Fort Sisseton Celebrates a Frontier Christmas
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.


East River Deer Hunters Should be Aware of Wet Conditions
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.


Awards Presented to Conservation Officers during GFP Commission Meeting
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.

Game, Fish and Parks Accepting Proposals for Roy Lake Resort Concession Operator
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.

GFP Commission Proposes Length Restriction for Flathead Catfish
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.

GFP Commission Rejects Petition for Change in Custer State Park Elk Hunting Season Drawing
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.

GFP Commission Proposes Use of Rifles on Private Land During West River Prairie Spring Turkey Season
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.


New Book Documents 100 Years of Pheasant Hunting in South Dakota
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.


Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Bennett County
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).

Second Century Working Lands Habitat Program Provides Opportunity
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.


Custer State Park to Hold Annual Bison Auction
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.


Zebra Mussels Confirmed in Lake Francis Case
Pierre, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) has confirmed the presence of adult zebra mussels in Lake Francis Case.


Division of Parks and Recreation Honors Employees
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.


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


GFP Commission Creates Deer and Elk Carcass Transportation and Disposal Rules to Combat the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
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.

GFP Commission Adjusts Aquatic Invasive Species and Containment Waters Lists, Fish Importation Rules
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.

GFP Commission Increases Park and Camping Fees
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.

GFP Commission Rejects Lake Aeration Rule
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.

GFP Commission Rejects Modifications to the Hoop Net, Trap and Setline Regulations
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.

GFP Commission Rejects Modifications to Trapping 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.

GFP Commission Denies Proposal to Allow for Expanded Use of Telescopic Muzzleloader Optics
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.

No Change to Using Horses While Dog Training on Public Lands
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.

Changes to the Mountain Lion Hunting Season, Expansion of Custer State Park Coyote Hunting
CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission made several changes to the mountain lion hunting season.


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

Big Sioux Open to Recreation, Lake Herman State Park Opens
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.

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


Thousands Attend Buffalo Roundup
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.


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


Newton Hills State Park to host the 20th Annual FestiFall
CANTON, S.D. – Newton Hills State Park near Canton will host the 20th annual FestiFall on Oct. 5 from 1-5 p.m. The event features arts and crafts, kid’s activities and musical entertainment.


GFP News: Custer State Park to Host Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival
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.


High Water Causes GFP to Declare No Wake Zones on Lakes Brandt, Madison, Herman and Mitchell
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.


GFP News: Recreational Trails Receive Funding
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.