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Silver Carp Caught in James River

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:20:08 -0400

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has verified a recent catch of a silver carp by an angler fishing the James River near LaMoure. Silver carp, an exotic species, are well established in the lower Missouri River and in the James River in South Dakota. This is the first report of this aquatic nuisance species in North Dakota waters.

Zebra Mussel Still Present in Red River

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:47:12 -0400

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has confirmed zebra mussel veligers were recently found in the southern Red River in the same vicinity where they were discovered last year.
The zebra mussel veliger, a microscopic free-swimming (young) stage, was originally found in a plankton sample taken at Kidder Dam in Wahpeton in June 2010. Sampling efforts conducted twice in the past month found veligers in the area on both occasions. Additional zebra mussel veligers were found in the lower Otter Tail River at Breckenridge, Minn.

Busteed, Harmon Win Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit's Devils Lake Dual Tournament

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:25:10 -0400

Devils Lake, ND-A storybook finish lifted David Harmon and Scott Busteed to victory against 228 anglers from nine states competing on mighty Devils Lake to win top honors across the board in the Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit-Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce Dual Tournament.

Anglers Reminded of ANS Regulations

Fri, 27 May 2011 11:40:34 -0400

North Dakota anglers are reminded of regulations intended to reduce the risk of aquatic nuisance species transfer between water bodies.
Current law states all water must be drained from watercraft prior to leaving a water body, including livewells. This means fish, including bait, cannot be transported in a livewell containing water. However, bait buckets and/or any container of five gallons or less in volume can be used to transport legal live baitfish and other bait in water. All other fish species, including game fish, may not be held in water and/or transported in bait buckets/containers when away from a water body. Transportation of fish in or on ice is allowed.

Five Boat Ramps Ready on Devils Lake

Fri, 27 May 2011 11:40:02 -0400

Five boating access sites are now usable on Devils Lake, and three more are expected to be ready by early summer.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department personnel completed installing a slide-in metal ramp at Pelican Lake on the north side of Highway 19, about one mile east of the junction of old Highway 281.

Game and Fish Urges Caution on Missouri River Boating

Wed, 18 May 2011 18:26:06 -0400

High water levels on the Missouri River will likely influence recreational activity for at least the next couple of months.

In addition to reduced boat launching access and inundated sandbars, State Game and Fish Department officials have received numerous calls in the last week from Missouri River shoreline landowners in the Bismarck-Mandan area who are concerned about boating traffic on the river and the potential for creating large waves on the shoreline.

Work Progressing on Devils Lake Access Sites

Tue, 17 May 2011 15:17:28 -0400

A new boating access site on the southeast side of Devils Lake, along with several other access sites around the lake, are being worked on and should be ready for activity by early summer, according to Bob Frohlich, fisheries development supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Paddlefish Snagging Season Closed to Additional Harvest

Mon, 16 May 2011 18:58:27 -0400

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced today that the state's 2011 paddlefish snagging harvest season has been closed to protect the paddlefish population level.

The 2010-12 fishing proclamation allows for the Game and Fish Department director to close the snagging season early if it appears more than 1,000 paddlefish will be harvested. If the season had remained open through the intended closing date of May 31, the harvest cap of 1,000 fish would have been exceeded substantially, putting additional pressure on the existing population.

Lake Sakakawea Navigation Beacons Scheduled for Removal

Mon, 16 May 2011 12:56:41 -0400

About a dozen navigation light structures in place along Lake Sakakawea’s shoreline for decades are scheduled for removal over the next 12-18 months as they become inoperable.
Designed to serve as navigational aids, these beacons no longer serve their original purpose. Wave and ice action have greatly eroded many of the foundations of the light beacons, and proper operation and maintenance is difficult to justify, given the electronic aids that most boaters have in cellular phones and global positioning systems.

Boats Need 2011-13 Registration

Mon, 16 May 2011 12:55:58 -0400

Boat owners are reminded that 2011 is the first year of the new three-year registration period. All boat registrations with an orange decal expired Dec. 31, 2010.
The new registration cycle runs through Dec. 31, 2013. New blue and white boat validation stickers have the expiration year of 13 prominently readable in the middle of the sticker.

Safe Boating Week Emphasizes Need for Life Jackets

Mon, 16 May 2011 12:55:05 -0400

A public awareness campaign held annually in May emphasizes the need for boaters to wears life jackets.
Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said this year’s National Safe Boating Week is May 21-27. “This annual week-long event reinforces the importance of personal flotation devices,” Boldt said. “Facts prove there is no safety substitute for wearing a life jacket while recreating on public waters.”

Trout Stocked in State Waters

Wed, 11 May 2011 15:57:29 -0400

North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries personnel are in the process of stocking roughly 70,000 rainbow and brown trout in more than 55 waters statewide.
Jerry Weigel, fisheries production and development supervisor, said stocking efforts of the 11-14 inch trout will be completed by May 12. Included are 3,500 1-to-3 pound rainbows from state hatcheries in Wyoming.

Berkley Experience Heads to Fargo

Mon, 02 May 2011 12:28:09 -0400

COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 29, 2011) - The Berkley Experience Trailer will be at the Scheels in Fargo, N.D., on May 5th - 7th. With 60-feet of fun and activities, the Experience Trailer brings fishing education to all levels and skill sets of anglers.

Northern Pike Spawn Completed, Population Healthy

Mon, 02 May 2011 12:19:34 -0400

A healthy northern pike population is a main reason fisheries crews were able to complete spring spawning efforts in short order under less than ideal weather conditions.
Scott Gangl, North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries management section leader, said crews wrapped up taking northern pike eggs in just six days. “Our crews battled rain, snow and sleet,” Gangl said. “Despite the weather, everything else was like clockwork.”

Game and Fish Pays $464,000 in Property Taxes

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:30:12 -0400

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently paid $464,835 in taxes to counties in which the department owns or leases land. The 2010 in-lieu-of-tax payments are the same as property taxes paid by private landowners.