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South Dakota fishing waters. Backdrop for the Angling Hubs South Dakota guide directory

Fishing Guides · South Dakota

Fishing Guides in South Dakota

Cast 18 guides across South Dakota. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Black Hills, the Badlands, and the Missouri River breaks.

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Highest rated

Fishing Guides in South Dakota by Google rating

Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across the 7 of 18 guides in South Dakota with 10 or more Google reviews. A blank cell means we do not have that detail yet.

GuideCityFishingRating
Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service, Platte, SDPlatteWalleye Fishing, Ice Fishing, Bass Fishing5.085 Google reviews
Missouri River Outdoors, Elk Point, SDElk Point5.014 Google reviews
Tight Linz Fishing, Milbank, SDMilbankWalleye Fishing, Ice Fishing5.013 Google reviews
Cleland Guide Service, Oacoma, SDOacomaWalleye Fishing5.010 Google reviews
Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Selby, SDSelbyWalleye Fishing4.941 Google reviews
South Dakota Fishing Guide, Estelline, SDEstellineWalleye Fishing, Ice Fishing4.520 Google reviews
Allen's South Dakota Fishing and Hunting Lodge, Chamberlain, SDChamberlainWalleye Fishing4.2166 Google reviews

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18 guides in South Dakota

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Top camping

Most-booked campgrounds in South Dakota

Federal campgrounds in South Dakota that Recreation.gov lists for fishing, ranked by how many times they were booked in fiscal 2025.

  1. Cottonwood1

    Cottonwood

    3,244 bookings
  2. Sheridan Lake2

    Sheridan Lake

    3,181 bookings
  3. Left Tailrace3

    Left Tailrace

    2,825 bookings
  4. Pactola Reservoir Campground4

    Pactola Reservoir Campground

    1,766 bookings
  5. Horsethief Lake Campground5

    Horsethief Lake Campground

    1,585 bookings

Bookings: Recreation.gov, fiscal 2025 (Oct 2024 to Sep 2025).

On the map

Guide businesses, fishing spots, rivers & creeks and camping in South Dakota

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Browse all 834 fishing spots

About South Dakota

South Dakota fishing runs on two engines: the Missouri River reservoirs and the trout water of the Black Hills. Between them sit walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish in numbers that keep guides busy from ice-out to freeze-up. Book a guide and you skip years of learning curve: the boat, the electronics, the tackle, and the knowledge of where fish sit this week all come with the trip.

The Missouri River system is the main event. Lakes Oahe, Sharpe, Francis Case, and Lewis and Clark stack up along the river's course, and their walleye fishing draws anglers from every corner of the country. Guides working out of Pierre, Chamberlain, and Yankton have spent years learning where these fish stage through spring, summer, and fall, knowledge you can't get from a map. The same water holds trophy smallmouth, northern pike, and catfish, so a slow walleye morning rarely means a slow day.

Drive west and the fishing changes completely. The Black Hills hold spring-fed trout streams (Rapid Creek, Spearfish Creek, Castle Creek), where guided fly-fishing trips work brown, rainbow, and brook trout in cold, clear water threaded through pine canyons. Pactola Lake and Deerfield Lake round out the region with lake trout and other deep-water species when you want to trade the small stream for open water.

Best time to go

When to fish in South Dakota

May through October.

Quick facts

Fishing spots mapped
834
Rivers mapped
785
Guides listed
18
Best season
May through October

Trip guide

Know before you go in South Dakota

Confirm current requirements with the agency that sets them before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • South Dakota Fishing License

    All individuals 18 years of age and older must possess a valid South Dakota fishing license to fish in the state's waters; anglers under 18 are exempt. Non-residents have options for annual, 3-day, or 1-day licenses. Licenses must be purchased prior to your guided trip.

    SD Game, Fish and Parks

  • Walleye Daily and Possession Limits

    South Dakota enforces specific daily and possession limits for walleye, which can vary by water body and season. For instance, the Missouri River reservoirs often have different limits than the Glacial Lakes. Anglers are responsible for adhering to these limits; your licensed guide will provide current information for your specific fishing location.

  • Bait and Tackle Restrictions

    Certain waters, particularly in the Black Hills, may have specific bait or tackle restrictions, such as 'artificial lures only' or 'single hook' rules, especially for trout streams. Always confirm with your guide about any specific regulations regarding bait and tackle for your chosen fishing destination.

01Do I need a fishing license for a guided trip in South Dakota?
Yes. Every angler 18 and older needs a valid South Dakota fishing license, resident or not, being on a guided trip doesn't waive it. Guides don't sell licenses, so buy yours ahead of time from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) website or an authorized vendor.
02What species can I expect to catch on a guided trip in South Dakota?
It depends where you fish. The Missouri River reservoirs mean walleye first, with smallmouth bass, northern pike, and catfish in the mix. Black Hills trips target brown, rainbow, and brook trout on the streams and lake trout on the deeper lakes. The Glacial Lakes produce walleye, perch, pike, and crappie.
03What should I bring on my guided fishing trip?
Your license, clothes you can layer, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and your own food and drinks. The guide covers rods, tackle, bait, and safety gear on nearly every trip, but confirm the specifics when you book.
04Can I keep the fish I catch on a guided trip?
Usually, yes: within the daily and possession limits set by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, which vary by water. Your guide will know the current rules where you're fishing and will typically handle cleaning and packaging at the end of the day.
05Are guided fishing trips suitable for beginners or families?
Yes. A guide supplies the gear, the instruction, and the local knowledge, which is exactly what a first-timer lacks. Kids and complete beginners tend to do well on guided trips, and plenty of South Dakota guides build their business around family outings.
06Is fly fishing available with a guide in South Dakota?
Yes, the Black Hills are the place for it. Fly-fishing guides work streams like Rapid Creek and Spearfish Creek for brown, rainbow, and brook trout, and they'll teach you the local hatches, the casting, and the stream etiquette whether it's your first day with a fly rod or your five-hundredth.

Free tools

Your free outdoor toolkit

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River levelsLive levels for every gauged river in South Dakota.
Fishing SpotsBrowse 24,783 named waters, then read the state stocking record: species, size, and when.
River ExplorerExplore named rivers from USGS data. Filter by water type, with live flow where a gauge sits.
Fishing TimesMajor and minor solunar periods, sunrise, sunset and the moon for your exact spot, all week.
Fishing License CheckPick your state, your age and whether you live there for a yes or no from the state's own rule, plus the next free fishing days.
Skill DrillsInteractive 3D drills, one decision at a time. Pick wrong and you watch it fail, then learn why.

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