Fishing Lake Farley in Grant County, South Dakota

• Overview

  Lake Farley lies in Grant County, South Dakota. Height above sea level is 1,145 feet. With some 76 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Ground here is low by South Dakota standards. For a base, Milbank sits 1 mile out. Ortonville lies 11 miles off, Madison another 27 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Lake Farley

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Open biodiversity records for Grant County list johnny darter, white sucker and Iowa darter. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Lake Farley the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 11°F in January to roughly 72°F in July. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early April until roughly late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Expect Lake Farley to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A slipway half a mile out gives trailer access. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. Someone has mapped a fishing spot half a mile off. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Lake Albert, 6.2 miles out. Check the position on Lake Farley before loading the car.