FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 10, 2018

CONTACT: Emily Kiel at Emily.Kiel@state.sd.us 

South Dakota Game, Fish, & Parkshttps://gfp.sd.gov/


GFP Commission Proposes Fishing Regulation Changes

PIERRE, S.D. – Last week, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed to eliminate fish possession limits at an angler’s permanent residence. Possession limits do not have a biological impact on fish populations. While possession at a permanent residence will be unlimited, possession limits would remain in place for transporting fish and for storing fish at other locations. This change would provide flexibility in how and when anglers keep and store fish.

The Commission also proposed to repeal liberalized fishing regulations. “Whenever a fish kill on a lake is anticipated, historically, the Department utilized liberalized regulations to allow people to take more fish prior to them dying,” stated Geno Adams, GFP fisheries program administrator. “When these regulations were instituted, fish were already dying and not susceptible to angling. The Department has not used liberalized fishing rules for some time and they were not effective in accomplishing intended goals.”

In addition, the Commission also proposed to remove the closed fishing seasons for game fish on Minnesota/South Dakota border waters. This removal would reduce regulation complexity and increase recreational opportunities for anglers. The Commission also proposed to remove spring stream closures in eastern South Dakota, in association with opening spearing for northern pike and catfish year-round on all waters except those managed for muskies.

The GFP Commission will finalize these fishing proposals in October. The public hearing will be held Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. MDT at Cadillac Jacks in Deadwood. Individuals can also provide written comments on proposals by sending them to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501, or online at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record and to be considered by the Commission, comments must include a full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of 72 hours before the public hearing.

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GFP Commission Proposes Fish Limit Changes

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed several changes to fishing regulations at their September meeting in Yankton.

These changes or removals include:

  • Remove the daily and possession limits for white bass and rock bass.
  • Eliminate the regulation allowing only one trout over 14 inches from Black Hills lakes.
  • Establish a minimum length limit of 24 inches and a daily limit of one for lake trout or splake in the Black Hills Fish Management Area.
  • Remove the 15-inch minimum size restriction on walleye for all waters with a four walleye daily limit except for waters of the Missouri River system and Angostura and Shadehill reservoirs.
  • Remove black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) size restrictions from all waters with the exception of Burke Lake, New Wall Lake and Lake Yankton.
  • Add a 28-inch minimum length and a daily limit of one walleye on Horseshoe Lake in Day County.
  • Modify the Lake Francis Case paddlefish season by allowing license holders to take a paddlefish with snagging gear or bow and arrow.

The GFP Commission will finalize these fishing proposals in October. The public hearing will be held Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. MDT at Cadillac Jacks in Deadwood. Individuals can also provide written comments on proposals by sending them to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501, or online at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record and to be considered by the Commission, comments must include a full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of 72 hours before the public hearing.

Provide a Public Comment

GFP Commission Proposes Modifications to Nebraska Border Waters and Fish Spearing and Archery Rules

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed opening up the spearing of rough fish year-round on South Dakota/Nebraska border waters and proposed to add crossbows and legal spearguns to the list of legal methods of rough fish.

The Commission also proposed the following changes to spearfishing regulations:

  • Open up the entirety of Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case to gamefish spearing and archery during established season dates.
  • Remove the requirement to purchase a game fish spearing and archery permit.
  • Change spearing season dates for northern pike and catfish on inland waters, except those managed for muskie, to year-round.
  • Change gamefish spearing and archery season dates on the South Dakota/Nebraska border waters to July 1-Dec. 1 to match Nebraska’s season.
  • Allow for the take of gamefish below Gavins Point Dam during established season dates.
  • Prohibit spearing and archery fishing in Angostura and Lewis and Clark Lake marinas.

The GFP Commission will finalize these fishing proposals in October. The public hearing will be held Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. MDT at Cadillac Jacks in Deadwood. Individuals can also provide written comments on proposals by sending them to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501, or online at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record and to be considered by the Commission, comments must include a full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of 72 hours before the public hearing.

Provide a Public Comment

GFP Commission Proposes Modifications to AIS Rules

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed several modifications to the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) rules.

These modifications include:

  • Add Starry Stonewort to the list of aquatic invasive species.
  • Allow exemptions for commercial plant harvesters and lakeshore property owners from the prohibitions of possessing aquatic invasive species if authorized to do so by the department.
  • Allow the GFP Department secretary to authorize certain boats to keep plugs in while being trailered.
  • Add Lake Yankton to the list of containment waters.

The GFP Commission will finalize these fishing proposals in October. The public hearing will be held Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. MDT at Cadillac Jacks in Deadwood. Individuals can also provide written comments on proposals by sending them to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501, or online at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record and to be considered by the Commission, comments must include a full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of 72 hours before the public hearing.

Provide a Public Comment

GFP Commission Finalizes Boating Restrictions on Indian Springs

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) finalized their proposal regarding boating restrictions on Indian Springs in Clark County.

The Commission added a “no discharge of a weapon from a boat on the waters west of a half mile east of 427th Avenue within Indian Springs from Oct. 10 – Dec. 31.” In addition, language was also added to state that “fishing from a boat is prohibited on the waters west of a half mile east of 427th Avenue during the same time period.”

“This change in rule allows recreational users the opportunity to recreate on all portions of Indian Springs the vast majority of the year, while addressing the waterfowl disturbance concerns expressed by some of the surrounding landowners during the waterfowl season,” concluded Kevin Robling, GFP special projects coordinator.

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GFP Commission Finalizes the Bobcat Hunting Season

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed the 2019 and 2020 bobcat hunting and trapping seasons with no changes. By rule, the bobcat season is now finalized.

Season dates for the bobcat hunting include:

  • Dec. 26, 2018 – Feb. 15, 2019
  • All counties west of the Missouri River
  • Dec. 26, 2018 – Jan. 20, 2019

Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Clay, Hughes, Hutchinson, Hyde, Union and Yankton counties

Bobcat Hunting Season Regulations