Baileys Lake Fishing Guide, Clark County, South Dakota

• Overview

  Out in Clark County, South Dakota, sits Baileys Lake. Height above sea level is 1,781 feet. With some 162 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Shoreline comes to about 1.8 miles, small enough to learn in a day. Clark lies 8.1 miles from the water. For a city, Sioux Falls is 112 miles off. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Baileys Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Clark County include northern pike, walleye, black bullhead, common carp and largemouth bass. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The shape of Baileys Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 72°F, with January the cold end at about 11°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early April. Expect the water usable from around early April until roughly late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Baileys Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Reid Lake is 2.6 miles off. Check the position at Baileys Lake before loading the car.