Lake Traverse near Wheaton: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in Roberts County, South Dakota, sits Lake Traverse. It lies 968 feet above sea level. This is big water, about 16.8 sq miles, and in a wind it behaves like a small sea. The shoreline runs to about 41 miles, far more than one trip can cover. It is among the larger waters listed here for Roberts County. The closest town, Wheaton, is 13 miles distant. After that come Sisseton at 16 miles and Ortonville at 31 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Lake Traverse

  Measured depth reaches about 11 feet at the deepest point. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. County-wide records name common carp, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch and freshwater drum. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Lake Traverse a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 10°F in January to roughly 72°F in July. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early April. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. The season on Lake Traverse rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. You can launch from a ramp around half a mile away. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. A pier half a mile from here gives a platform over deeper water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Lake Bdesaka at 6.2 miles is the sensible second choice. None of that is settled for Lake Traverse in what we hold.