South Dakota: Francis Case and Sharpe walleye length limits return Sept. 1

South Dakota’s mid-Missouri walleye rules tightened on the calendar. The Aug. 31 DRG Missouri River fishing report said Aug. 31 was the last day of no minimum length on Lake Francis Case and Lake Sharpe; size limits start Sept. 1. That makes filling a limit harder — shops were already seeing a lot of 20-inch-plus fish and fewer small keepers. Oahe salmon that same week were a slight improvement, 15–18 pounds, 60–80 feet on flasher-flies, spoons, and plugs.

GFP’s September commission meeting in Winner left inland muskellunge catch-and-release. Commissioners did not approve a 1-daily / 2-possession, 45-inch minimum for muskie and tiger muskie. They did update the fish-pathogen list for import permits.

Confirm the live GFP walleye table for each reservoir before you keep a short fish. The Sept. 1 length-limit return is the angler-facing change this month.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: DRG News — SD Missouri River Fishing Report (Aug. 31, 2026). Also: KFGO — South Dakota GFP Commission Holds September Meeting.