Blue Dog Lake State Fish Hatchery is the state’s only facility for producing cool- and warmwater fish such as northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill and crappie. In addition, coldwater species such as trout and Chinook salmon are raised during winter. In all, 14 species of fish have been raised at Blue Dog.

• The Hatchery Complex
  
  The hatchery is located on the northwest corner of Blue Dog Lake, where there is abundant high-quality ground and lake water. These waters are filtered, aerated and heated to provide the hatchery with a variety of water temperature supplies for many different uses for both indoor and outside rearing of fish.
  
  Inside the hatchery are 700 incubation jars for northern pike and walleye eggs, 20 incubators for trout and salmon eggs, and 30 rearing tanks. The building contains a visitor center and aquaria, informative displays and conference room. Outdoors there are eight raceways and 38 rearing ponds, totaling 53 surface acres of water.
  Two hiking trails are also located on the hatchery complex. One trail provides a view of the raceways and rearing ponds, and the other wanders along the lakeshore and through a marsh ecosystem. A boat launch and fishing pier provide fishing access to Blue Dog Lake.
   
• Hatchery Activities
  
  Up to 14 species of fish may be reared at the hatchery, with production occurring throughout the year. In the spring, coolwater fish eggs - northern pike, muskellunge, walleye and yellow perch - are collected. After incubation, the newly hatched fry (fish 1-3 days old) are either stocked directly into public fishing waters or into the hatchery ponds to be reared to fingerling size before released into the lakes.
  
  During the summer, warmwater fish - large-and smallmouth bass, and assorted panfish - are raised. Production shifts to Chinook salmon in the fall and winter. Paddlefish and other species have also been grown at the hatchery. However, much of the hatchery’s efforts are concentrated on raising walleyes. Typically more than 100 million eggs are collected from Lake Oahe, a large Missouri River reservoir, and incubated at Blue Dog. Hatchery personnel use various culture practices to increase production. Each year, more than 70 million fish are raised at Blue Dog Lake Hatchery for stocking South Dakota waters.
   
• Hatcheries and Fisheries Management
  
  The hatchery’s mission is to provide suitable quantities and qualities of fish for the management of South Dakota’s fisheries resources. Because fish stockings is highly visible and the most commonly thought of aspect of fisheries management, it is often believed to be the most important. However, stocking is but one tool used by fisheries managers.
  
  Protecting and enhancing the integrity of South Dakota’s marsh, stream and lake systems is the department’s highest priority, for without quality habitat we cannot have quality fishing. Surveying the fish communities and analyzing their capabilities and problems are the basis for creating the department’s fish management plan. Stocking is often prescribed to correct fish population problems caused by environmental defects or catastrophes and physical conditions that can’t be immediately solved by habitat improvement. Also, the hatchery is capable of raising new species, such as tiger muskies, saugeye and lake herring, for introduction into South Dakota waters. Therefore, the role of the hatchery is fish management is vital.
   
• Visitation
   
  From May to July the hatchery is open to the public seven days a week. From August to April the hatchery is open Monday through Friday. Daily hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  If your organization or class is interested in learning more about the hatchery or in reserving a guided tour, contact the hatchery at:
  Blue Dog Lake State Fish Hatchery
  RR1 Box 22A
  Waubay, SD 57273
  (605)947-4657

Fort Sisseton Brings back bluecoats, bugles, and bayonets!
 
Walk the grounds where the officers’ quarters, stone barracks, powder magazine, guard house, and other buildings remain at frontier Fort Sisseton. This 1864 fort, atop the Coteau des Prairies (or hills of the prairies), is a rare reminder of the western frontier. The fort’s name comes from the nearby Sisseton Indian Tribe, and it is now a picturesque state park that unfolds the area’s history.

Facilities at a Glance

• Visitor Center and Interpretive Displays
• Campground with 15 Campsites
• Boat Ramp
• Comfort Stations
• Picnic Area, Shelter with kitchen
• Guided Walking Tour

When:

Fort Sisseton Visitor Center is open daily, June-August. The park is open all year. Park fee. The Fort Sisseton Festival, held the first full weekend in June, is a rendezvous featuring cavalry, fiddlers, square dancing, draft horse pulling, tomahawk throwing, a melodrama, and other excitement. Admission to the Festival.

Where:

From Webster take Highways 25 and 73 north about 24 miles.

OPEN ALL YEAR
Monday-Wednesday-Friday * 2-5 p.m.
* NO ADMISSION CHARGE *

If you are looking for an interesting and educational way to spend your time, visit the Day County Museum located in the basement of the Day County Courthouse, where hundreds of articles are on display, affording visitors an enjoyable glimpse into the past. Much of the history of Day County is preserved through the loaning or donating by people of these articles, worn, used or treasured by their forefathers.

There are many early day pictures of Webster. Of interest to the ladies is the gown worn by Mrs. Sigurd Anderson at the Governor's Inaugural Ball and Reception in January 1951. Another item is an Indian headdress presented the governor by the Sioux Indian Tribe when the Sitting Bull monument was dedicated.

Of interest to the men probably, is the excellent collection of early day guns.

There are many items of Indian significance, including a bow and arrow, spears, arrow heads, beautiful beaded items, stone tools, drummer's stick and three beaded war clubs made by the Sioux Indians, to mention merely a few. There is a sailing chart, used in sailing the seven seas in 1879 and a sled made about 1872-1875.

Among the farm equipment used by early day settlers is a horse net made about 60 years ago, cow and sheep bells, single and double oxen yokes, and iron hoe, a hand corn planter.

Among the unusual items is a hair wreath made in 1865 from human hair, either crocheted, knitted or wound around cardboards to make flower petals. One you'll have to see to believe, is the tiny pair of Oriental shoes worn by grown women. Their feet had been bound when children so they could have tiny, dainty feet. The shoes seemed even smaller than those they sat near, a pair of size three children's button shoes from the early times.

These are just a few of the many interesting articles to see when visiting the museum.

Few artists can rival the standards of excellence achieved by Master Artist Terry Redlin over the past 25 years. He is truly one of the country's most widely collected painters of wildlife and Americana.

http://www.redlinart.com/

Just over the rainbow is where you'll find Aberdeen's magical theme park - Storybook Land! Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion will all greet you as you begin your journey down the Yellow Brick Road. Enter a land of enchantment that includes over 60 larger than life exhibits. Climb aboard Captain Hook's Ship, visit the animals at Old MacDonald's Farm, but whatever you do, don't get lost in the maze! A ride around the park on the Storybook Land Express is always a hit.

For more Storybook Land information 605.626.7015!