Fly Fishing Rapid City (2023 Angler’s Guide)

South Dakota has always been seen as the gateway to the West. However, most people pass right on through it in an attempt to get to what most people consider more beautiful and entertaining states. They’re quite mistaken! One of the main things they’re missing is some world-class fly fishing.

I’ve spent the past three summers living in Rapid City and exploring all of the water the area has to offer. Several scenic trout streams lie within easy reach of the city, and as you can imagine, they don’t get nearly as many anglers as do popular towns in Montana and other states farther west.

I’ve searched high and low for good Rapid City fly fishing, and in the process I’ve hooked into some impressive fish. If you make the effort to visit, you’ll find yourself in the midst of some beautiful country with the opportunity to land trophy fish.

Fly Fishing Rapid City: Why Go?

Seclusion is always a good possibility on the waters near Rapid City. Fly fishing isn’t such a popular activity, so anglers always have the chance to find themselves alone and chasing after trout all day long without seeing a single other soul.

Species for Rapid City Fly Fishing

Another great aspect of Rapid City is that anglers have access to almost any type of freshwater fish they’d like. It’s filled with diverse fisheries, and each body of water contains a variety of species.

Brown Trout

Brown trout are some of the most common fish you’ll find near Rapid City. I’ve hooked into brown trout in almost every river and stream in the area. If you head a bit farther west, you’ll find them stocked in some of the mountain lakes as well.

Look for them in Rapid Creek, French Creek and Stockade Lake. Bring Woolly Buggers, Pheasant Tail Nymphs and a nice amount of caddisflies. These will all land brown trout at an impressive pace. The Rapid City brown trout are beautiful. Don’t miss out on a chance to catch some.

Rainbow Trout

There are a few wild populations of rainbow trout around Rapid City. You can find these upwards of 20 inches in the surrounding areas of the Black Hills. Rapid Creek is your best bet to land one of these trophy fish.

Bring your BWOs, Prince Nymphs and Clouser Minnows if you want to land a few of these. Rapid Creek is one of the best rainbow trout fisheries in the United States. It’s a beautiful tailwater that many anglers don’t know!

Brook Trout

Anglers can even find brook trout near Rapid City. While they aren’t always huge, they have beautiful color and are fairly prevalent in a few of the streams. Head up towards Castle Creek if you want your best shot at landing a few of these fish.

Small gnat patterns along with tiny Prince Nymphs will land these fish. It’s a treat to land these fish in the Black Hills, so consider yourself lucky if you do.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass are in almost every lake surrounding Rapid City. They can grow upwards of 2 or 3 pounds in a variety of places. Look for them in Stockade and Center Lake. I always bring poppers and a whole bunch of crayfish patterns when I’m targeting these fish.

Best Spots for Fly Fishing Rapid City

Rapid City has dozens of great places to fly fish. It has spots for every type of angler. The only thing it’s missing is some of that big water that certain anglers enjoy. However, if you’re open to small river and stream fishing, Rapid City will work great.

Spearfish Creek

Spearfish Creek in the midst of Spearfish Canyon is one of the prettiest spots you can fly fish in all of the United States. Hundred foot cliffs surround this small stream. There are dozens of access points throughout the canyon and plenty of wild rainbow trout to catch.

The creek is located right next to the town of Spearfish, so you won’t have to travel far to reach this body of water. The water is usually extremely clear and the trout can be spooky, so make sure you’re using size 16-20 flies to make your presence hidden. Indicators might be needed as well.

You can wet wade in Spearfish Creek. The water isn’t very deep and it’s easier to maneuver when you aren’t in full waders.

Rapid Creek

Rapid Creek is a great option for anyone looking to fish a tailwater. The water is cold and there are great habitats for rainbow trout. You can fish the creek right in town in Rapid City. There are a variety of city parks that offer great access points.

Bring Woolly Buggers, crayfish patterns and Prince Nymphs. These will catch you the most fish. Find pools and deeper seams to fish. Any spot that looks like it could hold fish is likely going to do so.

French Creek

French Creek within Custer State Park near Rapid City is another fun option. It’s a true backcountry stream that requires some effort to fish. However, you’ll be rewarded if you have the patience and willingness to look for some seclusion.

There are multiple access points throughout the park, but a great spot to start is right near Blue Bell Lodge. Bring black Woolly Buggers and a variety of smaller nymph patterns. This stream is best fished early in the spring while the water is still cool.

Best Flies for Rapid City

There are a nice amount of hatches in the waters surrounding Rapid City. Be prepared to switch up flies depending on where you’re fishing or the time of year.

Woolly Bugger

Since the water is often stained around Rapid City, size 8 Woolly Buggers will work great. Find the pools or seams and dead drift one of these patterns. You won’t have to work too hard to land fish.

Elk Hair Caddis

The Elk Hair Caddis is a must for any fly angler in Rapid City. Hatches in the morning and the evening contain flies resembling Elk Hair Caddis patterns. These work between sizes 16-20.

Pheasant Tail Nymph

There are BWO hatches that happen in the early spring throughout Rapid City. Drift the Pheasant Tail Nymph below an indicator and you’ll find yourself with quite a few fish. This pattern will even work throughout the summer.

Chubby Chernobyl

Terrestrial hatches happen in late July and August in Rapid City. Pick a warm evening and throw some of these in slower moving water. The large brown and rainbow trout will pick the Chubby Chernobyl right off the surface!

Hares Ear Nymph

The Hares Ear Nymph works great in French Creek. This is buggy looking water and the trout appreciate something with a bit more substance. These are a great option if you aren’t quite sure what’s working.

Rapid City Fishing Season

While you’re able to fish year-round in Rapid City, the best Rapid City fishing season is from May through early July. Early August through October are also extremely productive! Also, make sure you hit the water early in the morning or later in the evening.

Rapid City Fishing Report

The waters in Rapid City were fishing great in early October. Rapid Creek and Spearfish Creek were especially productive. These seemed to produce the most fish in the mid-morning. Fish were the most active then.

Conclusion

It takes some experimenting to land fish in Rapid City, but you won’t have to worry about running into people while you’re doing it. The Black Hills are beautiful and have something for everybody in the family! Make sure you pay a visit on your way through to some of the larger Western states.

I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to spend a good amount of time fly fishing Rapid City. It might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of good fishing towns, but trust me, it should at least be somewhere on that list.

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