Walleye Stocked · 13 plants · last May 13, 2021 Best: dawn, dusk, night Lake Herman fishing
Lake Herman fishing is stocked with Walleye and Saugeye on a natural lake. Also recorded: Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Bigmouth Buffalo, and 1 more. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 2012, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Saugeye, dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch and Northern Pike, and dusk and night for Channel Catfish and Black Bullhead.
- Last stocked
- June 7, 2026
- · Saugeye
- Plants on record
- 16
- Since 2012
- Species stocked
- 2 (+7 also recorded)
- Surface acres
- 1,279
- Elevation
- 1,669 ft
Fish at Lake Herman
Walleye Stocked · 13 plants · last May 13, 2021 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Saugeye Stocked · 3 plants · last June 7, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
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
Channel Catfish Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Channel Catfish species guide
Black Bullhead Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Black Bullhead species guide
Common Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common Carp species guide Bigmouth Buffalo Confirmed present
White Sucker Confirmed present
How Lake Herman is stocked
No plants recorded in 2020, 2023, and 2025.
Fish stocked in 2012
130,130
Fish stocked in 2013
135,200
Fish stocked in 2014
95,920
Fish stocked in 2015
337,604
Fish stocked in 2016
340,000
Fish stocked in 2017
340,000
Fish stocked in 2018
340,000
Fish stocked in 2019
340,000
Fish stocked in 2021
2,700,000
Fish stocked in 2022
650,000
Fish stocked in 2024
675,000
Fish stocked in 2026
123,624
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 7, 2026 | Saugeye | 123,624 | – | report |
| May 12, 2024 | Saugeye | 675,000 | – | report |
| May 19, 2022 | Saugeye | 650,000 | – | report |
| May 13, 2021 | Walleye | 2,700,000 | – | report |
| May 17, 2019 | Walleye | 340,000 | – | report |
| May 11, 2018 | Walleye | 340,000 | – | report |
| May 6, 2017 | Walleye | 340,000 | – | report |
| May 8, 2016 | Walleye | 340,000 | – | report |
| April 27, 2015 | Walleye | 337,604 | – | report |
| June 12, 2014 | Walleye | 29,700 | – | report |
| June 12, 2014 | Walleye | 31,740 | – | report |
| June 12, 2014 | Walleye | 21,280 | – | report |
| June 12, 2014 | Walleye | 13,200 | – | report |
| June 27, 2013 | Walleye | 135,200 | – | report |
| June 17, 2012 | Walleye | 55,650 | – | report |
| June 17, 2012 | Walleye | 74,480 | – | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Madison
- Facilities
- restrooms, camping
Formed by melting glacial ice, Lake Herman State Park preserves the 1871 Herman Luce log cabin, a National Register site. An ADA-accessible boat ramp and fishing pier serve anglers, plus a ski beach for water skiing. Two miles west of Madison off SD Hwy 34; daily entrance fee.
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.
About Lake Herman
Nearest lakes
Public land at Lake Herman
Lake Herman is inside Lake Herman State Park.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Lake Herman?
Fishing Lake Herman usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 13 of 16 plants on record, ahead of Saugeye. Walleye was last stocked May 13, 2021. Saugeye was last stocked June 7, 2026. Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, and Black Bullhead, plus 3 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Lake Herman stocked?
Last stocked June 7, 2026. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 2012, most often in May and June. No plants recorded in 2020, 2023, and 2025.
How do you get on Lake Herman?
The nearest town is Madison. Facilities include restrooms and camping. Formed by melting glacial ice, Lake Herman State Park preserves the 1871 Herman Luce log cabin, a National Register site. An ADA-accessible boat ramp and fishing pier serve anglers, plus a ski beach for water skiing. Two miles west of Madison off SD Hwy 34; daily entrance fee.
Which lakes near Lake Herman were stocked more recently?
Lake Madison (6.8 mi) and Lake Alvin (47 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Madison is also stocked with Walleye and Lake Alvin is also stocked with Walleye and Saugeye.