French Creek
Fly fishing in South Dakota · intermediate · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Brown Trout, Brook Trout
About This Water
Custer State Park stream with wild trout. Beautiful Black Hills setting.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Black Hills of South Dakota. As your guide, I’m excited to introduce you to French Creek. This isn’t just another trout stream; it is one of the most scenic and rugged fisheries in the upper Midwest. Flowing through the heart of Custer State Park, French Creek offers a "choose your own adventure" experience, ranging from easy-access meadow fishing to grueling backcountry canyon treks.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing French Creek.
🎣 Location Overview
French Creek is the soul of Custer State Park. What makes it special is the dramatic transition it undergoes. In the upper reaches near Stockade Lake and the Blue Bell Lodge, it is a classic meandering meadow stream. However, as it flows east, it enters the French Creek Gorge, a 12-mile stretch of primitive wilderness with towering granite walls, deep swimming holes, and no maintained trails.
Anglers love it because it feels prehistoric. You are fishing in the shadow of massive granite spires, often sharing the banks with bison, elk, and mountain goats. The water is a classic freestone character—cool, clear, and full of "pocket water," riffles, and deep, emerald-green plunge pools.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Brown Trout: These are the kings of the creek. In the deeper pools of the gorge, you’ll find wild browns that are notoriously "spooky." They hold tight to undercut banks and submerged granite boulders. During a hatch, they will move into the tailouts of pools to sip dries.
- Brook Trout: Found predominantly in the upper, cooler headwaters and the smaller tributaries. They are opportunistic and aggressive but easily startled. Look for them in the "bubbly" water—right at the head of the pools where oxygen levels are highest.
Behavior Note: These fish see a fair amount of pressure near the roads, but in the gorge, they are wild and reactionary. They feed heavily on terrestrial insects in the summer and small stoneflies and midges in the shoulder seasons.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Optimal Seasons
- Spring (Late April – June): This is prime time. As the ice clears and the Black Hills warm up, the fish become very active. The Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches in May can be spectacular.
- Summer (July – August): Excellent for dry fly enthusiasts. However, be mindful of water temperatures. If the water exceeds 68°F, head deeper into the canyon where it stays cooler.
- Fall (September – October): My personal favorite. The Brown Trout are spawning and become aggressive (please watch your step and avoid walking on redds). The changing colors of the aspens make for an incredible backdrop.
Best Times of Day
- Summer: Early morning (dawn until 10:00 AM) and "the magic hour" before sunset.
- Spring/Fall: Mid-day (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM) when the sun warms the water enough to trigger insect activity.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Dry Flies:
- Parachute Adams (Size 14-18) – The gold standard here.
- Elk Hair Caddis (Size 14-16) – Great for the riffles.
- Hi-Vis Ant or Hopper (Size 12-14) – Essential for summer "splat" fishing.
- Nymphs:
- Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear (Size 14-16).
- Pheasant Tail (Size 16-20).
- Zebra Midge (Size 18-22) – Crucial for picky fish in slow pools.
- Streamers:
- Woolly Bugger (Black or Olive, Size 8-10) – Use these in the deep canyon pools to find the "monsters."
Effective Techniques
- Dry-Dropper: This is the most effective way to cover French Creek. Use a buoyant hopper or a chubby Chernobyl as your indicator and hang a small Pheasant Tail nymph 18-24 inches below it.
- High-Sticking / Euro Nymphing: In the rocky gorge, "high-sticking" through the pocket water behind boulders is deadly. Keep as much line off the water as possible to avoid complex drag.
- The "Stealth Approach": Because the water is clear, you must stay low. Approach pools from downstream and avoid casting your shadow over the water.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Gorge Challenge: If you are physically fit, hike into the French Creek Natural Area. The further you walk from the trailhead, the better the fishing gets. Be prepared to wade waist-deep or scramble over rocks; there is no continuous dry path.
- Bison Etiquette: You will encounter bison. Give them at least 100 yards of space. If a bison is on the bank you want to fish, move on. They are faster than they look and unpredictable.
- Check the Flows: French Creek is small. If it’s a drought year, the water can get low and warm. Always carry a stream thermometer.
- The "Splat" Factor: In the heat of summer, don't be afraid to let your terrestrial flies (ants/hoppers) hit the water with a noticeable "splat." This mimics a falling insect and triggers a predatory response.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Most of the creek is within Custer State Park. A Park Entrance License is required for all vehicles.
- Regulations: South Dakota fishing regulations apply. Ensure you have a valid South Dakota fishing license. Some areas may have specific lure or harvest restrictions—always check the latest SD Game, Fish & Parks handbook.
- Safety: The gorge is remote. Cell service is non-existent. Carry a first aid kit, plenty of water, and tell someone where you are going. Rattlesnakes are present in the rocky, sun-drenched areas of the lower canyon.
- Gear Recommendation: A 3-weight or 4-weight rod (7'6" to 8'6") is perfect for this creek. Use 5x or 6x fluorocarbon tippet for the best presentation.
Tight lines, and enjoy the rugged beauty of French Creek!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Baetis spp. | mayfly | March, April, September, October | Late Morning to Afternoon | #18-22 | Parachute Adams #18-22, RS2 #20-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20 |
| Pale Morning Dun (PMD) Ephemerella inermis | mayfly | June, July | Morning to Mid-Afternoon | #14-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, Split Case PMD #16-18, CDC PMD Emerger #16-18 |
| Little Brown Sedge / Spotted Sedge Hydropsyche / Lepidostoma | caddis | May, June, July | Late Afternoon to Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis (Tan/Brown) #14-16, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-18, Holy Grail Caddis #16-18 |
| Little Yellow Stonefly (Yellow Sally) Isoperla spp. | stonefly | June, July | Afternoon to Evening | #14-16 | Yellow Sally Dry #14-16, Iron Lotus #16-18, Little Yellow Sloan #14-16 |
| Trico Tricorythodes spp. | mayfly | July, August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner (Poly Wing) #20-24, Sunken Trico Spinner #20-22 |
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | January, February, March, November, December | All Day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-22, Morgan's Midge #20-22 |
| Grasshoppers Orthoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | Late Morning to Evening | #8-12 | Parachute Hopper #10-12, Morrish Hopper #8-12, Dave's Hopper #10-14 |
| Terrestrial Ants and Beetles Formicidae / Coleoptera | terrestrial | June, July, August | All Day | #12-18 | Chernobyl Ant #12-14, Black Foam Beetle #14-16, Cinnamon Ant #16-18 |