Pickerel Lake fishing

Fishing at Pickerel Lake is on a natural lake, stocked with Walleye. It is stocked about 1.2 times a year since 2013, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night as the active times.

Last stocked

October 24, 2025

Plants on record

15

Since 2013

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

989

Elevation

1,846 ft

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Grenville
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping, cleaning station

Fed by cold springs, Pickerel is one of South Dakota's deepest natural lakes; its Dakota name means where you spear long fish. 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.

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

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How Pickerel Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of June. In 2025 it was June 9, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2024.

About 1,927 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 4 lakes in Day County with both a fish count and a surface area.

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.

Fish at Pickerel Lake

Fishing Pickerel Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. All 15 plants on record are Walleye.

Walleye 15 plants
Plants
15 of 15
Last stocked
October 24, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fishing Pickerel Lake

Pickerel Lake is a 955-acre, cool, spring-fed lake in South Dakota. Fishing is a popular recreational activity here. The lake's name has an American Indian origin, meaning "where you spear long fish." Accessible fishing piers featuring low railings, ramps, and nearby parking are available, along with fish cleaning stations.

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

Fish stocked per year

  • 93,4102013
  • 91,8502015
  • 71,1302017
  • 470,0002018
  • 500,0002021
  • 91,0002022
  • 500,0002023
  • 88,1212025

Stocking history

Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
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

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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