Lake Kampeska

Codington County, South Dakota

Lake Kampeska is a 5,250-acre natural lake within Watertown in Codington County with a 16-foot maximum depth. SDGFP lists smallmouth bass and walleye as the primary species and reports no lake-specific regulations.

Air temp Loading current temperature…

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Lake Kampeska (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area5,250 acres

Max depth16 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Smallmouth Bass●●●○○

Primary species per SDGFP

Walleye●●●○○

Primary species per SDGFP

Crappie●●○○○

Black and white crappie

Bluegill●○○○○

Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.

Channel Catfish●○○○○

Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.

Largemouth Bass●○○○○

Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.

Northern Pike●○○○○

Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.

White Bass●○○○○

Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.

Yellow Perch●○○○○

Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.

Boat launches

8 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Public access sites (north, east, south, west shores)Access
SDGFP lists many public access sites, four maintained by SDGFP, including the south-shore State Recreation AreaDirections ↗
2Sandy Shore Recreation AreaPublic
Boat ramp and public water access, 1096 S Lake Dr, Watertown; SD GFP state recreation area on south shore.Directions ↗
3Jackson Park Public Water AccessPublic
Boat ramp, 248 S Lake Dr, Watertown.Directions ↗
4Lynn Wood Public Water AccessPublic
Boat ramp, 1360 Lynwood Dr, Watertown.Directions ↗
5Memorial Park Public Water AccessPublic
Boat ramp at Codington Memorial Park & Campground, 1200 N Lake Dr, Watertown.Directions ↗
6Sailboat Landing Public Water AccessPublic
Boat ramp, 236 N Lake Dr, Watertown.Directions ↗
7Stokes-Thomas Park Public Water AccessPublic
Boat ramp, 90 S Lake Dr, Watertown.Directions ↗
More public accessPublic
See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Kampeska are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.

Search more bait shops near Lake Kampeska ↗

Local tips

Maximum depth is only 16 feet, so the whole lake fishes shallow.
No lake-specific regulations apply, so statewide rules govern.
Public access is available on all four shores.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

More South Dakota lakes

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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.