Center Lake
Fly fishing in South Dakota · beginner · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout
About This Water
Custer State Park lake with stocked rainbow trout. Easy access family fishing.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Black Hills of South Dakota. As your guide, I can tell you that Center Lake is one of the hidden gems of Custer State Park. While many tourists flock to Sylvan Lake for the scenery, fly anglers often prefer Center Lake for its consistent trout action, slightly lower crowds, and excellent habitat.
Here is the comprehensive guide to fly fishing Center Lake.
🎣 Location Overview
Center Lake is a scenic 25-acre reservoir nestled in the heart of Custer State Park. Surrounded by ponderosa pines and dramatic granite outcrops, it offers a classic Black Hills aesthetic.
What makes it special is its balance. It is large enough to support a healthy population of Rainbow Trout but small enough to fish effectively from the shore or a float tube. Unlike the larger reservoirs in the region, Center Lake has a "no-wake" restriction (electric motors only), which keeps the water calm and the atmosphere peaceful—perfect for delicate fly presentations. The water is generally clear, with visibility often exceeding 6–8 feet depending on the recent rainfall.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The primary target here is the Rainbow Trout.
- Behavior: These fish are a mix of holdovers and regular stockings by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. They tend to cruise the littoral zones (the areas near the shore where sunlight reaches the bottom) looking for insects.
- Holding Areas: Look for the "drop-offs" where the shallow granite shelves plunge into deeper water. The area near the dam is the deepest part of the lake and serves as a thermal refuge during the heat of summer.
- Diet: The trout here are opportunistic. Their diet consists heavily of midges, scuds (freshwater shrimp), damselfly nymphs, and small minnows. During the summer, terrestrial insects (hoppers, ants, beetles) blown from the surrounding pines become a major food source.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Spring (Late April – June)
- The Window: This is prime time. As the ice melts and the water warms into the 50s, the trout become highly active in the shallows.
- Time of Day: Late morning through mid-afternoon as the sun warms the water.
Summer (July – August)
- The Window: Trout head deeper as surface temps rise.
- Time of Day: First light and last light are mandatory. The "evening rise" at Center Lake can be spectacular as midges and caddis hatch near the dam.
Fall (September – October)
- The Window: As water temperatures drop, trout move back into the shallows to bulk up for winter. This is the best time for aggressive streamer strikes.
- Time of Day: Mid-day fishing is excellent again.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Dry Flies
- Patterns: Parachute Adams (#14-18), Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16), Griffiths Gnat (#18-22), and Chernobyl Ants or Foam Beetles in late summer.
- Technique: Look for rising fish and "dead drift" the fly in their cruising path. Twitching a beetle pattern can also trigger aggressive strikes.
Nymphing (The Consistency King)
- Patterns: Zebra Midges (Red or Black, #18-20), Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear (#14-16), and Ray Charles or Scud patterns (Orange or Pink, #14-16).
- Technique: Use a "static" approach under a small slip-indicator. Set your depth so the fly hangs about 1–2 feet off the bottom.
Streamers & Leeches
- Patterns: Pine Squirrel Leeches (Black or Olive), Woolly Buggers (#10-12 in Thin Mint or Black), and Balanced Leeches.
- Technique: Use a slow, rhythmic strip-and-pause retrieve. Many hits occur on the "drop" after a strip.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Bring the Float Tube: While shore access is decent near the campground and dam, the best fishing is often against the steep granite walls on the side of the lake opposite the road. A float tube or kayak allows you to cast toward the rocks, which is where the bigger holdovers hide.
- Focus on the "Inflow": At the north end of the lake, Grace Coolidge Greek flows in. After a rain, this area brings in fresh nutrients and oxygen. Trout will stack up here to wait for washed-in nymphs.
- The "Scud" Secret: The Black Hills lakes are loaded with freshwater scuds. If the fishing is slow, switch to a weighted orange scud pattern and fish it deep and slow. It is the "bread and butter" of Center Lake trout.
- Watch the Wind: If the wind is blowing toward the dam, fish the dam. The wind pushes the surface plankton and insects toward the wall, and the trout follow the food.
⚠️ Important Information
- Permits: You need a valid South Dakota Fishing License. If you are not a resident, you can buy 1-day, 3-day, or annual non-resident licenses online.
- Park Entrance: Since Center Lake is inside Custer State Park, you must also purchase a Custer State Park Entrance License (temporary or annual) for your vehicle.
- Regulations: Generally, there are no special tackle restrictions (artificial only) on Center Lake itself, but always check the current SDGFP handbook for any seasonal limit changes.
- Safety: This is mountain lion and buffalo country. While buffalo are less common right on the shores of Center Lake, they frequent the surrounding meadows. Keep your distance.
Guide’s Final Word: Center Lake is about finesse. Use a 4-weight or 5-weight rod with a 5x or 6x fluorocarbon tippet. The water is clear, and the fish can be leader-shy. Stay low, cast accurately, and enjoy the scenery!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chironomids Chironomidae | midge | April, May, September, October | All Day | #16-22 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Ice Cream Cone #16-18, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Speckled Dun Callibaetis spp. | mayfly | June, July, August | Morning/Early Afternoon | #12-16 | Callibaetis Spinner #14-16, Hare's Ear Nymph #12-16, Parachute Adams #14-16 |
| Damselflies Enallagma spp. | terrestrial | June, July | Late Morning/Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel Nymph #10-12, Braided Butt Damsel #12-14 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Ceraclea spp. | caddis | July, August | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis (Tan/Orange) #14-16, LaFontaine's Sparkle Pupa #16 |
| Trico Tricorythodes spp. | mayfly | August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #20-24, RS2 #20-22 |
| Grasshoppers Melanoplus spp. | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #8-12 | Dave's Hopper #10-12, Morrish Hopper #8-12 |
| Black Carpenter Ants Camponotus spp. | terrestrial | June, July | All Day | #12-18 | Black Foam Ant #14-16, Fur Ant #16-18 |
| Scuds Gammarus lacustris | midge | May, June, September | All Day | #14-18 | Ray Charles #14-18, Orange Scud #14-16 |