This is the Official South Dakota Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the South Dakota state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state South Dakota Fishing regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the South Dakota state fishing regulations books.
They are also accessible by clicking on the South Dakota fishing reg. books below and accessing the South Dakota fishing regs link in the South Dakota Guidebooks listed below.
Enjoy be safe and have a great time exploring the site and remember to check back often to keep updated on all the new laws, rules, and South Dakota regulations pertaining to the hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife sports.
Weather its South Dakota Trout fishing, South Dakota bass fishing, South Dakota striper fishing, South Dakota Salmon fishing, South Dakota Catfish fishing, South Dakota steelhead fishing, South Dakota Panfish fishing, South Dakota pike/muskie fishing, South Dakota Walleye fishing  We have the South Dakota state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need South Dakota fishing maps, South Dakota state fishing maps, or just some South Dakota fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

South Dakota Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to South Dakota, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Angostura Reservoir, Belle Fourche Reservoir, Big Stone Lake, Bitter Lake, Lake Albert, Lake Francis Case, Lake Kampeska, Lake Madison, Lake Oahe, Lake Pelican, Lake Poinsett, Lake Preston, Lake Sharpe, Lake Thompson, Lake Traverse, Lake Whitewood, Lewis And Clark Lake, Shadehill Reservoir, Waubay Lake and others. Many of the lakes in South Dakota have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. South Dakota is well known for excellent Bass, Crappie and Walleye fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Trout, Salmon, Catfish, Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Sauger, Longnose Gar, Paddlefish, Sturgeon and sunfish including Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Spotted Sunfish, White Bass, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in South Dakota by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports.

Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass
Fishing in South Dakota.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the South Dakota area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In South Dakota

You have some very fine choices for bass fishing in South Dakota. Angostura Reservoir, Belle Fourche Reservoir, Lake Francis Case, Lake Kampeska, Lake Madison, Lake Oahe, Lake Pelican, Lake Poinsett, Lake Sharpe, Lake Thompson, Lewis And Clark Lake, Shadehill Reservoir and Waubay Lake all have healthy populations of bass. Additionally, bass can be found in smaller lakes, rivers and ponds throughout SD.

The South Dakota state record largemouth bass was taken out of a gravel pit and the SD state record smallmouth bass was caught in the Missouri River.

Trout Fishing in South Dakota

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In South Dakota

Creeks, streams and rivers provide a majority of the trout fishing in South Dakota. However, a few of the major lakes contain schools of trout including Lake Francis Case, Lake Oahe, Deerfield Lake and Canyon lake. Visit the Douth Dakota Division of Wildlife website for additional information about trout fishing in South Dakota.

The South Dakota state record brook trout was taken out of Deerfield Lake and the SD state record brown trout was caught in Canyon Lake. Rapid Creek produced the state record cutthroat trout and Pactola Reservoir gave up the state record lake trout. The Missouri River - Oahe Tailwaters was home to the state record rainbow trout and Whitewood Creek served up the SD state record tiger trout.

Salmon Fishing in South Dakota

Salmon Fishing Lakes In South Dakota

Lewis And Clark Lake, Pactola Reservoir and Lake Oahe are the primary lakes in South Dakota with significant populations of salmon. The South Dakota state record coho salmon was taken out of the Missouri River - Oahe Tailwaters and the SD state record kokanee salmon was caught in Pactola Reservoir.

Walleye Fishing in South Dakota

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In South Dakota

South Dakota anglers are blessed with lots of walleye fishing waters. Major lakes including Angostura Reservoir, Belle Fourche Reservoir, Big Stone Lake, Bitter Lake, Lake Albert, Lake Francis Case, Lake Kampeska, Lake Madison, Lake Oahe, Lake Pelican, Lake Poinsett, Lake Preston, Lake Sharpe, Lake Thompson, Lake Traverse, Lake Whitewood, Lewis And Clark Lake, Shadehill Reservoir and Waubay Lake all have excellent populations of healthy walleye. Many smaller lakes, rivers and deeper ponds may also contain walleye.

The South Dakota state record walleye was taken out of Lake Sharpe.

Crappie Fishing in South Dakota

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In South Dakota

If you want to locate the bigger schools of crappie in SD try some of the major lakes including Angostura Reservoir, Belle Fourche Reservoir, Lake Francis Case, Lake Kampeska, Lake Oahe, Lake Pelican, Lake Poinsett, Lake Sharpe, Lake Thompson, Lake Traverse, Lake Whitewood, Lewis And Clark Lake, Shadehill Reservoir and Waubay Lake. Crappie can also be found in smaller lakes, rivers and ponds throughout the state.

The South Dakota state record black crappie was taken out of SDSU pond and the SD state record white crappie was caught in a private pond.

Catfish Fishing in South Dakota

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In South Dakota

You can find catfish in most of South Dakotas major lakes including Angostura Reservoir, Belle Fourche Reservoir, Lake Albert, Lake Francis Case, Lake Kampeska, Lake Madison, Lake Oahe, Lake Pelican, Lake Poinsett, Lake Preston, Lake Sharpe, Lake Thompson, Lake Traverse, Lake Whitewood, Lewis And Clark Lake and Shadehill Reservoir. They cal also be caught out of rivers, smaller lakes and ponds across the state.

The South Dakota state record blue catfish was taken out of the Missouri River and the SD state record channel catfish and flathead catfish were both caught in the James River.

Sunfish Fishing in South Dakota for Bluegills, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Spotted Sunfish, White Bass, Yellow Perch and Other SD Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout South Dakota and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In South Dakota

Try to find fishing waters in SD without one or more species of panfish. It's not easy. Sunfish are found in ponds, creeks, rivers and lakes of all sizes including major lakes like Angostura Reservoir, Belle Fourche Reservoir, Big Stone Lake, Bitter Lake, Lake Albert, Lake Francis Case, Lake Kampeska, Lake Madison, Lake Oahe, Lake Pelican, Lake Poinsett, Lake Preston, Lake Sharpe, Lake Thompson, Lake Traverse, Lake Whitewood, Lewis And Clark Lake, Shadehill Reservoir and Waubay Lake.

The South Dakota state record bluegill was taken out of Stock Dam and the SD state record green sunfish was caught in Minnehaha Co. Stock Pond. Lake Carthage was home to the state record pumpkinseed sunfish and Bitter Lake produced the state record yellow perch.

Fishing for Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Sauger, Longnose Gar, Paddlefish, Sturgeon in South Dakota.

South Dakota offers unique fishing opportunities.

Musky - Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
World Record: 69.9 lbs
The largest of the pike family, they are found in about half the states, primarily the northern and northeastern states. They prefer clear water with temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees. Also known as musky, muskie and great pike, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures (salt-water sizes) and heavy line when fishing for muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Tiger Musky - Muskellunge
Esox lucius ~ Esox masquinongy
USA Record: 51.2 lbs.
The tiger muskellunge is a cross of the musky and northern pike. Male Tiger Muskellunge are most often sterile yet some females are fertile. Tiger muskies tend to be smaller than non-hybrid muskies but grow very fast. The body is often quite silvery with brownish fins and tail, without spots but displays broken vertical markings. Like their parent, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures and stout line when fishing for tiger muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Sauger
Stizostedion canadense
World Record: 17.7 lbs.
Excellent eating fish which typically runs a bit smaller than its cousin the walleye. The sauger prefers cold and cloudy, moving water in the 60s to low 70s. They spawn in the low to mid 40s. You can tell them from a walleye by the dark spotting on the dorsal fin, darker coloring and the rough covering of the gill area. Due to their resembelance to pickerel, they are also known as gray pickerel spotfin pike, gray pike, river pike and others. When the water turns cold and other fish are hard to come by, this is the time to fish for sauger.Fish with jigs, spoons and crankbaits imitating crayfish or baitfish. Fish near the bottom and experiment with presentation action and speed.

Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
World Record: 25 lbs
The Longnose Gar can be found in lakes and rivers and prefers quiet backwaters with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees. Also referred to as gar and garfish, It has a long, sword-like mouth loaded with sharp teeth. They are nocturnal feeders and eat most smaller fish. They can be taken on live bait, fish-imitating lures and nylon string "gobs designed to entangle in their teeth. Most longnose gar are taken by bowfishing or spear fishing. The meat is somewhat tasty but quite bony.

Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
World Record: Over 600 lbs.
If you didn't know what they were, you might think you caught a shark if you were to land a paddlefish. They have a powerful, sleek body and a tall, rear dorsal fin.
Prefers water temperatures from 50 to 70 degrees. Also known as spoonbill, spoonies, spadefish and shovelnose. They are filter-feeders so catching them with conventional tackle is out of the question. Most are taken with bow and arrow, spears or by snag-fishing with large treble hooks.

Sturgeon
Sturgeon have been captured weighing over 2,000 lbs at length in excess of 18 feet. They have been reported by divers to exist on the Columbia River up to 30-foot long. They are a prehistoric fish and have an exceptionally long life for a fish, commonly reaching sexual maturity at the age of 120 years. They are not sought for their meat, it's their egg roe which is made into caviar. They are found in major rivers feeding into the ocean and can be caught with cut bait, giant hooks, heavy weights and stout line. The larger ones can fight an angler for days and not tire out.

South Dakota Fishing Regulations info Page     South Dakota Fishing Regulations Guidebook