game fish and parks

PIERRE (AP) — South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks is reminding anglers fishing for walleye in lakes Sharpe and Francis Case that the 15-inch minimum length limit isn't effective during the months of July and August. In this timeframe, the daily limit is four walleyes without a minimum...

PIERRE (AP) — South Dakota wildlife officials will be conducting compliance checks along the Missouri River this weekend to ensure that boaters and anglers are following regulations aimed at slowing the spread of invasive species in waterways. The state Game, Fish and Parks Department...

SPEARFISH (AP) — State wildlife officials are working to put collars on newborn deer in the Black Hills region to track how many survive. Last weekend likely was the peak of birthing activity by does, according to the Black Hills Pioneer reports. State Game, Fish and Parks Resource...

HARRISBURG (AP) — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has reopened Lake Alvin to swimming after closing it earlier this month when tests showed unhealthy levels of E. coli in the water. Jason Bauman, a district park supervisor for the department, tells the Argus Leader...

PIERRE (AP) — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission is proposing to dissolve the West River prairie unit and offer 105 fewer one-tag licenses for the 2016 fall turkey hunting season.

PIERRE (AP) — A survey by state Game, Fish and Parks biologists has found the numbers of sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chickens are up across western South Dakota. The spike goes against the long-term trend of declining numbers that's likely due to the loss of rangeland. Grouse...

HARRISBURG (AP) — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has closed Lake Alvin to swimming after tests showed unhealthy levels of E.coli in the water. The lake outside Harrisburg is a popular swimming spot is off-limits. The lake remains open to fishing. Officials say...

PIERRE (AP) — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has received a $50,000 grant from a nonprofit group to improve water quality and fish habitat in the Black Hills. The donation from Black Hills Fly Fishers for Pactola Basin Improvements will help GF&P complete a...

PIERRE (AP) — Outdoor enthusiasts rejoice: Entrance fees will be waived at all state park and recreation areas in South Dakota this weekend. The state Game, Fish and Parks Department has scheduled its annual Open House and Free Fishing weekend for this Friday through Sunday. Residents...

PIERRE (AP) — A South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks staffer is playing a role in a national effort to replace aging hunters. The Capital Journal reports the national R3 plan aims to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters and shooters. The planning committee finalizing the R3 plan...

PIERRE (AP) — A survey has found that South Dakota anglers are most concerned with access to glacial lakes in the northeast, the cost of fishing licenses and competition with non-resident anglers. The Pierre Capital Journal reports that the survey was conducted by Larry Gigliotti...

CUSTER (AP) — Calving season has kicked off at Custer State Park in western South Dakota. The first bison calf of the year was born Monday. The state's Game, Fish and Parks Department says most bison calves are born between late April and early May. The calves weigh 40 to 50 pounds...

PIERRE (AP) — South Dakota wildlife officials plan to release thousands of catchable-sized rainbow trout below Fort Randall Dam this week. The state's Game, Fish and Parks Department says 5,000 hatchery-raised rainbow trout that are between 9 and 12 inches long will be released...