Lake Saint John Fishing near Volga, South Dakota

• Overview

  Lake Saint John lies in Hamlin County, South Dakota. The surface lies 1,637 feet up. It measures some 1,271 acres, and wind has room to build across it. The shoreline runs about 6.4 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. Volga sits 21 miles from the bank. De Smet is 22 miles and Watertown 23 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Lake Saint John

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Hamlin County: common carp, white bass, Iowa darter and johnny darter. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Lake Saint John that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 12°F in January and 72°F in July. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. Climate averages put the opening at about early April and the closing near late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. That is the shape of the year on Lake Saint John.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. For a change of water, Lake Mary is 1.4 miles distant. For Lake Saint John in particular, ask before you travel.