Summer is on the way and for many, that means it is time to hit the water! If you’re new to the sport of fishing, there are several opportunities for you to give fishing a try this summer for free!
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) offers free fishing on both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Additionally, GFP kicks off the summer each year with the traditional Open House Weekend. During this weekend, individuals can enjoy free entrance into all South Dakota State Parks and no license is required to fish, though length limits and other regulations do apply.
This year’s free fishing days are:
If you’d like to give fishing a try, there is no better time than now! If you’re not quite sure where to start, we have you covered as well! You can find everything you need to know to get ready to hit the water in our Become an Angler section. Learn about what gear you need, where to fish, how to fish, and much more!
If you’re looking for extra instruction, the GFP Outdoor Campuses in Sioux Falls and Rapid City are two excellent places to get hands-on instruction. At the Outdoor Campuses, you can learn about fishing, hunting, and other outdoor skills as well! The best news, all of these classes are free to participate!
In addition to the Outdoor Campuses, many South Dakota State Parks will also offer programs that allow you to learn more about fishing right there in the park. These programs and events also make a great addition to a family camping trip. Find a full list of programs and events at state parks and the Outdoor Campuses on the GFP Event Calendar.
If you’re looking to hit the water or the parks this summer and still don’t have your fishing license or park entrance license, you can purchase those right now on Go Outdoors South Dakota. You can also make camping reservations, apply for big game seasons, and explore a 3D map of South Dakota State Parks on this one-stop e-commerce system.
If you’re looking to give fishing a try, be sure to put these free fishing opportunities on your calendar and make plans to hit the water! If you are an avid angler, these are a great time to introduce someone new to the sport as well! Summer is upon us and that means there’s plenty of fishing to be had this year!
Stay Up to Date on Fishing in South Dakota
If you’re looking to stay up to date on everything fishing in South Dakota and the entire Midwest, be sure to follow Lip Ripper Fishing, Nick Harrington, Mason Propst, and Chris Seylar on all social media platforms!
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Get the latest fishing reports, boat ramp updates, news, and of course plenty of fish pictures by following Lip Ripper Fishing on Facebook!
Behind-The-Scenes on Instagram
Find the best catches and behind-the-scenes content by following the boys on Instagram! See everything from tournament travels to life off the water and more!
Nick Harrington’s YouTube channel offers everything there is to learn about fishing! Find the latest fishing reports, tips, tricks, and more on YouTube!
Photo Credit: Allie Ellingson Photography + Design
Images for this article are courtesy of Allie Ellingson Photography + Design. Allie is the official photographer and branding specialist for Lip Ripper Fishing. Whether you’re looking for stunning photos or to take your business design to the next level, Allie has you covered!
