Fishing

Home Fishing

Webster is located in the Glacial Lakes Region of Northeastern South Dakota. Fishing on South Dakota’s lakes are a great opportunity to either: enjoy the excitement of reeling that large fish you’ve been looking forward to, relax on/by the calming waters of South Dakota, or just want some nice quality family time. The biggest and most popular bodies of water are Bitter and Waubay lakes that cover over 35,000 acres of water. These bodies of water alone are known for their world class walleye and jumbo perch angling opportunities, as well as great crappie, smallmouth, and northern pike fishing.

For more information check out Game Fish and Park’s fishing page.

Licensing

Buying Licenses
- Resident and nonresident fishing licenses may be purchased in South Dakota at many retail stores, bait shops and a few County Treasurer offices.
Carrying Licenses
- A licensee shall exhibit the licensee’s license of license authorization issued by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks upon request by a conservation officer or other law enforcement officer.
Revoked Licenses
- If a person is convicted of knowingly trespassing or violating a fishing law punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor, or substantially exceeding daily or possession limits, or violating any rule pertaining to fishing or possessing fish without a license or during a closed season, the person’s fishing privileges will be revoked for one or more years and the person is prohibited from purchasing or applying for another fishing license during the period of revocation.

State Limits

Daily Limits

Walleye – 4
Northern Pike – 6
Muskellunge, Tiger Muskie – 1
Trout, Salmon – 5
Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass – 5
Perch – 15
Crappie – 15
Sunfish – 15
White Bass/Rock Bass – 25
Catfish – 10

East River Regulations

Alvin Lake – Bass: Minimum Length 15″
Campbell Lake – Bass: Minimum Length 15″
Clear Lake – Walleye: Minimum Length 15″. Bass: less than 14″ or 18″
Corsica Lake – Bass: Minimum Length 15″
Elm Lake – Walleye: Minimum Length 15″

General Regulations

Individuals may not:
- - Deposit refuse in public waters
  - Place fish of fish cleaning on shorelines or in public waters.
  - Stock bait fish or empty bait containers into public waters.
  - Release fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, or crustaceans not native to South Dakota into public waters without written authorization from GFP.
  - You can learn more on the South Dakota Fishing Handbook 2018

License Requirements: Residents age 16 and over and all nonresidents need a fishing license to take, posses, or transport bait.
Boats: No one may operate or give permission to operate a non-motorized boat over 12 feet in length or a motorboat of any length on South Dakota waters unless a valid registration decal is displayed on each side of the bow of the boat.

Shoreline Alterations and Dock Regulations

Before you Alter a shoreline: GFP has rules in place that prohibit any person from modifying a shoreline or bottom land without permission. These rules are in place to help protect that state’s water resources for the benefit, welfare, and enjoyment of all citizens and visitors.

South Dakota Dock Regulations
- A dock may not extend over the water for more than 60 feet.
- The walking platform must be at least 30 inches wide but no wider than 10 feet
- A boat lift, “T” or “L”, or a similar attachment may not be placed more than 70 feet from shore

South Dakota Fish Identification

To find a full guide, check out this link