Photo credit
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing veterans at Rapidan Camp, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Photo: N. Lewis, National Park Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
South Dakota fishing licenses for veterans
What South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks says about free or reduced fishing licenses for veterans, disabled veterans, service members and their families.
What the agency says
Disabled veterans
Reduced-fee resident hunting and fishing licence for qualifying disabled veterans.
Resident veterans can qualify for a Disability License in one of four ways: 1. If they receive a veteran’s allotment for a 40% or more disability which is deemed a service-connected injury.
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, read October 20, 2026Former prisoners of war
Former prisoners of war also qualify for the reduced-fee resident disability licence.
4. If they were a Prisoner of War.
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, read October 20, 2026Active duty
Residents on active duty stationed outside the state may fish and hunt small game without a fee.
Any resident who is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States and who is stationed at a location outside the state may fish and hunt small game without payment of a fee or the applicable hunting and fishing license authorizing the activity.
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, read October 20, 2026Service members stationed in the state
Active military stationed in South Dakota, and their spouses, count as residents for licensing.
Any person in the active military of the United States, or that person’s spouse, who is continuously stationed in this state;
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, read October 20, 2026National Guard and Reserve
Non-resident members of SD Guard or Reserve units in the state can buy resident small game and fishing licences.
For the purpose of acquiring resident small game and fishing licenses, any person who does not reside in South Dakota, but who is a member of the South Dakota National Guard or of any other unit of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States located in South Dakota.
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, read October 20, 2026
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks: licenses
Quoted from the agency's own page; rules, ratings and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you buy.
Fishing in South Dakota
Veteran-owned and veteran-serving guides and shops in South Dakota