Slaughter Reservoir in Butte County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Slaughter Reservoir is a Butte County water, South Dakota side. It lies 3,153 feet above sea level. Compared with other South Dakota water on our list, it sits high. Start from Belle Fourche, 8.8 miles down the road. Billings is the closest city, 230 miles away. Near neighbours: Kruger Creek Reservoir some 7.3 miles off, Cox Lake a shade over 12 miles, Mud Lake some 12 miles off, Murray Lake a shade over 12 miles and Montana Lake some 13 miles off. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Slaughter Reservoir

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Public occurrence data for Butte County names shorthead redhorse, walleye, white sucker, brown trout and channel catfish. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Slaughter Reservoir gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 72°F, with January the cold end at about 23°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late March. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly early December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Expect Slaughter Reservoir to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Kruger Creek Reservoir at 7.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Slaughter Reservoir locally before you travel.