General License Requirements
No license may be refunded or transferred to another person after being issued. A fishing license is needed to take fish, turtles, bullfrogs or bait. A hoop net/trap or floatline/setline license, in addition to a valid resident fishing license, is required when using these methods. See “Hoop Net, Trap, Floatline/ Setline Licenses” in the “Resident License” section.
AGENT FEE
The maximum fee for each fishing license sold or replaced by a license agent or online is $4.
BUYING LICENSES
Resident and nonresident fishing licenses may be purchased in South Dakota at many retail stores, bait shops and a few County Treasurer offices. When purchasing licenses over the counter you must have your state-issued ID with you.
Licenses may be purchased and printed from home. To purchase licenses online, visit gfp.sd.gov or use GFP’s mobile app.
See “Hoop Net, Trap, Floatline/Setline Licenses” in the “Resident Licensing” section for details about purchasing these licenses.
CARRYING/EXHIBITING LICENSES
A licensee shall exhibit the licensee’s license or license authorization issued by GFP upon request by a wildlife conservation officer or other law enforcement officer. A licensee who is 18 years of age or older who holds the license authorization, shall exhibit and provide for inspection a driver’s license, a state-issued identification card or another form of valid identification for the purpose of verifying the identity of the licensee.
DELINQUENT CHILD SUPPORT
South Dakota law prohibits the issuance or renewal of any hunting or fishing license if an individual owes $1,000 or more in past-due child support, unless the individual enters into a repayment agreement with the Department of Social Services for payment of the delinquent child support. There is a requirement to enter into a repayment agreement with the Department of Social Services even if the individual is presently making child support payments, or if child support is being withheld from wages or income. To enter into the required repayment agreement, individuals must contact the Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support; 700 Governors Drive, Kneip Building; Pierre, SD 57501; or call 605.773.6456.
LOST LICENSES
Lost licenses may be replaced by any registered license agent. License agents may charge the standard agent fee ($4) for replacing general fishing licenses. In addition, licenses may be reprinted at home by the licensee at any time.
REVOKED LICENSES
If a person is convicted of knowingly trespassing or violating a fishing law punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor, or substantially exceeding daily or possession limits, or violating any rule pertaining to fishing or possessing fish without a license or during a closed season, the person’s fishing privileges will be revoked for one or more years and the person is prohibited from purchasing or applying for another fishing license during the period of revocation.
Those whose privileges are revoked in South Dakota may be subject to revocation or suspension in other states, including the home state of non-residents. Any person whose fishing privileges are currently revoked or suspended in any state or country may not apply for or buy a license or exercise the same privilege in South Dakota during the period of revocation or suspension.
No person who has an unpaid and unsatisfied judgment issued for wildlife civil damages may purchase, attempt to purchase or possess any South Dakota hunting, fishing or trapping license.
TRIBAL WATERS
Non-tribal members fishing inland waters that overlay Indian trust property need a tribal fishing license. Non-tribal members fishing on the Missouri River and its impoundments need only the state license. However, anglers fishing the Missouri River from tribal lands may need to purchase a tribal fishing license or access permit from the tribe to fish from shore.
ANGLER ASSISTANCE PERMIT
The Department may issue an Angler Assistance permit to a person with a valid fishing license, or who is exempt from licensing requirements, who has a physical or developmental disability that prevents them from being able to perform any of the activities associated with fishing. The permit allows another person to assist the permitted individual while fishing, in accordance with existing regulations, and without the need to possess a valid fishing license. An Angler Assistance permit may be issued on either a temporary or permanent basis, dependent on the type of disability, at the discretion of the Department.