Black Hills Fishing Report August 5th, 2026
Warm this weekend, but some changes in flow below Pactola should create additional stream fishing opportunities.
The one notable change since last report is that Rapid Creek in town and below Pactola are both running higher due to increased dam releases from Pactola. In-town went from 40 cfs up to nearly 80 cfs, which is actually right in the sweet spot for fishing. Silver City and Spearfish are trending down without rain to support them.
Rapid Creek in Town
79.9 cfs as of this morning, up significantly from last month and right in the ideal range. This is the best flow in-town Rapid Creek has seen all summer. More water means fish have more places to hold and are less pressured than they were at lower flows. Terrestrials are the story right now. Fish a Hippie Stomper or Micro Chubby Chornobyl tight to grassy banks and undercut edges in the morning. Hopper dropper with a small perdigon or zebra midge underneath is a great all-day setup. See our full selection at flyfishsd.com/collections/hopper-dropper-dry-dropper-flies. The higher flows should mitigate some of the temperature issues, but with highs near 100 this weekend, tempertures could climb to high 60s late in the day. Best to fish early and quit by 2pm.
Rapid Creek Below Pactola
86.8 cfs with cold water out of the dam this morning. Flows below Pactola can change quickly depending on releases, so check the gauge before you make the drive. The higher flows are likely to benefit fishing further downstream. Below the dam, fishing is decent but not great. You will find a few very nice fish, but this spot is not a numbers game.
Rapid Creek Above Pactola, Silver City
15.5 cfs and dropping. Low flows and warming water. Best to fish very early and finish by noon. Not nearly as good as it was earlier this season.
Spearfish Creek
Spearfish Canyon is one of the better stream options right now, the flows have dropped to around 38cfs. This will mean that smaller flies and lighter tippet will be more effective. If you fish the faster pocket water and cover more water, you should have opportunities with attractor dries- smaller chubby chernobyls, stimulators, ants, beetles. In the faster pocket water you can try dry dropper. In the deeper pools, you likely will need to get deeper, use light tippet, and small midge larva or Baetis nymphs.
Castle Creek Below Deerfield
Cold and clear out of the reservoir and sitting right in the fishable range. Fish can be a bit spooky here, so stealth is your friend. This is one of the better options on a hot afternoon thanks to the cold tailwater. Beaver ponds are holding fish.
Castle Creek Above Deerfield
Small stream fishing option, probably best in the morning. Bring a 2-3 weight and some attractor dry flies. Should find some good fishing for brookies and the occasional rainbow.
Warmwater Fishing
The warmwater lakes are a great option this week. Bass, carp, and panfish are all active, and the heat that makes trout fishing tough in the afternoon is exactly what these fish want.
Sheridan Lake: Boogle Bug, Boogle Popper, and Boogle Amnesia Bug early along rocky points and shoreline structure. Switch to a Chocklett's Changer or crawfish pattern as fish move off the shallows midday. Smallmouth and largemouth both active. Best to have a boat and cover water. The later in the day the deeper the bass get, so best to have a sinking line past 10 am.
Stockade Lake: Same approach, less pressure. Topwater early, Changers and crawfish patterns through the day.
Angostura Reservoir: Bass, walleye, and pike on Changers and Murdich Minnows. Carp tailing in the shallows early morning and evening. A Carp-Tease or crawfish pattern dropped in front of a tailing fish is hard to beat. Polarized glasses are a must.
Belle Fourche Reservoir
Carp fishing is excellent this time of year. Look for tailing and cruising fish in the shallows early morning. Same flies as Angostura. Patience and good eyesight are your biggest assets.
Hot Flies
Terrestrials and Hopper Dropper: Hippie Stomper, Micro Chubby Chornobyl — full selection at flyfishsd.com/collections/hopper-dropper-dry-dropper-flies
Streamers: Thin Mint, Woolly Bugger black or olive
Bass: Boogle Bug BooglePopper, Boogle Amnesia Bug, Chocklett's Changer, Meade's Gutless Frog, crawfish pattern, Murdich Minnow
Carp: Carp-Tease, crawfish pattern, Woolly Bugger
Nymphs: Zebra Midge 20-22, Perdigons 16-20, Split Case BWO 18-20
Fish early, check your temps, and take advantage of the good flows on in-town Rapid Creek and below Pactola while they last. The warmwater lakes are firing all day.
Stop by or call the shop for flies and current conditions. 605-341-2450
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