What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Francis Case?

Lake Francis Case carries 6 special-regulation overlays that override South Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Crappie, and 1 more. One of them reads: "Walleye + sauger combined 4 / day (only one 20 in or longer, 8 possession), 15 in walleye minimum Sept 1 – June 30 (NO minimum July – August); smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, no minimum; white bass no daily limit (classic Missouri reservoir white bass water above Fort Randall Dam); crappie 15 / day no minimum; northern pike 6 / day no minimum; catfish (channel + blue + flathead) no daily limit (only 1 flathead 30 in or longer); paddlefish (SDGFP Free Tag + snag-fishing season May 1 – 31 on Lake Francis Case + the White River up to the Hwy 47 bridge); Fort Randall Dam tailwater is one of country's premier walleye + sauger spring spawning runs." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Francis Case?

Yes. Lake Francis Case 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 Lake Francis Case; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Dakota rules.

Do Lake Francis Case's special rules replace South Dakota's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. South Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Francis Case 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 Lake Francis Case?

Walleye, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Crappie, and White bass have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Francis Case, each linking to its full South Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Dakota limits.

2026 regulation year

Lake Francis Case 2026 — South Dakota Fishing Regulations

South Dakota statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Lake Francis Case carries 6 special-regulation overlays on top of South Dakota's 2026 fishing rules — covering Walleye, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Crappie, and 1 more species. 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 + sauger combined 4 / day (only one 20 in or longer, 8 possession), 15 in walleye minimum Sept 1 – June 30 (NO minimum July – August); smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, no minimum; white bass no daily limit (classic Missouri reservoir white bass water above Fort Randall Dam); crappie 15 / day no minimum; northern pike 6 / day no minimum; catfish (channel + blue + flathead) no daily limit (only 1 flathead 30 in or longer); paddlefish (SDGFP Free Tag + snag-fishing season May 1 – 31 on Lake Francis Case + the White River up to the Hwy 47 bridge); Fort Randall Dam tailwater is one of country's premier walleye + sauger spring spawning runs
Source: South Dakota special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Francis Case

Walleye regulations →
4 / day combined, 15 in minimum Sept 1 – June 30 (no minimum July – August); Fort Randall Dam tailwater country's premier walleye + sauger spring spawning run
Smallmouth bass regulations →
5 / day combined, no minimum length
Channel catfish regulations →
Catfish no daily limit (Missouri River reservoir; only one flathead 30 in+ per day); Fort Randall Dam tailwater channel-cat tier
Crappie regulations →
15 / day no minimum; Missouri River reservoir crappie tier (embayments + flooded timber)
White bass regulations →
No daily limit; classic Missouri reservoir white bass water (above Fort Randall Dam)

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 Lake Francis Case?: Lake Francis Case carries 6 special-regulation overlays that override South Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Crappie, and 1 more. One of them reads: "Walleye + sauger combined 4 / day (only one 20 in or longer, 8 possession), 15 in walleye minimum Sept 1 – June 30 (NO minimum July – August); smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, no minimum; white bass no daily limit (classic Missouri reservoir white bass water above Fort Randall Dam); crappie 15 / day no minimum; northern pike 6 / day no minimum; catfish (channel + blue + flathead) no daily limit (only 1 flathead 30 in or longer); paddlefish (SDGFP Free Tag + snag-fishing season May 1 – 31 on Lake Francis Case + the White River up to the Hwy 47 bridge); Fort Randall Dam tailwater is one of country's premier walleye + sauger spring spawning runs." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Francis Case?: Yes. Lake Francis Case 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 Lake Francis Case; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Dakota rules.
Do Lake Francis Case's special rules replace South Dakota's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. South Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Francis Case 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 Lake Francis Case?: Walleye, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Crappie, and White bass have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Francis Case, 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