South Dakota fishing regulations

[reddog]

On page 18 of the 2002 fishing regulations, it explains the limit restrictions on Francis Case, but goes on to explain that there is a blued out section of the river from Charles Mix county line, south to the dam that when a person is ice fishing, you must not follow the length limits set, and must keep the first 4 fish that are put on the ice, regardless of size. Can anyone explain the circumstances around this? It is not a factor for me, but I just read it, and was wondering what the theory was behind it.

[ifishsd]

The reason they did that was because the fish come out deep water down there during the ice fishing season. The fish don't survive very well when released. They don't people to release a bunch of fish if they won't survive.

They have done this for a couple of years now.

[reddog]

I figured it was something on that nature. Im assuming they expect you to stop fishing after you have creeled your first 4 fish.

[reddog]

Must be similar to the dredge hole restrictions. Why cant they make you keep the first 4 fish there also. I remember reading a post on TDs page last year about all the floaters down there after the April 1 opening. Its like DUH, get out of there if your going to have to release dead fish. I dont get it.

[ifishsd]

I think that is the idea behind it. As for thr Dedge hole by Chamberlian I don't now why they don't do that there. I suppose because of the size limit. You could go anywhere on the river catch fish under the size limit and if they check you at the boat landing you could say I was at the dedge hole?
Or maybe they are doing a study?