Get a South Dakota Fishing License at Your Fingertips

The bucket list of every angler living or visiting South Dakota MUST have a fishing trip entry. The relaxation of a quiet day spent fishing on the shores of Lake Alvin near Harrisburg and the warm feeling of the sun on your face as you cast a line in one of the 98% of the state's waters that are open for fishing are just some of the experiences waiting for you.

However, planning for your fishing trip can be hectic, especially if you are in charge of planning and securing the necessary licenses. The good thing is that there is a simple and convenient way to get your .

Here is all you need to know about fishing licenses in South Dakota, and how to easily acquire one in just three simple steps.

Who Is Eligible to Get a Fishing License in South Dakota?

To fish in South Dakota, everybody over the age of 18 years is required to have a fishing license. Seniors over 65 years have a special license. Additional permits or licenses are required for hoop line or setline fishing.

What Are the Different Types of Fishing Licenses in South Dakota?

South Dakota offers its residents and visitors a wide variety of fishing licenses to pick from ranging from a day's validity to a year's. This breakdown will help you choose one that matches your fishing needs.

Resident Fishing Licenses

Annual Fishing License - Residents are permitted to fish, take turtles and frogs for a whole year.

1-Day Fishing License - This license allows residents to only take turtles, frogs, and fish for one day. There is a daily limit per species that residents are required to abide by.

Senior Fishing License - This fishing license is only for residents who are 65 years or older.

Setline license - Residents need a separate license for each setline they use.

Hoop net license - Similar to the setline, residents need a separate license for each hoop net they operate.

Nursing facility group fishing license - This license entitles the residents of any nursing facility that owns it to the privileges of resident fishing licenses. It only works with the permanent residents of the nursing facility, not staff or employees.

Non-residents

Annual fishing License - It entitles non-residents to fish anywhere in the state for one year.

1-Day fishing License - Non-residents are allowed to fish for a day only and have to adhere to one daily limit of fish, frogs, and turtles.

3-Day fishing License - This license works the same as the 1-Day fishing for non-residents. The only difference is that it is valid for three days instead of one.

Fishing License Cost in South Dakota

All residents and non-residents above 18 years of age need a fishing license in order to catch fish, turtles, and frogs. The cost of a license depends on what type of license you want, your age, and your residency status. Here is a breakdown of the different types of licenses and their prices.

Resident Fishing License Cost

Resident Annual Fishing License	$28
Resident 1-Day Fishing License	$8
Resident Senior Fishing	$12
Game Fish Spearing & Archery Fishing Permit	$5
Resident Setline License	$5
Resident Hoop Net License	$10
Resident Nursing Facility Group License	$35
Non-Resident Family Fishing	$67
Non-Resident Annual Fishing	$67
Non-Resident 1-Day Fishing	$16
Non-Resident 3-Day Fishing	$37

South Dakota does not have a lifetime fishing license.

How to Get Your Fishing License on Your Own in South Dakota

Both residents and non-residents generally follow the same procedures to get a South Dakota fishing license. There are two options. Either they purchase it from an agent or purchase a online.

There are over 250 registered agents across the state, with most of them being bat shops and gas stations. Find their locations online or call Game, Fish, and Park at 605-223-7660.

To purchase your South Dakota fishing license online, you need to visit the Game, Fish, and Park license page, set up an account, fill up the requested details and follow the instructions.

If you don't want to or can't do it yourself, the following alternative is for you.

Next Steps for Getting Your Fishing License in South Dakota if You Can’t Do It Yourself

There are lots of reasons why you shouldn't try to get it yourself and instead let someone else handle it.

As stated above, at the top of the list of reasons is convenience. This manifests in two ways. First, all the steps, requirements, and procedures are eliminated so you will have completed your application in a couple of minutes. This is quite convenient, especially when compared to having to search for and then plan a visit to an agent.

Second, just like in other states, there are lots of rules and regulations, such as daily limits, that govern fishing in South Dakota. As you plan for your fishing trip, these rules and regulations need to be properly understood in order to avoid being on the wrong side of the law.

To take your time focusing on and perfecting other aspects of your fishing trip such as understanding the rules and regulations, you need to delegate as much as possible. And applying for your license is one of those delegatable tasks.

Finally, protocols change without prior notice. For example, most South Dakota fishing resources claim that only people under 16 years can fish without a license. This was only true up to February 2011 when Gov. Kristi Noem signed a bill into law that allows people under 18 to fish without a license.

If you were to research on your own and apply for your South Dakota fishing license, this is just one of the many protocols that you could get wrong. It is for this reason that you need to leave it to someone whose full-time job is to keep up with these rules and regulations to ensure you have a wonderful and bump-free fishing trip.

Get Your Fishing License in South Dakota With the Help of DoNotPay

To do away with the frustrations and struggles of doing it yourself as detailed above, you need the help of DoNotPay. It is an app and website designed to simplify the entire process of applying and acquiring your license in South Dakota.

How to Get Your Fishing License Using DoNotPay

If you want to get your fishing license but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has got you covered in three easy steps:

1. Search "fishing license" on DoNotPay and select the state you would like a fishing license for.

2. Indicate whether you are a resident or non-resident, and choose the type of license you want. For example, saltwater vs. freshwater license, three-day only pass, and more.

3. Provide your contact information, a copy of your government-issued ID, and pay the fee required by the state.

Why Use DoNotPay to Get Your Fishing License in South Dakota?

Quick Service

You do not have to spend hours trying to find information about the licensing requirements of your state. In less than ten minutes, you will have submitted your application.

Hassle-free Process

It only takes three steps to apply for your fishing license. You won't have to fill out tedious forms and keep track of all the steps involved in applying and acquiring your fishing license.

Success Guaranteed

With satisfied customers and years of experience on our side, you can rest assured that your application for a fishing license will go through. You won't have to apply again or wait too long.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

DoNotPay is a one-stop shop for all legal problems you may have. Getting you your license is not all it is good for. It can also help you with problems such as:

Whatever legal problem you have, DoNotPay has got you covered.

With its kind and welcoming residents, collection of creeks, rivers, and lakes, lots of accommodations to cater to fishing folks, boat-sized parking spots and restaurants that will cook up your day's catch, a South Dakota fishing trip is calling to you.

But in order to answer that call, you first need to get your license in just three easy steps through DoNotPay.