SD: GFP Releases New Shorefishing/Boatramp Access Maps

The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department has created a
new interactive

map to provide information to boaters and anglers.

The map, located at
[3]http://gfp.sd.gov/fishing-boating/fishing-access.aspx

allows users to search areas across the state and locate boat
ramps and/or

known areas with public shorefishing access. The map also provides
information

on each area, such as fish species, campgrounds, bathrooms,
handicap accessible

fishing piers and much more.

“We also have the capability of letting users see pictures of
the areas and

video,” said GFP GIS specialist Chris Marsh. “We currently have
pictures up

for some of the areas near Pierre, but hope to have every area
photographed by

the end of summer.”

The mapping system is one more way GFP is sharing information
with the public.

“We have “How to” videos available to users as well,” said
Marsh. “The system

is very easy to use and provides all the information anglers and
boaters would

need for a day out on the water. Programs like these are very
interactive and

allow us to respond to users on what kind of information they
want.”

The Department did a trial run of the maps for their Facebook©
users and got a

good response.

“Our trial run did a good job of telling us what people wanted
in this map,”

said Marsh. “From the responses, we changed a few things and now we
feel it

will be a valuable tool for outdoorsmen and women.”