Bitter Lake fishing

Fishing at Bitter Lake is on a natural lake, stocked with Walleye, Gizzard Shad, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Crappie, and White Bass, and 5 more. It is stocked about 1.3 times a year since 2013, most often in May. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Crappie, and White Bass and dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch and Northern Pike.

Last stocked

May 16, 2021

Plants on record

12

Since 2013

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

17,194

Elevation

1,801 ft

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Waubay
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
dock

Two SDGFP public accesses ring this natural lake south of Waubay: a paved double-lane boat ramp and dock on the east shore off Day Co. Hwy 1, and a smaller gravel-lot ramp and dock on the west shore off 442nd Avenue. A third, private access sits near Bitter Lake Lodge, northeast shore.

Sources: water_type , nearest_town , access.boat_ramp , shore_notes , facilities

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How Bitter Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of May. In 2021 it was May 11, 2021, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

About 1,512 reported fish per acre, 3rd most of 4 lakes in Day County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Waubay Lake (10.3 mi), Enemy Swim Lake (11.9 mi), Pickerel Lake (17 mi), Lake Kampeska (24.2 mi), and Pelican Lake (28.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Waubay Lake is also stocked with Walleye, Enemy Swim Lake is also stocked with Walleye, Pickerel Lake is also stocked with Walleye, Lake Kampeska is also stocked with Walleye, and Pelican Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Bitter Lake

Fishing Bitter Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 11 of 12 plants on record, ahead of Gizzard Shad.

Walleye 11 plants
Plants
11 of 12
Last stocked
May 16, 2021

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Gizzard Shad 1 plant
Plants
1 of 12
Last stocked
May 13, 2016

Fish stocked per year

  • 7,500,0002013
  • 4,000,0002015
  • 6,500,6002016
  • 8,000,0002021

Stocking history

Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 16, 2021 Walleye 1,200,000 – report
May 15, 2021 Walleye 4,000,000 – report
May 11, 2021 Walleye 2,800,000 – report
May 13, 2016 Gizzard Shad 600 – report
May 13, 2016 Walleye 2,500,000 – report
May 11, 2016 Walleye 1,000,000 – report
May 9, 2016 Walleye 3,000,000 – report
May 12, 2015 Walleye 3,000,000 – report
May 12, 2015 Walleye 1,000,000 – report
May 26, 2013 Walleye 500,000 – report
May 23, 2013 Walleye 3,500,000 – report
May 21, 2013 Walleye 3,500,000 – report

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

  • Yellow Perch : Co-managed with walleye as the lake's primary species per SDGFP; no perch stocking record exists here, so presence is via natural reproduction. (source)
  • Northern Pike : Listed as an 'other species' present in SDGFP's fish management assessment of the lake; not part of its stocking record. (source)
  • Black Crappie : Listed as an 'other species' present in SDGFP's fish management assessment of the lake; not part of its stocking record. (source)
  • White Bass : Listed as an 'other species' present in SDGFP's fish management assessment of the lake; not part of its stocking record. (source)
  • Common Carp : Listed as an 'other species' present in SDGFP's fish management assessment of the lake; not part of its stocking record. (source)
  • Black Bullhead : Listed as an 'other species' present in SDGFP's fish management assessment of the lake; not part of its stocking record. (source)
  • Rock Bass : Listed as an 'other species' present in SDGFP's fish management assessment of the lake; not part of its stocking record. (source)
  • White Sucker : Listed as an 'other species' present in SDGFP's fish management assessment of the lake; not part of its stocking record. (source)
  • Spottail Shiner : Listed as an 'other species' present in SDGFP's fish management assessment of the lake; not part of its stocking record. (source)

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