Fisheries personnel are asking for cooperation from the public as they conduct a creel survey this summer at Lake DeSmet. 

During June, July and August, fisheries personnel will contact anglers at the lake to ask about their fishing efforts and success. 

“Our personnel will visit with anglers about how many hours they have fished, what fish have been caught, what species they are targeting and related questions,” said Sheridan Fisheries Biologist Gordon Edwards. “The data we collect from this survey will help us estimate angling use and catch rates at the reservoir.”

Lake DeSmet is primarily managed for cool water species such as rainbow and cutthroat trout, as well as kokanee salmon that have been stocked since 2019.

“This will be the first creel survey we have conducted since the kokanee introduction and we hope to get an idea of how many anglers are targeting kokanee or lake trout and what their preferences are,” said Edwards. “This is your opportunity to participate in the management of this fishery.”

Personnel will visit with anglers on several days during each summer month. Personnel will also leave a survey card with the anglers they visit with. The cards can be dropped in the bright orange boxes located at the Monument and Mikesell-Potts areas as well as the north end of the reservoir. Cards can also be mailed back, with postage prepaid.