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

Spirit Lake

Kingsbury County, South Dakota · about 960 acres (1.5 sq mi)

40°F water, calm this morning.

Water40°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today10 mphSE
Best bite3:30 pmto 5:15 pm

About Spirit Lake

In Kingsbury County, South Dakota, Spirit Lake covers about 960 acres.

From end to end it runs about 1.7 miles and its shoreline adds up to about 5.8 miles. Its surface is about 1,720 ft above sea level. De Smet is about 7.1 miles south.

Size
About 960 acres (1.5 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 5.8 miles
End to end
About 1.7 miles
Elevation
About 1,720 ft
County
Kingsbury 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 – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph

Saturday Fair

  • 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

For a lake of this size in South Dakota, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish are the fish to expect. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. At 40°F on the surface right now, here is how each one should behave.

  • Good
    Walleye

    Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

  • Good
    Northern pike

    Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.

  • Slow
    Largemouth bass

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

  • Good
    Yellow perch

    Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.

  • 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
    Point drop-off

    The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

3 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

40°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

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° / 24° 20 mph SSE Mostly Sunny
Sunday 46° / 29° 15 mph S Sunny

Sunrise 7:24 am · sunset 5:04 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Spirit Lake

  • De Smetabout 7.1 mi south
  • Haytiabout 22 mi northeast
  • Clarkabout 26 mi north
  • Huronabout 30 mi west

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Questions about Spirit Lake

What fish are in Spirit Lake?

Lakes like Spirit 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 Spirit 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 Spirit Lake?

About 960 acres, with about 5.8 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Spirit Lake?

De Smet is about 7.1 miles south; Hayti is about 22 miles northeast.

What is the water temperature at Spirit Lake today?

The surface was about 40°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Spirit 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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