North Dakota vs South Dakota: Which State is Better for Hunting and Fishing?

Hunting and fishing are popular outdoor activities in both North Dakota and South Dakota, but which state offers a better experience for sportsmen? In this article, we will compare and contrast the two states based on four main criteria: game species, license fees, regulations, and access.

PLEASE NOTE: Not all data below may be up to date and accurate, please refer to official websites for most up to date information on laws, regulations, bag limits, seasons, etc…

LINKS TO OFFICIAL WEBSITES AND RESOURCES

• North Dakota Game and Fish
• South Dakota Game and Fish

Game Species

Both states have a variety of game animals that can be hunted or fished throughout the year. Some of the common species include pheasant, deer, turkey, waterfowl, elk, antelope, mountain lion, coyote, walleye, northern pike, and perch. However, there are some differences in the availability and quality of some species.

South Dakota is renowned world-wide for its pheasant hunting, with an average annual pheasant harvest of 1.2 million roosters, which is more than any other state in the nation. North Dakota also has a good pheasant population, but not as high as South Dakota.

South Dakota has more trophy bucks than North Dakota, especially in the Black Hills and Custer State Park regions. North Dakota has more waterfowl species and numbers than South Dakota, especially for ducks and geese.

South Dakota has more turkey hunting opportunities than North Dakota, with spring and fall seasons for both residents and non-residents. North Dakota only has a spring season for residents and a limited number of non-resident licenses.

South Dakota has more elk than North Dakota, with most of them located in the Black Hills and Custer State Park regions. Non-residents are not allowed to hunt elk in North Dakota, but they can apply for a limited number of licenses in South Dakota through a lottery system.

North Dakota has more antelope than South Dakota, with most of them located in the western part of the state.

North Dakota has more walleye than South Dakota, especially in its world-class lakes and rivers such as Devils Lake, Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe, Missouri River, Red River, etc¹. Walleye fishing is popular in both states for sport and consumption.

Both states have good northern pike fishing opportunities throughout the year, but North Dakota has more walleye fishing opportunities than South Dakota, especially in its world-class lakes and rivers.

License Fees

Both states require hunters and anglers to purchase licenses and permits before engaging in hunting and fishing activities. The license fees vary depending on the resident status, game species, season, and duration.

Note: Fees for specific hunting licenses may vary based on age and residency status. For a complete breakdown of hunting license fees in North and South Dakota, please refer to the official state wildlife agency websites.

North Dakota:

South Dakota:

Regulations

Both states have regulations and hunting guides that hunters and anglers must follow to ensure the conservation and management of the game species and their habitats. The regulations and hunting guides cover topics such as seasons, bag limits, possession limits, shooting hours, legal methods of take, tagging requirements, reporting requirements, hunter education, etc. The regulations and hunting guides are updated annually and can be found on the websites of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department¹ and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.

North Dakota:

South Dakota:

Note: This table provides a brief overview of some of the hunting and fishing regulations for multiple species in North and South Dakota. For a complete and up-to-date list of regulations, please refer to the official state wildlife agency websites. Bag limits may also vary by location and other factors, so it’s important to review the regulations specific to the area you plan to hunt or fish in.

Access

Both states have public and private lands that are open to hunting and fishing, but they also have some differences in the amount and quality of access. Here are some examples of the access options for hunters and anglers in both states:

• Private Land Open to Sportsmen (PLOTS): In North Dakota, the Game and Fish Department works with private landowners to provide hunting access to many private lands through PLOTS agreements. These lands are posted with yellow PLOTS signs and can be found on the PLOTS guide or online map¹. The PLOTS program covers about 800,000 acres of land in North Dakota. In South Dakota, there is no equivalent program for hunting access, but there is a similar program for fishing access called Walk-In Areas (WIA). These areas are posted with blue WIA signs and can be found on the WIA atlas or online map. The WIA program covers about 100,000 acres of land in South Dakota.
• Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): In both states, the Game and Fish Department manages WMAs that are open to hunting, fishing and trapping, unless otherwise specified. These areas are posted with green WMA signs and can be found on the WMA guide or online map¹². The WMAs are ideal for nature study, hiking, and primitive camping. The WMA program covers about 220,000 acres of land in North Dakota and about 280,000 acres of land in South Dakota.
• National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs): In both states, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages NWRs that are open to hunting and fishing, unless otherwise specified. These areas are posted with brown NWR signs and can be found on the NWR guide or online map. The NWRs are designed to conserve wildlife and habitat. The NWR program covers about 290,000 acres of land in North Dakota and about 380,000 acres of land in South Dakota.
• National Grasslands (NGs): In both states, the U.S. Forest Service manages NGs that are open to hunting and fishing, unless otherwise specified. These areas are posted with white NG signs and can be found on the NG guide or online map. The NGs are managed for multiple uses such as grazing, recreation, and wildlife. The NG program covers about 1.2 million acres of land in North Dakota and about 2 million acres of land in South Dakota.
• Other Public Lands: In both states, there are other public lands that are open to hunting and fishing, such as state parks, state forests, state school lands, county parks, city parks, etc. However, these lands may have different rules and regulations than the ones mentioned above. Hunters and anglers should always check with the landowner or manager before accessing these lands.

Opportunities

Both states offer a variety of opportunities for hunters and anglers to enjoy their outdoor pursuits. However, some opportunities may be more abundant or unique in one state than the other. Here are some examples of the opportunities for hunters and anglers in both states:

• Pheasant Fest: South Dakota hosts an annual Pheasant Fest event that attracts thousands of hunters from across the country. The event features exhibits, seminars, banquets, auctions, raffles, dog demonstrations, and other activities related to pheasant hunting and conservation¹.

• Black Hills: South Dakota has a unique hunting and fishing destination in the Black Hills region, which offers diverse terrain, scenery, and wildlife. The Black Hills are home to elk, deer, turkey, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, and trout. The Black Hills also have a special deer season and a special turkey season that allow hunters to use any weapon type during certain periods.
• Devils Lake: North Dakota has a premier fishing destination in Devils Lake, which is the largest natural lake in the state and one of the best walleye fisheries in the nation. Devils Lake also offers excellent fishing for northern pike, perch, white bass, and crappie. Devils Lake is open to ice fishing during the winter months and hosts several fishing tournaments throughout the year.
• Paddlefish: Both states have a unique opportunity to snag paddlefish, which are prehistoric fish that can weigh over 100 pounds. Paddlefish snagging is allowed in certain sections of the Missouri River and its tributaries during May and June. Snaggers need a special paddlefish tag and must follow strict regulations and reporting requirements.

Conclusion

Both North Dakota and South Dakota have a lot to offer for hunters and anglers who are looking for a quality outdoor experience. However, depending on the game species, license fees, regulations, access, and opportunities, one state may be better suited for some sportsmen than the other. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference and availability. The best way to find out which state is better for hunting and fishing is to try them both and see for yourself.

SOURCES

• North Dakota Game and Fish
• South Dakota Game and Fish
• fishing.org South Dakota
• fishing.org North Dakota