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Invasive and nonnative animals in South Dakota

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. SD Least Wanted: Laws and Regulations (aquatic invasive species)
  2. Emerald Ash Borer in South Dakota
  3. How to report
  4. Sources

19 nonnative animals are named on 2 official lists for South Dakota: “SD Least Wanted: Laws and Regulations (aquatic invasive species)” (South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks) and “Emerald Ash Borer in South Dakota” (State of South Dakota).

To report a sighting, see how to report.

Being on a list of nonnative species does not always mean an animal is harmful or established: each list below is described in its source's terms. A sighting of a listed animal is still worth reporting to the agency.

SD Least Wanted: Laws and Regulations (aquatic invasive species)

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (sdleastwanted.sd.gov), undated page. 18 animals.

  • Asian clam

  • Bighead carp

  • Black carp

  • Common carp

  • Grass carp

  • New Zealand mudsnail

  • Northern snakehead

  • Prussian carp

  • Quagga mussel

  • Red swamp crayfish

  • Round goby

  • Rudd

  • Rusty crayfish
    Photo: Peterwchen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

    Rusty crayfish

  • Silver carp

  • Spiny waterflea

  • Western mosquitofish

  • White perch

  • Zebra mussel
    Photo: Harukano · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Zebra mussel

    Confirmed waters listed by year, 2015 (Lewis and Clark Lake and Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam) to 2026 (Bitter Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, and Goose Lake). South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

Emerald Ash Borer in South Dakota

State of South Dakota (emeraldashborerinsouthdakota.sd.gov), undated page. 1 animal.

How to report a sighting in South Dakota

SDGFP: [email protected] (hunting/fishing and wildlife questions); report a suspected aquatic invasive species with a photo to [email protected]; report a tick photo to SD DOH via the South Dakota Tick Survey; report wildlife violations at 1.888.OVERBAG. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

Do not try to catch or handle the animal. A photo taken from a safe distance, the place and the date help the agency.

Sources

  1. SD Least Wanted: Laws and Regulations (aquatic invasive species). South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (sdleastwanted.sd.gov). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (3)
    “Asian clam, New Zealand mudsnail, quagga mussel, red rimmed melania, red swamp crayfish, rusty crayfish, spiny waterflea, golden mussel, and zebra mussel.”
    “Black carp, bighead carp, blotched snakehead, bullseye snakehead, common carp, rudd, giant snakehead, grass carp, northern snakehead, round goby, silver carp, western mosquitofish, prussian carp, and white perch.”
    “If you catch what you believe is an invasive species, please take a picture of it and send the picture to [email protected].”
  2. Emerald Ash Borer in South Dakota. State of South Dakota (emeraldashborerinsouthdakota.sd.gov). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Watertown and Milbank.”