Ice fishing in South Dakota: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

1. Lake Oahe

Lake Oahe spreads over 370,000 acres. Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and catfish are the draw. The deepest water is around 205 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has two sheltered coves and two point drop-offs: good places to start. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lake Oahe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Sharpe

Lake Sharpe covers some 56,900 acres. It lies next to Fort Pierre. Big Bend Dam holds it on the Missouri River. Walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and crappie are the draw. It goes down to about 78 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. Lake Sharpe is a Missouri River reservoir behind Big Bend Dam, with walleye as its primary gamefish. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lake Sharpe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lewis and Clark Lake

Lewis and Clark Lake covers 31,400 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Sioux Falls (about 60 miles). It is the Missouri River behind Gavins Point Dam. Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and catfish. It goes down to about 45 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a steep ledge worth a first look. Lewis and Clark Lake, formed by Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River, straddles the South Dakota-Nebraska border and is known for fall paddlefish snagging. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lewis and Clark Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Thompson

At 16,200 acres, Lake Thompson is a big lake. It lies about 56 miles southeast of Sioux Falls. The fish here are walleye, northern pike and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 26 ft. The lake bed gives you four steep ledges to work. Lake Thompson, one of South Dakota's largest natural lakes, dried up completely during the 1930s drought before refilling. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lake Thompson today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Waubay Lake

At 15,500 acres, Waubay Lake is a big lake. It lies near Webster. The fish here are northern pike, walleye, yellow perch and crappie. The deepest water is around 31 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Waubay Lake is a natural glacial lake in northeastern South Dakota managed predominantly as a walleye and yellow perch fishery. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Waubay Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Belle Fourche Reservoir

Belle Fourche Reservoir spreads over some 8,000 acres. It lies near Belle Fourche. It is the Owl Creek behind Belle Fourche Dam (Orman Dam). Expect walleye, catfish and white bass. The deepest water is around 60 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Belle Fourche Reservoir, held back by the Belle Fourche (Orman) Dam, stores irrigation water for the Belle Fourche Irrigation District. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Belle Fourche Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Kampeska

Lake Kampeska is a natural lake of some 5,250 acres. The lake is about 3.5 miles east of Watertown. Walleye, crappie, bluegill and northern pike are the draw. The deepest water is around 16 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Lake Kampeska is a glacial lake near Watertown managed primarily as a walleye and smallmouth bass fishery. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lake Kampeska today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Shadehill Reservoir

Shadehill Reservoir spreads over 4,690 acres of water. You will find it about 12 miles north of Lemmon. Shadehill Dam holds it on the Grand River. It holds walleye, yellow perch, northern pike and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 62 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Shadehill Reservoir was built in 1951 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on the Grand River in Perkins County. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Shadehill Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Angostura Reservoir

Angostura Reservoir is a reservoir of 4,410 acres of water. You will find it about 6.4 miles north of Hot Springs. It holds walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 75 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Angostura Reservoir impounds the Cheyenne River in the southern Black Hills of Fall River County. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Angostura Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Enemy Swim Lake

Enemy Swim Lake covers about 1,960 acres. It lies near Webster. The fish here are walleye, northern pike, crappie and bluegill. It goes down to about 27 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Enemy Swim Lake is a glacial lake in Day County where shallow vegetated zones hold bass and bluegill while deeper water holds walleye and pike. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Enemy Swim Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

What to bring

• Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
• A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
• A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
• A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
• Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie