In the past, the SDDGFP has resorted to lake eradication to get rid of suckers and other undesirable fish. "Deerfield used to have real high catch rates," James remarked, "good fish. That lake was renovated several years ago, and the trout responded real well. But the white suckers moved in, and they reproduce so well, there are a lot of them -- and they eat a lot of food. There is less food available to the rainbow trout to eat; therefore, they don't do as well. The water quality is fine in Deerfield, but that competition of suckers would be the main factor."

SMALLER LAKES
The remainder of the trout fishing in Black Hills lakes is found in the smaller bodies of water, some pond-sized, all stocked with rainbow trout. Which one an angler visits at any given time will often depend on personal tastes.

One of the main reasons to fish the smaller lakes is to enjoy the scenery in these mountains, which is what draws in many tourists during summer. But if you fish early in the morning, you can usually have a lake pretty much to yourself. Among the most favored of these diminutive venues are Center, Bismarck, Dalton, Legion, Horse Thief, Major, Iron and Stockade lakes.

"With the small lakes, there is not as much difference," James asserted. "The small lakes are put-and-take. We stock the lakes with the expectation that the trout aren't going to grow much. Anglers will catch 90 to 95 percent of the fish during the season that we stock it. We look at the surface-acres and have standard stock rates. They are stocked pretty much at the same rate -- by the acre.

"So there isn't really a whole lot of difference. If a person wants to go and have a good day of fishing, all of the small ones are pretty much alike. It comes down to personal preference, scenery and aesthetics."

Some of the highest-quality small lakes lie within Custer State Park, and summertime tourist traffic tends to be appreciably heavy. But these lakes in the park tend to stand up well to hot weather as the summer progresses.

"Some lakes are shallower than others, and they get hotter," noted James. "When the water temperature gets too hot, the activity level of the trout gets less, and so it may be tougher fishing for them. As they warm up, they hold less oxygen, so that is also a factor. For example, a lake such as Dalton Lake in August probably isn't as good to go fishing at. It is shallow, and fish will be less active, than, for instance, (those at) Center Lake in Custer State Park, which is deeper. They are both stocked at the same rate. But because of the water characteristics, the fish are more happy, and more likely to bite."

ALL KINDS OF ANGLERS
One of the really nice things about trout fishing in the Black Hills is that it accommodates anglers whose skills span a very wide range.

An expert flyfisherman possessing many years of experience, a vast store of knowledge, and excellent technique -- and plenty of anglers like that visit Black Hills venues -- will certainly enjoy the region's trout fishing there. But even a complete neophyte can do pretty well on occasion. The small lakes are stocked with trout that aren't exceptionally wary and thus can be caught on all kinds of offerings -- sometimes even if the lure, fly or bait isn't presented all that well -- and so are very appropriate for beginners and kids.

And of course you have the surrounding mountains, covered with ponderosa pine and Black Hills spruce. It's hard to imagine an angler who wouldn't agree that at this time of the year, as the pleasant sunshine of summer in the northern Rockies beats down on the region's terrain, it's almost always a very good day for fishing.