The links below will exhibit graphs showing the results of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) sampling during the past summer in northeastern South Dakota. Some lakes are surveyed on an annual basis and others are surveyed less frequently. A variety of fish collection gears may be used during a survey, including, but not limited to, gill nets, trap nets, and electrofishing. In general, gill nets are used to sample walleyes and yellow perch, trap nets sample bluegills and crappies, and electrofishing is used to sample largemouth and smallmouth bass. Click on the links below to see the past summer’s sampling results.

The graphs show the average number of a given species that was caught per net at each lake. For each lake, the sample of a given species is divided into different length categories. Generally speaking, high net catches and large sizes should indicate good fishing, whereas high net catches and small sizes may indicate future angling opportunities.

If you do not see a lake on the graphs it does not mean that the lake does not have fish, but that it probably was not sampled during the past year. The graphs will provide anglers with an idea of the abundance and available sizes of a given species in each sampled lake. Just because fish are present is no guarantee that the fish will bite. Anglers should consult the South Dakota Fishing Handbook to know the fisheries regulations for the waters that they intend to fish.