12-06-2006, 03:10 PM
The walleye possession limit on Lake Oahe will go from 12 to eight starting Jan. 1, 2007. The change was endorsed by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission at its November meeting in Spearfish.
Except for Lake Oahe, the walleye possession limit throughout South Dakota is eight, to include walleye, sauger, saugeye or any combination. Fisheries staff had recommended the change to make the system uniform across the state.
Commissioners acknowledged the financial hardships Lake Oahe businesses were dealing with during a period of drought, low water levels and high gas prices.
However, some commissioners questioned the fairness of having a higher walleye limit for Oahe and a lower limit on the rest of the reservoir system. Others questioned whether the higher limit did, indeed, attract anglers.
"Our sense is that catch rates and fish size determine angler interest," says GFP Fisheries Program Administrator Dennis Unkenholz. "They go where the hot bite is."
Except for Lake Oahe, the walleye possession limit throughout South Dakota is eight, to include walleye, sauger, saugeye or any combination. Fisheries staff had recommended the change to make the system uniform across the state.
Commissioners acknowledged the financial hardships Lake Oahe businesses were dealing with during a period of drought, low water levels and high gas prices.
However, some commissioners questioned the fairness of having a higher walleye limit for Oahe and a lower limit on the rest of the reservoir system. Others questioned whether the higher limit did, indeed, attract anglers.
"Our sense is that catch rates and fish size determine angler interest," says GFP Fisheries Program Administrator Dennis Unkenholz. "They go where the hot bite is."