Category: News and Notes

The deadline to apply for the 2025 Lake Francis Case Paddlefish season is quickly approaching. Applications must be received by Monday, February 10, 2025, at 8 a.m. CT. The 2025 Lake Francis Case Paddlefish season is May 1-31. This season is open for South Dakota residents only, and anglers may attempt to harvest paddlefish by […]

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is offering a limited-edition collector’s sticker with South Dakota State Park Entrance Licenses purchased online January 15-March 15. The 2025 South Dakota State Parks theme is “Make a Splash”, and individuals that order their South Dakota State Park Entrance License by March 15 through Go Outdoors South Dakota […]

The deadline to apply for the 2025 South Dakota Nonresident Black Hills Spring Turkey season is approaching. The due date to apply is Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 8 a.m. CT. New for 2025, 2,225 South Dakota Nonresident Black Hills Spring Turkey licenses will be issued by a lottery drawing. Nonresidents must obtain their license […]

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) will be hosting two upcoming public meetings regarding the Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe fisheries. GFP fisheries biologists out of the Fort Pierre office will be sharing an informational presentation regarding the Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe fisheries, before answering any questions from individuals in attendance. There […]

Fishing isn’t a summer activity in South Dakota, it’s a tradition that takes place all year long. Whether it’s sneaking the boat onto the Missouri River below the dam on a warm January day, or ice fishing across the Glacial Lakes region, anglers are on the water throughout the entire year. The bite doesn’t slow […]

As the days get shorter, nights get longer, and air gets colder it’s easy to miss sunny summer days on the water or in the park. For many of us, we might even make it a New Year’s Resolution to spend more time outside this year, (which are often some of the easiest to keep […]

It’s no secret that South Dakota is the greatest state to pheasant hunt, but while pheasants steal the show many other upland game hunting seasons fly under the radar. Notably is the grouse season, which has quietly offered spectacular hunting throughout recent seasons. Beginning for the 2024 season, upland game bird hunters will have even […]

The 2025 South Dakota Black Hills Mountain Lion season begins on December 26, 2024, and runs through April 30, 2025. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is encouraging all mountain lion hunters to make plans to purchase their 2025 mountain lion licenses early so they are ready for the season. This is because with […]

The 2025 South Dakota Black Hills Spring Turkey season will feature a major change for nonresidents. Beginning in 2025, nonresident Black Hills spring turkey licenses will be issued by a lottery drawing, which means nonresident hunters must apply for their licenses prior to their hunt. Unlimited licenses will no longer be available for purchase for […]

It is officially deer season in South Dakota! While archery deer season began September 1 and other seasons such as Black Hills and Refuge Deer have been underway as well, the two major firearm seasons in South Dakota are West River and East River Deer. The West River Deer/Special Buck season runs November 16-December 1, […]