South Dakota is a bird hunter’s paradise. It boasts the title of the “Pheasant Capital of the World,” and for good reason. On a yearly basis, the state regularly exceeds 1 million pheasants harvested. While the deer population includes both white-tailed and mule deer in healthy numbers, the tag system for non-residents has become more complex than years past, making it more difficult to draw a tag. However, hunters that are able to draw tags can reap the reward of bringing home top quality deer. Much of the state is covered by hills and prairies, with the exception of the Black Hills National Forest in the west which has over 1 million acres of public hunting land.
With numerous creeks, lakes, and rivers across the state and 98% of all water accessible to the public for fishing, there is no shortage of places to cast a line in South Dakota. Cold winters also provide ice fishing opportunities for anglers who can withstand the cold. Common catches include walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, northern pike, channel catfish, and black bullhead. Other species to reel in are chinook salmon, muskellunge, largemouth bass, white bass, sauger, and trout.
South Dakota Links
Connect with hunters and fishermen in South Dakota
South Dakota State Regulation Guidebooks
For the most recent South Dakota hunting and fishing regulations please follow the link below to be redirected to virtual online guidebooks. Please note that these guidebooks CANNOT be downloaded.