Fishing at Lake Nora, Faulk County, South Dakota

• Overview

  The Faulk County end of South Dakota holds Lake Nora. The bank gives way to pine and birch. It covers about 19 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Most waters listed here for Faulk County are larger. Redfield lies 25 miles from the water. The nearest city of size is Sioux Falls, 149 miles away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Lake Nora

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Faulk County records list green sunfish, common carp, northern pike and black bullhead among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The shape of Lake Nora decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 72°F and January at 13°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. In an average year the thaw lands around early April and the freeze near late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Time your trip to Lake Nora by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. For a change of water, Gerkin Lake is 7.6 miles distant. Rules at Lake Nora are worth checking on the day.