Belle Fourche Reservoir fishing

Belle Fourche Reservoir fishing is stocked with Yellow Perch, Gizzard Shad, and Bluegill on a reservoir. Also recorded: Walleye, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, White Crappie, White Bass, Common Carp, and 2 more. It is stocked about 2.5 times a year since 2012, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch and Bluegill, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Black Crappie, and White Crappie, and dusk and night for Channel Catfish.

Belle Fourche Reservoir
Photo: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Public domain
Last stocked
May 8, 2026
· Gizzard Shad
Plants on record
38
Since 2012
Species stocked
3 (+8 also recorded)
Surface acres
6,570
Elevation
2,989.75 ft

Fish at Belle Fourche Reservoir

3 stocked · 8 confirmed present

Yellow Perch Stocked · 22 plants · last April 23, 2026 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked April 23, 2026 · 22 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Yellow Perch species guide
Bluegill Stocked · 2 plants · last June 27, 2013 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked June 27, 2013 · 2 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Bluegill species guide

Fishing is a common activity at Belle Fourche Reservoir, with opportunities for both regular fishing and ice fishing. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

How Belle Fourche Reservoir is stocked

Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).

No plants recorded in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.

Fish stocked in 2012

2,544

Fish stocked in 2013

771

Fish stocked in 2014

2,370

Fish stocked in 2015

1,600

Fish stocked in 2019

1,050

Fish stocked in 2021

3,000

Fish stocked in 2022

12,800

Fish stocked in 2023

23,975

Fish stocked in 2024

40,150

Fish stocked in 2025

50,570

Fish stocked in 2026

8,200

Stocking history

Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 8, 2026Gizzard Shad300–report
May 7, 2026Gizzard Shad215–report
May 4, 2026Gizzard Shad185–report
April 23, 2026Yellow Perch5,000–report
April 22, 2026Yellow Perch2,500–report
May 7, 2025Gizzard Shad190–report
May 5, 2025Gizzard Shad180–report
May 2, 2025Yellow Perch8,200–report
April 30, 2025Yellow Perch18,000–report
April 29, 2025Yellow Perch24,000–report
May 15, 2024Gizzard Shad150–report
April 24, 2024Yellow Perch20,000–report
April 23, 2024Yellow Perch20,000–report
May 22, 2023Gizzard Shad225–report
May 18, 2023Gizzard Shad250–report
May 11, 2023Yellow Perch8,000–report
May 10, 2023Yellow Perch5,000–report
May 9, 2023Yellow Perch4,500–report
May 8, 2023Yellow Perch6,000–report
May 4, 2022Yellow Perch4,500–report
May 3, 2022Yellow Perch2,000–report
April 28, 2022Yellow Perch2,800–report
April 27, 2022Yellow Perch3,500–report
May 12, 2021Yellow Perch3,000–report
May 8, 2019Yellow Perch1,050–report
May 7, 2015Yellow Perch1,600–report
May 8, 2014Yellow Perch2,150–report
April 22, 2014Gizzard Shad170–report
April 9, 2014Gizzard Shad50–report
June 27, 2013Bluegill205–report
June 26, 2013Bluegill455–report
May 10, 2013Gizzard Shad57–report
May 9, 2013Gizzard Shad54–report
May 18, 2012Gizzard Shad11–report
May 10, 2012Yellow Perch907–report
May 10, 2012Gizzard Shad26–report
May 2, 2012Yellow Perch730–report
May 1, 2012Yellow Perch870–report

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Belle Fourche
Facilities
restrooms, camping, cleaning station, dock

Rocky Point Recreation Area on the reservoir has boat ramps, docks, a fish cleaning station, shore fishing access, a swim beach, camping and cabins, 8 miles east of Belle Fourche off US 212. GFP lists ADA-accessible boat ramp access and cleaning station. A daily park entrance fee applies.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) before you go.

About Belle Fourche Reservoir

Photo of Belle Fourche Reservoir
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Public domain

Nearest lakes

Pactola Reservoir 46.7 mi last stocked September 9, 2026 Deerfield Reservoir 49.1 mi last stocked September 9, 2026 Sheridan Lake 53.7 mi last stocked May 21, 2026 Sylvan Lake 61.7 mi last stocked September 10, 2026 Angostura Reservoir 96.9 mi last stocked April 24, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Belle Fourche Reservoir?

Fishing Belle Fourche Reservoir usually means Yellow Perch: Yellow Perch accounts for 22 of 38 plants on record, ahead of Gizzard Shad and one more. Yellow Perch was last stocked April 23, 2026. Gizzard Shad was last stocked May 8, 2026. Bluegill was last stocked June 27, 2013. Walleye, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, and White Crappie, plus 4 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Belle Fourche Reservoir stocked?

Last stocked May 8, 2026. It is stocked about 2.5 times a year since 2012, most often in April and May. No plants recorded in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.

How do you get on Belle Fourche Reservoir?

The nearest town is Belle Fourche. Facilities include restrooms, camping, cleaning station, and dock. Rocky Point Recreation Area on the reservoir has boat ramps, docks, a fish cleaning station, shore fishing access, a swim beach, camping and cabins, 8 miles east of Belle Fourche off US 212. GFP lists ADA-accessible boat ramp access and cleaning station. A daily park entrance fee applies.

Which lakes near Belle Fourche Reservoir were stocked more recently?

Pactola Reservoir (46.7 mi), Deerfield Reservoir (49.1 mi), Sheridan Lake (53.7 mi), and Sylvan Lake (61.7 mi) were stocked more recently.

Sources (4) +