Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 17, 2004
For more information: Ron Meester, 345-3381

FISHING MODIFICATIONS SET FOR SD/MN BORDER WATERS

PIERRE – Recent Game, Fish and Parks Commission finalizations have reduced the daily and possession limits for walleyes and panfish on Minnesota/South Dakota boundary waters and added a size restriction for walleye in an angler’s daily limit.

"Because of high angler catch rates and to add uniformity to the boundary water regulations with the rest of the state, the commission set a walleye four-fish daily limit with no more than one being of 20-inches or longer for the South Dakota/Minnesota boundary waters," said Regional Fisheries Manager Ron Meester of Webster. Additionally, the daily limit for bluegill, sunfish or any combination thereof has been reduced from 30 to10-fish daily. The daily limit for crappie has also been reduced from 30 to 10.

"We are learning that high harvest of panfish can reduce panfish populations and quality," Meester noted. "Minnesota is moving towards this type of statewide regulation, and this change will allow our two states to have compatible regulations for the border waters." He added that the panfish regulations would also be similar with the northeastern South Dakota lakes.

Another finalization has removed the 14-inch minimum length restriction for walleye from Bigstone Lake in Grant and Roberts counties and Hartford Beach Creek within Hartford Beach State Park.

Meester noted that when the size restriction was implemented on Big Stone Lake in 1996, the objective was to increase the average size and number of walleyes available for angler harvest.

"After eight years of evaluation, collected data indicates the expected objectives were not met," he said. "To improve the size of walleyes on Big Stone Lake, harvest is needed rather than protection, and added harvest obtained by removing the 14-inch restriction on Big Stone Lake will keep the walleye population better balanced when their size distribution is considered."

These changes become effective on April 24.

-30-