With new fishing restrictions in place in South Dakota on non-meandered lakes more and more people are weighing in, including Watertown Mayor Steve Thorson who says the recent ruling by the South Dakota Supreme Court will have a big and negative economic impact for Northeastern South Dakota. He’s being critical of the Game Fish and Parks Department for not taking a stronger position
The Watertown Mayor is encouraging Governor Dennis Daugaard to call a special session
Thorson says this decision will create serious economic issues
However Game Fish and Parks Secretary Kelly Hepler disagrees saying his department won’t be taking sides
At a stop in Watertown Wednesday, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daaugard said he would be open to a special session if legislators can become educated and come up to speed on the issue: (dl 68)
The Supreme Court order states that the South Dakota Legislature must determine whether members of the public may enter or use any of the non-meandered water or ice overlying private property for any recreational use such as hunting or fishing. Bodies of water affected by the order include:
- Caseys Slough, Cottonwood Lake GPA, Dry Lake #1, Dry Lake #2 and Swan Lake in Clark County;
- Deep Lake and Goose Lake in Codington County;
- East Krause Lake, Lynn Lake, Middle Lynn Lake and Reetz Lake in Day County;
- North Scatterwood Lake in Edmunds County;
- Three Buck Lake in Hamlin County;
- Bullhead Lake, Cattail-Kettle Lake and Cottonwood Lake in Marshall County;
- Keisz Lake in McPherson County;
- Grass Lake, Loss Lake, Scott Lake and Twin Lakes in Minnehaha County;
- Twin Lakes in Sanborn County;
- Cottonwood Lake and Mud Lake in Spink County; and
- Dog Ear Lake in Tripp County.
(KXLG)