Laffey Lake Fishing Guide, Aurora County, South Dakota

• Overview

  South Dakota holds Laffey Lake, in Aurora County. Elevation runs to 1,594 feet. About 7 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Our Aurora County list holds plenty of bigger water. The closest town, Platte, is 16 miles away. The big place round here is Sioux Falls, 95 miles distant. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Laffey Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Across Aurora County, recorded fish include green sunfish, black bullhead and orangespotted sunfish. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At Laffey Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 75°F and January about 17°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. In an average year the thaw lands around late March and the freeze near early December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. That is the shape of the year on Laffey Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Carroll Lake, 10 miles away. The position on Laffey Lake is worth confirming on the day.