Big Stone Lake

Big Stone Lake fishing

Fishing at Big Stone Lake is on a natural lake, stocked with Bluegill, Walleye, and Lake Sturgeon. It is stocked about 1.8 times a year since 2012, most often in May and September. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill and dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye.

Last stocked

September 12, 2024

Plants on record

24

Since 2012

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

12,610

Elevation

968 ft

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Corona
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping, cleaning station

Hartford Beach State Park sits on rock-strewn bluffs above Big Stone Lake, formed by glacial meltwater roughly 10,000 years ago. A boat ramp, swim beach and fish cleaning station serve anglers after the lake's perch, walleye and largemouth bass. 15 miles north of Milbank; $10-$15 daily fee.

Sources: water_type , access.shore , access.boat_ramp , access.fee , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , photos

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How Big Stone Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of May. In 2024 it was June 8, 2024, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 2013 and 2020.

Enemy Swim Lake (31.5 mi), Pickerel Lake (33.1 mi), Waubay Lake (38 mi), and Lake Kampeska (43.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Enemy Swim Lake is also stocked with Walleye, Pickerel Lake is also stocked with Walleye, Waubay Lake is also stocked with Walleye, and Lake Kampeska is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Big Stone Lake

Fishing Big Stone Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 12 of 24 plants on record, ahead of Lake Sturgeon and one more.

Walleye 12 plants
Plants
12 of 24
Last stocked
June 8, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Lake Sturgeon 11 plants
Plants
11 of 24
Last stocked
September 12, 2024
Bluegill 1 plant
Plants
1 of 24
Last stocked
May 9, 2012

Seasons and rigs are on the Bluegill guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 4002012
  • 6,006,5002014
  • 7,5702015
  • 6,003,0362016
  • 4,0682017
  • 6,000,0002018
  • 4,2562019
  • 6,004,0302021
  • 3,3482022
  • 6,004,0052023
  • 842,7332024

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 24 plants Showing 24 plants

Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
September 12, 2024 Lake Sturgeon 2,936 – report
June 8, 2024 Walleye 136,530 – report
June 8, 2024 Walleye 272,550 – report
June 8, 2024 Walleye 222,630 – report
June 8, 2024 Walleye 208,087 – report
September 12, 2023 Lake Sturgeon 4,005 – report
May 16, 2023 Walleye 6,000,000 – report
September 20, 2022 Lake Sturgeon 3,348 – report
September 21, 2021 Lake Sturgeon 4,030 – report
May 11, 2021 Walleye 6,000,000 – report
September 26, 2019 Lake Sturgeon 4,256 – report
May 14, 2018 Walleye 3,000,000 – report
May 12, 2018 Walleye 3,000,000 – report
September 12, 2017 Lake Sturgeon 4,068 – report
September 1, 2016 Lake Sturgeon 3,036 – report
May 11, 2016 Walleye 3,000,000 – report
May 9, 2016 Walleye 3,000,000 – report
September 15, 2015 Lake Sturgeon 4,545 – report
July 28, 2015 Lake Sturgeon 3,025 – report
September 30, 2014 Lake Sturgeon 2,500 – report
September 18, 2014 Lake Sturgeon 4,000 – report
May 12, 2014 Walleye 3,000,000 – report
May 12, 2014 Walleye 3,000,000 – report
May 9, 2012 Bluegill 400 – report
Show 9 more plants Show less

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes