Hayes Lake is a lake in Stanley County, South Dakota. Its water-quality measurements are published by SD DANR and shown on this page as reported.

Are there boat ramps on Hayes Lake?

Hayes Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Hayes. Public access is listed as yes.

Can I fish at Hayes Lake?

Hayes Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by South Dakota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.

Hayes Lake

Stanley County, South Dakota51 acresView map Directions

No nutrient or algae sampling on record from SD DANR for this lake.

Area

51 acres

Surface area

Shoreline

2.8 mi

Measured length

Impaired · Algal growth
Public access
Limited data

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

Hayes Lake in Stanley County, South Dakota has water-quality measurements published by SD DANR, shown here as reported. Surface area: 51 acres.

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Hayes Lake is a 51-acre lake in Stanley County, South Dakota. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, SD DANR. Methodology: how these readings are compared.

What Hayes Lake is good for

From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.

Boat launch1 documented ramp

Swimming conditions

No reading

Recreation use not supported

Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Hayes Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth, oxygen depletion (low DO). Check local advisories before you swim.

Whether Hayes Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.

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Water quality measurements for Hayes Lake

These are the measurements SD DANR publishes for Hayes Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.

No clarity data.

Ask about Hayes Lake

Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.

Lake Details

Surface area

51 acres

Shoreline

2.8 mi

Public access

Yes

Listed by SD DANR

No bathymetric survey has been published for Hayes Lake, so its depth is not documented here.

Recreation & Access

Boat Landings

Yes

Public Access

HayesPublic

Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps

Stays via Stay22

Stays near Hayes Lake

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Hayes Lake in Stanley County, South Dakota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.

Top-rated places to stay near Hayes Lake

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Fishing Hayes Lake

→ Hayes Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

EPA Impairment Status

Hayes Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

Algal growthOxygen depletion (low DO)

Designated uses not supporting: Aquatic life, Recreation.

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit SD-BA-L-HAYES_01 · Official waterbody report

Nearby Lakes in Stanley County

Ottumwa Lake18.2 miView →Lake Okobojo35 miView →Waggoner Lake37.4 miView →Eagle Butte Lake—View →Fuller Lake—View →Goose Creek Dam—View →

Frequently asked questions about Hayes Lake

Where is Hayes Lake?: Hayes Lake is a lake in Stanley County, South Dakota. Its water-quality measurements are published by SD DANR and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Hayes Lake?: Hayes Lake in Stanley County, South Dakota has water-quality measurements published by SD DANR, shown here as reported. Surface area: 51 acres.
Is Hayes Lake safe to swim in?: Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Hayes Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth, oxygen depletion (low DO). Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there boat ramps on Hayes Lake?: Hayes Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Hayes. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Hayes Lake?: Hayes Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by South Dakota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.