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Map of Sheridan Lake
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Both

Sheridan Lake

South Dakota, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested3–12 m (10–40 ft) 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.

Next window today· 8:00–18:00 · favorable · sunset 17:52

Wind forecast for this hour · 3:00 · run 15 h ago
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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

Mon8:00–18:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Tue16:00–17:00 moderate, 17:00–18:00 favorable

13 kn wind (13 kn wind)

Wed8:00–18:00 favorable

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–18:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:53 · Sunrise 7:22 · Sunset 17:52 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 25 Oct, 11:25 GMT-6

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Sheridan Lake

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.

  1. January, 84% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  2. February, 81% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  3. March, 82% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  4. April, 79% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 86% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  6. June, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  7. July, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  8. August, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 96% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  10. October, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  11. November, 79% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  12. December, 71% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots

August has typically 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

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). 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

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