South Dakota fishing license
South Dakota requires a recreational fishing license from age 18. The state licenses freshwater fishing. The current license year is 2026 (December 15, 2025 – January 31, 2027).
Source: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks · Reviewed July 30, 2026
Your likely official license
Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in South Dakota, the official match is Nonresident One-Day Fishing License.
- Nonresident One-Day Fishing License$26 · Begins at 12:01 a.m. and ends at midnight for the date stated on the license.
What it covers
- Nonresident One-Day Fishing License — freshwater. Base fee published in the 2026 South Dakota Fishing Handbook; agent fees not included.Limits on this license: One daily limit of fish. No habitat stamp is needed.
Required add-ons
No stamp or endorsement is attached to this licence for your residency, age and trip length. Check “You may also need” below for requirements that depend on where and what you fish.
You may also need
South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks publishes these for the water you selected. Whether one applies depends on what you fish for and where — something this tool does not ask.
- Habitat Stamp (resident) — Required of any resident 18 years of age or older when applying for or purchasing a hunting or fishing license. Only one habitat stamp is required per license year. Not required for the One-Day Resident Fishing License, any youth hunting license, any private shooting preserve license, any landowner hunting license, or any reduced fee disabled license. There is no physical stamp to carry. · $10
- Habitat Stamp (nonresident) — Required of any nonresident 18 years of age or older when applying for or purchasing a hunting or fishing license. Only one habitat stamp is required per license year. Not required for the One-Day Fishing License, any youth license, any private shooting preserve license, or a landowner hunting license. · $25
- Resident Hoop Net / Trap License — Only South Dakota residents with a valid fishing license, or who are under 18 years of age and exempt from licensing requirements, may purchase this licence. A separate licence is required for each hoop net operated. · $10
- Resident Floatline / Setline License — Only South Dakota residents with a valid fishing license, or who are under 18 years of age and exempt from licensing requirements, may purchase this licence. A separate licence is required for each setline operated. · $5
Why this answer
- You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
- Nonresident One-Day Fishing License covers the full trip: Begins at 12:01 a.m. and ends at midnight for the date stated on the license.
Other options you are eligible for
- Nonresident Three-Day Fishing License — $45 for this trip · Begins at 12:01 a.m. for the date stated on the license and ends at midnight on the third day.One daily limit of fish for each day the license is valid, but may not exceed the possession limit by species. No habitat stamp is needed.
- Nonresident Annual Fishing License — $105 for this trip · Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027.Covers fishing and the taking of frogs and turtles within the legal daily and possession limits.
Exceptions that may change it
- South Dakota's most recently published free fishing days were May 15, 2026 (Free Fishing Weekend), May 16, 2026 (Free Fishing Weekend) and May 17, 2026 (Free Fishing Weekend); check the agency for the next one. No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
- Nonresident One-Day Fishing License: One daily limit of fish. No habitat stamp is needed.
- Landowners and immediate family members (spouse and children residing at home or children residing on land owned or leased by the qualifying landowner) who are residents of South Dakota do not need a fishing license to fish in waters inundating private land owned or leased by the qualifying resident.
- GFP may issue an Angler Assistance permit to a person with a valid fishing license, or who is exempt from licensing requirements, who has a physical or developmental disability that prevents them from performing any of the activities associated with fishing. The permit allows another person to assist the permitted individual while fishing without that assistant needing to possess a valid fishing license.
- This answer covers the licence only. Season, size, bag and waterbody rules still apply and change through the year.
We do not sell licenses and take no commission. This goes to the state agency.
Check current South Dakota regulations(external, opens the official state website)Seasons, size limits, bag limits and waterbody closures are not covered by this tool and change through the year.
- Source
- 2026 South Dakota Fishing Handbook(external, opens the official state website) — South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
- Validity
- 2026 · December 15, 2025 – January 31, 2027
- Reviewed
- July 30, 2026
Answers at a glance
Common trips, answered from the same official record the checker uses. These assume an adult with no special circumstances — set your own age, water and trip above.
Visiting for a day
Adult visiting from another state · freshwater · one day
Nonresident One-Day Fishing License
Published total: $26
Resident for the season
Adult South Dakota resident · freshwater · all year
Resident Annual Fishing License
Published total: $41
Age and residency rules
Who counts as a resident. To be eligible for a resident license, a person must have a domicile within this state for at least 90 consecutive days immediately preceding the date of application for, purchasing, or attempting to purchase any hunting, fishing, or trapping license/permit; make no claim of residency in any other state or foreign country for any purpose; claim no resident hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges in any other state or foreign country; and, prior to any application, transfer the person's driver's license and motor vehicle registrations to this state. A domicile is a person's established, fixed, and permanent home in which the person physically lives and, whenever absent, has the present intention of returning. Documentation showing a mailing address, ownership of a property or business, or employment in the state is not sufficient by itself.
Age-based rules
- Residents under age 18 do not need a license to fish and can take their own limits.
- Nonresidents under age 18 do not need a license to fish and can take their own limit.
License options
| License | Who | Water | Valid for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)Covers fishing and the taking of frogs and turtles. | ResidentAllows residents age 18-64 to fish throughout the license period. Residents age 65 or older must purchase the Senior Fishing License or Senior Combination License. | freshwater | Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027. | $31 |
| Resident Senior Annual Fishing License (age 65 and over)(external, opens the official state website)Covers fishing and the taking of frogs and turtles. | ResidentAllows residents age 65 or older to fish throughout the license period. | freshwater | Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027. | $17 |
| Resident Combination License (fishing and small game hunting)(external, opens the official state website)Combines fishing and small game hunting privileges. | ResidentResidents age 18-64 may purchase this license. | freshwater | Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027. | $60 |
| Resident Senior Combination License (age 65 and over)(external, opens the official state website)Combines fishing and small game hunting privileges. | ResidentResidents age 65 or older may purchase this license. | freshwater | Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027. | $43 |
| Resident One-Day Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)License holders are allowed one daily limit of fish. No Habitat Stamp is needed. | ResidentResidents under age 18 do not need a license to fish. | freshwater | The license begins at 12:01 a.m. and expires at midnight for the specified date on the license. | $10 |
| Resident Disability License(external, opens the official state website)Equivalent to the Fishing License and Small Game License. Available to residents who are paraplegic or otherwise permanently physically unable to walk, or who are blind or visually impaired. A person who has a developmental disability may apply for a fishing-only version by contacting the GFP License Office. Applicants must apply on GFP forms with proof of South Dakota residency. | Resident | freshwater | Valid for four years. | $10 |
| Nonresident Annual Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)Covers fishing and the taking of frogs and turtles within the legal daily and possession limits. | Non-residentNonresidents under age 18 do not need a license to fish. | freshwater | Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027. | $80 |
| Nonresident Three-Day Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)One daily limit of fish for each day the license is valid, but may not exceed the possession limit by species. No habitat stamp is needed. | Non-residentNonresidents under age 18 do not need a license to fish. | freshwater | Begins at 12:01 a.m. for the date stated on the license and ends at midnight on the third day. | $45 |
| Nonresident One-Day Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)One daily limit of fish. No habitat stamp is needed. | Non-residentNonresidents under age 18 do not need a license to fish. | freshwater | Begins at 12:01 a.m. and ends at midnight for the date stated on the license. | $26 |
Resident Annual Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
Covers fishing and the taking of frogs and turtles.
- Who
- Resident · Allows residents age 18-64 to fish throughout the license period. Residents age 65 or older must purchase the Senior Fishing License or Senior Combination License.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027.
- Price
- $31
Resident Senior Annual Fishing License (age 65 and over)(external, opens the official state website)
Covers fishing and the taking of frogs and turtles.
- Who
- Resident · Allows residents age 65 or older to fish throughout the license period.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027.
- Price
- $17
Combines fishing and small game hunting privileges.
- Who
- Resident · Residents age 18-64 may purchase this license.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027.
- Price
- $60
Resident Senior Combination License (age 65 and over)(external, opens the official state website)
Combines fishing and small game hunting privileges.
- Who
- Resident · Residents age 65 or older may purchase this license.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027.
- Price
- $43
Resident One-Day Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
License holders are allowed one daily limit of fish. No Habitat Stamp is needed.
- Who
- Resident · Residents under age 18 do not need a license to fish.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- The license begins at 12:01 a.m. and expires at midnight for the specified date on the license.
- Price
- $10
Resident Disability License(external, opens the official state website)
Equivalent to the Fishing License and Small Game License. Available to residents who are paraplegic or otherwise permanently physically unable to walk, or who are blind or visually impaired. A person who has a developmental disability may apply for a fishing-only version by contacting the GFP License Office. Applicants must apply on GFP forms with proof of South Dakota residency.
- Who
- Resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid for four years.
- Price
- $10
Nonresident Annual Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
Covers fishing and the taking of frogs and turtles within the legal daily and possession limits.
- Who
- Non-resident · Nonresidents under age 18 do not need a license to fish.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid throughout the 2026 license period: December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027.
- Price
- $80
Nonresident Three-Day Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
One daily limit of fish for each day the license is valid, but may not exceed the possession limit by species. No habitat stamp is needed.
- Who
- Non-resident · Nonresidents under age 18 do not need a license to fish.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Begins at 12:01 a.m. for the date stated on the license and ends at midnight on the third day.
- Price
- $45
Nonresident One-Day Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
One daily limit of fish. No habitat stamp is needed.
- Who
- Non-resident · Nonresidents under age 18 do not need a license to fish.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Begins at 12:01 a.m. and ends at midnight for the date stated on the license.
- Price
- $26
Stamps, endorsements and report cards
- Habitat Stamp (resident) — Required of any resident 18 years of age or older when applying for or purchasing a hunting or fishing license. Only one habitat stamp is required per license year. Not required for the One-Day Resident Fishing License, any youth hunting license, any private shooting preserve license, any landowner hunting license, or any reduced fee disabled license. There is no physical stamp to carry. · $10
- Habitat Stamp (nonresident) — Required of any nonresident 18 years of age or older when applying for or purchasing a hunting or fishing license. Only one habitat stamp is required per license year. Not required for the One-Day Fishing License, any youth license, any private shooting preserve license, or a landowner hunting license. · $25
- Resident Hoop Net / Trap License — Only South Dakota residents with a valid fishing license, or who are under 18 years of age and exempt from licensing requirements, may purchase this licence. A separate licence is required for each hoop net operated. · $10
- Resident Floatline / Setline License — Only South Dakota residents with a valid fishing license, or who are under 18 years of age and exempt from licensing requirements, may purchase this licence. A separate licence is required for each setline operated. · $5
Exemptions worth knowing
- Landowners and immediate family members (spouse and children residing at home or children residing on land owned or leased by the qualifying landowner) who are residents of South Dakota do not need a fishing license to fish in waters inundating private land owned or leased by the qualifying resident.
- No fishing licenses are required during GFP's Free Fishing Weekend, published in the 2026 South Dakota Fishing Handbook as May 15-17, 2026. Regulations and limits still apply.
- GFP may issue an Angler Assistance permit to a person with a valid fishing license, or who is exempt from licensing requirements, who has a physical or developmental disability that prevents them from performing any of the activities associated with fishing. The permit allows another person to assist the permitted individual while fishing without that assistant needing to possess a valid fishing license. Still required: The person being assisted must first obtain the Angler Assistance permit from GFP; it is issued on either a temporary or permanent basis at the Department's discretion, depending on the type of disability.
Free fishing days
- Free Fishing Weekend — May 15, 2026. Published in the 2026 South Dakota Fishing Handbook as "FREE FISHING WEEKEND MAY 15-17, 2026". GFP states no fishing licenses are required and that regulations and limits still apply.
- Free Fishing Weekend — May 16, 2026. Published in the 2026 South Dakota Fishing Handbook as "FREE FISHING WEEKEND MAY 15-17, 2026".
- Free Fishing Weekend — May 17, 2026. Published in the 2026 South Dakota Fishing Handbook as "FREE FISHING WEEKEND MAY 15-17, 2026".
Where this comes from
- Primary source
- 2026 South Dakota Fishing Handbook(external, opens the official state website) — South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
- Retrieved
- July 26, 2026
- Reviewed
- July 30, 2026
- Also consulted
- License Types & Costs(external, opens the official state website)
- Resident License Information(external, opens the official state website)
- General License Requirements(external, opens the official state website)
- Hunting and Fishing Licenses(external, opens the official state website)
- FAQ: How old does my child have to be before she/he needs a fishing license?(external, opens the official state website)
- Habitat Stamp FAQs(external, opens the official state website)
Found something out of date? Email corrections@fishinglicensecheck.com and tell us which figure and which page — see corrections.
Nearby states
Licenses are issued state by state — a South Dakota license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.