PIERRE, S.D. - To thank all of South Dakota’s service men and women, past and present, the Department of Game Fish and Parks will have a free military fishing weekend July 8-10.

"The Game Fish and Parks staff felt this is the least we could do to thank these folks for all their hard work," said, Game Fish and Parks Wildlife Division Assistant Director Emmett Keyser. "This free fishing weekend is for current, past and reserve South Dakota military, their parents and minor children. If a military person is checked, all they have to do is present their military identification of their veterans card to the conservation officer. Family members should be fishing together at the same time or near by."

"July offers possibly some of the best all-around opportunities to catch all varieties of fish across South Dakota," said GFP Secretary John Cooper. "We hope our military families can take the time out to not only fish during this weekend, but get out and enjoy our extensive park system too."

Military personnel and their families will also be allowed free entrance into all South Dakota state parks as well.

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