GFP News - October 11, 2012
- GFP Commission Proposes Changes To Fishing Regulations For 2013
- Enke Receives SDPRA Professional Service Award
- Division Of Parks And Recreation Honors Employees
GFP Commission Proposes Changes To Fishing Regulations For 2013
DEADWOOD, S.D. - The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission has proposed several changes to fishing regulations for 2013.
One of the prominent changes proposed was to increase Lake Oahe walleye limits in response to a high abundance of 10- to 15-inch fish and low food resources since the flood of 2011.
The commission proposal would double the daily limit, allowing eight walleyes to be kept daily; only four walleyes could be 15 inches or longer. The proposal would also eliminate the current "one-over-20-inch" regulation for Lake Oahe. The possession limit for Lake Oahe would be raised to 24 if the rule changes are finalized as proposed.
The Commission also proposed opening the following waters to spring fishing:
- All creeks in Codington County, except those associated with Punished Woman and Round Lakes
- The outlet stream from Lake Poinsett
- All creeks in Grant County
- The Bois De Sioux River below White Rock Dam in Roberts County and below Reservation Dam gates on Lake Traverse.
Proposed changes to game-fish spearing regulations include allowing northern pike to be speared on all inland waters statewide, with the exception of waters managed for muskies. The game-fish spearing season would be lengthened by moving the end date from the last day in February to March 15. The season opener would remain the same at June 15. Areas downstream of Missouri River dams previously closed to game-fish spearing would now be open to spearing of channel catfish and northern pike.
Proposed changes in hoop net/setline rules include opening the season year-round on all South Dakota inland waters where hoop net and setline use is permitted and opening all inland waters of the Missouri River system to hoop net and setline use. The areas where setlines are legal to use would also be expanded to include the entire length of the western tributaries of the Missouri River in South Dakota, and Angostura, Belle Fourche and Shadehill reservoirs.
A proposal also was made to close rivers, streams and creeks in counties of the James River Watershed and portions of the Vermillion and Big Sioux River watersheds to the taking of bait by using traps, nets and seines. The measure will be considered in response to concerns about possible movement of young Asian carp to new waters.
To view the full GPF Commission proposals, visit: http://gfp.sd.gov/agency/commission/proposals.aspx
Written comments on the proposals may be sent to: GFP Commission, 523 East Capital Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501, or email to wildinfo@state.sd.us by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Please include your complete name and physical address, in order to be part of the public record.
The commission will take public comments at its Thursday, Nov. 1, meeting at Camp Lakodia near Madison. The public forum portion of the meeting will begin that day at 2 p.m.
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Enke Receives SDPRA Professional Service Award
PIERRE, S.D. - Dave Enke of Platte was honored with the South Dakota Parks and Recreation Association's (SDPRA) Professional Service Award at a recent conference in Huron.
Enke has worked for the South Dakota State park system for almost 30 years. He began as assistant park manager at West Whitlock Recreation Area in 1983. He served as park manager at Newton Hills State Park near Canton for 15 years, and has been district park supervisor at Snake Creek Recreation Area since 1996.
In presenting the award, Department of Game, Fish and Parks Regional Park Supervisor Jeff Van Meeteren commended Enke's leadership and his influence on young park managers.
"Dave's quiet confidence is demonstrated in the respect that many younger managers hold for him," said Van Meeteren. "I know that years later many of them still make comments about what they learned from Dave."
Enke has demonstrated a commitment to service in both his career as a GFP park manager and as an active participant in his local community of Platte and the Great Lakes Tourism Association, Van Meeteren said.
"Snake Creek is a very important tourism feature for the Platte area," he said. "Because of that, Dave has embraced his role and developed a great working relationship with his local community and the regional area."
SDPRA's Professional Service Award is given annually to an individual who is a leader in the field by being active in SDPRA as well as local and regional organizations.
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Division Of Parks And Recreation Honors Employees
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation recently recognized several individuals for their dedication and hard work in the state parks system. The awards were made at the division's fall meeting in Huron.
"This year's honorees were all very deserving," said Doug Hofer, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. "The dedication of those individuals can be seen in parks across the state and is enjoyed by the many visitors to South Dakota state parks and recreation areas each year."
Randy Pitts of Brookings received the 2012 South Dakota State Parks Distinguished Service Award. Pitts has been employed at Oakwood Lakes State Park for 36 years.
"Oakwood and Poinsett are what they are today because of Randy's lifetime of work," said Harley Noem, northeast regional supervisor for the Division of Parks and Recreation. "He has served us well."
Al Nedved of Pierre, Adam Gahagan of Hermosa and Mike Ullrich of Aberdeen received Awards of Appreciation.
Nedved, assistant director of the Division of Parks and Recreation, faced big challenges last year and had to manage large flood recovery projects statewide.
"Al has done a great job re-prioritizing the parks' improvement projects and work schedules in light of the 2011 flood," said Hofer.
Gahagan, Custer State Park forester, went above and beyond in his effort to combat mountain pine beetles.
"We increased the treated area of forest within Custer State Park from the 4,000 acres that were originally planned, to a 38,000-acre effort," said Gary Brundige, resource program manager at Custer State Park. "Adam took the lead in coordinating this massive multi-agency project."
Ullrich, conservation technician for the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, went above and beyond this summer by keeping Richmond and Mina Lake Recreation areas running while the parks were between managers.
"Mike has a very positive attitude, and he's willing to do whatever is needed," said Noem. "No job is too big, and he takes everything in stride."
Staffers at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Fort Pierre were honored with a teamwork award.
"The staff at Oahe Downstream faced many obstacles and deadlines in preparation for the summer of 2012," said Hofer. "Recovering from the flood was a huge challenge in itself, but adding the seemingly impossible task of relocating the marina system at Spring Creek during the winter months was asking a lot of this group."
Members of the team include Pat Buscher, Erik Richter, Dan Shaffer, Tuck Durham and Ross Hatheway.
The 2012 Seasonal Employee of the Year Award was given to Brian Odens, who has spent the last two summers at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton.
"Brian's positive attitude and can-do spirit have influenced other seasonal employees," said District Park Supervisor Shane Bertsch. "It has been a pleasure to work with him the last two summers."
Bill and Cheryl Johnson were named the South Dakota State Park Volunteers of the Year. The couple have been campground hosts at Union Grove State Park for the last three summers.
"Bill and Cheryl are much more than any volunteer that I have ever encountered," said Union Grove District Park Supervisor Eric Vander Stouwe. "Not only are they terrific hosts for our campers, they also help with maintenance and cleaning at the park. We get countless comments from campers about what a fantastic job they do."
The Johnsons are full time RVers, but still call Vermillion their home. In the winter months, they live and work in Alabama State Parks.
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