its pure environment. This freshwater lake supplies peaceable lakeside tenting locations the place you possibly can expertise the pleasures of tenting. As a result of it’s residence to a wide range of fish, it is usually an excellent place to go fishing. Birdwatchers can convey their binoculars and search for attractive birds flying round.

    5. Bitter Lake

Day County, South Dakota, is residence to Bitter Lake. It covers 15,000 acres and reaches about 24 ft at its deepest level. Bitter Lake is the poster youngster for japanese South Dakota’s growing fisheries. Bitter was as soon as a bit duck slough, however years of heavy rain have reworked it into one of many state’s huge our bodies of water. The enlargement of the fishery into adjoining sloughs has resulted in a variety of habitats, together with deepwater, shallow water, and every part in between. Bitter’s clear waters make it attainable to draw fish from afar. It’s identified for its walleye fishing, however it additionally has a variety of yellow perch and northern pike.

4. Lake Thompson

Lake Thompson is the sixth-largest lake in South Dakota and one of many nation’s largest pure lake, situated in Kingsbury County. It has a 16,236-acre floor space and a depth of 26 ft. Anglers flock to the lake as a result of it’s residence to completely different fish species similar to sunfish, northern pike, walleye, black bullheads, and others. The Lake Thompson Recreation Space lies on the lake’s northeast shoreline and is the principle attraction for many guests. It has 103 campsites, 5 cabins, a playground, and a seashore with water snowboarding. You can even go on a climbing tour and discover a number of picturesque nature routes for those who take pleasure in climbing. Migratory birds depend on Lake Thompson for his or her survival. For shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, and gulls, the presence of open water, shallow mudflats, cattail marshes, and moist meadows creates a diversified habitat. Whereas pelicans, gulls, terns, and geese thrive within the open water.

    3. Lake Sharpe

Lake Sharpe, which spans 5 counties and has a floor dimension of 56,884 acres, is without doubt one of the state’s largest reservoirs. It resembles extra of a river than a lake as a result of it’s the third-largest lake in South Dakota. Former state governor Merrill Q. Sharpe, who grew up in a group immediately south of the lake, impressed the lake’s title. Walleye abound in Lake Sharpe, to the purpose the place there have been 160,000 walleye in 1997. In case you take pleasure in boating, the lake presents a ship ramp, and you’ll embark on a boating tour. Picnicking is a variety of enjoyable, and there are many scenic waterfront pathways to find. Anticipate to see whitetail and mule deer, elk, bison, coyotes, and wild turkeys among the many massive sport animals. Geese, geese, pheasants, prairie chickens, and grouse are examples of waterfowl and upland sport birds.

    2. Lake Francis Case

With a floor space of 102,005 acres, Lake Francis Case is South Dakota’s second-largest lake. The lake, unfold within the counties of Charles Combine, Gregory, Lyman, Brule, and Buffalo, is the eleventh-largest reservoir in the USA. Are you in search of a rejuvenating sabbatical amid lovely nature? Plan a visit to Lake Francis Case in South Dakota, a big and gorgeous lake. Many golden bald eagles reside on the Fort Randall Dam, impounding this fascinating lake. Whereas tenting close to the lake, maintain a detailed eye on this attractive flying chook. Water snowboarding, fishing, swimming, climbing, and boating are only a few of the great actions obtainable.

    1. Lake Oahe

Lake Oahe is the most important lake in South Dakota by floor space and the nation’s fourth-largest reservoir by quantity. It’s nestled within the central South Dakota and stretches into North Dakota to the north. The lake is 369,917 acres (1,497 km²) in dimension and has a most depth of 205 ft (62 m). Yearly, about 1.5 million individuals come to benefit from the lake’s leisure actions, together with boating, fishing, climbing, and tenting. Swimming can also be obtainable in Oahe Downstream Recreation Space, Cow Creek Recreation Space, and Revheim Bay Recreation Space. Because of the chilly, deepwater habitats, Chinook salmon thrive in Lake Oahe and the Oahe Tailwaters. Rainbow smelt and lake herring are their major meals sources. Walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, and smallmouth bass are among the many different fish species discovered within the reservoir. The endangered Pallid sturgeon additionally lives within the lake.