Fishing at Roubaix Lake, Lawrence County, South Dakota

• Overview

  Lawrence County, South Dakota, is where Roubaix Lake sits. The country round it is mixed forest from end to end. Small at around 7 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Compared with other South Dakota water on our list, it sits high. Lead lies 12 miles from the water. The big place round here is Fort Collins, 260 miles distant. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Roubaix Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Public occurrence data for Lawrence County names brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Read Roubaix Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 65°F and January about 22°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. Open water usually runs from mid April until about late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. It sets the rhythm of the year at Roubaix Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. There is a car park 110 yards from the bank. There is camping recorded roughly half a mile off. There are toilets mapped about 110 yards away. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Reausaw Lake at 4.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Roubaix Lake before loading the car.