South Dakota Fishing Tournaments

FLW Walleye League

The FLW Walleye League is a traveling tour with teams of anglers from each state. South Dakota has numerous professional and amateur anglers who compete on the tour. The entry fee for each event is $750 per professional and an additional $250 for co-anglers. The location and exact date of the South Dakota tournament can change each year, but the 2010 tournament is in June on Lake Oahe. The large lake is close to the town of Pierre and the Fort Pierre National Grassland. Payouts for the tournament are as high as $25,000.

Lake Thompson Walleye Tournament

The 2010 Lake Thompson Walleye Tournament is the 20th and competitors will fill the field in a hurry. Applications should be submitted as early as possible to avoid missing the tournament. The 2010 dates are June 6-7. The tournament is a popular gathering for serious anglers and for amateurs who are looking for an opportunity to advance their skills and network with other anglers. Lake Thompson is also home to a fall walleye fishing tournament each year. Lake Thompson is close to the town of Brookings and the Minnesota border.

Ice Fishing

South Dakota is home to several ice fishing tournaments during the winter months. The Doug Horsted Memorial Tournament takes place on Lake Madison in January or February each year. The lake is within minutes of the town of Madison in the eastern part of the state. The annual Lake Byron Tournament, near the town of Huron, is another popular winter event. Many of the ice fishing tournaments are hosted by small towns and local lakeside establishments. The discussion board at South Dakota Fishing.com also provides current information and a forum on upcoming events.