South Dakota Fishing License Cost (2026)
A South Dakota resident annual fishing license costs $31. Non-residents pay $80 for an annual license. Short-term, senior, and combination licenses are listed below, and where to buy.
South Dakota fishing licenses are issued by South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, with separate resident and non-resident pricing and short-term options for visiting anglers. The full current fee table is below, drawn from the agency's published schedule.
Season dates and bag limits in South Dakota are set statewide by species, and individual waters can carry special regulations that override the defaults — always check the current South Dakota regulations for the specific lake you plan to fish. Pair this fee information with LakeQuality's South Dakota lake pages — each one carries the lake's water-quality grade, clarity readings, and trend data, which is useful context when deciding where that license gets used.
2026 License Fees
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fishing (Resident) / Annual Fishing (Nonresident) | $31 | $80 | Resident annual covers ages 18-64; residents 65+ must buy a Senior license instead. Habitat Stamp ($10 res / $25 nonres, once per license year) is added for buyers 18+. |
| One-Day Fishing | $10 | $26 | Valid 12:01 a.m. to midnight on the date specified; one daily limit of fish. No Habitat Stamp needed. |
| Three-Day Fishing | — | $45 | Nonresident only; three consecutive days, one daily limit per day up to the possession limit. Habitat Stamp required for buyers 18+. |
| Senior Annual Fishing (65 and over) | $17 | — | Resident only; required license for residents age 65+ who fish (no nonresident senior discount). |
| Combination License (fishing + small game) | $60 | — | Resident ages 18-64; combines fishing and small game hunting privileges. Fee includes a $6 state-mandated surcharge. |
| Senior Combination (65 and over) | $43 | — | Resident age 65+; fishing plus small game privileges. Fee includes a $6 state-mandated surcharge. |
| Habitat Stamp | $10 | $25 | Required once per license year for anyone 18+ purchasing any hunting, fishing, or furbearer license; not required for one-day fishing licenses. Added automatically to the first license purchase of the year. |
Trout Stamp
South Dakota does not require a separate trout or salmon stamp — a standard fishing license covers trout where seasons are open. Check the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks regulations for water-specific trout rules.
Who Needs a License?
Residents and nonresidents under age 18 do not need a fishing license and may take their own daily limits. Anyone 18 or older must have a license plus a Habitat Stamp ($10 resident / $25 nonresident, once per license year; not required with one-day fishing licenses). Residents 65 and older get reduced-price licenses rather than an exemption — they must buy the Senior Annual Fishing ($17) or Senior Combination ($43) license.
Season & Regulations
Fishing in South Dakota is open year-round — there is no statewide closed season, only species- and water-specific limits (special drawings apply to paddlefish snagging/archery). Annual licenses for the 2026 license year are valid December 15, 2025 through January 31, 2027.
For complete bag limits, slot limits, and water-specific rules, see the South Dakota fishing regulations ↗.
Where to Buy
- Online: https://gooutdoorssouthdakota.com/ ↗
- In person: Sporting goods stores, bait shops, and county auditor / clerk offices that act as license agents.
- At DNR offices: Any South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks office.
Source: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, 2026.