Sylvan Lake

Lake fishing South Dakota · 06:33 - 19:05

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

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Prime 68% The bite right now

Top bet: White Bass Active through the day, water near its preferred 19 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow

79%

76°

Thu

84%

61°

Best day

Fri

82%

67°

Sat

80%

61°

Sun

80%

56°

Mon

78%

56°

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

Conditions right now

Weather

Partly cloudy

Water temp (est.)

66°F

Air temp

59°F

Wind

10 mph

Pressure

30.13 inHg → stable

Clouds

65.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-09-15 22:20

Best times today

Dawn 05:48–07:48 Day 07:48–17:50 Dusk 17:50–19:50

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

Feeding times today

Waxing crescent 14% lit

Major period 15:04–17:04 Major period 03:04–05:04 Minor period 10:42–12:12 Minor period 19:56–21:26

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

14:00

59°

15:00

59°

16:00

58°

17:00

56°

18:00

54°

19:00

50°

20:00

47°

21:00

46°

22:00

46°

23:00

46°

00:00

46°

01:00

47°

Likely catch now (17 species)

White Bass

Morone chrysops

68%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 19 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.

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Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

65%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 19 degrees.

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Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

59%

Water near its preferred 19 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.

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Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

58%

Water near its preferred 19 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.

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Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

56%

Water near its preferred 19 degrees, peak season.

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Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

55%

Peak season.

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About the fishing here

Popular catches here include White Bass, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Brook Trout.

White Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May. 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 spoon for white bass, the most likely catch right now.

Timing This is a prime window for white bass at the day. Fish hard now.

Lure Spoon for white bass: Small shiny spoon in the school.

Colour Clear water and good light: try silver, white and shiny for white bass.

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:

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More waters nearby

Gillette Fishing Lake Wyoming · 99.9 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Sylvan Lake?

Popular catches here include White Bass, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Brook Trout, Northern Pike and Brown Trout.

Do you need a fishing license at Sylvan Lake?

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 Sylvan Lake?

White Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Sylvan Lake right now?

Right now White Bass is the most likely catch, at about 16%.