Page 4 - SDWF Out of Doors

Out of Doors 4 January - April 2023

SDWF’S 2022 CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED TO THE

NORTHEASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA WALLEYE CLUB

The Sportsman’s Club of Brown County (SCBC) nominated the
Northeastern South Dakota Walleye Club (NESDWC) for the 2022 South
Dakota Conservationist of the Year Award.

NESDWC was organized in 1996 by a small group of sportsmen and
women who not only wanted to improve their outdoor experiences for
themselves, but to preserve and protect those outdoor experiences for
future generations. The club is not big, with membership fluctuating
between 45 to 125. The club is not flashy, as their accomplishments are
largely unknown and rarely publicized. However, what a few men and
women working together have accomplished is much more significant
than so many other organizations, regardless of membership numbers
or bank account balances.
NESDWC is fully aware our outdoor heritage is largely dependent on
laws, rules, and policies implemented by governmental agencies on
various issues. NESDWC has been a friend to SDWF and the Camo
Coalition, backing the groups on various legislative and SD G&FP
Commission regulations, voicing concern either for or against different
matters. Their voices have been heard, loudly but reasonably, and far
beyond what would normally be expected from a group of walleye fishing
enthusiasts.

They have not simply sat back and demanded goods and services from
their license dollars and taxes. Members of NESDWC have again and
again rolled up their sleeves and made sure the job got done. Whenever
possible, they worked with the Sporstman’s Club of Brown County, SD
GF&P and other groups to enhance their ability to get things done. A
portion of their accomplishments include:

• Collected and distributed over 1500 Christmas trees and approximately
100 Berkley “Fish Habs” in Mina, Richmond and Elm Lakes for fish
habitat.

• Involved in numerous youth programs over the years, including
member participation and financial support of the Sportsman’s Club
of Brown County Youth Sportsfest.

• Financially supported the SDWF Youth Conservation Camp and
have sent club members to work the camp for the past 11 years as Fishing Dock at Richmond Lake.
counselors. • Helped support and financially donated to a new GPA land purchase

• Sponsored and held numerous TAKE A KID FISHING events at Wylie along the James River in southeastern Brown County along with other
and Richmond Lakes, giving kids fishing instructions and free fishing sports-minded organizations.
equipment. • Worked hundreds of hours at various fishing tournaments as weigh
• Helped year-after-year with taking handicapped people from ASPIRE masters and in other positions. Some of those include Wolves on
on fishing trips to Richmond and Wylie lakes. They also donated the Water; Mobridge Ice Fishing Tournament, Akaska Classic; 3M
fishing equipment to this group. Mobridge Tournaments, and several national tournaments. and more.
Fish received from some of these tournaments have been used to
• Assisted with large groups of handicapped people from Camp hold fund raising events. The funds go back into community projects,
Dream Maker and purchased rod & reel combos to replace their old as detailed above.
equipment.
Therefore, in recognition of their accomplishments and their passion to
• Purchased a dock for use at Mina Lake East public boat ramp area that protect, preserve and pass on our outdoor heritage, the Sportsman’s
is used for loading and unloading boaters to cut down on congestion Club of Brown County and South Dakota Wildlife Federation proudly
at the main ramp. awarded Northeastern South Dakota Walleye Club with the 2022
Conservationist of the Year award.
• Instrumental in purchasing and placing the Brook Brown Memorial