What special fishing regulations apply at Missouri River main stem?

Missouri River main stem carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override South Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, and White bass. One of them reads: "Includes the four USACE reservoirs (Oahe + Sharpe + Francis Case + Lewis & Clark) + the 59-mile free-flowing Missouri National Recreational River reach below Gavins Point Dam (NPS-designated Wild & Scenic 1978 — the longest remaining unimpounded reach of the Missouri downstream of the four reservoirs); walleye + sauger combined 4 / day (only one 20 in or longer), 15 in walleye minimum on the river reaches below Fort Randall + Gavins Point dams; smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, no minimum; catfish (channel + blue + flathead) NO daily or possession limit on the inland reaches (only 1 flathead 30 in or longer), takeable year-round day or night; white bass 15 / day (30 possession) on the lower reach below Fort Randall Dam; paddlefish (SDGFP Tag + snag-fishing season May 1 – 31 on Lake Francis Case + the White River; June archery + October snagging below Gavins Point Dam); sturgeon (federally listed pallid sturgeon no harvest)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Missouri River main stem?

Yes. Missouri River main stem 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 Missouri River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Dakota rules.

Do Missouri River main stem's special rules replace South Dakota's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. South Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Missouri River main stem 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 Missouri River main stem?

Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, and White bass have a water-body-specific rule on Missouri River main stem, each linking to its full South Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Dakota limits.

2026 regulation year

Missouri River main stem 2026 — South Dakota Fishing Regulations

South Dakota statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Missouri River main stem carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of South Dakota's 2026 fishing rules — covering Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, White bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Missouri River main stem (SD) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Includes the four USACE reservoirs (Oahe + Sharpe + Francis Case + Lewis & Clark) + the 59-mile free-flowing Missouri National Recreational River reach below Gavins Point Dam (NPS-designated Wild & Scenic 1978 — the longest remaining unimpounded reach of the Missouri downstream of the four reservoirs); walleye + sauger combined 4 / day (only one 20 in or longer), 15 in walleye minimum on the river reaches below Fort Randall + Gavins Point dams; smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, no minimum; catfish (channel + blue + flathead) NO daily or possession limit on the inland reaches (only 1 flathead 30 in or longer), takeable year-round day or night; white bass 15 / day (30 possession) on the lower reach below Fort Randall Dam; paddlefish (SDGFP Tag + snag-fishing season May 1 – 31 on Lake Francis Case + the White River; June archery + October snagging below Gavins Point Dam); sturgeon (federally listed pallid sturgeon no harvest)
Source: South Dakota special-water list

Per-species rules on Missouri River main stem

Smallmouth bass regulations →
5 / day combined, no minimum length; free-flowing reaches between reservoirs underrated smallmouth river fisheries
Channel catfish regulations →
NO daily or possession limit on catfish on the inland reaches (only one flathead 30 in+ per day); takeable year-round, day or night
White bass regulations →
15 / day (30 possession) on the lower reach below Fort Randall Dam; no daily limit on the reservoirs above

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 Missouri River main stem?: Missouri River main stem carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override South Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, and White bass. One of them reads: "Includes the four USACE reservoirs (Oahe + Sharpe + Francis Case + Lewis & Clark) + the 59-mile free-flowing Missouri National Recreational River reach below Gavins Point Dam (NPS-designated Wild & Scenic 1978 — the longest remaining unimpounded reach of the Missouri downstream of the four reservoirs); walleye + sauger combined 4 / day (only one 20 in or longer), 15 in walleye minimum on the river reaches below Fort Randall + Gavins Point dams; smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, no minimum; catfish (channel + blue + flathead) NO daily or possession limit on the inland reaches (only 1 flathead 30 in or longer), takeable year-round day or night; white bass 15 / day (30 possession) on the lower reach below Fort Randall Dam; paddlefish (SDGFP Tag + snag-fishing season May 1 – 31 on Lake Francis Case + the White River; June archery + October snagging below Gavins Point Dam); sturgeon (federally listed pallid sturgeon no harvest)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Missouri River main stem?: Yes. Missouri River main stem 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 Missouri River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Dakota rules.
Do Missouri River main stem's special rules replace South Dakota's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. South Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Missouri River main stem 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 Missouri River main stem?: Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, and White bass have a water-body-specific rule on Missouri River main stem, 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