South Dakota Lakes and Streams Association

06/16/2026

Regular water quality sampling and testing provides a wealth of data about lake health and water quality trends. Testing by state agencies in South Dakota is infrequent and limited, so lake associations like Pickerel Lake Conservancy have been stepping up and partnering with regional water development districts to gather this vital data to help protect our lakes for future generations.

The watershed project is out collecting water samples on Pickerel Lake, one of our project watersheds and lakes, today. The project works with local partners like the Pickerel Lake Conservancy to conduct water quality monitoring to determine water quality trends and the overall health of our lakes. Some of our partnerships have led to having 30+ years of water quality data! We are thankful for our local partners and volunteers that make this possible!

06/15/2026

🚨ZEBRA MUSSELS DISCOVERED IN BITTER LAKE
- Two nearby water bodies also classified as zebra mussel positive

SDGFP announced that invasive zebra mussels have been discovered in Bitter Lake, a premier walleye fishing destination in Day County, South Dakota. According to SDGFP, the detection came after a fishing guide reported a suspicious mussel on Bitter Lake. GFP fisheries staff from Webster followed up and located zebra mussels attached to flooded trees south of the inlet on the northwest side of the lake.

Because of the confirmed zebra mussel presence in Bitter Lake, Goose Lake and Solomon Slough, are also now officially classified as zebra mussel positive because of their interconnection with Bitter Lake. These three northeast SD water bodies are the first new zebra mussel confirmations in 2026. A total of 35 South Dakota water bodies contain confirmed populations of the invasive mussel.

The spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species is the result of the invaders hitchhiking a ride on watercraft, boat trailers and other recreational gear. It’s up to all boaters to properly clean, drain and dry their equipment before relaunching into another water body.

Pull Together. Stop the Spread.

06/14/2026

South Dakota is beginning to experience the costly economic impact from the accelerating spread of invasive zebra mussels. Here’s just one example. The impact will hit hydroelectric power generation, rural & municipal water intakes, agricultural irrigators, golf courses, recreational tourism and lake property value.

It is cheaper to prevent an invasion before it takes hold than to manage it afterward.

“Since this is a pilot program, we haven’t seen it work yet,” GFP’s Derek Dorr said. “We’re hopeful.”.

06/13/2026

It’s never ok to be impaired on the water.
Boat Safe. Boat Sober!

Always have a sober boater! Law enforcement will be conducting boating compliance checks across the state throughout the summer. Please ensure you always have a sober boat operator, and your boat is equipped with the adequate number of life jackets, a throwable device, and working fire extinguisher. Have fun this summer, but most importantly stay safe!

06/10/2026

EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL
Invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil is an agressive aquatic plant that forms dense surface mats that destroy native ecosystems and makes boating difficult to impossible in affected areas. It also interferes with swimming.

This uninvited hitchhiker has found its way into South Dakota, primarily in the Missouri River reservoirs. Fragments of the plant attached to boats and trailers are believed to be the cause for the spread of this aquatic invader.

Do your part to prevent further spread of Eurasian Watermilfoil and other aquatic invasive species. Clean, Drain & Dry your boat and trailer before launching into another water body.

06/08/2026

Power loading has become a popular way for boaters to exit lakes and reservoirs, by easing onto the trailer and then adding more thrust to push the boat the rest of the way onto the trailer. It’s more convenient than getting into the water and cranking the hand winch. As this SDGFP post points out, however, repeated power loading scrubs out a deep hole at the end of the boat ramp. This deep hole can damage other trailers backing down the ramp. In some cases, towing assistance has been required. These holes are already showing up at a number of South Dakota boat ramps this year.

Be a safe and courteous boater by avoiding power loading!

Summer is here, and as you’re out on the water, one of the ways you can recreate with respect is by avoiding power loading at boat ramps. Low water conditions are impacting several waterbodies, specifically Pactola Reservoir in western South Dakota had to receive fixes due to a hole at the end of the ramp this week.

Wherever you’re enjoying the water, please recreate with respect, and avoiding power loading is a great way to do just that!

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

🚤 Boater Safety Training is coming up!

Join us on June 13 at Hillside Resort for a day focused on boating safety and education. The course is open to youth and adults and is a great way to gain confidence on the water while helping make Lake Madison safer for everyone.

05/27/2026

Spiny water flea is an invasive aquatic crustacean that disrupts lake ecosystems by consuming massive quantities of plankton, the primary food source for young walleye and perch. This stunts the growth of young fish and makes them more susceptible to predation. Spiny water flea are not a good food source for native fish because their long, spiny tail makes them difficult to eat.

Spiny water flea are also a menace to anglers. They collect in cotton-like masses on fishing gear, repeatedly clogging eyelets of fishing rods and can damage reel drag systems.

This aquatic invasive species is not currently found in South Dakota, but it’s not far from our eastern border. Preventing the spread requires the same diligence with draining and cleaning watercraft that stops the spread of other invasive species. Particular care should be taken to clean and dry fishing gear that might have spiny water flea attached.

Pull together. Stop the spread.

05/26/2026

THE TRUTH ABOUT ZEBRA MUSSELS

The spread of invasive zebra mussels in South Dakota is accelerating. The numbers speak for themselves. By the end of 2025, a total of 32 water bodies had been confirmed with populations of the invasive mollusks. Two thirds of the new infestations have occurred in just the last four years. Without question, the cause of the spread is recreation boaters. Every one of the lakes and rivers infested with zebra mussels is either a popular recreation boating water body or directly connected to previously infested boating recreation waters. It’s no coincidence! Failure to properly clean, drain and dry watercraft can result in a fine, but very few citations are issued when violations are detected during SDGFP watercraft inspections. Are boaters taking this seriously?

Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species requires a serious statewide commitment, something that we’ve not seen in South Dakota. Doing more of the same weak prevention effort clearly isn’t working. It’s time for bold leadership willing to take a fresh look unshackled by the current administration policies.