Every year the South Dakota State Parks host an annual activity and in 2024 the theme is Reel in Memories. Everyone who participates in fishing in state parks, recreation areas, lakeside use areas, and nature areas in South Dakota can earn stickers for the more areas they visit.
What if you’ve never wet a line and aren’t quite sure where to start? Fortunately, fishing is tradition in South Dakota and you’ll likely find friends and/or family that are eager to help you get out on the water. Even if you aren’t quite ready to set the hook yourself, here’s five easy ways for you to get involved in fishing-touching a fish not required!
Tie Up the Tackle
Fishing is tradition in South Dakota, but not just any fishing, walleye fishing! Indeed, the state fish is the most sought after fish across the state. One of the most popular ways to target walleyes is bottom bouncing with spinners. The best rigs are hand-tied, and helping tie the rigs is a great way to show off your creativity!
Spinner rigs consist of a piece of fishing line, often 2-4 feet long, and a combination of colorful beads, a clevis and spinner, and of course a hook. Additional components such as floats, propellers, and other styles of beads make these rigs fully customizable. This is where creativity comes to play!
Learn More: Snell Tying Basics
Tying these rigs is simple, yet allows for uniqueness and creativity to run wild. The rig begins with a double surgeon loop, which allows you to attach the snell to the bottom bouncer. After this is tied, the bait can be completely customized with beads, a blade, and other components. Finally, the rig concludes with a uni or palomar knot on the hook. These are two common knots and many anglers will gladly trade knot lessons for new rigs!
Snap the Pics
Fish stories are an important part of campfire conversation and many of these stories seem a bit, well…fishy, to be fully truthful! Many times, you’ll find this is because the photographic proof needed to document the monster that got away is more rare than pictures of sasquatch! Whether it’s for catching the memories of the day or fact-checking the latest fish tale, offering to photograph a fishing trip is a great way to get in on the fun.
The excitement of having a good one on the line can make even the most seasoned anglers forget about anything else. If the trophy does make it in the boat (where it still does have the ability to add several pounds before that evening’s campfire) a great picture makes sharing with friends, family, and on social media even more special. Offering to join the fishing trip to catch the scenes on camera will be rewarding for both yourself and your fishing partners-and not just because they’ll need those photos to get their stickers too!
Catch a Tan
The fish don’t have to be biting for you to catch a tan! There is nothing more relaxing than being on the boat on a beautiful day, especially after a long winter! Whether you’re enjoying a book, crossword puzzle, or just getting a jump on your summer tan you don’t have to set the hook to catch a good time. It’s also important to remember you’ll always have a good bite on the water-if you bring good snacks!
Clean It and Cook It
Touching a fish might be required for this one! A great day on the water often results in a pile of fish ready to turn into fresh filets. Many state parks and recreation areas feature fish cleaning stations, which means even if you weren’t on the water you can get the preview of the day’s fish stories before the campfire begins. Similar to tying snells, a lesson in cleaning fish is one often many anglers will be willing to provide.
If cleaning fish isn’t quite your thing, learning how to cook fish is another great way to enjoy the day’s catch. Fried fish is a favorite, but there are many other ways to prepare a fish dinner. Fish, especially walleye, can be enjoyed a wide variety of ways including grilling, baking, or even over the campfire!
Take Your Own Bite
Whether you set the hook yourself, tied the rig, snapped the pictures, caught a tan, or helped clean the catch, a fresh fish filet always tastes the same at the end of the day. Fish is a delicious and healthy meal that can be enjoyed by all. A s’more makes an excellent dessert as well!
Fishing is an activity that everyone can enjoy. However you choose to enjoy fishing in South Dakota State Parks, you’re eligible to share your pictures and claim your stickers! Whether you’re a new or seasoned angler you’ll find plenty of ways to reel in memories. See for yourself what fishing opportunities await you in South Dakota State Parks!
