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The Ultimate Guide to Sheridan Lake, South Dakota

Sheridan Lake is one of the most popular destinations to visit near Mount Rushmore and Rapid City, SD. Along with fishing, boating, swimming, and paddleboarding, you'll find amazing trailheads and you'll discover wildlife all around. Discover the fun that awaits you here at Sheridan Lake.

Where is Sheridan Lake?

Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57702
11 Minutes from Lantern Inn
Sheridan Lake is located 26.2 miles southwest of Rapid City, SD in the Black Hills National Forest. It takes about 11 minutes to get to Sheridan Lake from Hill City and Lantern Inn.

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Sheridan Lake Fishing

Years ago, there was an overpopulation of Northern Pike in Sheridan Lake making it great for fishing,but more recently, the pike population has decreased allowing other fish to thrive at the lake as well. Today you can catch perch, bass, pike, and other panfish.

Just like at most lakes, you can fish from the shore and the deeper into the lake you get, the bigger the fish get as well. There are also a few fishing piers if you don't want to hop in a boat, but still want to fish from a better vantage point.

South Dakota Fishing License

Make sure you grab a South Dakota Fishing License before you arrive at the lake. Resident licenses are going to cost less than Non-Resident ones. Make sure you are aware of catch limits for different fish and other aquatic creatures as well.

Resident
Annual: $28
1-Day: $8
Senior (65+): $12

Non-Resident
Annual: $67
1-Day: $16
3-Day: $37

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Sheridan Lake Boat Rentals

Phone: 605-202-2400

Boating can be one of the best ways to spend a family vacation! Whether you go fishing, wakeboarding, or tubing out on the lake, there are several boat rental companies that will lend out watercraft for a few hours.

The best place to rent a boat on Sheridan Lake is at the Sheridan Lake Marina where fishing boats start at around $75 dollars. Along with boats, you can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, and other non-motorized watercraft. If you're bringing your own watercraft, you can rent dock space so your boat is already in the water whenever you plan on sailing out. Give the marina a call or fill out the form.

Rent a Boat

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Hiking at Sheridan Lake

Two popular trails in the Black Hills National Forest have trailheads at Sheridan Lake. Spring Creek and Flume Trail are both hikes that are worth your time.

Spring Creek Trail

The Spring Creek Trail head lies upstream just to the northeastern part of the lake and will take you on a moderately strenuous hike through the woods and hills of the forest. If you follow the trail long enough, it will loop around to the southern part of the lake where the Flume Trailhead begins.

Spring Creek and Flume Trail Loop

Distance: 4.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate

This loop is called the Spring Creek and Flume Trail Loop. As a popular trail for birdwatching, you'll want to keep an eye out for the different species of fowl and other wildlife around the serene forest.

It's a fun trail for people who want a decent challenge and nature experience. You can dip your toes in the water in the streams here for a refreshing summer afternoon. There's also a lot of shade on the trail, so you can do this one at any time of day.

Hike this Trail

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