Fishing

Fishing in South Dakota

Discover 49 state parks offering fishing in South Dakota

🐟 South Dakota Fishing License at a Glance

Resident Annual $31 + $10 habitat stamp
Non-Resident Annual $80 + $25 habitat stamp
Youth Under 18 free
Senior 65+: $17
🎉 Free Fishing Days May 15-17, 2026
Short-term licenses R 1-day $10; NR 1-day $26, 3-day $45 R = resident, NR = non-resident

Annual licenses need the habitat stamp ($10 residents, $25 non-residents, ages 18+); 1-day licenses do not. Agents and online sales add up to $4 per license. The 2026 license period runs December 15, 2025 to January 31, 2027.

Official South Dakota Fishing Info →

Checked against the official agency, September 2026. Fees and dates change yearly — always confirm current rates and free-fishing dates via the official link above before purchasing.

49 State Parks
View All Fishing Parks →
View All South Dakota Parks →

South Dakota State Parks with Fishing

Sweeping aerial view of the meandering Missouri River bordering the 1500-acre Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in South Dakota

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve

+9 Wildlife Watching Photography Mountain Biking Horseback Riding Bird Watching Cross Country Skiing Snowmobiling Accessible Amenities Biking
angostura1

Angostura Recreation Area

+5 Wildlife Watching Picnicking Paddleboarding Water Skiing Kayaking
A gorgeous view of the rocky landscape of Bear Butte State Park, South Dakota

Bear Butte State Park

+4 Picnicking Horseback Riding Bird Watching Paddling
Bbs solux State Park recreation area.

Big Sioux Recreation Area

+4 Snowshoeing Kayaking Paddling Biking

Burke Lake Recreation Area

+2 Ice Fishing Hunting

Buryanek Recreation Area

+1 Hunting

Chief White Crane Recreation Area

Cow Creek Recreation Area
American bison herd grazing on golden prairie at sunset with Black Hills granite formations in Custer State Park South Dakota

Custer State Park

+8 Photography Horseback Riding Ice Fishing Paddleboarding Scenic Overlooks Kayaking RV Biking

Farm Island Recreation Area

+1 Ice Fishing
two campers at Fisher Grove State Park in South Dakota

Fisher Grove State Park

+10 Wildlife Watching Picnicking Mountain Biking Bird Watching Snowmobiling Golfing Kayaking Canoeing Winter Sports Biking
Split Rock Creek through the trees at Palisades State Park

Fort Sisseton Historic State Park

+2 Sailing Canoeing
Visitor Center at Good Earth State Park

Good Earth State Park

+9 Picnicking Bird Watching Stargazing Snowshoeing Scenic Overlooks Kayaking Paddling Canoeing Biking
the lake at Hartford Beach State Park at night

Hartford Beach State Park

+10 Wildlife Watching Picnicking Bird Watching Snowshoeing Paddleboarding Scenic Overlooks Disc Golf Golfing Kayaking Canoeing

Indian Creek Recreation Area

+1 Hunting
Lake Alvin Recreation Area (South-Dakota)

Lake Alvin Recreation Area

+3 Mountain Biking Ice Fishing Biking
Cabins on the edge of the lake at Roy Lake State Park

Lake Cochrane Recreation Area
Sunset over the boat launch at Lake Herman State Park

Lake Herman State Park

+11 Wildlife Watching Picnicking Bird Watching Snowshoeing Disc Golf Jet Skiing Water Skiing Golfing Kayaking Canoeing Winter Sports

Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area

Lake Louise Recreation Area

+3 Bird Watching Stargazing Ice Fishing
the lake at Hartford Beach State Park at night

Lake Poinsett State Park

+6 Wildlife Watching Photography Mountain Biking Horseback Riding Snowmobiling Biking

Lake Thompson Recreation Area

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

+1 Hunting

Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area

+1 Ice Fishing

Mina Lake Recreation Area

+2 Ice Fishing Hunting
a watchtower under the stars at Newton Hills State Park

Newton Hills State Park

+3 Bird Watching Scenic Overlooks RV

North Wheeler Recreation Area
Oahe Downstream Recreation Area (South-Dakota)

Oahe Downstream Recreation Area
the edge of the water at Oakwood Lakes State Park during autumn

Oakwood Lakes State Park

+13 Wildlife Watching Picnicking Mountain Biking Horseback Riding Bird Watching Snowshoeing Paddleboarding Disc Golf Golfing Kayaking Paddling Canoeing Biking
Palisades State Park (South Dakota)

Palisades State Park

Pease Creek Recreation Area

+2 Ice Fishing Hunting

Pickerel Lake Recreation Area

Pierson Ranch Recreation Area

Platte Creek Recreation Area

+3 Stargazing Ice Fishing Hunting

Randall Creek Recreation Area

Revheim Bay Recreation Area

Richmond Lake Recreation Area

+2 Bird Watching Disc Golf
Cabins on the edge of the lake at Roy Lake State Park

Roy Lake State Park

+8 Wildlife Watching Picnicking Bird Watching Paddleboarding Disc Golf Golfing Kayaking Canoeing

Sandy Shore Recreation Area

+1 Ice Fishing

Shadehill Recreation Area

+1 Hunting

Sheps Canyon Recreation Area
A view of a grove of trees at the start of autumn with leaves changing colors and a field in the foreground at Sica Hollow State Park

Sica Hollow State Park

+6 Wildlife Watching Picnicking Horseback Riding Bird Watching Stargazing Snowshoeing

Snake Creek Recreation Area
Springfield Recreation Area (South-Dakota)

Springfield Recreation Area
A view of a grove of trees at the start of autumn with leaves changing colors and a field in the foreground at Sica Hollow State Park

Stockade Lake Campground

+1 Canoeing

Swan Creek Recreation Area

+2 Bird Watching Ice Fishing

West Bend Recreation Area

+1 Paddling

West Pollock Recreation Area

West Whitlock Recreation Area

Other Places with Fishing in South Dakota (Not State Parks)

These places are run by a county, city, federal agency, another state agency, a tribe or a private owner, not by South Dakota’s state park system. State park passes, rules and reservations may not apply, so check with the operator before you go.

a watchtower under the stars at Newton Hills State Park

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

Run by the USDA Forest Service (Black Hills National Forest)

More Fishing Destinations

More Activities in South Dakota

❓ Fishing in South Dakota — FAQ

Are there free fishing days in South Dakota?

Yes — May 15-17, 2026. On free fishing days no license is required; confirm the dates with the official South Dakota agency before your trip.

Scroll to Top