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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Milwaukee Lake

Lake County, South Dakota · about 1,050 acres (1.6 sq mi)

Caution

33°F water, calm this morning.

Water33°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today10 mphSE
Best bite3:30 pmto 5:00 pm

About Milwaukee Lake

Milwaukee Lake spreads over about 1,050 acres in Lake County, South Dakota.

From end to end it runs about 2.9 miles with roughly 10.3 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 1,640 ft above sea level. Madison lies about 6.1 miles to the west. Sioux Falls, the nearest city, is about 34 miles south.

Size
About 1,050 acres (1.6 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 10.3 miles
End to end
About 2.9 miles
Elevation
About 1,640 ft
County
Lake County

The lake from above

1 0.5 mile N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Friday Good

  • 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise
  • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph

Saturday Good

  • 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 10 mph
  • 3:45 pm – 5:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 15 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

Lakes like Milwaukee Lake in South Dakota usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 33°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.

  • Fair
    Walleye

    Cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

  • Fair
    Northern pike

    Cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

  • Slow
    Largemouth bass

    Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.

  • Fair
    Yellow perch

    Cold. Deep schools; small jigs or minnows.

  • Slow
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Back of a cove

    Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6

5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

33°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

No clear view of the ice yet

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Friday 38° / —° 10 mph SE Sunny
Saturday 39° / 21° 15 mph SSE Sunny
Sunday 43° / 27° 15 mph S Sunny

Sunrise 7:20 am · sunset 5:03 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Milwaukee Lake

  • Madisonabout 6.1 mi west
  • Dell Rapidsabout 17 mi southeast
  • Flandreauabout 17 mi east
  • Volgaabout 20 mi north
  • Sioux Fallsnearest city, about 34 mi south

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Questions about Milwaukee Lake

What fish are in Milwaukee Lake?

Lakes like Milwaukee Lake usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Milwaukee Lake?

We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.

How big is Milwaukee Lake?

About 1,050 acres, with about 10.3 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Milwaukee Lake?

Madison is about 6.1 miles west; Dell Rapids is about 17 miles southeast.

What is the water temperature at Milwaukee Lake today?

The surface was about 33°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Milwaukee Lake on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

Get it on Google Play

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