Lake Chesley near Pierre: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Lake Chesley is set in Hughes County, South Dakota. It stands 1,519 feet above sea level. The water measures roughly 5 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Nearest place of any size is Pierre, 15 miles away. The nearest city of size is Sioux Falls, 175 miles away. Within a short run: Post Lake 17 miles off, Chapelle Lake some 22 miles off, Big Bend 23 miles off, Sully Lake some 23 miles off and Lake Ambrose 31 miles off. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Lake Chesley

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Hughes County records list black bullhead among the fish reported. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Take Lake Chesley a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 16°F in January up to 75°F in July. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly early December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake Chesley.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Post Lake at 17 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Lake Chesley.