S.D. Offers Free Fishing This Weekend
General Fishing News | South Dakota Fishing News
PIERRE, S.D.—From the lakes of eastern South Dakota, to the Missouri River reservoirs to the streams of the Black Hills, this state offers a wealth of fishing opportunities and this weekend they’re all yours for free.
South Dakota’s lakes and rivers are open to everyone who wants to try the sport during the Free Fishing Weekend, May 16 through May 18. During that weekend, no fishing license is required on state-managed waters and admission is free at state parks and recreation areas.
“Fishing is one of the best ways to enjoy South Dakota’s outdoors and time with family,” said John Lott, fisheries program administrator for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “It doesn’t take a big investment to get started and this weekend you don’t even have to pay for the license.”
The Free Fishing Weekend was developed by GFP as a way to interest more people in the sport. The weekend has the potential to appeal to a wide variety of people including:
• Parents or grandparents who may use the free weekend to rekindle their interest in the sport while passing it on to their children and grandchildren.
• Spouses of avid anglers who might not otherwise buy a license to accompany them.
• Nonresidents who get to sample South Dakota angling opportunities for free and may be enticed to make return trips.
While boats are a common sight on South Dakota’s bodies of water, Lott notes that there are plenty of shore-fishing opportunities in the state for folks who may want to give the sport a try for the first time. “If you’re unsure where to start just ask,” Lott said. “Ask your neighbors or at the bait shop, the sporting goods store, the GFP office. People in this state love to talk fishing.”
While no fishing license is require during the weekend of May 18-20, all other South Dakota fishing regulations apply. The GFP Fishing Handbook is available from licensing offices and from retailers who serve as licensing agents. A list of those licensing agents, a PDF version of the Fishing Handbook and fishing information that encompasses the entire state can be found at the department Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/fishing/Index.htm.
The Free Fishing Weekend is held in conjunction with a weekend-long open house at the state’s park and recreation areas which offer free admission for those three days. Permission is required to cross private land to access fishing waters.
South Dakota’s lakes and rivers are open to everyone who wants to try the sport during the Free Fishing Weekend, May 16 through May 18. During that weekend, no fishing license is required on state-managed waters and admission is free at state parks and recreation areas.
“Fishing is one of the best ways to enjoy South Dakota’s outdoors and time with family,” said John Lott, fisheries program administrator for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “It doesn’t take a big investment to get started and this weekend you don’t even have to pay for the license.”
The Free Fishing Weekend was developed by GFP as a way to interest more people in the sport. The weekend has the potential to appeal to a wide variety of people including:
• Parents or grandparents who may use the free weekend to rekindle their interest in the sport while passing it on to their children and grandchildren.
• Spouses of avid anglers who might not otherwise buy a license to accompany them.
• Nonresidents who get to sample South Dakota angling opportunities for free and may be enticed to make return trips.
While boats are a common sight on South Dakota’s bodies of water, Lott notes that there are plenty of shore-fishing opportunities in the state for folks who may want to give the sport a try for the first time. “If you’re unsure where to start just ask,” Lott said. “Ask your neighbors or at the bait shop, the sporting goods store, the GFP office. People in this state love to talk fishing.”
While no fishing license is require during the weekend of May 18-20, all other South Dakota fishing regulations apply. The GFP Fishing Handbook is available from licensing offices and from retailers who serve as licensing agents. A list of those licensing agents, a PDF version of the Fishing Handbook and fishing information that encompasses the entire state can be found at the department Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/fishing/Index.htm.
The Free Fishing Weekend is held in conjunction with a weekend-long open house at the state’s park and recreation areas which offer free admission for those three days. Permission is required to cross private land to access fishing waters.
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