How deep is Sheridan Lake?

Sheridan Lake ranges from 3 to 12.2 metres deep (10–40 feet). It is a freshwater site. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Sheridan Lake a shore dive or a boat dive?

Sheridan Lake can be dived from shore or by boat. The entry is recorded as an easy walk-in. The entry area is recorded as sheltered from surge. Basic facilities are recorded at or near the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

When is the best time to dive Sheridan Lake?

The best time to dive Sheridan Lake is typically July through September. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Sheridan Lake?

Divers at Sheridan Lake in United States commonly report sightings of Yellow perch, Rainbow trout, Largemouth bass, and Northern pike. Yellow perch and Largemouth bass are recorded as common sightings, while Rainbow trout is seasonal, while Northern pike is reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Add the first photo

Both

Sheridan Lake

South Dakota, United StatesDirections

Open Water suggested3–12 m depthBoth entry

Sheridan Lake at a glance

Sheridan Lake is a both dive site in South Dakota, United States with depths of 3–12.2 m (10–40 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Yellow perch, Rainbow trout, and Largemouth bass. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 1h ago

—

Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Altitude (~1,400 m), summer boat traffic, variable visibility, snags and timber

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Thu

Fri12:00–17:00

Sat7:00–20:00

Sun7:00–20:00

Mon16:00–19:00

Tue7:00–20:00

Wed7:00–20:00

Thu7:00–18:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:59 · Sunrise 6:29 · Sunset 19:11

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 1h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Yellow perch, Largemouth bass

Best time: July through September

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

Jan84% 10 kn
Feb81% 11 kn
Mar82% 11 kn
Apr79% 11 kn
May86% 11 kn
Jun94% 9 kn
Jul98% 9 kn
Aug100% 9 kn
Sep96% 9 kn
Oct90% 10 kn
Nov79% 11 kn
Dec71% 13 kn

August hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

A nearly 400-acre US Forest Service reservoir on Spring Creek in the Black Hills, about 15 miles southwest of Rapid City. The 1870s gold-mining town of Sheridan was inundated when the lake filled in 1942, and divers explore the submerged townsite remnants in roughly 20 ft of water; maximum lake depth is about 40 ft. It is a quieter alternative to nearby Pactola, with marina, beaches and campgrounds on shore.

boatshore

Altitude (~1,400 m), summer boat traffic, variable visibility, snags and timber

Reviews

No reviews yet — this site is waiting for its first. Dived here? Your rating and a few lines help the next diver.

Spot something off?

Help keep this listing accurate for the next diver.