South Dakota Fishing News

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota state park campers can make reservations for Memorial Day weekend, beginning Feb. 27, for Friday, May 28 arrivals.

“Memorial Day weekend is very busy in all the parks,” said state Division of Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer. “Campers should plan ahead to reserve their favorite camping spots."

VOLGA, S.D. – Oakwood Lake State Park will host the Kool Kids’ Klassic Fishing Derby and the Groundhog Day Cross-Country Ski Tour on Jan. 30 and 31, respectively.

Children younger than 14 are invited to take part in the Kool Kids’ Klassic Ice Fishing Derby. Registration for the derby is $2 and will take place at the park shop at 11 a.m. CST. The first 150 entries will receive free fishing poles made by park staff. Bait is furnished and event staff will drill holes in the ice as needed. Fishing will take place in designated areas from noon to 2 p.m., with weigh-in to follow. Winners will be announced at a 3 p.m. awards ceremony. Snacks will be available throughout the day, and numerous door-prize drawings will be held.

South Dakota sportsmen donated over $14,000 to the Turn In Poachers program during the 2009 big game license season.

The 1,700 sportsmen not only contributed cash and checks, but also took advantage of the opportunity to donate funds as part of the process for purchasing general hunting, fishing and trapping licenses and applying for big game licenses.

PIERRE, S.D. – The Black Hills snowmobile trails received over three feet of snow during the recent storm, and groomers are out in full force to get the trails in riding condition.

“Grooming has been difficult,” said Ryan Raynor, trail program specialist in the GFP Division of Parks and Recreation. “This much snow accompanied by high wind has caused deep drifts. Crews are working hard to get the trails ready for snowmobilers.”

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota State Engineer’s Office has awarded a $9.8 million construction contract for building a Game, Fish and Parks outdoor learning center and regional office facility in Rapid City.

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s Turn in Poachers (TIPs) Internet Web page is getting a facelift, including the addition of links to unsolved cases.

TIPs is a cooperative effort between the Game, Fish and Parks Department and the non-profit Wildlife Protection, Inc.

PIERRE, S.D. – Looking for the perfect stocking stuffers for the outdoorsmen in your life? Beginning Dec. 15, South Dakota Hunting and Fishing Licenses for 2010 go on sale.

The 2010 annual licenses are valid from Dec. 15, 2009, through Jan. 31, 2011.

PIERRE, S.D. – It has been eight months since snowmobile enthusiasts took to the trails in the Aberdeen area, and sadly for them it’ll be another year before they see designated trails.

Extremely wet conditions and major flooding in the right-of-ways have caused the Aberdeen Snowmobile Club, in cooperation with the Game, Fish and Parks Department, to keep the 93-mile Dakota Midland snowmobile trail system closed.

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission will consider a proposal on Dec. 3 to allow check-in until 10 p.m. for same-day reservation campers at two popular state parks.

Campsites at the Yankton Unit of Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton and Center Lake Campground in Custer State Park that are currently first-come, first-served will be available for same-day reservations next year. The new procedure allows campers to reserve sites online or by phone in order to acquire campsites on the day of reservations.

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Fishing regulations on some western South Dakota lakes may change in 2010. While some of the changes would be slight, others may noticeably affect what anglers can include in their daily catches.