Trout Fishing on Spearfish Creek and boat fishing on Iron Creek Lake (last up dated 3/25/25)
We will not be charging for fishing on Spearfish Creek but will just rely on gratuities to cover our costs. This allows us to take you on almost all of Spearfish Creek, this is all private land. The fishing is out standing with many large fish caught. More info below on how we go about the fishing on the creek.
Boat fishing on Iron Creek Lake is outstanding with most people catching fish till their arms are tired. We have our own system and the fish go crazy over it. We use a 16 foot Lund boat that Mike designed just for fishing this lake. It holds 3 adults easily and is prefect for families to have fun.
Boat fishing on Iron Creek Lake is outstanding with most people catching fish till their arms are tired. We have our own system and the fish go crazy over it. We use a 16 foot Lund boat that Mike designed just for fishing this lake. It holds 3 adults easily and is prefect for families to have fun.
What you will need
You will need a South Dakota fishing license and can be purchased on line at South Dakota Game Fish and Parks.
a desire to catch some fish and have fun
Transportation
Stream fishing
You will have to transport your self to the fishing sites, about 6 miles, we will walk to all sites. The best time to fish is when the sun is up and the insects are up and going.
Boat fishing
You will have to transport you and yours to Iron Creek Lake that is on high way type gravel about 21 miles. Best time to fish is after about 10 each day. Week days are best when the crowds are small at lake.
Personal gear
Stream Fishing
Wadding Equipment for fishing these cold streams can be the shoe type neoprene waders, regular neoprene waders, or any type of waders. The neoprene is nice for the fact that it keeps you warm while standing in the water. They are hot when out of the water but prefect when in. Mike prefers to use no waders but only what we call crik n shoes (old pair of shoes and socks) and long pants. When the weather is hot the water is not cold feeling at all. Long pants are best for leg protection and keep the cold water from chilling you out..
Boat fishing
For the lake be prepared for lots of sunshine and some wind at times. Sun screen is good and a wide brim hat. The weather can change so a coat can be a good idea as we are up in the mountains.
Fishing gear
Stream fishing
If you use spin cast equipment a super lightweight rod about 4 to 5 feet is best. The lightweight open face spin cast reel with the super small spool is best. Be sure to not have over 6 pound test line with 4 or 2 pound being the best for casting small lure. Panther Martin, Mepps, Thomas, or any spinner lure will work on these fish. The new thing that Mike has found to be a favorite of the big browns is the Thomas Spinners in gold about an 1/8th of an ounce. We have used the Rapala mini plugs in Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Sucker patterns and they all work great.
A lightweight fly rod is best with a weight forward line. A 6 or 8-foot tippet works great. Wet or dry flies work but what works changes all year long. Practicing with your rod is a good idea as most casting is very tight and into fairly fast moving water. This will keep you from snapping off your flies and catching tree branches along the steam. A good share of Spearfish Creek is very tight and you should have some experience with a fly rod to have much success and not lose all your flies.
You may use our spin casting or fly rods if you would like, if you break it you buy it. We can provide all your lures if you would like also as you just have to pay for the lures that are lost along the way, and they do get snagged and hooked in trees once in a while.
Boat fishing
We use ultra light fishing rods and have lots of spares on hand for break offs and messes. We use spinner set ups that we have found work great for lots of action with the fish. We use live crawlers and plastic worms with equal success. The fish average about 17 inches with many around 20 inches. This provides for some great battles pulling fish in to be netted. We use electronics to find the fish and a gas or electric motor to keep us on the fish. We do lots of catch and release but you can keep as many fish as your limit allows. We keep a cooler for fish on board and ice the fish right away. Mike provides snacks and a light lunch of chips, sandwiches, and waters (if you have time to eat). Bring any thing you would like to drink or eat also. Life jackets are provided if you would like but Mike wear an auto PFD at all times.
note: if you would prefer fishing with your own gear that is fine. this lake can be very good for fly fishing in the evening when the trout start to rise. They hit most every thing. This can be done also with a spin cast and a casting bubble. Catching can be crazy fast.
Fish cleaning
Stream fishing
A creel or small stringer is great for keeping fish if you would like, catch and release when possible. Keep in mind that we will clean your fish for you. Limits of fish vary from area to area and you can refer to creel limits on line with the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks on line.
Boat fishing
We keep a fish cooler on board packed with ice, Mike can clean and give you ice for your transport of your fillets or whole gutted fish. We can also get into some nice perch and crappies and there are some big large mouth bass in this lake.
Tackle
A small tackle box is a good choice for keeping your flies or lures for quick changes while you fish. A neck lanyard mounted fishhook remover and fingernail clipper make not handling fish and changing lures much easier. If needed Mike has plenty of lanyards made up with fish unhooks or he can just take them off for you.
Boat fishing
see above in fishing Gear.
The clothing
Sunglasses make spotting fish much easier. Keep in mind that when the fish have seen you they as a rule will not bite and turn neutral very quickly and seem to spook other fish also. A simple full brim hat is a good choice. This is just like hunting so having camouflage clothing adds success to most trips also.
Boat fishing
see above in personal gear
The lunch
The setting is great for having a lunch in the wild. This way we can fish all day in this most beautiful setting. If you have never been to Spearfish Valley you have a real treat in store for you. It makes the fishing that much better. Mike will pack a lunch for every one along with waters.
Boat fishing
see above in fishing gear
You will need a South Dakota fishing license and can be purchased on line at South Dakota Game Fish and Parks.
a desire to catch some fish and have fun
Transportation
Stream fishing
You will have to transport your self to the fishing sites, about 6 miles, we will walk to all sites. The best time to fish is when the sun is up and the insects are up and going.
Boat fishing
You will have to transport you and yours to Iron Creek Lake that is on high way type gravel about 21 miles. Best time to fish is after about 10 each day. Week days are best when the crowds are small at lake.
Personal gear
Stream Fishing
Wadding Equipment for fishing these cold streams can be the shoe type neoprene waders, regular neoprene waders, or any type of waders. The neoprene is nice for the fact that it keeps you warm while standing in the water. They are hot when out of the water but prefect when in. Mike prefers to use no waders but only what we call crik n shoes (old pair of shoes and socks) and long pants. When the weather is hot the water is not cold feeling at all. Long pants are best for leg protection and keep the cold water from chilling you out..
Boat fishing
For the lake be prepared for lots of sunshine and some wind at times. Sun screen is good and a wide brim hat. The weather can change so a coat can be a good idea as we are up in the mountains.
Fishing gear
Stream fishing
If you use spin cast equipment a super lightweight rod about 4 to 5 feet is best. The lightweight open face spin cast reel with the super small spool is best. Be sure to not have over 6 pound test line with 4 or 2 pound being the best for casting small lure. Panther Martin, Mepps, Thomas, or any spinner lure will work on these fish. The new thing that Mike has found to be a favorite of the big browns is the Thomas Spinners in gold about an 1/8th of an ounce. We have used the Rapala mini plugs in Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Sucker patterns and they all work great.
A lightweight fly rod is best with a weight forward line. A 6 or 8-foot tippet works great. Wet or dry flies work but what works changes all year long. Practicing with your rod is a good idea as most casting is very tight and into fairly fast moving water. This will keep you from snapping off your flies and catching tree branches along the steam. A good share of Spearfish Creek is very tight and you should have some experience with a fly rod to have much success and not lose all your flies.
You may use our spin casting or fly rods if you would like, if you break it you buy it. We can provide all your lures if you would like also as you just have to pay for the lures that are lost along the way, and they do get snagged and hooked in trees once in a while.
Boat fishing
We use ultra light fishing rods and have lots of spares on hand for break offs and messes. We use spinner set ups that we have found work great for lots of action with the fish. We use live crawlers and plastic worms with equal success. The fish average about 17 inches with many around 20 inches. This provides for some great battles pulling fish in to be netted. We use electronics to find the fish and a gas or electric motor to keep us on the fish. We do lots of catch and release but you can keep as many fish as your limit allows. We keep a cooler for fish on board and ice the fish right away. Mike provides snacks and a light lunch of chips, sandwiches, and waters (if you have time to eat). Bring any thing you would like to drink or eat also. Life jackets are provided if you would like but Mike wear an auto PFD at all times.
note: if you would prefer fishing with your own gear that is fine. this lake can be very good for fly fishing in the evening when the trout start to rise. They hit most every thing. This can be done also with a spin cast and a casting bubble. Catching can be crazy fast.
Fish cleaning
Stream fishing
A creel or small stringer is great for keeping fish if you would like, catch and release when possible. Keep in mind that we will clean your fish for you. Limits of fish vary from area to area and you can refer to creel limits on line with the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks on line.
Boat fishing
We keep a fish cooler on board packed with ice, Mike can clean and give you ice for your transport of your fillets or whole gutted fish. We can also get into some nice perch and crappies and there are some big large mouth bass in this lake.
Tackle
A small tackle box is a good choice for keeping your flies or lures for quick changes while you fish. A neck lanyard mounted fishhook remover and fingernail clipper make not handling fish and changing lures much easier. If needed Mike has plenty of lanyards made up with fish unhooks or he can just take them off for you.
Boat fishing
see above in fishing Gear.
The clothing
Sunglasses make spotting fish much easier. Keep in mind that when the fish have seen you they as a rule will not bite and turn neutral very quickly and seem to spook other fish also. A simple full brim hat is a good choice. This is just like hunting so having camouflage clothing adds success to most trips also.
Boat fishing
see above in personal gear
The lunch
The setting is great for having a lunch in the wild. This way we can fish all day in this most beautiful setting. If you have never been to Spearfish Valley you have a real treat in store for you. It makes the fishing that much better. Mike will pack a lunch for every one along with waters.
Boat fishing
see above in fishing gear
Here's some pictures from fishing on Iron Creek Lake. The fish are big and one heck of a good fight. We stock them in a ice cooler and Mike does the cleaning for you after we are done. We do catch and release but many of the fish are caught so deep it kills the fish. We even get into some perch and crappies at times.
Mike had some fishing out on the ranch
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Kevin took this nice fish from his favorite secret spot
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No waders no problem
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Beautiful spot to take a walk and catch some fish at the same time
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This is what happens when you are not paying attention to what you are doing.
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The trip up from Kansas was well worth the time
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Pete found this nice trout's hide out on Red Water River
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Brother Bob pulled this brookie from under a log
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Mike can cast for the kids and then when he catches a fish kids can pull them in
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Kevin took these monsters after they got hooked a little to deep and had to be kept for dinner
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Just a great place to catch some fish
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Family friendly so every one can catch lots of fish
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Catch and release makes sure there are plenty of fish for the next person
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Mom's can be a part of the fun too
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