Walleye Stocked · 11 plants · last May 16, 2021 Best: dawn, dusk, night Bitter Lake fishing
Bitter Lake fishing: not stocked since May 16, 2021. It was stocked with Walleye and Gizzard Shad on a natural lake. Also recorded: Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, White Bass, Common Carp, Black Bullhead, and 3 more. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Black Crappie, and White Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch and Northern Pike, and dawn and dusk for Common Carp.
- Last stocked
- May 16, 2021
- · Walleye
- Plants on record
- 12
- Since 2013
- Species stocked
- 2 (+9 also recorded)
- Surface acres
- 17,194
- Elevation
- 1,801 ft
Fish at Bitter Lake
Walleye Stocked · 11 plants · last May 16, 2021 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Gizzard Shad Stocked · 1 plant · last May 13, 2016 Last stocked May 13, 2016 · 1 plant
Gizzard Shad species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Northern Pike species guide
Black Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black Crappie species guide
White Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
White Bass species guide
Common Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common Carp species guide
Black Bullhead Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Black Bullhead species guide
Rock Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Rock Bass species guide White Sucker Confirmed present
Spottail Shiner Confirmed present
How Bitter Lake is stocked
About 1,512 reported fish per acre, 3rd most of 4 lakes in Day County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2013
7,500,000
Fish stocked in 2015
4,000,000
Fish stocked in 2016
6,500,600
Fish stocked in 2021
8,000,000
Stocking history
| 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 |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Waubay
- 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.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) before you go.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Bitter Lake?
Fishing Bitter Lake usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 11 of 12 plants on record, ahead of Gizzard Shad. Walleye was last stocked May 16, 2021. Gizzard Shad was last stocked May 13, 2016. Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and White Bass, plus 5 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Bitter Lake stocked?
Not stocked since May 16, 2021. About 1,512 reported fish per acre, 3rd most of 4 lakes in Day County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
How do you get on Bitter Lake?
The nearest town is Waubay. Facilities include 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.
Which lakes near Bitter Lake were stocked more recently?
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.