Lake Trout in the Black Hills | Shallow Water Beast Mode

Ice fishing lake trout in the Black Hills of South Dakota. An exotic ice fishing experience, lake trout are not native to this scenic area. Through either stocking or transplanting, Pactola Reservoir and Deerfield Reservoir have a strong population of lake trout.
These fish however don’t act like your typical lake trout. You can throw your deep water structure and tube jigs out the window. These fish can often be found shallow and often seem to prefer smaller tackle, comparable to what you would use to target walleye. Combine small tackle, lighter rods and shallow water with one of the hardest fighting fish that swims under the ice.
Depending on the reservoir, ice anglers can find not only lake trout but rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout. Some reservoirs also have bluegill, crappie, northern pike, largemouth bass and yellow perch. We reason that many of these lake trout are actually feeding on yellow perch and bluegill and this is the reason we find lake trout so shallow in this region.
Lake trout well over twenty pounds and thirty five inches are caught in this area each winter. By lake trout standards, these fisheries are small so we encourage safe fish handling and healthy releases so these fisheries can continue to flourish with big fish potential. When you leave the Black Hills of South Dakota, you have to travel a considerable distance to find the next closest lake trout fishery, perhaps Fort Peck in Montana or northern Minnesota. Really a jewel of a fishery that often flies under the radar. The scenery around you while you fish is also breathtaking.
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[@shellyholland6763]

Scott and I loved the show! Nothing better than a Lake Trout!!!❤🎉👏👏👏🥳🔥

[@MountainStateAngler]

Love that beat around 1:35. Great show bud thanks

[@Zach.Michaelson]

It’s crazy how many fish stocking stories I’ve heard where the game and fish truck broke down. Sounds like every state had awful vehicles haha

[@mattress2331]

That's Awesome, Never knew you had trout there!

[@bradybesco1705]

Yessir. We have great populations of wild brown and Brooke trout in local streams also.

[@jalenhurts4126]

Fresh planted lake trout stockers ...hopefully they can cut down on the small stunted perch and rock bass overtaking the lake

[@colinmahon19]

I caught my 1st rainbow in the black hills. Might go back this summer

[@ParkerAuldFishing]

Awesome Jason , can’t belive they key in on pinhead minnow size baits 🔥🔥

[@matd3150]

They recently stocked that lake with a bunch of old brood stock from one of the wyoming hatcheries, so there there's a nice boost in big fish there. But there's also a lot more pressure on that lake because of it

[@in.hindsight]

Unbelievable!

[@danielscrapper8207]

Jason what fishing line do you perfer to use summer walleye fishing on Devils lake, ND??

[@JasonMitchellOutdoors]

Depends on what I am doing but I use a lot of 10 lb Fireline when casting swim baits or cranks, trolling cranks and using bottom bouncers.

[@danielscrapper8207]

Thanks Jason I greatly appreciate the help love your show! God bless

[@nosnyder]

Where can I get the green ice team quarter zip Craig is wearing?

[@JasonMitchellOutdoors]

blackfishgear.com/gale-soft-shell-pullover