Lake Thompson
The American Indians called Lake Thompson "Dry Woods Lake" before it took the name of President James Buchanan's secretary of the interior. Once a dry lake, hence the Indian name, snow melt during the 1880s filled it to over 20 feet deep and it became a National Natural Landmark.
Laura Ingalls Wilder of "Little House on the Prairie" fame lived nearby and she mentioned Thompson Lake in her books "The Long Winter" and "By the Shores of Silver Lake." Not only is Thompson Lake a premier fishing lake, according to SouthDakotaLakes.com, but it's also a beautiful state recreation area with a lodge, rental cabins and camping spaces for RVs and tents. Great walleye and perch fishing attract local fishermen.
Lake Thompson Recreation Area
21176 Flood Club Road
Lake Preston, SD 57249
605-847-4893
gfp.sd.gov
Black Hills National Forest Watershed
The Black Hills near the western border of the state is where Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse monument and Custer State Park with its roaming buffalo herds are located. You'll also find the Black Hills National Forest here with its abundant network of rivers and watersheds that lunker trout call home.
According to SDFishingInfo.com, brown trout in these waters range from 8 to 20 inches and even small brook trout can grow to 10 inches. Deerfield, Sheridan and Pactola lakes are good places to start your fishing adventure.
U.S. Forest Service
Black Hills National Forest
1019 N. 5th St.
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-9200
fs.fed.us
My Fishing Pond
Near the town of Bridgewater, there's a fishing hole that accommodates the handicapped. It's called "My Fishing Pond" and it was built by the victim of a brain injury. John Alvarez enjoyed the calming affect fishing had on him and he decided to share his pond with the community.
"My Fishing Pond" sits three miles west of Bridgewater and is designed for wheelchair access. The largemouth bass fishing and outdoor picnics are a big draw for people with disabilities throughout the state.
My Fishing Pond
26331 432nd Ave.
Bridgewater, SD 57319
605-729-9400
myfishingpond.com/index.html
Article Written By Dan Eash
Dan Eash began writing professionally in 1989, with articles in LaHabra's "Daily Star Progress" and the "Fullerton College Magazine." Since then, he's created scripts for doctor and dentist offices and published manuals, help files and a training video. His freelance efforts also include a book. Eash has a Fullerton College Associate of Arts in music/recording production and a Nova Institute multimedia production certificate.
