All spots

Lake Francis Case

Lake fishing  South Dakota · 06:16 - 18:45

Lake Francis Case is one of the lakes in South Dakota. Anglers here fish mainly for Bluegill, White Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

Good 62% The bite right now
Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 20 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
84%
77°
Fri
84%
70°
Sat
86%
63°
Best day
Sun
86%
67°
Mon
86%
65°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Clear sky
Water temp (est.)
69°F
Air temp
69°F
Wind
5 mph
Pressure
30.15 inHg ↑ rising
Clouds
0.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:31–07:31 Day 07:31–17:30 Dusk 17:30–19:30

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing crescent 23% lit
Major period 15:33–17:33 Major period 03:33–05:33 Minor period 11:26–12:56 Minor period 20:10–21:40

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

16:00
69°
17:00
68°
18:00
67°
19:00
62°
20:00
60°
21:00
59°
22:00
58°
23:00
56°
00:00
55°
01:00
55°
02:00
54°
03:00
54°

Likely catch now (17 species)

Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
62%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 20 degrees.
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White Bass
Morone chrysops
60%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 20 degrees, bright sky slows things.
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Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
49%
Water near its preferred 20 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
46%
Water near its preferred 20 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
45%
Water near its preferred 20 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
42%
Peak season, bright sky slows things.
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About the fishing here

The usual catches here are Bluegill, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass and Brook Trout.

Bluegill is generally most active around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a float bait for bluegill, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for bluegill at the day. Fish hard now.
Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.
Colour Clear water and good light: try natural bait, small earth tones for bluegill.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

Lake Francis Case is a large reservoir impounded by Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River in south-central South Dakota, United States. The lake has an area of 102,000 acres (410 km2) and a maximum depth of 140 ft (43 m). Lake Francis Case has a length of approximately 107 mi (172 km) and has a shoreline of 540 mi (870 km). The lake is the eleventh-largest reservoir in the United States and is located within the counties of: Charles Mix, Gregory, Lyman, Brule, and Buffalo. The lake stretches from Pickstown, South Dakota upstream to Big Bend Dam.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Francis Case?

The usual catches here are Bluegill, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout and Northern Pike.

Do you need a fishing license at Lake Francis Case?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Lake Francis Case?

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Lake Francis Case right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 21%.