General Regulations

What's New

• At Belle Fourche Reservoir and all contiguous waters (including the terminal drop inlet canal), the walleye daily limit is now two fish daily with a minimum length limit of 15 inches.
• On Lake Oahe, all salmon species may now be snagged during October and November.

General Definitions

Access

When accessed by legal means, meandered waters are open to fishing. Nonmeandered waters are also open to fishing unless marked “Closed” indicated by the sign and/or buoy shown below. Areas marked “Closed” on nonmeandered waters are open to recreational use with permission from the owner of the property underlying the water.

Please visit gfp.sd.gov for more information regarding meandered and nonmeandered waters, including an interactive map illustrating current closures to date or contact the nearest GFP Wildlife Division office with further questions.

Most waters in the Black Hills are within boundaries of the Black Hills National Forest and accessible from adjacent public lands. Private land in the Black Hills Fire Protection District can be crossed to access waters for fishing unless posted as “no trespassing.”

Public access to public waters on private property is made possible through leases. Lease work is supported by the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Habitat Stamp revenue.

Artificial Lights

Both submersible and non- submersible artificial lights may be used while fishing with legal methods.

Artificial Lures

Artificial lures include flies, jigs, spoons, spinners and plugs made of metal, plastic, wood, hair, feathers, and other inedible materials. Artificial lures do not include fish eggs, moldable scented baits, naturally occurring foods or man-made food.

Civil Damage Liability

Besides criminal penalties, people illegally taking, killing or possessing game fish may be civilly liable to the state for damages of $50 for each fish with an established daily limit of less than 25, and $200 for each paddlefish. Under certain situations, the amount may double. Any person who has a judgment issued for not paying civil damages will lose their fishing, hunting and trapping privileges until the judgment is paid in full.

Game Fish

Includes all species belonging to the paddlefish, salmon/trout (including splake, lake trout, lake herring and whitefish), sturgeon, pike, catfish (including bullheads), sunfish (including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappies), perch (including walleye and sauger) and bass families (including white bass).

Season dates, limits and restrictions are established for all game fish. Except for lake sturgeon on Big Stone Lake during the specified catch and release season, the season is closed for all sturgeon species in South Dakota inland and border waters.

Rough Fish

All fish species not defined as game fish or baitfish nor otherwise protected are rough fish. Smelt are a rough fish, but a daily limit exists. For the purposes of management, catfish are considered rough fish on inland waters of the MissouriRiver.

Fishing

Includes the taking, capturing, killing or fishing for fish of any variety in any manner.

Foul-Hooked Fish

Foul-hooked fish are those inadvertently snagged in body areas other than the mouth with conventional lures by anglers using normal fishing methods. Intentional snagging of fish is prohibited, except for paddlefish and salmon during established seasons. Foul- hooked fish may be kept as part of the legal limit. Foul-hooked paddlefish may only be kept by anglers with paddlefish permits during the established paddlefish seasons.

Harassment

No one may intentionally interfere with other people lawfully fishing, or engage in an activity specifically intended to harass or prevent lawful fishing.

Landing Aids

Landing nets, gaffs, and similar devices may be used to land fish, which are in the process of being caught by legal methods. Gaffs and other penetrating devices cannot be used to land snagged paddlefish.

Fish Cleaning Restrictions

Where and when water-specific size limits apply for a species of gamefish, any person in possession of that species must leave fish measurable and countable. This applies to individuals on the water, ice, or shore fishing. Fish carcasses must be kept whole with the head, skin, and fins attached. Only gills, entrails, scales, and eyes may be removed.

These provisions do not apply to the statewide daily limit of one walleye over 20 inches.

No person may place fish or fish cleanings on shorelines or in public waters.

Daily Limits

The number of fish that may be taken from 12:01 a.m. to midnight. When fishing multiple waters in a day, cumulative harvest of a species may not exceed the standard statewide daily limit. A person may possess no more than one day’s limit of fish while on the water or actively engaged in fishing.

However, persons on the ice are allowed to keep a possession limit of fish taken in accordance with the daily limit and transportation regulations.

Length Limits

Water-specific restrictions on lengths of fish that anglers are allowed to harvest exists in some waters. All fish in possession while on the water or ice or actively engaged in fishing must comply with all laws and regulations in effect for that water.

Possession Limits

The possession limit is the maximum number of legally harvested fish that a person may possess or control. The fish possession limit is unlimited at a person’s domicile. A domicile is a person’s established, fixed, and permanent home to which the person, whenever absent, has the present intention of returning.

Places that are NOT domiciles include hotels, motels, summer cabins, campers, sleeper ice shacks, travel trailers, etc.

Nonresidents may not exceed the established possession limit for each species of fish because they do not have a domicile inSouth Dakota. Fish taken under another state’s valid license do not apply to South Dakota’s possession limits, unless taken on a South Dakota border water.

Organic Bait

In some waters it is illegal to use “organic bait.” Organic bait includes worms, baitfish, fish eggs, corn, marshmallows, insects, moldable scented bait, or naturally occurring or manmade food intended to be used as bait.

Party Fishing

Two or more people who mutually agree to fish together as a party from a single watercraft or from shore or on ice while in unaided visual and vocal contact may take a combined daily limit of fish equal to the sum of all licensed party members’ individual daily limits. Party fishing provisions do not apply to a person fishing in more than one party per day or to anglers using spearing/archery equipment.

No person may lend his or her license to another person or aid someone in securing a license fraudulently.

Protected Species

State and federally listed threatened and endangered species cannot be taken or possessed. Species you could encounter when fishing or boating include pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon. All waters of South Dakota, including waters bordering with other states, are closed to the harvest of freshwater mussels; except for threatened or endangered species, shells from mussels found dead may be possessed. For a comprehensive list of threatened and endangered species visit: gfp.sd.gov/threatened- endangered.

Snagging

Snagging is a method used by anglers to intentionally hook fish in body areas other than the mouth by rapid, intermittent jerking of a hook or lure through the water. Snagging is illegal except for permitted paddlefish anglers during established seasons or during the established salmon snagging season on Lake Oahe.

State Record Fish

Anglers who catch a fish that they feel may qualify as a state record are encouraged to visit gfp.sd.gov/fish to view the guidelines along with the state record fish application.

Unattended Lines

Each line used must be under the direct supervision and within the unaided observation of the legal user at all times.

Non-Commercial Bait Regulations

These rules pertain to the taking of bait by licensed anglers or individuals less than 18 years of age for personal use.

Importation of Fish

Anglers may not import live fish into South Dakota without a Department issued importation permit.

Release of Bait Prohibited

It is illegal to empty receptacles containing bait into public waters.

License Requirements

Residents and nonresidents age 18 and over need a fishing license to take, possess, or transport bait.

Transportation of Bait

Bait may not be transported in water taken from a lake, pond, stream, or river.

Protected Species

State and federally listed threatened and endangered species cannot be used as bait. For a comprehensive list of threatened and endangered species visit gfp.sd.gov/threatened-endangered. Any game fish or threatened and endangered species taken in traps, nets, or seines shall be immediately returned to the waters from which taken.

Prohibited Bait

Common carp, goldfish, game fish species except bullhead (all species) and sunfish of genus Lepomis (green sunfish, pumpkinseed, orangespotted sunfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, Lepomis sunfish hybrids), protected species, and freshwater mussels and clams may not be used as bait in hook and line fishing.

Legal Methods

Legal methods of take for all fish species not protected or prohibited from use as bait include legal hook and line, speargun, spear, bow and arrow, and crossbow, during established seasons and in areas open for specific methods of take.

Seines, lift nets, cast nets, dip nets, and traps can be used to take fathead minnow, white sucker, creek chub, flathead chub, western silvery minnow, plains minnow, golden shiner, emerald shiner, spottail shiner, gizzard shad, lake herring, rainbow smelt, crayfish (all native species), freshwater shrimp, leeches, tiger salamander (all subspecies combined), and leopard frog (all subspecies). See Waters Closed for the Taking of Bait Using Seines, Nets, and Traps below.

Dip nets may be used to take all rough fish species.

Licensed hoop nets, slat catfish traps, setlines, and floatlines may be used to take all rough fish species in areas where use of those methods is allowed.

Bullhead (all species) and sunfish of the genus Lepomis (green sunfish, pumpkinseed, orangespotted sunfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, Lepomis sunfish hybrids) can be used as bait if taken by hook and line.

Legal Seines, Nets, And Traps

There are no mesh-size or size restrictions for traps, seines, dip nets, lift nets, or cast nets used to take bait for noncommercial use.

Limits

Bait limits only apply to bait legally taken from waters of the state. Limits do not apply to bait purchased from licensed bait dealers.

Use of Game Fish Parts as Bait

Eyes, gills, entrails, and scales of all game fish species may be used as bait, if fish were taken by legal methods.

Waters Closed to Taking of Bait Using Seines, Nets, And Traps

All permanent or temporary creeks, streams, or rivers in Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brown, Clay, Davison, Edmunds, Faulk, Hand, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jerauld, Lincoln, McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Spink, Turner, Union, Yankton counties (except that portion of Lake Lewis and Clark and the Missouri River above Gavins Point Dam in Yankton and Bon Homme counties) and these individual waters:

• Brookings County – Interstate
• Beadle County – Byron and Mud
• Butte County – Newell
• Deuel County – Alice
• Edmunds County – Mina
• Pennington County – Deerfield, Pactola, and Sheridan
• Yankton County – Yankton Lake

All permanent or temporary creeks, streams, or rivers in the shaded areas are closed to the taking of bait by the use of seines, nets, and traps.

All other public waters, except those where baitfish use is restricted and those posted as game fish rearing ponds or special waterfowl management areas, are open to the taking of bait by lawful anglers.

Trap Marking

Bait traps must be clearly marked on the top of the trap with the user’s name and address.

Lost Trap

Lost or stolen bait traps must be reported to a GFP Conservation Officer within five days of discovering the loss.

Trap Setting

Bait traps may not be set to block more than one-half the width of a stream. Any trap throats exposed above the surface of the water must be blocked by a solid shield or mesh to prevent the entrapment of waterfowl.

Trap Checking

To prevent unnecessary fish loss, traps must be checked and emptied at least once every 48 hours, May 15-Sept. 14 and at least once every 96 hours, Sept. 15-May 14.

Freshwater Mussels And Clams

All waters of the state, including waters bordering with other states, are closed to the harvest of freshwater mussels and clams. Except for threatened, endangered, or Aquatic Invasive Species, dead mussel shells may be possessed. A person may not buy, sell, barter, or trade any species of freshwater mussels or their shells.

Boating Regulations

The South Dakota Boating Handbook is available from GFP offices, County Treasurer offices, or gfp.sd.gov

Boats

No person may operate or give permission to operate a nonmotorized boat over 12 feet in length or a motorboat of any length onSouth Dakota waters unless a valid registration decal is displayed on each side of the bow of the boat. The registration must be available at all times whenever the boat is in operation.

Exceptions:

• Nonmotorized boats 12 feet or less in length.
• Boats that are covered by a valid registration from another state that have not been in South Dakota for more than 60consecutive days during any calendar year. However, boats subject to a contract for a berth for a period of 60 or more consecutive days during any calendar year in marina facilities located within South Dakota must be registered by the State of South Dakota.
• Boats that are documented by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and used on South Dakota waters for less than60 consecutive days during any calendar year.

However, USCG documented boats subject to a contract for a berth for a period of 60 or more consecutive days during any calendar year in marina facilities located within South Dakota must be registered by the State of South Dakota.

Boat Numbering

No person may operate or give permission to operate a nonmotorized boat over 18 feet in length or a motorboat of any length onSouth Dakota waters unless the boat is numbered in accordance with state and federal law and the identifying number set forth in the certificate of number is displayed on each side of the bow of the boat:

• The assigned number comprises the letters “SD” followed by a group of three (or four) numbers followed by two (or three) letters.
• The owner must permanently and securely display the numbers on each side of the forward part of the boat so that the numbers are clearly visible and readable at a distance of 100 feet on a clear day without the aid of a magnifying device when the boat is on the water.
• The number displayed must be a plain block design – script or cursive design is prohibited.
• The number must be a color that contrasts with the color of the vessel and be placed to read from left to right.
• A space equal to one letter or number must be left between the letters “SD” and the group of three (or four) numbers that follows. Another space equal to one letter or number must be left between the group of three (or four) numbers and the final group of two (or three) letters.
• No numbers or letters other than those assigned may appear on the forward part of the boat.

Accident Reporting

The operator of a boat involved in an accident resulting in damage to a boat or other property to an apparent extent of$1,000 or more to any one person’s property or $2,000 or more total damage in any one accident, or resulting in death or injury to a person, must immediately by the quickest means of communication notify the nearest law enforcement officer of the accident. Notice is not required of any person who is physically incapable of giving immediate notice. If there is another occupant in the boat at the time of the accident, that occupant shall make the notice if capable of doing so.

Boating Restrictions

Most South Dakota waters that have no wake zones are posted.

The following South Dakota waters have boating or boat motor restrictions. This list is not all inclusive of boating restrictions withinSouth Dakota. A complete listing of public water safety zones by county may be found within the South Dakota Boating Handbook or online at sdlegislature.gov/Rules/ Administrative/41:04:02.

Aurora County: Wilmarth Lake, no wake zone.

Beadle County: Staum Dam, no wake zone.

Bon Homme County: Lake Henry, no wake zone.

Brown County: Willow Dam Wildlife Management Area, no motor boats or motor vehicles; Putney Slough Game ProductionArea, no boating Oct. 20 - Dec. 31 in Secs. 7, 8, 17 and 18 in T124N, R61W; Richmond Lake, no wake zone during any time at which the water level reaches the height of eighteen inches or more over the level of the top of the spillway.

Clark County: Reid Lake, no boating Oct. 20 - Dec. 31. Indian Springs and Antelope Lake, no fishing from a boat east of the424th Ave. line to 0.5 miles east of 427th Ave. line from Oct. 20-Dec. 31.

Codington County: McKilligan Lake, no boating during waterfowl seasons; Horseshoe Lake, no motors during waterfowl seasons; Blythe Slough in portions of Secs. 27 and 28 of T117N, R55W, no boating from March 1 - Aug. 31.

Custer County: Sylvan, Legion, and Bismarck lakes electric motors only; Center Lake, no wake zone.

Davison County: Lake Mitchell, no wake zone during any time at which the water level reaches the height of 12” or more over the level of the top of the spillway. Once in effect, no wake zone shall remain in effect until such time as the water level of the lake drops to the level of 6” over the level of the top of the spillway.

Day County: The waters within the boundary of Waubay National Wildlife Refuge are a “no motors zone”

Deuel County: Lake Oliver, no wake zone.

Edmunds County: Mina Lake, no wake zone during any time at which the water level reaches the height of 18” or moreover the level of the top of the spillway.

Fall River County: Cold Brook and Cottonwood reservoirs, electric motors only.

Hand County: Wall Lake, no motors during waterfowl seasons.

Hanson County: Hanson Lake, no wake zone when lake elevation is 12” or greater over the spillway elevation.

Hughes County: Hipple Lake west of the buoy, electric motors only.

Hutchinson County: Silver Lake, no boating during a Conservation Order and during any open season for migratory waterfowl, inclusive; Dimock, Tripp and Menno lakes, no wake zone.

Lake County: Long Lake, no wake zone (except the months of July and August).

Lincoln County: Lake Alvin and Lake Lakota, no wake zone; Rollings Game Production Area, electric motors only.

McCook County: The waters of Lehrman Game Production Area in section 32, T103N, R56W are a “no boating zone” during a Conservation Order and during any open season for migratory waterfowl, inclusive.

Meade County: Bear Butte Lake, no wake zone.

Minnehaha County: Clear Lake, no boating Oct. 20 - Dec. 31; Loss Lake, no wake zone; The waters within the man-made and natural connection between the north and south basins of Twin Lakes in Section 17, Range 52W, Township 103N are a no wake zone.

Moody County: Lake Campbell, no wake zone south of 220th St. (Moody County Road 1); Battle Creek, no wake zone from Lake Campbell south to the steel bridge one mile south of 221st St. (Moody County Road 2).

Pennington County: Deerfield Reservoir and Canyon Lake, no wake zone; Canyon Lake, electric motors only.

Roberts County: Secs. 20, 28, 29, 32 and 33 of T128N, R49W of Cottonwood Lake Waterfowl Refuge, no boating zone during waterfowl seasons; and Secs. 11, 12 and 14 of T127N, R48W of Mud Lake, only boats using electric motors during waterfowl seasons.

Stanley County: No boating zone on Lake Sharpe south of the Lake Oahe Powerhouse from the “T-Dike” south to a signed point 2,100’ downstream inside the buoys; the waters inside Oahe Marina are a no wake zone; the waters from the mouth of the Bad River upstream to the pedestrian footbridge are a no wake zone.

Turner County: Swan Lake, no motors on waters south and west of Christian Camp.

Yankton County: Marindahl Lake, no wake zone; Lake Yankton, electric motors only.

For additional boating rules and guidelines on Black Hills lakes, contact the Black Hills National Forest office at605.255.4515.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

All vessels (including canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and inflatable rafts) being operated on public waters of this state must have at least one wearable USCG– approved PFD for each person on board or being towed. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for persons being towed.

All vessels 16’ or longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry on board one USCG approved throwable device.

All children under seven years of age must wear a PFD on any vessel operating at greater than “slow,

no wake speed” unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for children under 16 years of age.

A personal watercraft may not be operated unless each person on board is wearing a USCG– approved PFD. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use on personal watercraft.

A Type V hybrid PFD is acceptable only if it is worn at all times except when the person is below deck or in an enclosed cabin. Besides being USCG–approved, all PFDs must be:

• In good and serviceable condition.
• Readily accessible, which means you are able to put the PFD on quickly in an emergency.
• Of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.

For other specific regulations see the publication South Dakota Boating Handbook available at regional offices or online at gfp.sd.gov.

Areas Closed To Fishing

Designated No Fishing Zones:

• Blue Dog Lake State Fish Hatchery Ponds
• Cleghorn Springs State Fish Hatchery Ponds
• McNenny State Fish Hatchery Ponds
• D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery Ponds
• Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery Ponds

No Fishing Zones when posted:

• Whitlock Bay Fish Spawning Station
• Other natural rearing ponds posted by GFP
• GFP Outdoor Campus Ponds - fishing only allowed during GFP-organized events

Felt Sole Waders Prohibited

External felt sole footwear including boots and waders may not be used in the waters of South Dakota. This type of waders/boots can be a pathway for transmission of aquatic invasive species and fish diseases, as the absorbent felt material can trap sediment and organic material which may include didymo (rock snot) cells, disease spores or invertebrate larvae.

Fish Importation

A person may not import live fish or any fish reproductive product into South Dakota without a valid importation permit issued by GFP, unless they are fishing on any border waters or they are importing fish designated for aquaria use.

Fish Measurement

How to Measure a Fish

Lay the fish on its side, with the mouth closed and the tail lobes pressed together. Measure the length from the tip of the snout to the end of the pinched tail.

LENGTH means the total length of a fish in inches, as measured in a straight line along a flat surface, from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail, except when measuring paddlefish.

Fishing Tournaments/Special Events

A fishing tournament is any organized competitive angling event:

• Involving 20 or more boats
• 50 or more people in a non- boating situation.
• Conducted on public waters for the purpose of awarding prizes or for personal gain or promotional consideration.

All fishing tournaments require a permit issued by GFP. Approval will not be given to hold a catch and release tournament for salmon or a tournament for walleye where fish are taken into possession and later released from June 1 - Sept. 15.

Junior fishing clinics for youth under age 18 are not considered to be fishing tournaments, but a Fishing Tournament Permit is required if an admission fee or registration fee is charged or if there are more than 50 participants. Tournament sponsors or organizers must apply for the Fishing Tournament Permit.

Fishing tournament applications can be submitted no earlier than November 1 of the year proceeding the tournament date and must be submitted at least 30 days before the event.

Applications are available online at gfp.sd.gov, at GFP Wildlife Division offices, or by writing Game, Fish and Parks, 523 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501, for application and fishing tournament rules.

General Restrictions

Refuse

• No person may deposit refuse in public waters.
• No person may leave refuse on the ice.

Stockings

• No person may release fish or fish eggs into public waters, unless they were taken from the same waters, without written authorization from GFP.
• No person may stock baitfish or empty bait containers into public waters.
• No person may release fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks or crustaceans not native to South Dakota into public waters without written authorization from GFP.

Sell, Buy or Bartering

• No person may sell, buy or barter game fish, except those catfish lawfully taken by hoop net, floatline/setline, or trap when allowed.
• Lawfully taken fish that have been mounted may be sold.

Illegal Means

• No person may possess, use or maintain certain nets, such as trammel or gill nets, unless they are a landowner authorized by GFP to conduct certain fisheries management activities on man- made impoundments that only inundate private land.
• No person may use explosives, electrical devices, poisonous chemicals or stupefying drugs to take fish.
• No person may use a firearm to shoot fish, frogs or turtles.

Hoop Nets, Traps, Floatlines/Setlines

South Dakota residents with a valid fishing license or are under 18 years of age and exempt from licensing requirements may purchase additional specialty licenses to use hoop nets, traps, floatlines/setlines on the inland waters of the Missouri River, its western tributaries, Angostura, Belle Fourche, and Shadehill Reservoirs, and Nebraska border waters.

Licenses can be viewed and purchased on the GFP website at gfp.sd.gov.

High Grading

High grading (culling) is the act of releasing fish that have been held in a livewell, on a stringer, or with other fish holding devices. High grading increases the likelihood of fish mortality due to extra fish handling and the presence of warm surface water in livewells and other fish holding devices.Anglers can help reduce unnecessary fish mortality by not high grading. Regulations restricting high grading do not prevent catch and release or selective harvest, but prohibit exchanging a fish held in possession with a recently-caught fish.

WALLEYE - High grading is prohibited statewide, including border waters.

TROUT - High grading of all trout species is prohibited in the Black Hills Fish Management Area.

Hook And Line Restrictions

• A line is defined as a length of string or cord to which a hook or artificial lure is attached for the purpose of catching fish.
• Two lines may be used for open-water fishing whereas four lines may be used for fishing through the ice.
• Only two lines may be used in the South Dakota-Minnesota Border Waters year-round.
• A line may have three hooks per line year-round, including the South Dakota-Minnesota Border Waters.
• Only one end of each line may be equipped with hooks. An artificial lure constitutes one hook, regardless of the number of gang hooks attached.
• A legal bow and arrow, legal crossbow, legal spear, or legal speargun is to be counted as one line when anglers are using multiple lines.

Ice Houses

Each fish house, shanty, or other shelter utilized on the ice for the purpose of ice fishing or spearing must display the name and address of the owner in letters at least two inches tall on the outside of the shelter. Portable shelters removed from the ice daily are exempt from the marking requirements. Shelter doors must permit entry at all times, except when unoccupied and locked from the outside. On South Dakota-Minnesota border waters, shelters must be removed from the ice by midnight of March 5. After the removal date, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended.

Public Land Restrictions

Walk-In Areas are closed to fishing except with landowner permission.

Lands enrolled in Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs (CREP) are open to walk-in fishing.

No one may enter, use or occupy lands owned, leased, managed, or controlled by GFP for any purpose which interferes with the management of the area, or the authorized use of the area by others.

Only people using a state park, state recreation area, state nature area or state lakeside use area for lawful fishing, hunting, trapping, snowmobiling, boating or camping may enter any of the above areas from 11 p.m. - 6 a.m.

Only persons engaged in lawful fishing, boating, hunting or trapping may enter any of the following areas from 11 m. - 6 a.m. year-round: Public Shooting Areas, Game Production Areas, Wildlife Refuges, Lake and Fishing Access Areas, and Public Water Access Areas.

No person may use a motor vehicle for the purposes of fishing, hunting or trapping on any land under the control of the South Dakota Commissioner of School and Public Lands, except for roads, trails or parking areas designated and signed by GFP.

Camping is only permitted in established campgrounds.

Commercial activities (including guiding) are not allowed on lands owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, unless authorized by a special use permit. Anglers should contact the appropriate administrative agency with other questions regarding land use of public lands not controlled by GFP.

Paddlefish

Anglers interested in pursuing paddlefish have three options: a spring snagging and archery season on Lake Francis Case, a summer archery season or a fall snagging season in the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam, nearYankton, SD. The fishery below Gavins Point Dam is managed jointly with the state of Nebraska. Anglers wishing to participate in these seasons must apply for a permit issued by lottery drawing.

The application deadline for permits issued for the Lake Francis Case season is in February. The application deadline for permits issued for seasons below Gavins Point Dam is in April for the archery season and May for the snagging season.

Lake Francis Case Snagging/ Archery

Open Area: Lake Francis Case from Fort Randall Dam upstream to Big Bend Dam and in the White River from the mouth upstream to Highway 47 bridge. Season: May 1 - 31.

Method: Snagging or hand-drawn bow and arrow or crossbow.

Landing Aids: Landing nets and similar devices. No gaffs allowed.

Season Limit: One per valid permit and tag.

Size Restrictions: None.

Daily Paddlefish Snagging/Archery

Hours: 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Permit Fee: $30 residents (500 issued), no nonresident permits.

Gavins Point Dam Archery

Open Area: Missouri River from Gavins Point Dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River (river mile 734).

Season: June 1 - 30.

Method: Hand-drawn bow and arrow or crossbow (crossbows may only be used downstream of the Highway 81 bridge).

Landing Aids: Landing nets, gaffs, and similar devices.

Season Limit: One per valid permit.

Size Restrictions: None.

Daily Paddlefish Archery Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Permit Fee: $30 residents (255 issued), $50 nonresidents (20 issued).

Gavins Point Dam Snagging

Open Area: Missouri River from Gavins Point Dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River (river mile 734) and on the Big Sioux River from the mouth upstream to the I-29 bridge.

Season: Oct. 1 - 31.

Method: Snagging.

Landing Aids: Landing nets and similar devices. No gaffs allowed.

Season Limit: One per valid permit.

Size Restrictions: Any paddlefish taken measuring between 35”-45” inclusive, from front of the eye to the natural fork of the tail, must be immediately released to the water where it is caught.

Daily Paddlefish Snagging Hours: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Permit Fee: $30 residents (1,550 issued), $50 nonresidents (50 issued).

Salmon Snagging

Open Area: Lake Oahe from Oahe Dam to the North Dakota border

Season: October 1 - November 30.

Species: All salmon species. All other fish species snagged must be immediately released.

Restrictions: Only one line with one hook may be used to snag salmon.

Spearing and Archery

The spearing and archery seasons allow licensed anglers to take fish with a legal spear, legal speargun, legal crossbow or bow and arrow, with some restrictions for specific seasons and dates for game fish and rough fish.

Definitions

Spear: A shaft with a sharp, barbed point or points propelled by muscle power.

Speargun: A muscle-loaded device propelling a spear attached to a line no more than 20’ long.

Bow and Arrow: A hand-drawn bow that has an arrow with at least one barbed point attached to the bow by a line.

Crossbow: A bow mounted crosswise on a stock equipped with a functional mechanical safety device that discharges a projectile with at least one barbed point attached to the crossbow by a line.

Spearing/Archery Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Refer to the rough fish section for specific time periods when rough fish may be taken.

Limits

Length limits are the same as for hook and line fishing. Daily and possession limits are the same as, and in combination with, hook and line limits. Rough fish taken by spearing or archery must be retained.

Diver-Down Flag

Divers and anyone using an underwater air supply, including a snorkel, must display a diver-down flag firmly attached to a securely anchored float, rubber tube, diver or boat while diving. The flag must be at least 12” by 15” and must be red with a white diagonal strip running from the upper left corner to the lower right corner. Divers

must also stay within 75’ of the flag. Diver-down flags are not required in areas where motorboat or sailboat operation is prohibited.

Restrictions

Underwater spearfishing is not permitted within 100 yards of designated swimming or waterskiing areas, boat docks, power intake tubes or spillways.

Underwater diving is not permitted where placement of the diver-down flag would restrict boat access at public access ramps or watercraft navigation.

Boats using internal combustion engines may not be operated within 75' of a diver-down flag unless the boat is part of or related to the diving activity.

Artificial light may be used to take game fish and rough fish by legal methods.

Spearing and archery are prohibited in Angostura Marina and Lewis and Clark Marina.

Rough Fish Seasons And Dates

Rough fish, excluding protected species, may be taken by legal spear, speargun, dip net, bow and arrow or crossbow from all inland and border waters year-round any time of day or night.

Catfish in the Missouri River Inland Waters are considered rough fish for management purposes and can be taken year-round any time of day or night.

Game Fish

Game fish may be taken with legal crossbows, spear guns, spears, and bow and arrow in the following areas with the restrictions listed.

Game Fish Possession

People actively engaged in spearfishing/bowfishing may not possess speared game fish in areas not open to the spearing of game fish.

Game Fish Spearing/Archery Seasons and Dates

Diver-Down Flag

• Boaters and divers are encouraged to exhibit courtesy on the water.
• Diver-down flags indicate a diver is within 75 feet.
• Boats may not be operated using an internal combustion engine within 75 feet of a diver down flag.
• Boats under the power of an electric motor may legally be operated within 75 feet of a diver-down flag.
• A diver-down flag must be anchored to a float, a rubber tube, a diver, or a boat to indicate a diver is near.

Turtles, Smelt And Bullfrog Regulations

A valid fishing license is required to take turtles, smelt, and bullfrogs.

Turtles (all species except false map)

Season: Year-round

Daily Limit: 2 of each species

Possession Limit: 4 of each species

Legal Methods: Hook and line, legal minnow seines, gaff hooks, legal spears, or legal turtle traps.

Traps with mesh less than 4” square must have an opening at least 6” in diameter leading from it or an entrance opening suspended at or above the water level.

Traps must be clearly marked with the owner’s name and address. It is illegal to buy, sell, barter, or trade any species of turtle, including parts thereof. A person may not export snapping turtles for any purpose other than personal consumption.

Smelt

Season: Year-round

Limit: 5 gallons daily, no possession limit

Legal Methods: Smelt may be taken by hook and line, dip nets, lift nets, cast nets and seines.

Restriction: Live smelt cannot be transported.

Bullfrogs

Season: Year-round

Daily Limit: 15

Possession Limit: 30

Restriction: Frogs may not be taken with firearms.

Transportation, Storage and Gifting

Definitions

Public Storage: Public storage is any business that stores game birds, game fish or game animals for a fee or a convenience and has a South Dakota sales tax license. No person may place into public storage any game bird, game fish or game animal unless the game bird, game fish or game animal has attached to it a tag showing the owner’s name and address, the number and species of bird, fish or animal and the date the bird, fish or animal was placed in storage. Any person who accepts into public storage any game bird, game fish, or game animal must post notice of the tagging requirements of this section in a conspicuous place adjacent to the public storage.

Domicile: A person’s established, fixed and permanent home to which the person physically lives, and, whenever absent, has the present intention of returning.

Wildlife Processing Facility: Any person or entity that has a South Dakota sales tax license to operate a business that receives, possesses or has in custody any wild animal belonging to another person for purposes of picking, skinning, cleaning, freezing, processing or storage.

Record Required

No wildlife processing facility may:

• Receive or have in custody any wild animal unless accurate records are maintained that can identify each wild animal received by, or in the custody of, the facility by the name of the person from whom the wild animal was obtained, and show the number of each species; the date each wild animal was received; the name and address of the owner of each wild animal that was received; the date each wild animal was disposed of; and the name of the person or business to whom each wild animal was delivered, or
• Destroy any records required to be maintained under this section for a period of one year following receipt of each wild animal, or
• Allow any wild animal, or parts thereof, to leave the facility without a receipt bearing the name of the facility, number and species of wild animals and the name of the owner of each wild animal.

Inspection

No wildlife processing facility may prevent any department representative from entering the facilities during normal business hours and inspecting any wild animal, records, and the premises of the facility.

Shipping By Common Carrier Restrictions

A person may ship his or her own lawfully possessed fish by common carrier. The container with the fish inside must have affixed to the outside of the container a clearly visible statement containing the following information:

Name, address and license number of the person shipping the fish.

• The number and species of fish in the container.
• The date of shipment.
• The name and address of the person to whom the fish has been shipped.

Transportation of Fish

To legally transport fish, you must:

• Not transport fish fillets unless those fillets can be readily counted.
• Package frozen fish individually for transportation or when placed in public storage.
• Tag and identify any fish placed in public storage.
• Remember that individual pieces of fish constitute one fillet; two fillets are the equivalent of one fish.

Transportation Permit

Transportation permits allow one person to transport another person’s legally taken fish. Transportation permits are not given as a means of allowing a person to exceed his or her possession limit. Permits will not be issued before they are needed. Follow these steps to obtain a permit:

• Contact a Conservation Officer or GFP Wildlife Division office to arrange a meeting place and time.
• All persons involved must meet with GFP staff and bring their fishing licenses and fish to be transported.

Sale of Fish

Except where provided, no person may barter, sell or offer for sale at any time or knowingly purchase any fish taken or killed in any of the waters of this state. Lawfully taken fish that have been mounted may be sold.

Gifting Wildlife And Fish

A licensee may gift game and fish, or any part of game and fish, to another person if each of the following conditions is met:

• The game/fish was lawfully taken, caught or killed; and
• The number or amount of game/ fish gifted does not place the recipient in violation of any season, daily or possession limit established for the species of game/fish being gifted; and
• If gifting to an unlicensed person, the licensee shall gift the game/ fish at the domicile of the recipient. For the purpose of this rule, gift means the voluntary transfer of game/fish from any person to another without fee or consideration.