2026 NFSA National Tournament General Rules

1. Timeframe.  This is a two-day tournament to take place on Friday August 28th and Saturday August 29th.  

1. The tournament will begin at 8:00AM each morning, and divers must be out of the water at 3:00PM and checked into the weigh-in no later than 3:45PM.

2. Rules Meeting.  There will be a mandatory tournament rules meeting and check-on on Thursday August 27th at LOCATION, at TIME.

1. Both competitors and boat captains are required to attend the tournament rules meeting

3. Location.  The tournament diving locations are limited to Lake Oahe (“above the dam”)(See Figure 9) from the face of the Oahe dam to the US Hwy 212 bridge near Whitlock Bay.  Competitors are also allowed to compete in Lake Sharpe (“tailrace” or “below the dam”)(See Figure 7 & 8) from the “take line” which is marked by large red signs near the dam on both sides of the river to the US Hwy 14 bridge to the south.  Divers may dive both the US Hwy 212 and US 14 bridge, so long as they do not restrict other watercraft’s navigation.

4. Laws.  Boaters and competitors shall abide by all bag limits, boating restrictions, spearing restrictions, transportation of boats and fish and other laws relating to boating and the taking of fish.

5. License.  Competitors shall hold a valid South Dakota fishing license which permits them to spearfish during the duration of the tournament.

6. Diver-down flags.  Divers shall strictly adhere to the diver-down flag requirements outlined above, it is highly recommended that anyone diving the tailrace dive with a float or buoy directly attached to themselves or their guns or other equipment.
   

Tournament Scoring Rules:

This is a two-day tournament.  The scoring rules for each day are the same.  The Missouri River (Lake Oahe/Lake Sharpe) have a diverse list of species allowable to spear, each presenting its own challenges.  

1. Each participant must follow State size limit restrictions (Walleyes), and total State bag limit restrictions.

2. Each participant can score two fish from each species/category (See Scorecard), per tournament day.  EXCEPT ONLY 1 CARP/BUFFALO regardless of subspecies may be scored per day.

3. Team scores will be the total combined points of each participant’s two-day totals.

Participants will receive points based on the following criteria:

1. 1 point per species scored, per day. (e.g. 1 point for walleye/sauger/sauge-eye, 1, point per catfish regardless of subspecies, 1 point for bass).  

2. 1 point per fish scored, with a maximum of 2 fish per species/category, per day.  EXCEPT ONLY 1 CARP/BUFFALO regardless of subspecies may be scored per day.

3. 1 point per pound, per day.

4. BONUS: If you are able to “check-off” six or more species in a single day you receive an extra 10 points to your total for that day.  This bonus is available both days, but you must take at least six or more species on that day.

Largest Fish Awards:

1. There will be a separate award for the largest game fish weighed.  Game fish are all fish excluding suckers, carp, buffalo, and catfish.

2. There will be a separate award for the largest rough fish weighed.  Rough fish are all fish which are not game fish.  Specifically carp, buffalo, suckers, and catfish.
   
   

South Dakota State Regulations for Spearfishing (Oahe & Lake Sharpe):

General Fishing Regulations which apply to Spearfishing:

Harvest and Length Limits for Inland Missouri River:

Figure 1: Harvest and Length Limit Table for Inland Missouri River, 2025 South Dakota Fishing Handbook, pg. 27

• Sturgeon, Muskie, and Paddlefish cannot be taken under any circumstances.  Muskie are not present in inland Missouri River waters, but some of you will see Sturgeon and Paddlefish:
  
  
  

Figure 2: Missouri River Pallid Sturgeon

 

Figure 3: Shovelnose Sturgeon

Figure 4: Paddlefish

Lake Sharpe Specific Length and Harvest Regs (“Below the Dam”/”Tailrace”):

• Walleye: 15” Minimum Length, EXCEPT for July and August when there is no minimum length. (Pg. 25)

Transportation of Fish:

Figure 5: Transportation of Fish Regulation

Spearfishing Specific Regulations:

• Line attached to spear cannot be more than 20’ long. (Pg. 49)

• Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. (Pg. 50)

• Limits: same as hook and line fishing.  Rough fish must be “retained.” (Pg. 50)

• Diver-Down Flag: must display a diver-down flag attached to a float, rubber tube, diver, or boat while diving.  The flag must be at least 12” x 15” and must be red with a diagonal white strip.  Diver’s must stay within 75’ of the flag.

• Underwater spearfishing is not permitted within 100yds of designated (by buoys) swimming areas, boat docks, power intake tubes, or spillways, OR where the placement of the diver-down flag would restrict boat access at public access or watercraft navigation. (Pg. 50)

Boating Regulations:

• Valid Registration Required (Pg. 40)

• Must have at least one US Coast Guard Approved PFD per person. (Pg. 44)

• All vessels 16’ or longer must have at least one USCG approved throwable.

• Motorized boats must stay at least 75’ away from diver-down flag unless the boat is part of or related to the diving activity. (Pg. 50)

Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations:

• All plants, mud, animals or other organic material must be removed from boats and trailers. (Pg. 58)

• All trailed boats must have all drain, LiveWell plugs, bailers, valves or other drainage devices opened or removed and kept out except while in a boat ramp parking area or while being launched or loaded.

• Any vehicle transporting a boat or watercraft is subject to inspection for AIS.  You will see signs on highways, boat launches, etc.