Sdgfp currently maintains and operates three full production hatcheries, two spawning stations, seven rearingponds, and numerous natural rearing areas

The State South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Wildlife Division received a $4.16 million Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This award supports the operation and maintenance of South Dakota's fish culture infrastructure, including three full-production hatcheries, two spawning stations, and seven rearing ponds, along with associated natural rearing areas. The funding enables the division to deliver hatchery-reared fish to support recreational fishing opportunities across the state, particularly in newly expanded coldwater habitats in the Black Hills, enlarged eastern South Dakota lakes, and urban fisheries where natural reproduction is limited.

The award provides essential resources for fish culture practices, disease prevention, energy costs, pond harvesting, water treatment, and transportation of stocked fish. These operations are critical to meeting production requests from fisheries managers and fulfilling the recreational fishing expectations of South Dakota's licensed anglers. By maintaining stable funding for spawning operations and fish culture activities, this grant supports a balanced approach to fisheries management that enhances South Dakota's sport fishing resources and contributes to the state's outdoor recreation economy.

High demands for fish culture products continue as managers work tofulfill operational plans. Increased precipitation in recent years have created new and expanded opportunitiesfor fisheries. The amount of coldwater habitat in streams in the black hills has increased, and many easternsouth dakota lakes are greatly expanded in size. Hatchery fish are frequently used to quickly develop fisheriesin these situations. In addition, sdgfp has recently placed considerable emphasis on urban fisheries. These pondsand small lakes frequently do not have the habitat needed for fish reproduction, growth, and long-term survival.hatchery-reared fish are frequently used to provide recreational opportunity in these waters located within or inclose-proximity to relatively large concentrations of people. The procedures and fish culture practices at hatcheries owned and operated by sdgfp are continually evaluated andimproved as much as possible to maximize fish rearing efficiencies and the post-stocking survival of hatchery rearedfish. The hatchery system is also continually challenged to meet the production requests from fisheriesmanagers, who are in turn challenged to meet the expectations of the licensed anglers in south dakota. Stablefunding sources directed to spawning operations, fish culture, disease prevention, energy use, pond harvesting, water treatment, transportation of fish for stocking, and other hatchery activities is essential to the successof sdgfp fisheries management efforts. A balanced approach to fisheries management, including operation andmaintenance of fish culture facilities, is critical to the future of recreational fishing in south dakota.