Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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South Dakota
State, United States. Authority : South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- US$80Nonresident Annual Fishing
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 1
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Soft Paddle-Tail Shads 8 cm, Pack of 30For : european perch, zander, walleye · soft plastic lure fishing
€25.90£12.90Not shipped to the United States
Hard Swimbaits 13.3 cm, Pack of 3For : northern pike, zander, walleye · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€29.90£15.90Not shipped to the United States
Rechargeable Cap-Clip Light with Motion SensorFor : common carp, wels catfish, zander · night fishing
€26.90£13.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Not published by the authority: check with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye2 No statewide minimum; only one walleye 20 in (50.8 cm) or longer per day; 15 in minimums on many listed waters (e.g. parts of Missouri River) | not published |
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Walleye (walleye/sauger/saugeye)2 statewide; only one 20 in or longer; possession 8 | 4 per day |
| Northern pike2 statewide; possession 12 | 6 per day |
| Largemouth/smallmouth bass (combined)2 statewide; possession 10 | 5 per day |
| Trout, salmon, splake (combined)2 statewide; possession 10 | 5 per day |
| Muskellunge, tiger muskie2 catch and release only statewide | 0 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing1 | annual | US$31 |
| Resident Annual Fishing (agent fee not included)1 | annual | US$31 |
| Resident 1-Day Fishing1 | 1-day | US$10 |
| Resident Senior Fishing (65+)1 | annual | US$17 |
| Resident Combination (small game + fishing, 18+)1 | annual | US$60 |
| Nonresident Annual Fishing1 | annual | US$80 |
| Nonresident 1-Day Fishing (one daily limit)1 | 1-day | US$26 |
| Nonresident 3-Day Fishing1 | 3-day | US$45 |
| Nonresident Youth (under 18)1 | annual | US$0 |
Buy the licence on license.gooutdoorssouthdakota.com
- Ages and exemptions1
- Resident and nonresident youth under age 18 are not required to have a fishing license. Residents 65+ buy a Senior Fishing license ($17). Free Fishing Weekend: May 15-17, 2026.
Good to know
Statewide walleye limit 4/day with only one 20 in or longer, many water-specific exceptions (East River, Missouri River, border waters with MN/IA/NE). Muskie catch and release only. Prices exclude agent fee. Nonresident youth under 18 fish free.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- Saison truite : aucune saison statewide trouvée dans le handbook 2026 (restrictions par eau seulement, ex. Black Hills)
- Pas de taille minimale statewide pour walleye/pike/bass
- Page des tarifs sans année explicite (© 2026)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Lake Francis Case reservoir, Charles Mix County
Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Channel catfish, Common carp View on the map - Lake Sharpe reservoir, Hughes County
Walleye, Channel catfish, Common carp, Smallmouth bass View on the map - Lewis and Clark Lake reservoir, Yankton County
Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Largemouth bass, Channel catfish View on the map - Bitter Lake lake, Day County
Northern pike, Walleye, Common carp View on the map - Waubay Lake lake, Day County
Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike, Common carp View on the map - Lake Thompson lake, Kingsbury County
Walleye, Common carp, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass View on the map - Big Stone Lake lake, Grant County
Bluegill, Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Walleye View on the map - Lake Traverse lake, Roberts County
Bluegill, Channel catfish, Northern pike, Walleye View on the map - Lake Poinsett lake, Hamlin County
Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Walleye View on the map - Belle Fourche Reservoir reservoir, Butte County
Channel catfish, Walleye, Common carp View on the map - Shadehill Reservoir reservoir, Perkins County
Channel catfish, Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Common carp View on the map - Lake Kampeska lake, Codington County
Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike View on the map - Angostura Reservoir reservoir, Fall River County
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Walleye, Bluegill, Smallmouth bass, Common carp View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in South Dakota in 2026?
The “Nonresident Annual Fishing” licence costs US$80 (annual). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
Official sources
- SD GFP License Types & Costs (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 South Dakota Fishing Handbook (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- SD GFP Regulations (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.