Angler’s Atlas, host of the Midwest Walleye Challenge, has released the total catch data from the first half of the 2026 event. Across five states, over 3,000 fish have been logged. The data is current April 1 to May 7, 2026.
In South Dakota, 1,367 walleyes have been logged. The average length of these fish is 16.7 inches, with the bulk of fish coming in between 14-18 inches. The largest fish caught has been 29.5 inches
Iowa, the second state, has logged 1,297 walleye. The average length of these fish is 15.7 inches. The largest fish has been 31 inches.
Nebraska has logged 414 catches. The average length of these fish is 15 inches. The largest fish has been 28.8 inches.
Indiana and Illinois do not have as many fish logged as the three other states. The average length for Indiana is 15.7 inches, with a maximum length of 19 inches. The average length for Illinois is 14.8 inches, with a maximum length of 26 inches.
The Midwest Walleye Challenge runs through June 28 and there is still time for anglers to join the event and submit their catches! All of this information is used by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks biologists to improve fisheries management across the state!
[…] Over 1,300 Fish Already Recorded in South Dakota Midwest Walleye Challenge […]