Lake Kampeska

Lake Kampeska fishing

Fishing at Lake Kampeska is on a natural lake, stocked with Walleye and Largemouth Bass. It is stocked about once a year since 2013, most often in May. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass.

Last stocked

May 22, 2026

Plants on record

14

Since 2013

Species recorded

2

Surface acres

4,987

Elevation

1,718 ft

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Watertown
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping, dock

South Dakota's third-largest natural lake, popular with the Kampeska Yacht Club's sailing regattas. Sandy Shore Recreation Area has the lake's largest boat ramp, shorefront camping cabins with private docks, and a swim beach. An ADA fishing pier is at Watertown's Jackson Park.

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

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How Lake Kampeska is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of May. In 2026 it was May 15, 2026, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2015, 2020, and 2024.

Enemy Swim Lake (35.2 mi) was stocked more recently. Enemy Swim Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Lake Kampeska

Fishing Lake Kampeska is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 13 of 14 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass.

Walleye 13 plants
Plants
13 of 14
Last stocked
May 15, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Largemouth Bass 1 plant
Plants
1 of 14
Last stocked
May 22, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Fishing Lake Kampeska

Lake Kampeska is a popular site for recreational fishing. The lake is primarily managed as a Walleye and Smallmouth Bass fishery, offering a mixed bag of these species, along with northern pike, perch, and crappies. Other fish available include black bullhead, bluegill, carp, channel catfish, sunfish, rock bass, white sucker, and yellow bullhead. Fishing is possible during spring, summer, or fall, and Jackson Park provides an accessible fishing pier.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org , gfp.sd.gov , gfp.sd.gov

What to watch for

Lake Kampeska has experienced problems with pollution from fertilizer and surface runoff. While conditions have improved, pollution remains an ongoing issue and water quality is closely monitored. The lake has also seen catastrophic flooding from rapid snow melts in recent years.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,400,0002013
  • 2,500,0002014
  • 2,400,0002016
  • 2,400,0002017
  • 2,400,0002018
  • 2,400,0002019
  • 2,400,0002021
  • 2,500,0002022
  • 5,100,0002023
  • 2,625,0002025
  • 5,220,0002026

Stocking history

Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 22, 2026 Largemouth Bass 20,000 – report
May 15, 2026 Walleye 5,200,000 – report
May 6, 2025 Walleye 2,625,000 – report
May 21, 2023 Walleye 2,700,000 – report
May 18, 2023 Walleye 2,400,000 – report
May 20, 2022 Walleye 2,500,000 – report
May 14, 2021 Walleye 2,400,000 – report
May 13, 2019 Walleye 2,400,000 – report
May 15, 2018 Walleye 2,400,000 – report
May 6, 2017 Walleye 2,400,000 – report
May 11, 2016 Walleye 2,400,000 – report
May 14, 2014 Walleye 2,500,000 – report
May 26, 2013 Walleye 200,000 – report
May 21, 2013 Walleye 2,200,000 – report

Species stocked here

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

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