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  4. Bass fishing in South Dakota

Bass fishing in South Dakota

South Dakota provides strong freshwater fishing opportunities for bass. Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the state offer reliable action for anglers.

Best baits and lures for Bass in South Dakota

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Biggest Bass catches

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Latest Bass fishing reports in South Dakota

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Largemouth bass

Horse Thief Lake

8 in · 3 oz

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Largemouth bass

Murphys Pond Centennial Park

9 in · 1 lb

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Largemouth bass

Hanson Lake

17 in · 2 lb 3 oz

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Largemouth bass

Wondery Pond

11 in · 1 lb

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Smallmouth bass

Lake Oahe

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Covell Lake

length · weight

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Smallmouth bass

Lewis and Clark Lake

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Lake Yankton

length · weight

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Smallmouth bass

Lake Sharpe

14 in · 2 lb

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Smallmouth bass

Lake Sharpe

16 in · 2 lb 4 oz

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Regulations for Bass in South Dakota

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in South Dakota can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Largemouth bass as of July 15th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Largemouth bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

5

Measurement

Total Length

Aggregate

5
Restrictions & requirements
Additional information
Edibility
Synonyms

Micropterus nigricans

Regulations for

44°12′45.9″N 100°14′50″W
Regulations in the map
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FAQ

🎣 What Bass species can you catch in South Dakota?
Anglers in South Dakota commonly catch several Bass species, including Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Meanmouth bass, according to reports from Fishbrain members.

These species can be found in many rivers and streams, lakes throughout the area. If you are targeting a specific species, you can use the to filter catches by species and see where anglers are catching them and which baits they are using.
📍 Where are the best places to catch Bass in South Dakota?
Bass are caught in rivers and streams, lakes throughout South Dakota. Popular fishing waters reported by Fishbrain members include Big Sioux River, Missouri River (SD), and Lake Oahe.

The allows anglers to see exact catch locations shared by other members, helping you discover productive fishing spots where Bass have recently been caught.