SOUTHEAST REGION Our lakes and rivers are Perfect for Paddling Our lakes and rivers offer pristine waters, picturesque scenery, his-torical sites and abundant wildlife. With more than 175 natural and man-made lakes and three major rivers, Southeast South Dakota is perfect for canoeing and kayaking. Paddlers can immerse them-selves in the region’s natural beauty. Canoe and kayak outings can be combined with fishing, swimming, camping or hiking along the shoreline and can last for a couple of hours or be a week-long adventure. Identify all access areas and hazards before beginning. Sometimes portages are needed to get around dams, fences and sandbars. Always have a contingency plan to get off the river if weather or river/lake conditions change or a paddler becomes sick or tired. Most shorelines in South Dakota are privately owned. Permission must be secured before going on land. River sandbars may appear to be excellent camping sites, but water levels can rise quickly. 240 // #SESouthDakota South Dakota law requires that non-motorized boats over 12 feet long, including canoes and kayaks, be licensed in South Dakota or another state. The registration decal must be shown on each side of the bow. Every person in the watercraft must have an approved personal flotation device that fits properly, is readily available and in serviceable condition. A list follows of some of the most popular waters for canoe and kayak excursions: 1 BIG SIOUX RIVER With good water levels in the spring and early summer, it is possible to paddle from US 14 near Brookings to the river’s confluence with the Missouri River. Paddlers favor the seg-ment from Lien Park in Sioux Falls to Newton Hills State Park. Spring and summer are the best times to paddle this stretch of river. Points of interest along the way include the Big Sioux Recreation Area, Gitchie Manitou Park, the old Klondike Mills site and Newton Hills State Park. Both Big Sioux and Newton Hills have canoe launch sites
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