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WEATHER, WATER & TIMING

Rapid City, SD Fishing Forecast

Live fishing conditions for Rapid City — or enter another ZIP code.

US locations · Weather + calculated solunar periods
Illustrative lake and angler at dawnIllustrative outdoor scene

Your local outlook

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US ZIP code or device location · Times shown in the local time zone

Thursday, October 22 · America/Denver

Rapid City, SD · ZIP 57701 · NWS UNR forecast updated Oct 22, 10:46 AM

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Is it too windy to fish in Rapid City right now?

10:00 AM: wind 7 mph S, gusts 15 mph · Mostly Sunny

Shore
No — good breeze
Boat
No — good breeze
Kayak
No — good breeze
Fly fishing
No — good breeze

Right-now fishing score: 76 (Yes — good day) for boat fishing. Pressure 1016 hPa, trend -1.2 hPa/3h. Wind thresholds are heuristics — see the wind guide.

Rapid City fishing today

62/100
Marginal
based on remaining hours
Temperature59–80°F
Wind up to10 mph
Solunar★★★★★
  • Light breeze — good chop (7 mph)
  • Pressure falling slowly (-1.2 hPa/3h) — fish often feed ahead of a front
  • Sunrise/sunset low-light window
  • 🧭 Traditional angler lore: west/southwest wind (SW) said to be best, small plus
  • Major solunar period (moon overhead/underfoot)
  • Minor solunar period (moonrise/moonset)

Best times

  1. 10:00 AM–12:00 PM 69 out of 100 Major solunar period (moon overhead/underfoot) · Pressure falling slowly (-1.2 hPa/3h) — fish often feed ahead of a front · Light breeze — good chop (7 mph)
  2. 5:00 PM–7:00 PM 61 out of 100 Sunrise/sunset low-light window · Light breeze — good chop (8 mph)
  3. 9:00 PM–11:00 PM 62 out of 100 Light breeze — good chop (6 mph) · Traditional angler lore: west/southwest wind (SW) said to be best, small plus · Major solunar period (moon overhead/underfoot)

Rapid City fishing tomorrow

64/100
Marginal
Temperature56–83°F
Wind up to21 mph
Solunar★★★★★
  • 🧭 Traditional angler lore: west/southwest wind (SW) said to be best, small plus
  • Light breeze — good chop (6 mph)
  • Breezy but fishable (12 mph)
  • Sunrise/sunset low-light window
  • Major solunar period (moon overhead/underfoot)
  • Minor solunar period (moonrise/moonset)

Best times

  1. 7:00 AM–9:00 AM 65 out of 100 Sunrise/sunset low-light window · Light breeze — good chop (7 mph)
  2. 10:00 AM–12:00 PM 70 out of 100 Major solunar period (moon overhead/underfoot) · Light breeze — good chop (9 mph)
  3. 5:00 PM–7:00 PM 64 out of 100 Minor solunar period (moonrise/moonset) · Sunrise/sunset low-light window · Traditional angler lore: west/southwest wind (SW) said to be best, small plus

7-day fishing outlook for Rapid City

Today
62
Marginal
★★★★★
Tomorrow
64
Marginal
★★★★★
Sat, Oct 24
56
Marginal
★★★★★
Sun, Oct 25
71
Yes — good day
★★★★★
Mon, Oct 26
67
Yes — good day
★★★★★
Tue, Oct 27
63
Marginal
★★★★★
Wed, Oct 28
65
Yes — good day
★★★★★

Hunting conditions near Rapid City

Deer movement score today 66 (Good deer movement expected) · Rut phase (estimate): Seeking & chasing

  1. 10:00 AM–12:00 PM 65 out of 100 Pressure falling slowly — pre-front feeding · Wind 7 mph — ideal for covering sound/scent · Steady S wind (within ±0° over ±3 h): predictable scent cone
  2. 5:00 PM–7:00 PM 70 out of 100 Dusk movement window · Wind 8 mph — ideal for covering sound/scent · Steady S wind (within ±39° over ±3 h): predictable scent cone
  3. 7:00 AM–9:00 AM 70 out of 100 Dawn movement window · Wind 7 mph — ideal for covering sound/scent · Steady S wind (within ±0° over ±3 h): predictable scent cone

Full hunting forecast →

Rapid City at a glance

Coordinates44.122, -103.201
Time zoneAmerica/Denver
NWS forecast office / gridUNR 98,60
Grid elevation3268 ft
Pressure dataObserved at KRCA (next 6 h only)
Sunrise / sunset today7:17 AM / 5:59 PM
Moon todayWaxing Gibbous, 86% illuminated
Solunar rating today2/5

Solunar calendar for Rapid City

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Scores are heuristics combining NWS forecast data with traditional solunar theory. They are not validated predictions of fish or deer behavior. Always check official forecasts, regulations and legal shooting hours.

South Dakota fishing regulations

Seasons, licenses, size and creel limits are set by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Always check current South Dakota fishing regulations before you go.

More South Dakota locations: Sioux Falls, Pierre · South Dakota fishing forecast

Frequently asked questions

Is today a good day to fish in Rapid City?

This forecast scores today 62/100 (“Marginal”) for Rapid City, based on the NWS UNR hourly forecast and solunar data. It’s a heuristic and updates through the day.

What is the best time to fish in Rapid City today?

Today’s best-scoring windows: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (69), 5:00 PM–7:00 PM (61), 9:00 PM–11:00 PM (62) local time (America/Denver).

Is it too windy to fish in Rapid City right now?

Current forecast wind is 7 mph with gusts to 15 mph: shore good, boat good, kayak good by our heuristic thresholds.

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