Lake Sharpe

Lake Sharpe fishing

Fishing at Lake Sharpe is on a reservoir, stocked with Rainbow Trout and Paddlefish. It is stocked about 3.7 times a year since 2012, most often in April and September. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

August 28, 2025

Plants on record

52

Since 2012

Species recorded

2

Average size

11.3 in

Surface acres

58,660

Elevation

1,444 ft

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Pierre
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping, cleaning station

Farm Island Recreation Area gives easy access to Lake Sharpe with a boat ramp, an ADA-accessible fishing pier and fish cleaning station. Eight miles of trails cross the adjoining island nature area, where deer and beaver sign are common. Four miles east of Pierre; $10-$15 daily fee.

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

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How Lake Sharpe is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of April. In 2025 it was August 26, 2025, later than usual.

Lake Francis Case (81.8 mi), Lake Herman (113.9 mi), and Lake Madison (120.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Francis Case is also stocked with Paddlefish.

Fish at Lake Sharpe

Fishing Lake Sharpe is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 29 of 52 plants on record, ahead of Paddlefish.

Rainbow Trout 29 plants
Plants
29 of 52
Last stocked
March 27, 2018
Average length
11.3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Paddlefish 23 plants
Plants
23 of 52
Last stocked
August 28, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Paddlefish guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 20,0002012
  • 21,7302013
  • 9,6002014
  • 23,4382015
  • 54,8622016
  • 18,1582017
  • 6,3782018
  • 10,0662019
  • 18,2102020
  • 12,9542021
  • 3,8412022
  • 11,2862023
  • 22,4932024
  • 23,1282025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 52 plants Showing 52 plants

Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
August 28, 2025 Paddlefish 11,798 – report
August 26, 2025 Paddlefish 11,330 – report
August 29, 2024 Paddlefish 3,646 – report
August 29, 2024 Paddlefish 6,696 – report
August 27, 2024 Paddlefish 8,296 – report
August 27, 2024 Paddlefish 3,855 – report
August 31, 2023 Paddlefish 4,246 – report
August 31, 2023 Paddlefish 7,040 – report
August 30, 2022 Paddlefish 3,841 – report
September 2, 2021 Paddlefish 12,954 – report
September 11, 2020 Paddlefish 10,713 – report
September 9, 2020 Paddlefish 4,793 – report
September 9, 2020 Paddlefish 2,704 – report
September 12, 2019 Paddlefish 4,066 – report
September 10, 2019 Paddlefish 6,000 – report
September 7, 2018 Paddlefish 5,178 – report
March 27, 2018 Rainbow Trout 1,200 11.4 in report
September 12, 2017 Rainbow Trout 1,440 15 in report
September 6, 2017 Rainbow Trout 1,280 15 in report
September 1, 2017 Paddlefish 10,000 – report
April 5, 2017 Rainbow Trout 2,774 11 in report
March 23, 2017 Rainbow Trout 2,664 11.4 in report
September 8, 2016 Rainbow Trout 1,280 11 in report
May 31, 2016 Paddlefish 50,372 – report
May 9, 2016 Paddlefish 10 – report
March 22, 2016 Rainbow Trout 3,200 11 in report
September 16, 2015 Rainbow Trout 451 11 in report
September 16, 2015 Rainbow Trout 1,184 11 in report
September 10, 2015 Rainbow Trout 1,539 11 in report
September 9, 2015 Paddlefish 15 – report
September 9, 2015 Paddlefish 5,604 – report
August 13, 2015 Paddlefish 7,500 – report
May 13, 2015 Paddlefish 13 – report
April 8, 2015 Rainbow Trout 3,457 11 in report
April 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 3,675 11 in report
April 25, 2014 Rainbow Trout 2,400 11 in report
April 15, 2014 Rainbow Trout 2,400 11 in report
April 11, 2014 Rainbow Trout 2,400 11 in report
April 4, 2014 Rainbow Trout 2,400 11 in report
September 16, 2013 Rainbow Trout 780 11 in report
September 16, 2013 Rainbow Trout 2,200 11 in report
April 26, 2013 Rainbow Trout 3,750 11 in report
April 26, 2013 Rainbow Trout 1,250 11 in report
April 15, 2013 Rainbow Trout 1,250 11 in report
April 15, 2013 Rainbow Trout 3,750 11 in report
April 15, 2013 Rainbow Trout 3,750 11 in report
April 5, 2013 Rainbow Trout 1,250 11 in report
April 5, 2013 Rainbow Trout 3,750 11 in report
April 25, 2012 Rainbow Trout 5,000 11 in report
April 20, 2012 Rainbow Trout 5,000 11 in report
April 11, 2012 Rainbow Trout 5,000 11 in report
April 4, 2012 Rainbow Trout 5,000 11 in report
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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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