Black Hills Fly Fishing Report – July 9, 2025
Recent rain has given a boost to flows in a few key areas—especially above Pactola Reservoir—and cooler weather continues to help keep water temperatures in check. However with highs in the 90s back in the forecast please bring your thermometers and stop fishing when water temps reach 67 degrees. Flows remain below seasonal averages, but there are options for anglers looking to fish Black Hills streams. Early mornings and overcast periods are providing the best opportunities, with dry fly action improving across the region.
Where to Fish Right Now
Castle Creek & Spearfish Creek
These two streams remain your best bets for consistent fishing. Flows are holding up well, water is cold, and hatches are steady. You’ll find Blue Winged Olives, caddis, and an increasing number of Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) coming off. Dry flies, dry-dropper rigs, and small streamers are all getting the job done in pocket water and deeper runs.
Rapid Creek Conditions
Below Pactola Reservoir
Cool, clear water is creating reliable conditions. PMDs, BWOs, and caddis are hatching regularly, and fish are feeding both on top and below the surface. Dry-dropper rigs with a small Chubby or Hippie Stomper paired with a Perdigon, Zebra Midge, or Split Case PMD are working well. The area for the first couple of miles below the dam has limited habitat, so you have to hunt for the spots with fish. Water is cool though!
Silver City (Above Pactola)
Recent rainfall has given flows a bump, and it’s fishing well, especially early and late in the day. Trout are rising in riffles and seams, and cloud cover can bring fish up more consistently. Caddis and PMDs are hatching here, too. Try a Sparkle Dun or PMD emerger, or a Rio Foam Run Caddis. Storms can make this section off color, so you show up a day or two after a storm, nymph fishing and streamer fishing are your better bets. Dry Dropper Rigs are a good choice for most days, chubby chernobyl with a perdigon dropper is hard to beat. Don't be afraid to cover some water and hike upstream of Silver City a ways.
In-town Rapid Creek
Trico mayflies are hatching early in the morning and bringing fish to the surface. After 10 a.m., water temps can climb quickly—carry a thermometer and avoid fishing when temperatures hit 67°F or above. Light tippet (5X–6X) and stealthy presentations are essential.
Stillwater Fishing Report
Stillwater fishing remains excellent. Sylvan, Legion, Center, and Bismarck Lakes are producing rainbow and tiger trout. Chironomids and balanced leeches under indicators in 6–12 feet of water are top producers.
Deerfield and Pactola Reservoirs are worth a look as well. Focus on weedlines and drop-offs, and try slow-stripping leeches or wind-drifting nymph rigs.
Warmwater Fishing Update
Bass
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Sheridan Lake and Stockade Lake are great early and late in the day. Topwater bugs and baitfish streamers are producing well. Rio's Foam Slice Frog is a good frog pattern, and Boogle Bugs or MFCs bombshell popper are great popper options
Pike
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Pactola Reservoir can produce pike this time of year. It's best to go out before or after the boating crowd. Use flashy streamers on sink-tip lines and cover a wide area of water to locate active fish.
Carp
- Angostura or Belle Fouche Reservoirs are a great option for summer carp fishing. Fish are actively cruising the surface and willing to take larger terrestrial insects, such as cicadas, crickets, and hoppers. You can find tailers as well. Targeting tailers is easiest over gravel or sand. You can find them in muddy bays, but the fish stir up the mud, making it trickier to target individual fish in those conditions.
Go-To Flies This Week
Dry Flies
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CDC Thorax Dun – BWO (#18–20)
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Sparkle Dun – PMD (#16)
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Elk Hair Caddis – Tan or Black (#14–16)
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Trico Spinner – Black or White (#20–22)
Nymphs
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Perdigon – Olive or Purple (#16–18)
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Zebra Midge – Black/Silver (#18–20)
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Split Case PMD or BWO (#16–18)
Dry-Dropper Combos
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Chubby Chernobyl + Perdigon or Zebra Midge
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Short dropper with a PMD or BWO emerger for sipping trout
Streamflow Quick Links
Final Thoughts
Recent rain from storms has helped stream flows on core streams. Hopefully, the ground is sufficiently saturated that the flows remain steady for a while. Warmer temperatures are back in the forecast, so we may still experience issues with water temperatures starting midday and continuing throughout the afternoon. Focus on early mornings and cloudy conditions for the best fishing, and please keep an eye on water temperatures throughout the day. The fish are there—you just have to time it right. Bass fishing is quite good on area lakes and reservoirs, and on the hottest days, switch things up from trout fishing. Top water bass fishing is pretty darn fun.
Need gear, flies, or local advice?
Stop by the shop in Rapid City or visit flyfishsd.com for the latest updates, hot flies, and top picks for your next trip.
See you on the water —
The Team at Dakota Angler & Outfitter