What special fishing regulations apply at Reetz Lake?

Reetz Lake carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override South Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye, Yellow perch, and Crappie. One of them reads: "TROPHY / QUALITY MANAGEMENT (May 1 – Sept 30, open to public access): walleye or sauger daily limit 1 (28 in minimum), yellow perch daily limit 1 (14 in minimum), black crappie daily limit 1 (15 in minimum), bluegill daily limit 1 (10 in minimum); all other species statewide limits. Oct 1 – April 30 the lake requires landowner permission and statewide limits apply. An eastern SD Glacial Lakes Region natural lake in Day County managed for trophy panfish + walleye." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Reetz Lake?

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

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

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

Walleye, Yellow perch, and Crappie have a water-body-specific rule on Reetz Lake, each linking to its full South Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Dakota limits.

2026 regulation year

Reetz Lake 2026 — South Dakota Fishing Regulations

South Dakota statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Reetz Lake carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of South Dakota's 2026 fishing rules — covering Walleye, Yellow perch, Crappie. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

TROPHY / QUALITY MANAGEMENT (May 1 – Sept 30, open to public access): walleye or sauger daily limit 1 (28 in minimum), yellow perch daily limit 1 (14 in minimum), black crappie daily limit 1 (15 in minimum), bluegill daily limit 1 (10 in minimum); all other species statewide limits. Oct 1 – April 30 the lake requires landowner permission and statewide limits apply. An eastern SD Glacial Lakes Region natural lake in Day County managed for trophy panfish + walleye
Source: South Dakota special-water list

Per-species rules on Reetz Lake

Walleye regulations →
TROPHY (May 1 – Sept 30) — walleye or sauger daily limit 1, 28 in minimum; landowner permission Oct 1 – April 30 (Day County)
Yellow perch regulations →
TROPHY (May 1 – Sept 30) — yellow perch daily limit 1, 14 in minimum; Day County trophy-panfish management
Crappie regulations →
TROPHY (May 1 – Sept 30) — black crappie daily limit 1, 15 in minimum; Day County trophy-panfish management

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 Reetz Lake?: Reetz Lake carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override South Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye, Yellow perch, and Crappie. One of them reads: "TROPHY / QUALITY MANAGEMENT (May 1 – Sept 30, open to public access): walleye or sauger daily limit 1 (28 in minimum), yellow perch daily limit 1 (14 in minimum), black crappie daily limit 1 (15 in minimum), bluegill daily limit 1 (10 in minimum); all other species statewide limits. Oct 1 – April 30 the lake requires landowner permission and statewide limits apply. An eastern SD Glacial Lakes Region natural lake in Day County managed for trophy panfish + walleye." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Reetz Lake?: Yes. Reetz Lake 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 Reetz Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Dakota rules.
Do Reetz Lake's special rules replace South Dakota's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. South Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Reetz Lake 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 Reetz Lake?: Walleye, Yellow perch, and Crappie have a water-body-specific rule on Reetz Lake, 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