Roubaix Lake
Fly fishing in South Dakota · beginner · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout
About This Water
Black Hills lake with stocked trout. Forest Service recreation area.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Black Hills of South Dakota. As your guide, I’m excited to highlight Roubaix Lake. While many anglers flock to the famous Rapid Creek or Spearfish Creek, Roubaix is a hidden gem tucked away in the high-elevation ponderosa pines. It is a quintessential mountain lake: clear, cold, and remarkably peaceful.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing Roubaix Lake.
🎣 Location Overview
Roubaix Lake is a small, pristine impoundment located in the Black Hills National Forest, roughly 12 miles south of Deadwood. At an elevation of about 5,300 feet, it stays cooler than the valley floor, making it a critical refuge for trout during the heat of summer.
What makes Roubaix special is its clarity and accessibility. It is small enough to be thoroughly fished in a single day, but deep enough to hold fish year-round. Because it is a "no-motor" lake (electric motors only), the water remains glass-calm, providing excellent opportunities for sight-casting to cruising rainbows along the drop-offs.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The primary draw here is the Rainbow Trout. The lake is heavily stocked by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, but because of the high water quality, these fish tend to acclimate quickly and take on "wild" behaviors.
- Cruising Patterns: Rainbows in Roubaix are "edge hunters." They tend to patrol the transition zones where the shallow lily pad/weed shelves drop off into the deeper, darker blue water.
- Feeding: They feed heavily on midges, damselfly nymphs, and small scuds. During the summer, "terrestrials" (ants and beetles) falling from the surrounding pine trees become a major part of their diet.
- Behavior: In the spring, they are aggressive and found in the shallows. In the heat of summer, they retreat to the deepest part of the lake near the dam, only coming to the surface during the "magic hour" at dusk.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Spring (May – June)
This is prime time. As the ice melts and the water warms, the trout become extremely active in the shallows.
- Window: Mid-morning to late afternoon.
- Conditions: Overcast days are gold here; the fish lose their spookiness and will smash streamers near the shore.
Summer (July – August)
The "Dog Days" can be tough mid-day, but the evening rise is legendary.
- Window: 6:00 PM until dark.
- Conditions: Look for "glassy" water. If there is a light breeze, fish the "windward" shore where insects are being pushed.
Fall (September – October)
The best time for big fish. The trout sense winter coming and feed aggressively to bulk up.
- Window: All day.
- Conditions: Cold, crisp mornings. The fish will often move back into the shallow flats near the boat launch and the campground side.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
The "Roubaix Rig" (Nymphing)
Because the lake is clear, a static nymph rig under a small indicator is the most consistent producer.
- Flies: Zebra Midges (size 18-22) in red or black, Pheasant Tails (size 16-18), and Bead-head Scuds (size 14-16) in olive.
- Technique: Suspend your fly 4–6 feet under a yarn indicator. Cast to the edge of the weed beds and wait. The slight ripple of the water provides all the movement you need.
Dry Fly Action
- Flies: Parachute Adams (size 16-20), Griffith’s Gnat (size 20), and Black Ants (size 14-16).
- Technique: If you see rising fish, don't cast at the rise. Cast 3 feet in front of the direction the fish is cruising.
Streamer Stripping
- Flies: Woolly Buggers (size 10-12) in Olive, Black, or "Thin Mint" patterns.
- Technique: Use a weighted fly on a long leader. Let it sink for 5–10 seconds, then use short, erratic strips to mimic a fleeing leech or minnow.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "Dam" Secret: The deepest water is near the dam breast. During the hot afternoons in August, the trout congregate here. Use a sinking tip line and a heavy streamer to reach the cooler thermal layers.
- Go Small or Go Home: Because the water is so clear, Roubaix trout can be "leader shy." If you aren't getting hits, drop down to 6X or 7X fluorocarbon tippet. It makes a massive difference.
- The Float Tube Advantage: While you can fish from the shore near the campground, the best fishing is on the far western shore, which is difficult to reach on foot. A float tube or kayak allows you to fish back toward the structure, which is much more effective.
- Stealth Matters: Avoid wearing bright colors. The fish see everything in this clear water. Earth tones (tan, olive, grey) will help you blend into the pine background.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: There is a well-maintained parking area and a small boat launch. A daily or annual US Forest Service parking pass may be required (standard for Black Hills National Forest recreation areas).
- Regulations: South Dakota fishing regulations apply. A valid South Dakota fishing license is required for anyone 16 or older.
- Safety: This is mountain country. Summer thunderstorms can roll in over the peaks very quickly. If you hear thunder, get off the water immediately—you are the tallest thing on the lake in a float tube!
- Amenities: There is a great campground on-site, making this an ideal "base camp" for a multi-day fishing trip in the Hills.
Guide’s Final Word: Roubaix Lake isn't about catching "monsters" (though 16-inchers are common); it’s about the technical challenge of clear-water lake fishing in one of the most beautiful settings in the Midwest. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | April, May, September, October | All Day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-22, Palomino Midge #20-24 |
| Callibaetis Callibaetis ferrugineus | mayfly | June, July, August | Late Morning | #12-16 | Callibaetis Spinner #14-16, Hare's Ear Nymph #14-16, Parachute Adams #14-16 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Ceraclea | caddis | July, August | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Pupa Sedge #16, Godzilla Caddis #14 |
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Afternoon | #18-22 | BWO Sparkle Dun #20-22, RS2 #20-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20 |
| Carpenter Ants Camponotus | terrestrial | July, August | Afternoon | #12-16 | Black Foam Ant #14-16, Fur Ant #16, Chernobyl Ant #12-14 |
| Trico Tricorythodes | mayfly | August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #22-24, Trico Nymph #22, Sunken Trico #22-24 |
| Beetles Coleoptera | terrestrial | June, July, August | All Day | #12-16 | Foam Beetle #14-16, Peacock Beetle #16, Flash Beetle #14 |
| Little Brown Sedge Lepidostoma | caddis | August, September | Evening | #16-20 | CDC Caddis #18, Soft Hackle Hare's Ear #16-18, X-Caddis #16-18 |