Walleye is the state fish and the most popular sport fish in South Dakota. The fish are abundant in the state's lakes, and they can grow to be sizable catches. South Dakota's record walleye, which Georgine Chytka caught in Fort Randall Tailwaters in 2002, weighed 16 lbs., 2 oz. You can join the South Dakota angling community to relax outdoors, join in a tournament or set out in pursuit of the next record walleye.
Licensing and Regulations
You must have a license to fish in South Dakota if you are 16 or older. If you are a resident between the ages of 16 and 18, you must buy an annual combination hunting and fishing license. Residents older than 18 may choose between one-day and annual licenses. The state discounts annual fishing licenses for resident seniors 65 and over. An annual fishing and hunting combination license is also available for adult residents, and it is offered at a discount for some veterans and the disabled.
Nonresident licenses are more expensive than resident licenses and offer different options. A nonresident under 16 does not need to purchase a license if he is fishing with a licensed adult, but his catch will be combined with the adult's for the purposes of determining the daily limit. If you are under 16, you may choose to buy a license so that you can take a full daily limit.
South Dakota offers one-day, three-day and annual passes for residents of all ages. A nonresident nuclear family unit can buy one family license to cover their visit, but the family's combined catch must not exceed the daily limit. You can purchase licenses on the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website or at various retail locations throughout the state. The daily limit for walleye is four fish, and the possession limit is eight. Only one per day may measure more than 20 inches.
Fishing Sites
Walleye inhabit waters that are cool, preferably with temperatures lower than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They are found in lakes and even deep ponds throughout South Dakota, particularly in the chilly waters of the Eastern Glacial Lakes. They are also prevalent in irrigation reservoirs.
Fishing Methods and Tips
You can fish for walleye throughout the year. The best places to find walleye vary according to the season. Because they thrive in cold water, walleye move to deeper habitats during warm summer months. In the spring, you can find them in shallow waters, where they spawn. In the fall and the winter, look for them in shallow waters in early morning but deep waters in the day. Because of the light sensitivity of the large eyes from which they get their name, walleye retreat to deeper waters as the sun brightens. Regardless of the season, you can use jigs and crankbaits to lure walleye. Spoons are effective during the fall, and plastic worms will tempt them in spring, summer and winter.
Walleye Tournaments
The South Dakota Walleye Classic and Festival takes place in Akaska. Each August, professional and amateur anglers come together in the search for walleye. You can try your luck in the tournament and meet other walleye enthusiasts.
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website lists upcoming tournaments for various species in different regions of the state. If you want to participate in a walleye tournament, check the announcements before your trip.
Warnings
Because of mercury pollution, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks issues warnings about the consumption of fish from some South Dakota waters. Predatory fish, like the walleye, accumulate mercury from the smaller fish that they eat in addition to the direct effect from water pollution. Mercury builds up in the tissues over time, so larger, older fish have higher mercury concentrations than smaller ones of the same species in the same habitat. For this reason, some areas have advisories only for fish over a certain length. Children under seven years of age should eat no more than 4 oz. per month of a fish about which an advisory has been issued. Women who are pregnant or nursing should limit consumption to 7 oz. per month. Everyone else should eat no more than 7 oz. per week.
The state has issued advisories for walleye that are longer than 18 inches in Pudwell Dam, North Island Lake and Kingsbury County's Twin Lakes. An advisory against all sizes of walleye applies to Bitter Lake and Minnehaha County's Twin Lakes. Officials update the advisories to reflect changing conditions, so check the Game, Fish and Parks website before you consume your catch.
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