• Wildlife Diversity Small Grant Proposals Being Accepted  
• Funding Available for Trails
• View Snowmobile Trails with Trail Cameras

PIERRE, S.D. – Earlier today, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission unanimously passed a new deer license allocation proposal that would allow a hunter to apply for two of the six deer seasons in the first draw. These seasons include: East River/Special Buck, West River/Special Buck, Black Hills, Muzzleloader, Refuge and Custer State Park. Special Buck license holders would be limited to one additional application in the first draw as long as that application was not valid for the same season as their Special Buck license.

• Game, Fish and Park Offers Summer Employment Opportunities
• Oakwood Lakes State Park to Host Winter Events

PIERRE, S.D. – February 16 is the first day to make camping reservations for a Friday, May 17, arrival – the State Parks’ Open House Weekend and traditional kick-off to the summer season.

• The Great Backyard Bird Count Returns Feb. 15-18
• Game, Fish and Parks Accepting Proposals for Roy Lake Resort Concession Operator

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks will host public open houses to provide information and awareness on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer and elk herds within the state.

• Nest Predator Bounty Program
• Extension of Trapping Dates on Public Lands
• Rule Proposal to Allow for Free Hunting Licenses, Park Entrance Licenses
• Hunt for Habitat - 3 Super Tag Packages
• Bighorn Sheep Season Proposed; Mountain Goat Season Finalized
• CSP Antlerless Elk Season Closure Proposed
• West River Whitetail Special Buck Licenses Proposed
• Mickelson Trail and Park Entrance Exemptions
• Changes to Specialized State Park Land Use Proposed

Today, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) launched a live trap giveaway program as part of Governor Noem's Second Century Initiative to help get individuals and families involved in trapping.

FORT SISSETON HISTORIC STATE PARK - Every day, Americans are hard at work on farms, factories, in homes, or at desks keeping communities thriving. Fort Sisseton State Historical Park, in cooperation with the Fort Sisseton Commission, will explore the professions and the people that sustain American society when it hosts “The Way We Worked,” a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition. 

PIERRE, S.D. – Several state park and public water access areas near Sioux Falls are closed due to flooding along the Big Sioux River.

PIERRE, S.D. – A portion of Lake Vermillion Recreation Area near Canistota is closed due to flooding.

PIERRE, S.D. – Beginning in April, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) will launch a series of Live Trapping 101 classes to provide education on trapping wildlife; primarily nest predators like red fox, striped skunk, badgers, raccoons and opossums.

PIERRE, S.D. – Earlier today, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) closed Lake Herman State Park near Madison due to flooding. Water is currently running over the entrance road, which is the only way to access the park. The park will reopen when waters recede and the area is useable.

PIERRE, S.D. – High water has closed Lake Campbell Public Water Access (PWA) south of Brookings and Lake Sinai PWA southwest of Volga. Both areas will remain closed until water recedes.

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials have re-opened the following areas:

Earlier today, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) began notifying some participants of the Live Trap Giveaway Program that they can now pick up the traps they registered for on March 1.

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) announced today that the Big Sioux River, Split Rock Creek, Skunk Creek and their tributaries in Minnehaha, Lincoln and Union counties have reopened to recreational use. 

PIERRE, S.D. – High water has closed Lake Whitewood Public Water Access (PWA) south of Lake Preston. The boat ramp has received minor damage and will require repairs before it is re-opened.

• Public Asked to Report Dead Deer
• Sarranen Public Water Access Area on Lake Poinsett Closed

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks will conduct a prescribed fire at Lake Henry, east of the city of Scotland in the coming weeks when conditions permit.

The South Dakota Legislative Interim Rules Review Committee has rejected the rule amendment to allow trapping on public lands and improved road rights-of-ways beyond May 1. The Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission had previously adopted this extension in April.

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission will be holding a teleconference meeting on May 23 at 8 a.m. CDT.

• No Wake Zone on Lake Thompson
• Kayak and Canoe Enthusiast Should Be Aware of Hidden Dangers
• GFP Commission Finalizes Extending Trap Dates,Hunt For Habitat Licenses, and Free Park Entrance Rules.

• Lake Alvin Closed to Swimming
• Lake Mitchell Declared a No Wake Zone
• Rising Water on Lake Francis Case Impacts GFP Areas
• Use Caution at Lake Oahe's Bush's Landing Road

• Continuous CRP Enrollment to Start June 3
• Labor Day Camping Reservations in State Parks Open Soon
• Fort Sisseton Annual Historical Festival This Weekend

PIERRE, S.D. – High water has caused South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Kelly Hepler to declare a temporary "no wake zone" on McCook Lake in Union County.

• No Wake Zone Declared for Turner County's Swan Lake
• Good Earth State Park to Host Summer Concert Series
• GFP Reminds Anglers How to Legally Transport Fish

PIERRE, S.D. – The deadline to apply for the six most popular firearm deer hunting seasons is fast approaching.

• Traditions Hold Strong at 42nd Annual Fort Sisseton Historical Festival
• Lake Lakota Closed to Swimming until Further Notice
• Game, Fish and Parks Extending Prospectus Deadline for the Solicitation of a Roy Lake Resort Concession Operator

• Lake Alvin, Lake Lakota Re-Open for Swimming
• Mirror Lakes Access Road Temporarily Closed
• Norton Named Brook Brown Boating Officer of the Year

• Tabor Lakeside Use Area Inaccessible Due to Road Closure
• Prairie Dog Control Programs Available
• Roadside Mowing: Hold off until after July 10

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) recently tagged 1,000 bluegills in Enemy Swim Lake in northeastern South Dakota. Anglers who catch a tagged bluegill are asked to report the tag number to GFP. 

Sioux Falls, SD --- Join us this weekend for the 9th annual Outdoor University in Sertoma Park! From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, come to the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls to pet a frog, shoot a bow, go fishing, watch a rescue dog in action, go on a treasure hunt and try all kinds of outdoor activities.

PIERRE, S.D. – As the “dog days” of summer roll on, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials would like to warn pet owners of blue-green algae blooms appearing in ponds and lakes across the state.

PIERRE, S.D. – Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve is celebrating 22 years as a state park with its annual festival on Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

PIERRE, S.D.—The South Dakota departments of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) and Agriculture (SDDA) want to remind South Dakota producers to register for assistance regarding prairie dog encroachment. The deadline for enrollment is Aug. 15.

On August 12, the Nest Predator Bounty Program will close after receiving 50,000 nest predator tails from nearly 3,000 participants.

PIERRE, S.D – The South Dakota state parks are inviting families to enjoy the outdoors in celebration of the first National TRACK Trails Day on Aug. 24. The day is part of a celebration of the Kids in Parks program’s 10-year anniversary. The program is comprised of a nation-wide network of TRACK Trails, which include trails and disc golf courses in 24 South Dakota state parks. Each trail features a series of self-guided activities, which turn visits into fun and exciting outdoor experiences.  

PIERRE, S.D. - The Glacial Lakes Chapter of the Walleyes Unlimited and Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) are hosting an Adopt-A-Lake event for Lake Poinsett on Saturday, Aug. 24.

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission will hold their monthly meeting at the Spearfish Holiday Inn on Sept. 5-6.

PIERRE, S.D. -The second century of pheasant hunting in South Dakota will begin in October, kicking off another year of our state’s robust hunting heritage. The annual pheasant brood count conducted by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) indicated that, despite a tough winter and wet spring, bird numbers are still plentiful.

PIERRE – Governor Kristi Noem has awarded Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funding to several cities, trail groups and state parks totaling $1,358,113. The federal assistance program provides up to 80 percent reimbursement for trail-related development and maintenance projects.

PIERRE, S.D. – High lake levels have caused South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Kelly Hepler, to declare temporary "no wake zones" on Lake Brandt, Lake Madison and Lake Herman in Lake County and Lake Mitchell in Davison County.

Flood waters have caused Game, Fish and Parks officials to close the east unit of the Lake Vermillion Recreation Area. This closure includes the east campground and east boat ramp, as well as access points on the south and east sides of Lake Vermillion. 

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem has closed portions of three waterways in southeast South Dakota to recreational use because of flooding. The governor’s executive order comes as Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials have also closed several state park areas. Recent rainfall has caused local flooding, causing problems with roads, boat docks and sanitation systems, in addition to creating unsafe water conditions in some areas. 

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has named Conservation Officer Matt Talbert as its 2019 Wildlife Officer of the Year.

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is holding two public meetings regarding the recent discovery of zebra mussels in Lake Sharpe.

SPEARFISH, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission have proposed new regulations for the transportation and disposal of deer and elk carcasses from other states and hunting units within South Dakota's known endemic areas where chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been confirmed. New regulations, if adopted, would not go into effect until the 2020 hunting seasons. 

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) will host the 54th annual Buffalo Roundup and 26th annual Arts Festival in Custer State Park later this month. The Buffalo Roundup begins at 9:30 a.m. MDT on Friday, Sept. 27. The Arts Festival will run from Thursday, Sept. 26, through Saturday, Sept. 28.

With the state park system facing $8 million in flood damages, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission is considering increases to state park entrance and camping fees.

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) has named Brad Janecke as its 2019 Wildlife Damage Specialist of the Year. Janecke is stationed in Fort Pierre and serves producers in Stanley, Jones, and Western Lyman Counties. He has been with GFP since February of 2018 and is originally from Ridott, Illinois. 

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem has closed portions of three waterways in southeast South Dakota to recreational use because of flooding. The governor’s executive order comes as Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials have also closed several state park areas. Recent rainfall has caused local flooding, causing problems with roads, boat docks and sanitation systems, in addition to creating unsafe water conditions in some areas. 

In May, Governor Noem announced that the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) would conduct an external review of South Dakota’s Wildlife Damage Management and Animal Damage Control programs.

PIERRE, S.D. – Two state park recreation areas have reopened after difficulty with flooding

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Department announced that the Big Sioux Recreation Area has reopened

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission will hold their monthly meeting at the AmericInn, Oct. 3-4

CUSTER, S.D. - Over 19,440 visitors attended the 54th Annual Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park on Friday morning, watching as 60 horseback riders wrangled the herd of 1,400 bison into the corrals for their annual health check.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials announced that the recreational boating closure on the Big Sioux River in Minnehaha, Moody, Lincoln and Union counties has been lifted. This includes Skunk and Split Rock Creeks.

PIERRE, S.D. – The 2020 annual park entrance license for South Dakota's state parks and recreation areas is available for purchase.

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission made several changes to the mountain lion hunting season.

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – With the discovery of zebra mussels in Lake Sharpe and the high probability of the mussels being present in Lake Francis Case, the Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission added those reservoirs to the list of designated containment waters for aquatic invasive species (AIS) management.

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission has created regulations for the transportation and disposal of deer and elk carcasses from other states and from hunting units within South Dakota's confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) areas. The new regulations will not go into effect until the 2020 hunting seasons. 

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission voted to leave current regulations in place regarding telescopics on muzzleloaders, which do not allow scopes that use magnification; 1X scopes remain legal.

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission moved forward with a proposal to increase state park entrance fees for the first time since 2014. The Commission also took action to raise select camping fees, many of which had also been unchanged for several years.

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission discussed a proposed new rule to establish the department as the designated agent of the commission for the permitting of aeration systems in meandered waters or other waters to which the state has acquired a right, title or interest.

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission discussed several changes to the state’s hoop net, trap and setline regulations.

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission denied proposals to modify the period in which a trapper must check their set traps and snares. In response to a public petition and discussion of an alternative approach between the GFP Commission and Department, two alternate proposals were considered.

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission rejected a proposal to adjust the days when dog training on horseback can occur on public lands.

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is celebrating Halloween with special events at state parks.

RAPID CITY, 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 earlier this month in Rapid City.

CUSTER, S.D. – The 2019 Custer State Park Fall Classic Bison Auction will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the park’s visitor center where approximately 432 head will be available for sale.

PIERRE, S.D. – Samples collected from a sick deer found south of Martin have been confirmed to be in the late stages of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

PIERRE, S.D. – Earlier this summer, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem introduced a key component of her Second Century Initiative – the Second Century Working Lands Habitat Program. Administered by the Second Century Habitat Fund, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization is dedicated to enhancing wildlife habitat and getting the next generation involved in outdoor recreation. 

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is pleased to announce the release of the South Dakota Pheasant Hunting Seasons Data Book. Author Lonnie Shafer, a retired history teacher from York, Nebraska, has dedicated years of study to pheasants in South Dakota. 

WATERTOWN, S.D. – At the November meeting of the Game, Fish and Parks Commission, wildlife conservation officers Kraig Haase and Dan Sternhagen were presented with awards.  

PIERRE, S.D. – Samples collected from a sick deer found south of Long Valley in southern Jackson County have been confirmed to be in the late stages of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

WATERTOWN, S.D. – According to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), entrepreneurs interested in operating Roy Lake Resort can now begin submitting proposals. The resort is located within Roy Lake State Park in northeastern South Dakota, 10 miles southeast of Lake City or 25 miles north of Webster on Highway 10.  

WATERTOWN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed a change to harvest restrictions for flathead catfish. The change would limit anglers to only one flathead catfish 28 inches or longer per day as part of the daily limit, statewide. 

WATERTOWN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed to allow the use of rifles on private land for the West River spring turkey prairie hunting units. Currently, the use of rifles is not allowed for any spring turkey hunting. This proposal would continue to exclude use of rifles on private land enrolled in the Walk-In Area Program and the entire Black Hills unit.

WATERTOWN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission rejected a petition to add a separate drawing for Custer State Park elk hunting applicants over 70 years of age.  

PIERRE, S.D. – With the much-anticipated arrival of the West and East River deer seasons, Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is seeking the assistance of hunters in providing samples for chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance efforts.

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Department is reminding hunters heading out for the East River Deer season to be mindful of the wet conditions that exist across much of eastern South Dakota.

LAKE CITY, S.D. – Get in the holiday spirit at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park's annual Frontier Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 14. Relive Christmas traditions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST.

PIERRE, S.D. – Increased efforts to determine the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in South Dakota have led to positive results out of Harding, Meade and Tripp counties. Thanks to the cooperation of hunters, these detections were obtained from samples provided through collection stations.

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Department is closing a Butte County lake.

PIERRE, S.D. – Snowmobile trails across South Dakota open Sunday, Dec. 15.

PIERRE S.D. – In the spring of 2019, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem announced that the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) would conduct an external review of South Dakota’s Wildlife Damage Management and Animal Damage Control programs. The external review is now complete, and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is working to act on the review findings.

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, S.D. -- The National Park Service (NPS), working with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), is again seeking skilled volunteers to reduce its elk herd at Wind Cave National Park (Wind Cave) to help address the high rate of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the park. A total of eight trained volunteers will be needed – four each week for the first two weeks in February. The volunteers will be selected through a lottery system managed by GFP. After qualifying, selected volunteers will work with NPS staff to reduce the number of elk inside the park.