Lewis and Clark Lake
A Missouri River reservoir behind Gavins Point Dam on the South Dakota line. It's known for walleye, sauger and smallmouth bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Sauger
River current and deep holes. Jigs and minnows in cold water.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
When they bite
Month-by-month activity for each target species.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | ||||||||||||
| Sauger | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Channel Catfish |
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the Nebraska Game & Parks or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass Black bass aggregate (guide lists Lewis and Clark Lake; verify SD/NE border rules) | None; one 21 in or longer | 5 / day |
| Smallmouth Bass Black bass aggregate | None; one 21 in or longer | 5 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Captain Norm'sNearby43592 SD Highway 52, Yankton(605) 665-4271Directions ↗
- Dunham's Sports4.7 miYanktonDirections ↗
Local tips
- The Gavins Point tailwater is a famous walleye spot.
- South Dakota waters follow SD rules.
- Silt is filling the upper end. Watch your depth.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Lewis and Clark Lake.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.