New fishing regulations

[Dakota Iceman]

Can anyone clarify when the new law takes effect for walleyes on the river this year? I know they have dropped it down to limit of 3 per day and one over 22" but when exactly does it take effect? Our liscenses run to the 31st of january....just not sure when it actually takes effect and no-one at work here seems t obe able to give me a straight answer. Iceman out>

[ifishsd]

12:01am January 1, 2004 is when the new laws take effect.

Here is the low down on the river:

Decreased the year-round daily limit for walleye, sauger and walleye-sauger hybrid or combination thereof to three daily on Lakes Sharpe and Francis Case and from Fort Randall Dam down river approximately three miles to the Nebraska border–high annual walleye harvest, that exceeds sustainable levels, and low production of young walleye during the last few years have reduced the number of walleye longer than 15-inches. High walleye catch rates and low walleye abundance indicate restrictions are needed to preserve fishery quality.

Three walleyes over 15 inches per day with one over 18 inches and 8 in possesion on Lakes Sharpe and Francis Case and from Fort Randall Dam down river approximately three miles to the Nebraska border.

Reduced the daily limit for walleye on Lake Oahe to six daily with 18 in possession; one fish in the daily limit may be 20 inches (change from proposal of 22 inches) or longer--hourly catch rates of walleye by anglers have decreased in response to an increase in food availability, and walleye abundance has decreased no longer requiring liberal limits to help reduce population abundance to bring the walleye population in line with forage abundance.

Six walleyes per day which can include only 4 walleyes over 15 inches and 1 walleye over 20 inches per day on Lake Oahe. Possesion limit is 18.

[This message has been edited by ifishsd (edited 12-16-2003).]