South Dakota Bag Limits
Complete daily limits, possession limits, and season limits for hunting and fishing in South Dakota.
South Dakota Bag Limits
Complete guide to daily limits, possession limits, season limits, and size restrictions for hunting and fishing in South Dakota. Updated for the current season.
Big Game
4 species
Game Birds
8 species
Fish Species
3 species
Total Species
15
Big Game
4 species in South Dakota
| Species | Daily | Possession | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | 1 | - | Per license held | East river archery good opportunity |
| Mule Deer | 1 | - | 1 per year | West river; draw required |
| Pronghorn | 1 | - | 1 per year | West river prairie |
| Elk | 1 | - | 1 per year | Custer State Park area |
Upland Birds
6 species in South Dakota
| Species | Daily | Possession | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | 2 | - | 4 per year | - |
| Pheasant | 3 | 15 | - | Premier pheasant destination |
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | 3 | 15 | - | - |
| Prairie Chicken | 2 | 6 | - | - |
| Hungarian Partridge | 5 | 15 | - | - |
| Dove | 15 | 45 | - | - |
Fish
3 species in South Dakota
| Species | Daily | Possession | Season | Size Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 4 | - | - | 15" minimum | - |
| Northern Pike | 3 | - | - | 24" minimum | - |
| Smallmouth Bass | 5 | - | - | 12" minimum | - |
South Dakota Special Notes
South Dakota is the pheasant hunting capital. Opening weekend is legendary.
South Dakota Regulations Overview
State wildlife agency and regulations information
- Species Covered
- 15 species with regulations
- Big Game Species
-
- White-tailed Deer
- Mule Deer
- Pronghorn
- Elk
- Wildlife Agency
- South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
This information is for reference only. Always verify regulations with your state wildlife agency before hunting or fishing.
Last verified: January 2026
South Dakota Bag Limits FAQ
Common questions about harvest limits in South Dakota
What is the deer bag limit in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, the daily deer limit is 1 with a season limit of Per license held. East river archery good opportunity
What big game can I hunt in South Dakota?
South Dakota regulates: White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Elk. Each species carries its own daily, possession, and (where applicable) season limit on the table above.
What are the headline fishing limits in South Dakota?
Top species in South Dakota: Walleye 4/day (15" minimum); Northern Pike 3/day (24" minimum); Smallmouth Bass 5/day (12" minimum). Water-body-specific regs can override the statewide line.
Are there South Dakota-specific regulations to flag?
South Dakota is the pheasant hunting capital. Opening weekend is legendary.
Other States
View bag limits for more states
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