Free South Dakota Weekend

[JBMasterAngler]

Does South Dakota have a free ice fishing weekend for non residents? My dad has expressed some interest in going there for the summer weekend, but that just doesn't work with our plans. Thought maybe a winter trip would be much more doable.

[creepworm]

I believe it is just the summer weekend. You can purchase a 3 day non resident license for $34 if that interests you, otherwise I think you are out of luck.

[castmaster]

JB,

I would look at heading one state north. I havent been able to find anything on a free ice fishing weekend, but you can buy a full season license in ND for $35, or $1 more than a SD 3 day! Can head back out and enjoy open water as well.

[smalliehunter]

does South Dakota give a free weekend for pheasant hunting?

[dirtymike]

JB,

I would look at heading one state north. I havent been able to find anything on a free ice fishing weekend, but you can buy a full season license in ND for $35, or $1 more than a SD 3 day! Can head back out and enjoy open water as well.

There's no fish in ND

[eyeguy 54]

not at all!

[JBMasterAngler]

I just bought a WI license for the 1st time this year, so I'm gonna hold off on branching out to other states, until I at least fish a few more lakes/rivers in cheese land. Sakakawea is on my bucket list however. I've actually never considered SD before, but if my dad wants to give it a go, I'm certainly willing to tag along.

[castmaster]

There's no fish in ND

[Mr.Seaguar]

I think that would be because theres no infrastructure in ND. Theres not a whole lot in SD either. I have ice fished there a lot and you don't run out of gas, propane or food there without a definite reaction plan.

[dirtymike]

Obviously! Thats why you see all those ND folks with cabins in MN!

[castmaster]

It's not the lack of fish, its the TREES!

Sakakawea is a tough lake to ice fish but it is improving for open water fishing. Missouri River is in tough shape since the 2011 flood. SD even upped the daily limit to get some of the smaller fish out of the system (oahe/missouri river). Devils Lake is always good.

[dirtymike]

Believe me, I'm with you. I have a few friends in SD that I like to fish with so I buy a whole season. The $65 I spend for a year fishing license doesn't come close to the fuel and booze cost while I'm with those fellas. However, $65 for a sure thing limit is cheap in my mind. On the note of non-residents funding their wildlife management, I'm ok with it. We aren't paying the taxes all year in the state. I wish ND would bump the NR tags instead of increasing them across the board. You pull into a boat ramp, summer or winter, it's filled with NR's. They're missing out on a few million each year.

[rundrave]

another thing to consider with a SD license is that the yearly license will expire the last day in January.

If your looking to purchase a yearly 2014/2015 license those should become available in a few days but wont be effective until 01/01/2014