Economic Contribution of Hatchery-Reared Walleye Stocked in South Dakota, USA

Walleye (Sander vitreus) are a popular sportfish species in South Dakota, USA, with most of the walleye fisheries in the state maintained by hatchery production and stocking. This study determined the economic contribution of the hatchery rearing of walleyes for maintaining recreational fisheries in South Dakota. For the past three fiscal years, South Dakota spent approximately $670,358 yearly in hatchery operational costs to produce walleye. The 197,503 licensed anglers who specifically target walleyes had estimated expenditures of $547,432,210 on walleye fishing in Fiscal Year 2025 (1 July 2024 through 30 June 2025) with $410,574,232 of that spending occurring in the 75% of the walleye fisheries maintained by hatchery propagation. In combination with an estimated indirect and induced effect of $303,003,783, the total economic contribution of walleye rearing and stocking to the South Dakota economy was an estimated $714,694,161. Thus, the economic contribution per budgetary dollar spent on the hatchery rearing and stocking of walleyes was estimated to be $1066 in 2025. Funding for walleye hatcheries is a user-pay system, coming from the sale of fishing licenses and an excise tax on fishing equipment. This study indicates that walleye hatchery rearing is an important component of the economy of South Dakota.