This guy wasn’t worried about a fishing license. But you might want one soon.
Canada geese have claimed Memorial Pond for now — but with South Dakota’s Free Fishing Weekend coming May 15-17, the anglers won’t be far behind.
Rapid City has several solid urban fishing spots that don’t require a long drive or a boat — and according to the state’s most recent stocking report, the fish are already there.
Where to Fish in Rapid City
Memorial Pond— Right in the heart of the city, walkable and accessible. 400 adult rainbow trout were stocked here on April 8.
Jackson Street ponds — Family-friendly, stocked with trout, bass, bluegill, and catfish. 273 rainbow trout added April 8.
Outdoor Campus West Display pond— 191 rainbow trout stocked April 8, right on site where free fishing classes are offered.
Rapid Creek— Flows directly through the city with some of the best urban trout fishing in the region. Founders Park is a popular access point.
Section 3 received 150 rainbow trout and Section 6 received 250 rainbow trout, both on April 8.
Canyon Lake — On the west side of town, a classic “put and take” lake stocked with rainbow and brown trout.
The SD Game, Fish & Parks updates its stocking report every 14 days at GFP.sd.gov, so you can always check what’s been added recently before you head out.
Free Fishing on these specific weekends
Planning ahead? Mark these dates.
South Dakota offers several license-free fishing days throughout the year:
Free Fishing Weekend: May 15-17 — No fishing license or state park entrance fee required for anyone, statewide.
Mother’s Day (May 10) — Traditionally a free fishing day in South Dakota.
Father’s Day (June 21) — Another annual license-free fishing opportunity.
All other regulations — daily limits and length requirements — remain in effect on free fishing days.
Licensing and Cost
Outside of those dates, licenses are required for anyone 18 and older. They’re easy to purchase online at GoOutdoorsSouthDakota.com, through the GFP mobile app, or at retail locations around the city.
2026 Rapid City Resident license costs:
1-Day: $10
Annual: $31
Senior (65+): $17
Annual licenses also require a $10 Habitat Stamp.
Out-of-state visitors can fish for $26 (1-day), $45 (3-day), or $80 for the full year.
Kids under 18 — resident or not — fish free all year, no license required.
Never fished before and don’t have gear? The SDGFP Outdoor Campus West at 4130 Adventure Trail offers free hands-on classes including Fishing 101 and Fly Fishing 101.
Dakota Angler & Outfitter on Jackson Boulevard runs guided trips and posts current Rapid Creek fishing reports at flyfishsd.com.
And if you’re heading to Memorial Pond — locals say the trout are so thick this time of year you could practically catch them by hand.
South Dakota’s Park Rx Program
One more thing worth knowing: South Dakota’s Park Rx program allows doctors and health care providers to write an actual prescription for time outdoors, redeemable for a free 1-day state park pass or a discounted annual pass.
Research backs it up — even light outdoor activity reduces stress, improves mood, and supports cognitive health. Fishing at a city pond counts.
Spring is a great time to get out. The water is clear, the fish are stocked, and apparently the geese are very friendly, but please don’t feed them it’s against the law.
Current stocking reports, licenses, and more information available at GFP.sd.gov
Leave a Reply