Muskie Regulations

To all South Dakota anglers,

This message serves as a reminder that muskellunge are catch and release in South Dakota.

As of April 30, the harvest restrictions for muskellunge and tiger muskies has changed from a statewide 40 inch minimum length limit and a daily limit of one fish to catch and release only statewide.

Currently, South Dakota has five lakes that are managed for this fish species. They are Lynn and Middle Lynn in Day County, West Highway 81 in Kingsbury County, Sinai in Brookings County and North Island Lake in McCook and Minnehaha Counties.

Muskies may also be found in other waters and the catch and release regulation applies to all South Dakota waters.

Muskie populations in these lakes are supported by stocking 9-12 inch fish every other year. Muskies over 50 inches have been documented in lakes with a longer history of muskie management, such as Lynn Lake.