The Rooster

09/06/2026

Here's a petition to support catch and release of the few muskie fisheries we have in SD.
If the Hatchery is able to further develop the RAS system, they can grow Muskies fast and provide more fishing opportunities for Musky!
Be sure to check out the Hatcheries' RAS presentation at the Outdoor Campus this Tuesday at 7pm.

Protect South Dakota’s Trophy Muskie Fishery — Keep Catch-and-Release

09/05/2026

Kampton the Katfish Whisperer

Kampton has been taking advantage of the G,F,&P’s Urban Fishery Development here in Rapid City at Memorial Pond and Roosevelt Pond. This little dude is hooked!

The Hatchery is able to grow these Kats to a very large size in a short amount of time using their RAS system!
Learn more about the RAS potential this Tuesday at 7pm at the Outdoor Campus.

09/05/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDAR TO HAVE YOUR MIND BLOWN!

This coming Tuesday, September 8th at the G,F,&P Outdoor Campus in Rapid City at 7pm you will be able to hear about the truly unprecedented accomplishments of the South Dakota Fish Hatchery!

They have developed the RAS system (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) which allows them to grow fish in the hatchery at a rate never before thought possible. As you can see in the pictures below, the Largemouth, Bluegill, Walleye, Muskie, Trout, and Catfish growth rates are amazing! This is going to revolutionize the hatchery system not just here in SD, but it will be a model for the whole country.
The demand for catchable fish in our state is way higher than the supply, this is a huge step to solving that problem. The fishing industry is a huge part of our state’s economy, from gas stations, motels, guides, tourism, restaurants, and bait and tackle shops, it literally effects everyone, which is why this is such a big deal.
It is also a big deal for our youth and the G,F, &P’s urban fishery development. If the kids are able to fish and actually catch good sized fish, they are a lot less likely to be staring at their phones and off the video games.
The Hatchery is in the early stages of developing the RAS, but lack the funding and infrastructure to realize its full potential! It can truly be a real game changer for all SD Residents!
This Tuesday 7pm at the Outdoor Campus in Rapid City!
Please share this far and wide! We need eyes on this to make the hatchery staff’s work they’ve done thus far a reality. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

09/05/2026

IT’S ON LIKE DONKEY KONG!

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, the Game and Fish just stocked Deerfield and Pactola with some hard-fighting Rainbows for your fishing pleasure!
We just stocked up on all the newest PowerBait colors and flavors that those Rainbows can’t resist at the best price around! This is a great opportunity to TAKE KIDS FISHING!
They put 2,816 Big Bows in Deerfield and 4,496 into Pactola. Great time to do some shore fishing! Ball-up that Powerbait on your hook and put a weight a foot or two behind the bait and it will float up into the strike zone. Make sure you hold on tight because this new strain of Rainbows the Hatchery is growing are jumpers and hard fighters!
GET SOME!

09/03/2026

A BIG WEEKEND CALLS FOR A BIG BOX OF CRAWLERS!
100 pack comes out to $2.88/dozen - SWEET DEAL!

Some of the lakes have low water levels, but others are good to go.
Deerfield and Sheridan Lake water levels are good along with the fishing. One fella caught and released a few big pike on spoons and spinnerbaits at Sheridan. Late in the day the Largemouth start hitting top water lures. The Bulldog Bluegills have been hitting the tiny tubes tipped with a crawler. A few old boys are trolling cowbells at Deerfield and smacking the Rainbows.
The Hatchery dudes are loaded with big Trout to stock but they’ve got to wait until the water temp gets cooler. So standby for some fantastic trout fishing to come in the near future.
The north-west low water boat ramp at Angustora is good to go. Haven’t had much for reports there although we’ve been marking a lot of fish. Be aware of the submerged stumps coming out of the Hat Creek boat ramp, just a good idea to stay to the northern part of the lake.
Launched our 13ft boat at the north ramp at Pactola with no problem last week and there were other boats launching that day. Gotta be careful with launching big boats there. It’s a kayak and small boat paradise on these low water level lakes. The Bus and I had a couple hits trolling and using live bait but nothing hooked. Had a nice hit on bait in 125ft which is the deepest water we found. Marked a lot of fish!
Last weekend the Pekas Bros went to work around the Minneconjou area of Oahe and limited out with some really nice Eyes using bottom bouncers are crawlers in that 20ft of water. The Tailrace at Oahe is pumping out a lot of water so below the dam the water is high. The Finisher night bite in the fast water continues to be great!
Get after them Largemouth Bass while the temps are hot, that bite will slow down as we cool down into the Fall.
Get out and do some fishing this Labor Day weekend! You earned it!

09/02/2026

We've got great ammo prices for all the upcoming hunting seasons! Check us out!

Upcoming Season Dates:
• Archery Antelope: August 15-October 2 and October 19-31
• Archery Deer: September 1-January 1
• Mourning Dove: September 1-November 9
• Black Hills and Custer State Park Archery Elk: September 1-30
• Prairie Elk: September 1-December 31
• Bighorn Sheep: September 1-December 31
• Cottontail Rabbit and Tree Squirrel: September 1-March 31
• Crow and Snipe: September 1-October 31
• Canada Goose Unit 1: September 1-December 16
• Youth and Mentored Only Waterfowl: September 12-13
• Apprentice, Youth, and Mentored Deer: September 12-January 1
• Grouse and Partridge: September 19-January 31
• Youth and Mentored Only Pheasant: September 26-October 4
• Low Plains Middle and North Zone Duck: September 26-December 8
• Light Geese: September 26-January 8
• White-fronted Geese: September 26-December 8
• Sandhill Crane: September 26-November 22

Call now to connect with business.

09/02/2026

Two of the HOTTEST Berkley baits at the HOTTEST price you will find anywhere right here at The Rooster!
FINISHERS #4 & 5 - for 8.99, #6,7,8,9 - for 9.99 just in time for the Fall bite. These were killers last Fall in the Tailrace at Pierre, with all the water they are letting out they are off to an early start. The little #4 and 5’s are great ice fishing lures!
FLICKER SHADS #5,6,&7 - just 4.79, jointed and #9 - 5.79 these are just solid consistently effective trolling plugs anytime anywhere.

09/01/2026

Something to give a try-you just never know 🫤

Just when you'd thought all the variations for rigging tubes were exhausted, Gregg Meyer came up with a new one: "backward tubin’”— it works with any size tube and is deadly for any species that craves a tube, from trout to crappies to bass.

In backward tubin', the leadhead jig is inserted with the hook point exposed at the tube's nose, rather than at the te****le end.

The most basic backward tubin' rig involves inserting the hook of a ballhead jig into the tube so that it exits the nose, while the ballhead fits snugly in the tube at the te****le end. Pop the jig eye out one side.

By getting creative with hook and weight placement, you can make lures act more erratically. You can better imitate feeding minnows, scooting craws, or sickly baitfish that prove highly attractive to bass.

"It's important that the tube seals tight around the jighead," Meyer says. "Coating the jighead with Vaseline or a viscous fish attractant makes it easier to insert, and the tight seal locks air inside the tube. This buoyancy causes crazy action," he says.

"If the jighead is placed too close to the nose of the tube, its action is compromised and the tube falls more normally. When you achieve the right balance, the tube circles as it falls. When it's retrieved, it looks like a crawdad in motion. If the weight is near the back of the tube, it parachutes on the fall and flares on the pull, much like a retreating crawdad. Crawdad colors are natural," he adds, "but don't be afraid to experiment."

Steve Quinn, In-Fisherman

08/27/2026

CHECK OUT OUR ‘BUY 2 - GET 1 FREE’ BARGAIN BOXES!
There’s a nice variety of real gems in each box!

08/26/2026

ATTENTION ANTELOPE, DEER, AND ELK HUNTERS!!!!!!!!!!
Centerfire Ammo Sale - $10 off per box
- 204 R***r, 223, 22-250, 243, 25-06, 270, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm-08, 7mm Mag, 300 Blackout, 30-30, 30 Carbine, 30-06, 308, 300 Win Mag - WHILE SUPPLIES LAST