Fishing regulations are in effect for two years from April 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. A fishing year is defined as April 1 of one calendar year through March 31 of the following calendar year. NOTE: In the event of emergency changes to the 2012-14 proclamation, Game and Fish will issue a statewide press release and post new information on its website.
New for 2012-2014 - Summary of major changes
2012 - 2014 Fishing Regulations Guide
- Northern pike daily and possession limits are increased to five and 10 statewide.
- Most waters will be open to darkhouse spearfishing, except for a small number of lakes that contain muskie. Lakes where darkhouse spearfishing is not allowed are Braun Lake, Logan County; New Johns Lake, Burleigh County; East Park Lake, West Park Lake and Lake Audubon, McLean County; McClusky Canal; Heckers Lake, Sheridan County; Red Willow Lake, Griggs County; Sweet Briar Dam, Morton County; and the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers.
- Added Sundays for snag-and-release only during the paddlefish season.
- Added a 14-inch walleye length restriction to six lakes in southeast North Dakota – Alkali Lake, Buffalo Lake and Tosse Slough in Sargent County; and Lake Elsie, Lueck Lake and West Moran Lake in Richland County.
- Increased the minimum harvest length of a muskie to 48 inches.
- Added Mott Watershed in Hettinger County and Nelson Lake in Oliver County to the list of “no live baitfish” lakes.
- Eliminated the 24-inch minimum length restriction for northern pike at North and South Golden lakes in Steele County.