One of the Best Ice Fishing Lakes in the USA is in South Dakota

One of the best ice fishing lakes in the USA is in South Dakota!

Okay, I'll admit, this may be the most timely post with ice fishing season coming to a close, but I ran across an article by FishingBooker naming the top 10 best ice fishing lakes in the United States. And I think it's well worth noting that a South Dakota body of water is ranked 10th. Let's give it up for Lake Oahe!

It is a very long reservoir that we share with North Dakota stretching through both state's capitals; Pierre and Bismarck. It's a great destination if you're an angler looking for perch, crappie, monster northern pike, and of course, walleye.

Ice fishing season usually lasts until mid-March in South Dakota but that also comes with a good dose of caution. Just because we are "in season" that doesn't mean the ice is thick enough in all places. This particular winter has been strange with trucks, snowmobiles, and entire shacks going through the ice in one lake, and the next lake only miles away was totally fine.

Use caution and know your thickness.

Lake Oahe is truly amazing all seasons and perhaps it's not too late to get something going on the ice yet this season. Good luck!

Here are the Top 10 Ice Fishing Destinations in America for 2025.

#1 Bemidji, Minnesota

#2 Moosehead Lake, Maine

#3 Eleven Mile Reservoir, Colorado

#4 Saginaw Bay, Michigan

#5 Rhinelander, Wisconsin

#6 Presque Isle Bay, Pennsylvania

#7 Fort Peck Lake, Montana

#8 Lake Cascade, Idaho

#9 Caples Lake, California