South Dakota Game Fish Records

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This article was updated in February 2024.

South Dakota keeps records for a variety of types of fishing, including traditional hook and line angling as well as other methods, such as bowfishing and several “unrestricted” forms.

You’ll find the records divided into three convenient charts below.

If you fish in South Dakota, it’s a good idea to know how to claim a record should a once-in-a-lifetime fish find itself on the business end of your line (or arrow, or spear, or set-line or …).

With that in mind, we have a bit of information following the record charts and links to the full rules.

Hook and Line Records

These are the traditional angling awards for South Dakota fishing.

Bowfishing Records

These records are for those using a bow and arrow.

Unrestricted Records

The harvest methods for these records vary but can include spearing, snagging, netting, and setlines.

How to Set a South Dakota Fishing Record

It’s best to be prepared, just in case you haul in a fish that might break the current state record.

For starters, know that you’ll need to get that fish weighed on a registered scale with at least two witnesses to confirm its accurate weight. Such scales are most commonly found at grocery stores.

Even after weighing, don’t go home and eat that fish; its species must be verified by a biologist or other qualified professional in the fisheries field.

Be ready to have a photograph of you holding the fish to include with your application.

Only fish already on South Dakota’s eligible fish list can be considered for new records, and they must beat prior records by at least an ounce. Fish that cannot be legally harvested in the state, including several species of sturgeon, are not eligible for records.

You can find a link to the application and the full guidelines on the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks’ State Record Fish page.