What will it cost? Calculator
Pick your trip and we'll work out the cheapest licenses to buy, including any required stamps.
Licenses and prices
Checked Nov 4, 2026Prices for 2026. Prices exclude the agent fee (up to $4 per license, online or from an agent). The habitat stamp is extra for annual and 3-day licenses.
Where these prices come from: Prices from GFP's license types page (November 2026); they match the 2025 fishing handbook.
How long annual licenses last: Licenses go on sale on December 15 and run to January 31 of the following year (the 2026 license runs December 15, 2025 to January 31, 2027). Official source
Non-residents (visitors)
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-resident annual fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $80 |
Agent fee not included. Habitat stamp ($25) also required at 18+. Official source2 |
| Non-resident 3-day fishing license | Fresh | 3 days | $45 |
Agent fee not included. Three consecutive days. Habitat stamp ($25) also required at 18+. Official source2 |
| Non-resident 1-day fishing license | Fresh | 1 day | $26 |
Agent fee not included. One daily limit of fish. No habitat stamp needed. Official source2 |
Residents
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident annual fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $31 |
Agent fee not included. Habitat stamp ($10) also required at 18+. Official source2 |
| Resident 1-day fishing license | Fresh | 1 day | $10 |
Agent fee not included. One daily limit per species. No habitat stamp needed. Official source2 |
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Resident senior annual fishing license (65+) Ages 65+ | Fresh | Annual | $17 |
Agent fee not included. Official source2 |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Resident combination license (fishing and small game, 18 to 64) Ages 18–64 | Fresh | Annual | $60 |
Only for: Includes small game hunting. Shown for hunters; the calculator quotes the fishing-only license. Official source |
| Resident senior combination license (65+) Ages 65+ | Fresh | Annual | $43 |
Only for: Includes small game hunting. Shown for hunters; the calculator quotes the fishing-only license. Official source |
Extra stamps and permits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Some of these are required: the calculator adds them automatically.
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Habitat stamp (resident)
$10Required for residents with annual licenses (ages 18+)
Required once per license year for anyone 18 or older buying an annual fishing or hunting license. Not needed with a 1-day fishing license.
Residents Official source23
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Habitat stamp (non-resident)
$25Required for non-residents with annual, 3 days licenses (ages 18+)
Required once per license year for anyone 18 or older buying a non-resident annual or 3-day fishing license. Not needed with a 1-day license.
Non-residents Official source23
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Setline license (resident)
$5One needed per setline operated.
Residents Official source
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Hoop net license (resident)
$10One needed per hoop net operated.
Residents Official source
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Paddlefish license, Gavins Point (archery or snagging)
Annual $30
Non-resident $50Needed to take paddlefish below Gavins Point Dam. Resident $30, non-resident $50.
Everyone Official source
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Paddlefish license, Lake Francis Case snagging (residents only)
$30Needed to snag paddlefish on Lake Francis Case.
Residents Official source
Who doesn't need a license
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Anyone under 18 (residents and non-residents)
Fresh Everyone Official source2
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Resident landowners and their immediate family fishing waters on land they own or lease
Fresh Residents · check this applies to you Official source2
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South Dakota residents on active military duty stationed outside the state (carry orders and military ID)
Fresh Residents · check this applies to you Official source2
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Residents with certain permanent disabilities, and certain resident veterans: a $10 disability card (valid four years) replaces the fishing license
Fresh Residents · check this applies to you Official source2
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Anyone on Free Fishing Weekend in May
Fresh Everyone Official source
Fishing licenses from other states aren't valid in South Dakota, except under the border-water agreements below.
Free fishing days
Checked Nov 4, 2026Dates can move, and some free days are for residents only. Confirm with SD GFP before you go.
Next dates not yet announced. Check the official page.
The rule: One weekend in mid-May (with the State Parks Open House), set by GFP.
No fishing license is needed during Free Fishing Weekend; regulations and limits still apply. 2025 dates were May 16 to 18 (GFP fishing handbook). 2027 dates not yet announced.
Residents and visitors
Checked Nov 4, 2026- Who counts as a resident
- Domicile (a fixed, permanent home you live in and intend to return to) in South Dakota for at least 90 consecutive days before buying, with no residency or resident license claimed elsewhere, a South Dakota driver's license and South Dakota-registered vehicles. A mailing address, property or a job alone doesn't count. Residency ends if you spend 180 or more days in another state in a calendar year. (at least 90 days)
- Military
- Active military and their spouses stationed in South Dakota, and South Dakota National Guard and reserve members, can qualify as residents.
- Students
- Full-time post-high-school students can qualify as residents.
How to buy a South Dakota fishing license
Checked Nov 4, 2026Sold online through Go Outdoors South Dakota, in the GFP app and at license agents. Agents and online sales add an agent fee.
- Online
- South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks license sales
- Phone
- 605-223-7660
- App
- GFP mobile app
Buy online, in the GFP app or from license agents and print at home. The eRegulations guide says agents and online sales may add up to $4 per license. Customer service: 605-223-7660 or WildInfo@state.sd.us.
Charters, guides and piers
Checked Nov 4, 2026It depends on the boat and where you fish.
GFP's fishing handbook gives no exemption for guided anglers, so anyone 18 or over normally needs their own license. Guiding on US Fish and Wildlife Service lands needs a special use permit.
Charter rules depend on the boat and where you fish. Ask the captain, and check SD GFP's rules before you book.
Border waters
Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska border waters
Follow the rules of the state you're licensed in or fishing in, whichever is more restrictive, and enter and leave the water from the state that licensed you. Daily and possession limits apply even if you hold both states' licenses. Check the handbook for each water. Official source
Seasons and limits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Limits change, and many lakes, rivers and coastal areas have their own rules. Check SD GFP's current rules before you keep a fish.
Statewide limits from GFP's fishing handbook. The Missouri River reservoirs, Black Hills and many lakes have their own rules. Possession limit is twice the daily limit. Only one day's limit may be held while on the water or fishing (ice anglers may keep a possession limit).
| Species | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger Fresh | Statewide | Only 1 of 20" or longer | 4 (possession 8) | – |
| Missouri River reservoirs (Oahe, Sharpe, Francis Case) and some other waters have their own walleye limits; check before fishing. Official source23 Walleye limits in other states | ||||
| Northern pike Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 6 (possession 12) | – |
| Official source2 Northern pike limits in other states | ||||
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 5 (possession 10) | – |
| Official source2 Largemouth bass limits in other states | ||||
| Yellow perch Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 15 (possession 30) | – |
| Official source2 Yellow perch limits in other states | ||||
| Crappie Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 15 (possession 30) | – |
| Official source2 Crappie limits in other states | ||||
| Sunfish (bluegill and others) Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 15 (possession 30) | – |
| Official source2 | ||||
| Channel and flathead catfish Fresh | Statewide | Only 1 flathead of 30" or longer | 10 (possession 20) | – |
| Official source2 Catfish limits in other states | ||||
| Trout, salmon and splake Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 5 combined (possession 10) | – |
| Includes chinook salmon. Black Hills waters have special trout rules. Official source2 Trout limits in other states | ||||
| Lake trout (Black Hills) Fresh | Black Hills fishing area | 24" minimum | 1 | – |
| Official source2 Trout limits in other states | ||||
| Muskellunge and tiger muskie Fresh | Statewide | n/a | Catch and release only | – |
| Official source2 Muskellunge (muskie) limits in other states | ||||
| Paddlefish Fresh | Statewide | n/a | Only with a special paddlefish license | – |
| Official source2 | ||||
| White bass, rock bass and bullhead Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | No limit | – |
| Official source2 Catfish limits in other states | ||||
Compare South Dakota with other states
Neighboring states, side by side: prices, age rules, free days and shared waters.
Questions
Do I need a fishing license in South Dakota?
Yes, if you are 18 or older and fish public waters in South Dakota, unless an exemption applies. No license is needed for: Anyone under 18 (residents and non-residents).
How much is a non-resident fishing license in South Dakota?
For an adult fishing fresh water, the cheapest options for 2026 are $26 for one day (Non-resident 1-day fishing license); $105 for seven days (Non-resident annual fishing license, Habitat stamp (non-resident) (required)); $105 for a year (Non-resident annual fishing license, Habitat stamp (non-resident) (required)). Prices exclude the agent fee (up to $4 per license, online or from an agent). The habitat stamp is extra for annual and 3-day licenses.
Do seniors need a fishing license in South Dakota?
Senior options for residents: Resident senior annual fishing license (65+): $17 (ages 65+). Non-resident seniors pay the normal non-resident prices.
How do I get a fishing license in South Dakota?
Buy it from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks: Sold online through Go Outdoors South Dakota, in the GFP app and at license agents. Agents and online sales add an agent fee.
Do I need a license to fish on a charter in South Dakota?
It depends on the boat and where you fish. GFP's fishing handbook gives no exemption for guided anglers, so anyone 18 or over normally needs their own license. Guiding on US Fish and Wildlife Service lands needs a special use permit.
Sources and checks
Every fact on this page comes from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks unless it's marked secondary. We use a secondary source only when the official site doesn't show something, and we name it.
- Licenses and prices
- Checked Nov 4, 2026 (prices for 2026)
- Free fishing days
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
- Seasons and limits
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
All 8 source pages
- gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/FishingHandbook_2026.pdf
- gfp.sd.gov/license-types
- gfp.sd.gov/nonresident-license-information
- www.brookingsregister.com/2025/05/16/free-fishing-state-parks-this-weekend-in-south-dakota/
- www.eregulations.com/southdakota/fishing/license-types-costs
- www.eregulations.com/southdakota/fishing/missouri-river-regulations
- www.eregulations.com/southdakota/fishing/statewide-limits
- Custer County Chronicle (May 13, 2026) secondary
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