Walleye Stocked · 15 plants · last October 24, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night Pickerel Lake fishing
Pickerel Lake fishing is stocked with Walleye on a natural lake. Also recorded: Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, and 4 more. It is stocked about 1.2 times a year since 2013, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Black Crappie, and Rock Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch, Bluegill, and Northern Pike, and dawn and dusk for Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass.
- Last stocked
- October 13, 2026
- · Walleye
- Plants on record
- 17
- Since 2013
- Species stocked
- 1 (+10 also recorded)
- Surface acres
- 989
- Elevation
- 1,846 ft
Fish at Pickerel Lake
Walleye Stocked · 15 plants · last October 24, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Black Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black Crappie species guide
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Northern Pike species guide
Rock Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Rock Bass species guide
White Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
White Bass species guide
Black Bullhead Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Black Bullhead species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide White Sucker Confirmed present
Pickerel Lake is a 955-acre, cool, spring-fed lake in South Dakota. (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 Pickerel Lake is stocked
About 1,927 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 4 lakes in Day County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2013
93,410
Fish stocked in 2015
91,850
Fish stocked in 2017
71,130
Fish stocked in 2018
470,000
Fish stocked in 2021
500,000
Fish stocked in 2022
91,000
Fish stocked in 2023
500,000
Fish stocked in 2025
88,121
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 13, 2026 | Walleye | 10,032 | – | report |
| October 8, 2026 | Walleye | 3,845 | – | report |
| October 24, 2025 | Walleye | 8,341 | – | report |
| June 9, 2025 | Walleye | 68,780 | – | report |
| June 9, 2025 | Walleye | 11,000 | – | report |
| May 12, 2023 | Walleye | 500,000 | – | report |
| June 17, 2022 | Walleye | 91,000 | – | report |
| May 7, 2021 | Walleye | 500,000 | – | report |
| May 16, 2018 | Walleye | 470,000 | – | report |
| June 9, 2017 | Walleye | 47,850 | – | report |
| June 9, 2017 | Walleye | 23,280 | – | report |
| June 17, 2015 | Walleye | 48,950 | – | report |
| June 17, 2015 | Walleye | 42,900 | – | report |
| June 26, 2013 | Walleye | 9,090 | – | report |
| June 26, 2013 | Walleye | 22,950 | – | report |
| June 26, 2013 | Walleye | 27,170 | – | report |
| June 25, 2013 | Walleye | 34,200 | – | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Grenville
- Facilities
- restrooms, camping, cleaning station
An ADA-accessible fishing pier, boat ramp and fish cleaning station sit at this GFP recreation area, 10 miles north of Waubay off US Hwy 12.
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 Pickerel Lake?
Fishing Pickerel Lake usually means Walleye. All 15 plants on record are Walleye. Walleye was last stocked October 24, 2025. Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Smallmouth Bass, plus 6 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Pickerel Lake stocked?
Last stocked October 13, 2026. It is stocked about 1.2 times a year since 2013, most often in May and June. About 1,927 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 4 lakes in Day County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2024.
How do you get on Pickerel Lake?
The nearest town is Grenville. Facilities include restrooms, camping, and cleaning station. An ADA-accessible fishing pier, boat ramp and fish cleaning station sit at this GFP recreation area, 10 miles north of Waubay off US Hwy 12.
Which lakes near Pickerel Lake were stocked more recently?
Enemy Swim Lake (5.4 mi) and Lake Kampeska (40.6 mi) were stocked more recently. Enemy Swim Lake is also stocked with Walleye and Lake Kampeska is also stocked with Walleye.