Fishing Big Stone Lake in Roberts County, South Dakota

• Overview

  Big Stone Lake sits in Roberts County, out in South Dakota. It sits at 961 feet above sea level. Around 18.6 sq miles of open water: conditions change from one end to the other. Some 61 miles of shoreline means conditions can differ from one end to the other. Of the waters listed here in Roberts County, this is the largest. The closest town, Ortonville, is 11 miles away. Fargo sits 102 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Big Stone Lake

  Published depth figures reach 18 feet at the lowest point. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Survey and observation records for Roberts County include common carp, northern pike and walleye. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Read Big Stone Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 11°F to 72°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early April until roughly late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. The season on Big Stone Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Boat access is recorded roughly half a mile away. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. A toilet block sits half a mile away. This sits inside Kasuke Game Production Area, so read the reserve notices first. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Lake Wilcox, 3 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position on Big Stone Lake before loading the car.