Angostura Dam Areaon Angostura Reservoir
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Angostura Reservoir
- 01Streamer patterns imitating baitfish and leeches are proving highly effective for aggressive Walleye and Muskellunge.
- 02Nymphing deep with Mysis Shrimp or Scud patterns can entice Whitefish, Crappie, and Bluegill.
- 03Perch imitations are a prime choice for larger predatory fish keying into common forage.
- 04Look for opportunistic feeders near the bottom, especially Carp and Burbot, using benthic patterns.
- 05October Caddis and BWO hatches may offer occasional dry fly opportunities, particularly in calmer conditions.
What to tie on at Angostura Dam Area
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Damsel Nymph (Olive)
Damsel nymphs become active in late spring as they migrate towards shore to hatch. This olive pattern is effective when stripped slowly along weed beds and can attract various opportunistic feeders.
Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold to warming water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic trout and other predatory species.
Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph for early spring, mimicking various mayfly nymphs that are active year-round. The flashback adds an extra trigger in deeper or off-color water.
Chironomid Pupa
Chironomids (midges) are a primary food source in lakes and become increasingly active as spring progresses. Fishing pupa imitations deep near the lake bed is effective for various species.
Buy at AmazonGame Changer
For trophy predatory fish like Walleye and Muskellunge, this large baitfish imitation is effective in varying depths with a strip-pause-strip retrieve as these species become more active in spring.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Black/Olive)
A versatile streamer, effective year-round for predatory fish like Walleye and Muskellunge as they become more active in warming spring waters, imitating leeches and baitfish. Also effective for larger panfish.
Scud
Freshwater shrimp (scuds) are a consistent food source in Big Lake, especially in areas with aquatic vegetation. A pink or orange Scud can be very effective in early spring. This aligns with general spring lake entomology for Angostura Reservoir.
Crappie Jig Fly
Spring is prime time for crappie as they move to shallower spawning areas, and this fly effectively imitates minnows and invertebrates they feed on. Also effective for Bluegill and Walleye.
Buy at AmazonPanfish Popper
Excellent topwater pattern for Bluegill, Crappie, and other Panfish, especially effective during active summer feeding periods.
Buy at AmazonSouth Dakota season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.