Research places in the Black Hills of South Dakota that still allow people to search for gold. There are a number of businesses that will allow you to pan for gold on their land for a fee.
Find a spot near the water where people have been reported to have found gold in the past and set up your tools.
Dip your gold pan into the water and use your hand to fill the pan with about four handfuls of stream sludge and rock.
Keep the pan submerged underwater and lightly shake it back and forth. This will loosen and disburse lighter particles back into the water, making it easier for you to search through the remains for gold particles.
Lift the pan out of the water and tilt it slightly to the side, swirling it around and allowing the water to filter out the side. Keep your eyes open for flecks of gold in the water and mud.
Fill the pan with water again, repeating the above process until most of the material in the pan is gone. Suction water into your small, plastic baster and spray apart clumped together particles to search deeper.
Keep any particles of gold that you find in a plastic storage container and be sure to seal the lid between findings to avoid spilling and losing the contents.
