Black Hills?

[Guest]

I was thinking of going to the Black Hills to do some trout fishing and wonering if anyone could give me some tips? I would appreciate any advice. Thank you

[huskminn]

Not sure if you've gone yet or given up on going due to no response, but I might be able to point you in a few directions.

First of all, what type of fishing will you be doing? Spincast? Fly rod? Lake, stream?

Staying where?

There are a number of lakes and small streams to choose from.

[Guest]

Huskminn, thanks for replying! I will be going around the 9th of oct. We will be staying in Rapid City, and I will not have a boat and would prefer to do some Fly Fishing. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

[huskminn]

Okay, I don't live there anymore, but grew up there...some things have definitely changed since I used to spend all my spare time traipsing around the Hills.

Be prepared for any weather...I've seen 2 ft of wet snow on the ground on October 9th...or it could be 85 degrees.

There is a flyshop in downtown RC, 1/2 block off Main St. It is new since I left so I don't know the name...but look in the yellow pages or ask someone about it. They will have info on recent hatches.

Another thing...you will be confined to shore. Unlike in MN, most of the lakes and streams in the Black Hills are surrounded by public land. Shore fishing opportunities abound. I bet 75% of the anglers in the Black Hills are shore anglers.

Now about what I know....Rapid Creek right in Rapid City has some of the highest number of fish per mile of any stream east of the Rockies. Much of the creek is on public land throughout town, as it is in a designated flood plain (since the 1972 flood that killed 236 people). Fishing starts just below Canyon Lake (west side of town) and is good up until it hits Meadowbrook Golf Course (no fishing there), picks up again behind Baken Park Shopping Center and down through some park area along Central High School and past the Civic Center. All of these areas have been rehabilitated and have lots of built in undercut banks. The trout are almost all browns.

If you want a more outdoorsy experience, head upstream to Pactola Lake (in the Hills). Rapid Creek flows out of the dam below Pactola and continues on through a catch and release area for several miles. This stretch, although fished a lot, has high quality fishing and some very big fish (browns and some rainbows well over 5 lbs). It's also a very pretty area.

Now, there is Rapid Creek above Pactola Dam. I love the area around Rochford. If you don't mind walking, you can start down the Mickelson Trail (going in direction of Hill City) and Rapid Creek will cross the trail (old RR bed) many times. I just recently saw some amazing beaver dams along this trail. I counted 24 decent trout in one of them just as I walked by.

There is also Spring Creek....but I heard something about low water levels hurting the fishing. Ask someone about that. Fish it both above and below Sheridan Lake. There is also Castle Creek both above and below Deerfield Lake. Above Deerfield, it is a nice little meadow stream that once had good populations of native brookies. Below Deerfield, Castle Creek is a little larger meadow stream that can hold decent browns, brook and rainbows.

Another stream is Spearfish Creek. I have never fished it as an adult, but it has historically been known as a "fly anglers" stream. You'll have to do your own research on that while you're out there.

There are numerous lakes to fish in, but they tend to be tougher to fish with a fly rod. Spinning tackle is better unless you have a float tube. Lakota, Stockade, Pactola, perhaps Sheridan, Deerfield...ask the flyshop or at a sporting goods store (I think Dakotamart can be a decent source). There is also Canyon Lake in Canyon Lake Park in west Rapid City. Sometimes, the fishing can be quite good here...if you drive by it and see trout rising, stop by and give it a try.

Another thing about Pactola. This time of year can be excellent for big browns. Casting big rapalas from shore can produce fish, especially during low light hours and/or at night. You may also want to try Rapid Creek immediately upstream of Pactola and look for travel barriers like beaver dams, waterfalls, etc. These big browns will be in that creek to spawn this time of year.

Remember that nearly every small stream has trout in it. Also remember that most of the land along these streams is public and can be fished. Be cautious, but most of the time, if it's not posted, it's public.

Have a great time and report on how you did when you return.

[Guest]

Huskminn, thanks for the tips. You sound like you know what you are talking about. You can count on a report as soon as I am able to give one. Again Thanks.

[Guest]

Huskminn, thanks for the tips. You sound like you know what you are talking about. You can count on a report as soon as I am able to give one. Again Thanks.

[huskminn]

Highlife,

I'm curious how you did in the Hills? I hope at least one of my ideas paid off for you.