• REMAINING FISH HOUSES TO BE OFF ICE BY MARCH 5
• ZEBRA MUSSELS REPORTED BELOW FORT RANDALL AND GAVIN’S POINT DAMS
• FRONTIER SCIENCE TAKES CENTER STAGE AT FORT SISSETON
• BECOME A NATURE DETECTIVE AT ADAMS HOMESTEAD AND NATURE PRESERVE
• SPRING FISHING SEASON CLOSES FOR SOME NORTHEASTERN WATERWAYS
• MISSOURI RIVER MAPS

REMAINING FISH HOUSES TO BE OFF ICE BY MARCH 5

Game, Fish and Parks Regional Law Specialist Dave Wicks of Watertown said South Dakota law requires anglers with icehouses in these counties to remove their shacks no later than the date specified. He also reminds anglers not to leave their ice-fishing houses on shore or at public beaches or other public water-access facilities.

"A person may not leave a fish house or any other property for more than five days on lands owned or leased by the department without written permission from an authorized representative of the department," Wicks said.

ZEBRA MUSSELS REPORTED BELOW FORT RANDALL AND GAVIN’S POINT DAMS

PIERRE – State Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials say that zebra mussels, an exotic species that has plagued the eastern United States and Great Lakes region since the late 1980s, have recently found their way into the Missouri River of South Dakota.

The presence of zebra mussels in the Missouri River has implications for a wide variety of groups. Resource managers, sportsmen, marina operators, irrigators, and municipalities have the potential to be impacted by the presence of zebra mussels.

According to Shearer, estimates could range from millions to billions of dollars in mitigating and controlling zebra mussels. "From a biological standpoint, zebra mussels have the potential to alter an entire food web by filtering vast quantities of water and blanketing any suitable substrate," he said. "Other associated impacts include clogging of intake pipes and biofouling of shorelines following large die-offs."

Boaters are asked to help control the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species by draining all livewells and bilges before leaving the boat ramp and power washing their boat and trailer before launching into a different body of water. Anyone who suspects they have found zebra mussels is asked to report the location, date, and sample (if possible) to fisheries staff at a regional Game, Fish and Parks office.

FRONTIER SCIENCE TAKES CENTER STAGE AT FORT SISSETON

PIERRE - Fort Sisseton State Park near Lake City will devote a day to science from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 13. The event will feature hands-on activities and programs that revolve around the day's theme, "Frontier Science: Duties of an Army Surgeon", and will feature exhibits on medicine, nature, archeology and geology.

"It's a great opportunity for the whole family to learn about a variety of topics centered on science, used both now and in the late 1800s," said Paul Winckler, park manager. "The tools and techniques that physicians used back then are especially interesting. These are things they definitely don't teach in medical school anymore."

Throughout the afternoon, visitors can explore one of the many science exhibits held in the fort's buildings. The Doctor's Quarters will have a display of fort and prehistoric artifacts; a kids' birding program will give tips on identifying and attracting birds; and visitors can learn about nature and archeology hands-on through animal skins and skulls and by sifting for replica artifacts. In the Hospital, visitors will be able to view some of the medical tools used on the frontier during the time the fort was occupied. Staff and volunteers will be available to provide background and interpretive information to visitors.

In addition, two informational programs will be held. At 1:30 p.m. in the Doctor's Quarters, "Understanding the Prehistory of the Dakotas" will reveal the area's past through archeology and geology. At 3:30 p.m. in the Hospital, the program "Military Medical Care" will showcase the tools and techniques commonly used by medical personnel at the fort.

There is no cost to participate in the activities, though a park entrance license is required. Fort Sisseton State Park is located 10 miles southwest of Lake City off S.D. Hwy 10. For more information, contact Fort Sisseton State Park at (605) 448-5474.

BECOME A NATURE DETECTIVE AT ADAMS HOMESTEAD AND NATURE PRESERVE

PIERRE - Visitors can enhance their nature-sleuthing skills during the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Walk in the Park on Saturday, March 13. The walk, entitled "Animal Signatures," will teach participants how to track and identify animals by paying close attention to the signs they leave behind.

"We may not always see wildlife, but a good nature detective can find signs of animals anytime if you know what to look for," says Jody Moats, the park's naturalist. "Even tiny signs like broken branches can tell us what types of animals have been through the area."

On the walk, participants will explore the park's trails and watch for the signs that animals leave behind, such as tracks, feathers and scat.

The low-intensity walk will begin at 10 a.m. and will take approximately one hour. Participants should dress accordingly for the weather and wear good hiking shoes.

There is no cost to participate in the guided walk. For more information, call Adams Homestead at (605) 232-0873. Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve is located in North Sioux City, one-mile west and a half-mile south of Interstate 29, exit 4.

SPRING FISHING SEASON CLOSES FOR SOME NORTHEASTERN WATERWAYS

PIERRE -- Anglers fishing waters in northeast South Dakota are reminded that several areas will close March 1.

Dave Wicks, regional law supervisor in Watertown, said when waters begin to warm after the spring run-off, northern pike, walleyes and other fish species swim upstream to spawn.

" The closed fishing season is attributed to law enforcement concerns in these areas," Wicks noted. "The waters are very shallow, and the fish are vulnerable when they congregate in culverts and under bridges. This spawning attracts large crowds of people--some stop to admire the fish. However, some can't resist the temptation to try and obtain one or more of the fish, and many fish are easily taken in a very short time, either by snagging, spearing, netting, clubbing, throwing rocks, shooting with pellet guns or firearms, pitch forks or simply by bare hands."

Areas that close March 1 include:

• Near Watertown, a portion of the extreme eastern area of Pelican Lake is closed to the taking of fish from March 1, through April 23.
• In the counties of Marshall, Day, Roberts, Grant and Codington, the fishing season is closed on all rivers, creeks, streams and other flowing waters through April 23. The season closure does not affect the lakes in these counties.
• A Hamlin County closure includes the stream running from the outlet of Lake Poinsett to the outlet control structure on Hamlin County Road C, also known as Castlewood Road. That water in the creek between Lake Norden and Lake Mary, which is below the spillway at the Lake Norden City Park, is also closed to fishing.
• Lake County is closed in an area known as Silver Creek, which runs between Lake Madison and Round Lake. The fishing season will be closed from March 1 through May 31. Anglers should note that these dates are different than the dates listed for the Watertown area.
• The MN/SD border waters, which include Big Stone Lake, Lake Hendricks, Mud Lake, Lake Traverse, and the Boise de Sioux River, are closed to fishing for walleye, sauger, northern pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass from March 1 through April 23.
• Other MN/SD border-water closure areas are the White Rock Dam downstream for 500 feet and from the Reservation Dam downstream for 500 feet. Both of these areas will be closed to all fishing through April 23.
• The spearing of rough fish in the counties of Marshall, Day, Roberts, Grant, Codington and Deuel is also closed through April 23.

Anglers should consult the 2004 Fishing Handbook or their local Game, Fish, and Parks office. They are also reminded that a 2004 fishing license must be in their possession while fishing.

MISSOURI RIVER MAPS

PIERRE – Outdoor enthusiasts seeking maps of the Missouri River should consult the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has a toll-free number 1-866-285-3219 to access the Missouri River Information Center from which Missouri River maps can be attained.

Lastly, individuals can contact or write the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for available Missouri River mappings and costs.

• Lewis and Clark Lake -- Gavins Point Project, P.O. Box 710, Yankton, S.D. 57078 (402) 667-7873
• Lake Francis Case -- Fort Randall Project, P.O. Box 199, Pickstown, SD 57357 (605) 487-7845
• Lake Sharpe -- Big Bend Project, HC 69, Box 74, Chamberlain, S.D. 57325 (605) 245-2331
• Lake Oahe -- Oahe Project, 28563 Powerhouse Rd. Rm 120, Pierre, S.D. 57501 (605) 224-5862