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PIERRE – Size limits on several South Dakota lakes would be repealed under a proposal submitted last week by the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission.
The commission proposed several changes to the state’s fishing regulations during its monthly meeting in Mobridge. The proposals will be finalized in October, following a 30-day waiting period for public comment.
Wildlife Division Director Doug Hansen said fisheries biologists review their management plans each year and submit recommended changes to the commission. This year’s recommendation includes removing the 14-inch minimum size limit for walleye on Lake Herman, Herman Pond, Round Lake in Lake County, Silver Creek from Lake Herman to Brant Lake, Brant Lake, Lake Madison and Lake Alvin. The regulation would go into effect Jan. 1, 2000.
"Studies have shown that the 14-inch minimum size restriction has not proven effective in these lakes," Hansen said. "In some cases, we have found the size limit has restricted walleye growth. If the proposal is approved, we will continue to monitor the lakes to determine if things improve."
Other proposed fishing regulations include:
Establish an unlimited daily and possession limit for bullheads on all inland waters.
Change the daily and possession limit for yellow perch to 25 on South Dakota/Minnesota boundary waters.
Include saugeye in the South Dakota/Nebraska boundary waters walleye regulations and limits.
Change the daily catfish limit to: five channel and five flathead catfish on the South Dakota/Nebraska boundary waters. Possession limits would be 10 channel catfish and 10 flathead catfish.
Change the bass limit to five daily and 10 in possession on South Dakota/Iowa boundary waters. This includes a combination of both largemouth and smallmouth.
Change the catfish limit to 15 daily and 30 in possession on South Dakota/Iowa boundary waters. This includes a combination of all species.
Add Firesteel Creek, above Lake Mitchell to Davison County Road No. 12 (Loomis Oil), to the group of lakes under the 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass.
Remove Crow Creek in Lawrence County from the restrictive regulations, and return to the standard regulation of five trout daily and no more than one over 14 inches.
Remove the nine-inch minimum length limit for crappie on Lake Alvin and Nine-Mile Creek below Lake Alvin to the Big Sioux River.
Increase the number of resident paddlefish snagging permits from 1,000 to 1,350.
Increase the number of archery paddlefish tags from 200 to 255.
Change the area where hoop nets, traps and setlines may be used on the Cheyenne River.
"Each year our fisheries biologists take a good, hard look at how we are managing the state’s natural resources," said Wildlife Director Doug Hansen. "The recommendations made this year are based on scientific data, public input and the desire to ensure we have the best possible fishing success without negatively affecting our resources."
To comment on any of these fishing proposals, individuals can attend the public hearing at 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse in Webster, or send written comments to Game, Fish and Parks, 523 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501. E-mail comments may be sent to wildinfo@gfp.state.sd.us. All comments must include full name and address.
Uploaded: 9/15/1999
Uploaded: 9/15/1999