South Dakota Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Fisheries Area Exceptions apply - check the specific fisheries area for limits that differ from statewide.
- ⚠ Border water sections for Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska have separate limits.
- ⚠ All sturgeon season closed (except Big Stone Lake lake sturgeon catch-and-release Jun 16 - Apr 14).
- ⚠ Fish management areas may have additional restrictions.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye (incl. sauger/saugeye) | 4 per day (8 possession) | Only 1 over 20 in |
| Northern pike | 6 per day (12 possession) | |
| Muskellunge & tiger muskie | Catch and release only | |
| Trout, salmon, splake | 5 combined (10 possession) | |
| Largemouth & smallmouth bass | 5 combined (10 possession) | |
| Yellow perch | 15 (30 possession) | |
| Crappie | 15 (30 possession) | |
| Sunfish (bluegill, green, pumpkinseed, redear, orangespotted) | 15 combined (30 possession) | |
| Catfish (any combination) | 10 (20 possession) | Only 1 flathead over 30 in |
| Sturgeon | Closed | |
| Paddlefish | Special permit only | |
| White bass & rock bass | No limit | |
| Smelt | 5 gallons |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Bitter Lake
- Day County | Walleye (all sizes) Northern Pike (>30 inches)
Coal Springs Reservoir
- Perkins County | Northern Pike (>25 inches)
Cottonwood Lake
- Spink county | Walleye (>21 inches
Dry Lake #1
- Clark County | Walleye (>21 inches)
Dry Lake #2
- Clark County | Walleye (>22 inches)
Elm Lake
- Brown County | Walleye (>25 inches)
Horseshoe Lake
- Day County | Walleye (> 16 inches
Lake Henry
- Kingsbury County | Walleye (>24 inches)
Lake Hurley
- Potter County | Largemouth Bass (>18 inches)
Lake Isabel
- Dewey County | Northern Pike (>25 inches) Largemouth Bass (>17 inches)
Lake Minnewasta
- Day County | Walleye (>18 inches)
Lake Roosevelt
- Tripp County | Largemouth Bass (>18 inches)
Lardy Lake
- Day County | Walleye (>25 inches)
Little Moreau Lake
- Dewey County | Northern Pike (>26 inches)
Long Lake
- Codington County | Walleye (>17 inches)
Lynn Lake
- Day County | Walleye (>18 inches)
Middle Lynn Lake
- Day County | Walleye (>18 inches)
New Wall Lake
- Pennington County | Crappie (>13 inches)
Newell Lake
- Butte County | Walleye (>18 inches) Northern Pike (>18 inches)
North & South Buffalo Lake
- Marshall County | Walleye (>21 inches)
North Island Lake
- Minnehaha, McCook Counties | Walleye (>18 inches)
Opitz Lake
- Day County | Northern Pike (>26 inches)
Pickerel Lake
- Day County | White Bass (> 16 inches
Reid Lake
- Clark County | Walleye (>23 inches)
Scott Lake
- Minnehaha County | Walleye (>25 Inches)
Swan Lake
- Clark County | Walleye (>21 inches)
Twin Lakes
- Kingsbury, Brookings Counties | Walleye (>18 inches) Northern Pike (>19 inches)
- Minnehaha County | Walleye (all sizes)
Seasons
Most species open year-round (ice fishing popular); check fisheries area exceptions.
Licence Fees
South Dakota fishing license required (resident/non-resident); fees per SD GFP.
Edition: 2026 South Dakota Fishing Handbook (GFP) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks (gfp.sd.gov/fishing)
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