Walleye Stocked · 13 plants · last May 15, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night Lake Kampeska fishing
Lake Kampeska fishing is stocked with Walleye and Largemouth Bass on a natural lake. Also recorded: Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Bass, Channel Catfish, and 3 more. It is stocked about once a year since 2013, most often in May. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Black Crappie, and White Crappie, dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Common Carp, and dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch and Northern Pike.
- Last stocked
- May 22, 2026
- · Largemouth Bass
- Plants on record
- 14
- Since 2013
- Species stocked
- 2 (+9 also recorded)
- Surface acres
- 4,987
- Elevation
- 1,718 ft
Fish at Lake Kampeska
Walleye Stocked · 13 plants · last May 15, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Largemouth Bass Stocked · 1 plant · last May 22, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk 
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Black Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black Crappie species guide White Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
White Crappie species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
White Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
White Bass species guide
Channel Catfish Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Channel Catfish species guide
Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Northern Pike species guide
Common Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common Carp species guide Bigmouth Buffalo Confirmed present
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. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)(gfp.sd.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)(gfp.sd.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Lake Kampeska is stocked
No plants recorded in 2015, 2020, and 2024.
Fish stocked in 2013
2,400,000
Fish stocked in 2014
2,500,000
Fish stocked in 2016
2,400,000
Fish stocked in 2017
2,400,000
Fish stocked in 2018
2,400,000
Fish stocked in 2019
2,400,000
Fish stocked in 2021
2,400,000
Fish stocked in 2022
2,500,000
Fish stocked in 2023
5,100,000
Fish stocked in 2025
2,625,000
Fish stocked in 2026
5,220,000
Stocking history
| 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 |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Watertown
- 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.
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 Kampeska
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Lake Kampeska?
Fishing Lake Kampeska usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 13 of 14 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass. Walleye was last stocked May 15, 2026. Largemouth Bass was last stocked May 22, 2026. Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, and Yellow Perch, plus 5 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Lake Kampeska stocked?
Last stocked May 22, 2026. It is stocked about once a year since 2013, most often in May. No plants recorded in 2015, 2020, and 2024.
How do you get on Lake Kampeska?
The nearest town is Watertown. Facilities include restrooms, camping, and 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.
Which lakes near Lake Kampeska were stocked more recently?
Enemy Swim Lake (35.2 mi) was stocked more recently. Enemy Swim Lake is also stocked with Walleye.