Episode 12 - Question and Answers featuring "Are you closing fishing and hunting season?"

·1 hr 32 min·5 clips

Host Chris Hall and guest Nick Harrington share their latest fishing adventures in South Dakota's waters.

This episode of the South Dakota GFP Podcast features hosts Chris Hall and communications specialist Nick Harrington discussing local fishing conditions and answering listener questions. The hosts, both employees of South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, share recent personal fishing experiences. They adopt a casual, conversational tone reflective of colleagues chatting after a weekend on the water. Nick Harrington reports successful walleye fishing in the Stillen Basin, noting a high number of both fish and other boats in the area. Chris Hall describes pike fishing on Lake Oahe with his family, where he recently broke off three fish. Hall mentions a child caught a 26-pound pike on Oahe last weekend, with many other pike in the teens. He states these pike are currently biting spoons and crankbaits. A listener question asks about the best bait for catching catfish from the shore. Nick Harrington recommends fresh cut bait, specifically sucker or creek chub, fished on the bottom. He explains that catfish rely heavily on scent to find food. Harrington emphasizes that fresh bait produces more scent and oil in the water than frozen bait. Another question concerns the rules for possessing and transporting shed antlers. The hosts clarify that a permit is not required to possess shed antlers in South Dakota. They confirm it is legal to transport them, provided they were found legally on public land or with permission on private land. The hosts remind listeners it is illegal to collect sheds from most public lands before specific seasonal dates to protect wintering wildlife. The conversation shifts to a question about the state's efforts to control zebra mussels in the Missouri River system. The hosts detail the department's containment strategy, which focuses on public awareness and mandatory decontamination for boats moving from infested to uninfested waters. They describe the "Clean, Drain, Dry" protocol for all boaters. A final listener asks about the difference between a snapping turtle and other turtle species commonly seen in South Dakota. The hosts describe the snapping turtle's distinctive features, including a large head, a long saw-toothed tail, and a reduced plastron. They note that while other turtles can retreat fully into their shells, a snapper cannot. The episode maintains a relaxed, informative, and anecdotal style, blending agency updates with friendly banter. Listeners interested in South Dakota fishing regulations, wildlife facts, and practical outdoor tips would enjoy this episode. Those seeking in-depth environmental debates or non-regional content might find it less applicable.

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