What special fishing regulations apply at Belle Fourche Reservoir?

Belle Fourche Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override South Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye and Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Walleye 2 / day, 15 in minimum (quality-management reduction from the statewide 4 / day; the 14–18 in protected slot belongs to New Wall Dam, not Belle Fourche); smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, no minimum; northern pike 6 / day; catfish 10 / day any combination (only 1 flathead 30 in or longer); western SD plains reservoir adjacent to the Black Hills foothills." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Belle Fourche Reservoir?

Yes. Belle Fourche Reservoir is in South Dakota, so a valid South Dakota fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Belle Fourche Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Dakota rules.

Do Belle Fourche Reservoir's special rules replace South Dakota's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. South Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Belle Fourche Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Belle Fourche Reservoir?

Walleye and Channel catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Belle Fourche Reservoir, each linking to its full South Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Dakota limits.

2026 regulation year

Belle Fourche Reservoir 2026 — South Dakota Fishing Regulations

South Dakota statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Belle Fourche Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of South Dakota's 2026 fishing rules — covering Walleye, Channel catfish. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Walleye 2 / day, 15 in minimum (quality-management reduction from the statewide 4 / day; the 14–18 in protected slot belongs to New Wall Dam, not Belle Fourche); smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, no minimum; northern pike 6 / day; catfish 10 / day any combination (only 1 flathead 30 in or longer); western SD plains reservoir adjacent to the Black Hills foothills
Source: South Dakota special-water list

Per-species rules on Belle Fourche Reservoir

Walleye regulations →
Daily limit 2, 15 in minimum (western SD plains reservoir; quality-management reduction from the statewide 4 / day — NOT a protected slot)
Channel catfish regulations →
10 / day any combination (one flathead 30 in+); western SD plains reservoir (non-Missouri statewide rule)

Official source

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) publishes the authoritative 2026 South Dakota fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official South Dakota fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks's emergency-order feed — check it before any South Dakota trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in South Dakota

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Belle Fourche Reservoir?: Belle Fourche Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override South Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye and Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Walleye 2 / day, 15 in minimum (quality-management reduction from the statewide 4 / day; the 14–18 in protected slot belongs to New Wall Dam, not Belle Fourche); smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, no minimum; northern pike 6 / day; catfish 10 / day any combination (only 1 flathead 30 in or longer); western SD plains reservoir adjacent to the Black Hills foothills." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Belle Fourche Reservoir?: Yes. Belle Fourche Reservoir is in South Dakota, so a valid South Dakota fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Belle Fourche Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Dakota rules.
Do Belle Fourche Reservoir's special rules replace South Dakota's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. South Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Belle Fourche Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Belle Fourche Reservoir?: Walleye and Channel catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Belle Fourche Reservoir, each linking to its full South Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Dakota limits.

← Back to South Dakota regulations overview