North Dakota Fishing News

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will continue to test wild birds for early detection of highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza.
A total of 300 samples from live birds will be taken in conjunction with duck banding efforts in August and September, and 500 samples from hunter-harvested ducks will be collected in September and October. Geese will not be tested because they aren’t known carriers of the virus.

The recent discovery of curly leaf pondweed in the McClusky Canal in central North Dakota serves as a reminder for all water recreationists, including waterfowl hunters, to abide by regulations intended to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.

Deer hunters interested in applying for a first, second, third or fourth license have to submit a third lottery application no later than July 30.
Hunters can apply online, or print out an application, at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. Paper applications are also available from Game and Fish offices, county auditors and license vendors. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply.

“Paddlefish are present throughout the Missouri River System,” said Scott Gangl, fisheries management section leader. “There will be unintentional snagging most years because of high boat and angler traffic in some areas."

Paddlefish Snaggers Reminded of Possible Burn Ban Anglers planning on participating in the state’s paddlefish season should check with local authorities for possible burning restrictions.

Several counties in western and central North Dakota have had burn bans, and recent moisture has allowed some to rescind burn restrictions. If burn bans are in place, open burning, including campfires, is prohibited.

Nonresident Any-Deer Bow Licenses All Issued for 2008 North Dakota’s nonresident any-deer archery licenses, good for either whitetail or mule deer, have all been issued for the 2008 bow season.

Women at least 18 years old who want to learn more about outdoor activities are encouraged to participate in the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop Aug. 8-10 at Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is celebrating Earth Day by sponsoring a youth clean-up day on public-owned or managed lands in April and May.
“If your school, Girl Scout, Boy Scout, 4-H club or any youth organization participates in cleaning up public lands during April and May, each participant will receive a specifically designed conservation patch,” said Nathaniel Umphrey, Game and Fish Department outreach biologist.

North Dakota’s spring turkey season opens Saturday, April 12 at 30 minutes before sunrise and continues through May 18.

Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department, said turkeys occupy all areas of the state containing good habitat, and in many instances, are even found in areas of marginal turkey habitat by surviving in secondary cover.

Bainbridge Island, Washington - The top names in Fly Fishing have joined forces together to put togther a world-class fly fishing outfit as a fundraiser for Trout Unlimited-Alaska to help with their efforts protecting the Bristol Bay watershed.