General Information

Northeast South Dakota lakes have received increased fishing pressure in recent years making the sustainability of these fisheries difficult under current harvest regulations. Reetz Lake contains a relatively unexploited fish community that will provide the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks with a unique opportunity to evaluate regulations designed to protect the population size structure of yellow perch and walleyes and assess the applicability to other area lakes.

Regulations

• Five yellow perch daily of which only one can be longer than 10 inches
• Walleye 28-inch minimum length, one walleye daily

Open Fishing Date: October 2, 2001

Yellow Perch

In May 2001, the population was estimated at 113,866 perch. Forty percent of the adult perch exceeded 10 inches and 4% were greater than 12 inches. The intent of the regulation is to protect and maintain the yellow perch population size structure. Without controlling harvest of large perch, under normal angler harvest, small individuals would likely dominate the yellow perch population.

Walleye

Population abundance was estimated at 697 walleyes. When sampled the population was primarily composed of a single year class with an average size of 20.7 inches and 3.4 pounds. The regulation will help to maintain a sufficient walleye population density to control the abundance of juvenile yellow perch, which will allow perch growth rates to be sustained. Catching and harvesting a trophy walleye will be a bonus in future years.

Tagged Fish

Yellow perch and walleyes have been tagged in Reetz Lake. If you harvest a tagged fish, please report the tag number, and date caught to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. If you catch and release a tagged fish, please do not remove the tag.

Additional Information

Additional information concerning Reetz Lake can be obtained from the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, District Office, 603 East 8^th Avenue, Webster, South Dakota 57274, (605) 345-3381.