Fishing Platte Lake in Aurora County, South Dakota

• Overview

  In South Dakota, Platte Lake belongs to Aurora County. It stands 1,535 feet above sea level. This is sizeable water at about 966 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. The closest town, Platte, is 20 miles away. Chamberlain is 30 miles away, with Mitchell at 37 miles. Nearby alternatives: Lake Sixteen just 5.8 miles, White Lake lies 9.4 miles on, Laffey Lake just 11 miles, Sobek Lake lies 14 miles on and Carroll Lake just 14 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Platte Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Survey and observation records for Aurora County include green sunfish, black bullhead, orangespotted sunfish, common carp and white sucker. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The near bank of Platte Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 75°F; the cold one sits at 17°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late March. Break-up near late March, freeze-up near early December: that is the shape of an average year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Platte Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Should this one be busy, Lake Sixteen is 5.8 miles off. None of that is settled for Platte Lake in what we hold.