Roosevelt Lake Fishing in Gregory County, South Dakota

• Overview

  The Gregory County end of South Dakota holds Roosevelt Lake. The ground around here is mixed forest. Surface area is around 86 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. With about 2.1 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. It is the biggest water on our Gregory County list. Gregory at 9.8 miles is the nearest place to stop. Then Winner, 17 miles, and Platte, 41 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Roosevelt Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Public occurrence data for Gregory County names green sunfish, black bullhead, johnny darter and largemouth bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Roosevelt Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 74°F; by January the average is down near 20°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late March. Ice clears near late March and comes back about early December in a typical year. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Roosevelt Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Lake Dolton, 5.7 miles out. Check the position on Roosevelt Lake before loading the car.