South Dakota Game Fish and Parks officials say anglers are returning to South Dakota waters following passage of emergency legislation that reopened nearly 30 non-meandered lakes in the state. Game Fish and Parks Regional Supervisor Mike Klosowski of Watertown says the open water compromise allowed landowners to conspicuously mark non-meandered waters that are not what are called section 8 lakes
Klosowski says that six non-meandered flooded bodies of water in Clark, Day and Marshall counties have been identified as lakes where plans are underway by landowners to mark the water boundaries. He says property owners in those areas have erected signs indicating they are not open to public access. In addition, maps of those areas will also be drawn up by the Game, Fish and Parks Department so the general public will clearly know which areas are open and which are not
Rietz lake, which is considered a trophy fisheries lake, is located just South of Webster. He said the department is working with that family to try and secure a lease. In the meantime, Klosowski says fishermen are returning to the other non-meandered Northeast Lakes this summer
His message is that South Dakota is open to fishing and welcoming anglers back.
(KXLG)