News and Updates

News Release Archives - December 2001

Game and Fish Recognizes Employee Efforts | CREP/CoverLocks Meetings Set for Eligible Producers | Phalen Named Game and Fish Employee of the Year | Skuza Named Wildlife Officer of the Year | Nonresident Any-Deer Bow Licenses Available March 1 | Biologists Anticipate Another Quality Ice Fishing Season

Game and Fish Recognizes Employee Efforts
North Dakota Game and Fish Department director Dean Hildebrand recently honored a number of employees with performance-based and long-term service awards. Hildebrand presented the following awards at the department's annual staff meeting Dec. 14:

Jeb Williams, outreach biologist, Bismarck, received the Special Projects award for his work on the black-tailed prarie dog management plan. According to Hildebrand, Williams worked effectively with the Governor's office, landowners, conservationists, government agencies, and the general public. "The process was tedious, controversial, politically and biologically challenging, and filled with pressure," Hildebrand added. "Jeb represented the department extremely well and the end product is the result of a well-thought-out strategy and a timely implementation. This plan could likely become the template for black-tailed prairie dog management across the northern range of the species."

The Special Projects award is given to a staff member for completing a new project which is on its way to being highly successful.

Scott Peterson, wildlife resource management supervisor, Lonetree district office, was presented with the Innovations award, recognizing staff for implementing a process to improve department goals and objectives. Peterson received the award for his efforts in developing a system for awarding haying and grazing contracts on Lonetree Wildlife Management Area. He utilized a system where tracts were available to producers on an annual bid/auction process, Hildebrand said. "The results have been remarkable," Hildebrand added. "We are accomplishing our management objectives and local agricultural producers are getting the opportunity for hay and grazing at competitive rates established by the local market. This groundbreaking and innovative process will be evaluated and possibly used on other WMAs around the state."

Terry Kreiter, chief accountant, Bismarck, received the Solid Foundation award, presented to an employee who demonstrates exemplary work in the administrative, technical, or support field. Kreiter's quality work with many accounting items was recognized, including audits and purchasing. "This is extremely important work that most take for granted," Hildebrand said. "We have been fortunate for years to have an accounting staff with an excellent reputation, and Terry has been a major part of this."

Lonetree district office staff received the Public Outreach award, presented to an employee or group of individuals for showing a significant effort, ability, or accomplishment in interacting with the public while promoting the department's programs.

The Lonetree staff, Hildebrand said, filled a much needed and long overdue public outreach and information source in central North Dakota. "Prior to the existance of Lonetree, there was a huge gap in coverage of game and fish services and information in the surrounding multi-county area," Hildebrand added. "On an annual basis, the staff presents numerous hunting, fishing, conservation, and watchable wildlife programs to area schools, clubs, fairs, and civic organizations. The Lonetree staff is an excellent example of how a field office can successfully take the initiative by promoting and conducting outreach when needed."

Employees who received long-term service awards
20 years service: Geralyn Evans, administrative assistant, Bismarck; Mike Johnson, migratory bird management supervisor, Bismarck.

25 years service: Ernie Dawson, wildlife technician, Jamestown; Arlen Harmoning, wildlife planner, Bismarck; Michelle Pich, licensing clerk, Bismarck; John Schulz, CoverLocks coordinator, Bismarck.

30 years service: Emil Berard, western fisheries supervisor, Dickinson.

35 years service: Floyd Chrest, district warden supervisor, Washburn; Lowell Tripp, upland game biologist, Oakes.

CREP/CoverLocks Meetings Set for Eligible Producers
Producers owning property within eligible watersheds/counties are invited to attend informational meetings about the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program/CoverLocks, a private lands conservation program sponsored by game and fish and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Meetings are scheduled Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Eagles in Lisbon; Wednesday, Jan. 9, at The Ranch in Ellendale; Tuesday, Jan. 15, at the Tumbleweed Café in Carson; Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Harvest Moon in Mott; and Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Research Extension Center in Hettinger. All meetings will begin at 1 p.m. local time and last two hours. Producers from any eligible watershed/county are welcome to attend any meeting.

A recent amendment to CREP expanded the CoverLocks' eligibility areas from six watersheds to 13. Eligible counties west of the Missouri River are all of Hettinger, Oliver, Stark, Grant, Morton and Sioux, and most of Adams, Dunn and Mercer. Counties east of the river are Sargent, a small southwestern corner of Burleigh, most of Emmons, LaMoure, Dickey and Ransom, and parts of Logan and McIntosh.

CREP/CoverLocks managers, along with Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel, will be available to explain program objectives and producer benefits. CREP/CoverLocks is a USDA and ND Game and Fish Department partnership approved in January, 2001. A major feature of CoverLocks is its virtually cost-free wildlife habitat plantings to eligible producers, and attractive land rental rates and easement payments, said Ted Upgren, game and fish director of Missions and Woodland Habitats.

Phalen Named Game and Fish Employee of the Year
Tim Phalen, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden at Wyndmere, received the Director's Award for 2001 during the department's annual meeting Dec. 14 in Bismarck.

Dean Hildebrand, department director, said Phalen's relentless work, recommendations and leadership are invaluable to the department. "Tim is well known throughout North Dakota as an outstanding public servant," Hildebrand added. "He has been a leader in enforcing the state's regulations dealing with commercialization of wildlife, has worked extensively with other states to control the illegal taking of fresh water mussels, and is currently a leading authority on the activities of the interstate bait fish industry."

Warden Phalen works extensively in all areas of outreach and education, Hildebrand mentioned. His most recent achievement is organizing a successful youth waterfowl hunt. "To complete this task, Tim worked with other wildlife agencies, sportsmen's clubs and individual hunters," Hildebrand added. "Many young people were given the opportunity to participate in a quality waterfowl hunt. This is the type of innovative program that goes a long way in promoting a new generation of ethical hunters."

Phalen is a department firearms instructor, and a leader in boater education and personal watercraft training. "He has designed and presented a personal watercraft training course for law enforcement officers," Hildebrand said. "He is also the lead man in boating under the influence arrests and has designed procedures and initiated BUI detection training for other wardens."

Phalen's career accomplishments include Skikar-Safari Club's Wildlife Officer of the Year, the Wildlife Society's Case of the Year, North Dakota's Boat Safety Officer of the Year, president of the Southeast Crime Conference and North Dakota Game Warden Association, and he currently serves as president of the North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society.

Phalen received a bachelor of science degree in fish and wildlife biology from the University of North Dakota. He started his career with the department in 1987.

Skuza Named Wildlife Officer of the Year
Ken Skuza, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden at Kenmare, is North Dakota's 2001 Wildlife Officer of the Year. Skuza was honored recently by the Shikar-Safari Club International, a private conservation organization that annually recognizes outstanding wildlife officers in each state.

In a nomination letter sent to Shikar-Safari, chief warden Ray Goetz noted Skuza's dedication to his job, investigation and leadership skills, and an intense district law enforcement program. "Warden Skuza has taken command of the needs and challenges of his area," Goetz added. "He has generated an excellent working relationship with other law enforcement agencies, and is a tireless investigator with a reputation of never giving up on an investigation."

Goetz noted that Skuza's district is rich in all waterfowl, especially snow and blue geese. "It is one of the busiest districts in the state due to the large numbers of waterfowl hunters, both resident and nonresident, who use this area each fall," he said.

Skuza was also recognized for his information and education programs involving public organizations, including schools and wildlife clubs. Warden Skuza takes an active role in working with youth through Ducks Unlimited's Greenwing program, and numerous fishing activities, Goetz added. "His knowledge of game and fish laws and the support for department policies, goals and objectives make him a great asset to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department."

Skuza received his bachelor of science degree from North Dakota State University. He has been stationed in Kenmare since starting with the department in 1993.

Each of North Dakota's four game warden supervisors annually nominates a warden for the Shikar-Safari award. Supervisors, the chief game warden, and the game and fish director make the final selection.

Nonresident Any-Deer Bow Licenses Available March 1
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will have 772 any-deer bow licenses available to nonresidents in 2002, up from 547 issued in 2001.

The number of nonresident any-deer bow licenses available is 15 percent of the previous year's mule deer gun license allocation. Game and fish issued 5,150 mule deer licenses in the 2001 deer gun lottery.

The department will begin issuing any-deer bow licenses March 1. All applications received on or before March 1, 2002, will be treated equally. If more applications are received than there are licenses, each application will be assigned a number. Numbers will be drawn to issue the licenses. Applicants who request to apply together as a party will receive one number.

Additional numbers will be drawn to establish a waiting list. If returned licenses become available, these applicants will be offered the licenses.

If licenses remain after March 1, these will be issued daily on a first come, first serve basis.

Biologists Anticipate Another Quality Ice Fishing Season
North Dakota's thriving northern pike and yellow perch populations have State Game and Fish Department fisheries biologists excited about this winter's ice fishing season.

Winter angling activity has increased markedly the past seven years because of higher water levels, better fish habitat and better opportunities, said Terry Steinwand, fisheries chief. "Although we've entered the winter with lower water levels than in the past few years, most areas will still provide great opportunities and fishing," Steinwand said.

Perch are undoubtedly the most popular fish during ice fishing season, Steinwand mentioned. "They are the most abundant game fish on a statewide basis," he added, "and a good perch lake can draw people from hundreds of miles away."

Perch lakes are especially attractive in the southeastern portion of the state, Steinwand noted, because water levels have been maintained through above-average moisture, creating lakes where only potholes previously existed.

A new fishing opportunity is available in North Dakota this winter. Darkhouse spearfishing is now available on 27 lakes across the state. "Not all will be good because of poor water clarity, which can vary from year to year, but all have good pike populations," Steinwand said. "Although no regulations exist for size of hole or disposition of ice chunks, all anglers that participate in this new activity are encouraged to mark the hole when they move the darkhouse and, if possible, put the ice chunks back into the hole.

"We are entering ice fishing season a little later than normal," Steinwand continued, "so all prospective ice anglers should be cautious when venturing onto the ice." With good ice-fishing months ahead, fisheries biologists provide the following forecasts for different regions of the state.

Central

Anglers are just beginning to venture out on the ice in those areas that are safe, said Dave Fryda, fisheries biologist, Riverdale. "Although ice conditions are still somewhat marginal," Fryda said, "some anglers have reported good success."

Early reports indicate Lake Audubon anglers are catching quality-size perch and a few walleye from the refuge portion of the lake. "Areas in and around Nelson Bay are especially popular and productive," Fryda said. "Anglers can expect good catch rates on eating-size walleye, with a few jumbo perch thrown in, and early reports indicate there may be a good early-ice perch bite."

For larger walleye, Lake Sakakawea offers the best chance "but the bite can be more finicky and the fish more challenging to find than in district lakes," Fryda said. Good walleye district lakes, according to Fryda, include Crooked, Hiddenwood, Brekken, Holmes, and Sweetbriar and Froelich. The McClusky Canal lakes, including East and West Park, Heckers and New Johns, will also entice anglers.

Most central district lakes have good northern pike populations. Although trophy pike may show up in almost any lake, Fryda said, the best chance at a real wall-hanger is Lake Sakakawea. Other good pike lakes include Rice (Ward County), Makoti, Cottonwood, Buffalo Lodge, Coal Mine, Hoffer, Brush and Rice (Emmons County). Yellow perch are abundant in many central district lakes. A few that have quality-size perch, Fryda mentioned, include Rice (Emmons County), Crooked, Coal Mine and Round.

Northwest

Ice conditions are quite good, with reports of about six inches of ice at most waters, with some snowmobile and four wheeler traffic and a few portable houses showing up, said Fred Ryckman, fisheries biologist, Williston.

Most angler reports received this winter are from upper Sakakawea, Ryckman said, where the early bite has been very good for walleye and sauger. "Early ice fishing was the most productive on Lake Sakakawea last year, with success slowing considerably after New Years Day," Ryckman added. "Trenton Lake remained more consistent all winter long last year, and has been good for crappies and also a few walleye this season."

Ryckman suggests northern pike anglers try Powers Lake and Cottonwood Lake, with Powers Lake providing bigger pike. Enget Lake, which lies just northwest of the town of Powers Lake, has a good pike population which historically receives little fishing pressure. Tioga Reservoir should be very good again this winter, Ryckman said. Last winter it yielded many pike up to six pounds. Blacktail, Short Creek Dam and McLeod are also promising pike waters.

Yellow perch are arguably the most popular target of winter anglers in northwestern waters, Ryckman noted. "Best populations are at Short Creek, McGregor and Olson dams," he added. "More spotty success for nice-sized perch will be found at Kota-Ray and East Spring Lake."

Northgate and Short Creek dams both contain whopper-sized bluegill, but open water anglers have been most successful for bluegill on these waters. Blacktail, Leland and Sather dams, and Stanley City Pond, also contain good numbers of bluegill, according to Ryckman.

Walleye populations are fairly strong at only a few northwest waters, Ryckman noted, with by far the best population at Northgate Dam. "Short Creek and McGregor dams will also yield some walleye," he said.

Southwest

A relatively dry summer in 2000, low water levels, and an extended winter resulted in numerous fishkills that reduced angling opportunity in the southwest, said Emil Berard, fisheries biologist, Dickinson. Lakes where fish populations were affected the most include: Larson Lake, Castle Rock Dam, Cedar Lake, Gascoyne, Spring Lake, Buffalo Gap Dam and Mirror Lake. Moderate winterkill where bass and panfish populations were reduced also occurred at Mott Watershed Dam, Nygren Dam and Davis Dam.

Adding insult to injury, Berard said, the late, hot summer resulted in fishkills at Dickinson Dike, Sheep Creek and Raleigh Reservoir where trout, bass, and panfish numbers were reduced. "Many of the lakes impacted by fishkills still have fishable populations, but may require some additional prospecting this winter," Berard said.

The late freeze has few anglers exploring, Berard indicated, although some reports suggest mid-sized reservoirs like Patterson, Heart Butte and Bowman-Haley may be good places to wet a line. "These systems hold fair populations of pike, perch, crappie and walleye," he added. "Odland and Danzig also had fair reports for pike and perch going into freeze-up. Indian Creek would be a good bet for walleye, bluegill and trout."

Many lakes lost in 2000-2001 were also lost in 1996-97, Berard said. "This is unfortunate because it takes the better part of three years to restore a fishery to acceptable angler expectations," Berard added. "Fall lake levels this year were much the same as last year. To the angler this should mean fish the lakes early while fish are concentrated, and before winter conditions stress populations to the brink of fishkill."

Northeast

"Ice fishing is really just getting going in northeastern North Dakota," reports Randy Hiltner, fisheries biologist, Devils Lake. "Last winter only a few lakes and reservoirs experienced a serious winterkill, so there are lots of angling opportunities."

Northern pike are abundant throughout the northeast, but are especially plentiful in the Devils Lake Basin. "Devils Lake, Morrison, Sweetwater and Cavanaugh lakes have excellent northern pike populations," Hiltner said, "and remember that the pike limit in Benson, Eddy and Ramsey counties is five daily and 10 in possession."

Other quality pike lakes in the region, according to Hiltner, are Lake Laretta, Lake Juanita, Carpenter Lake, School Section (Rolette County), Matejcek Dam and Long Lake (Bottineau County).

Yellow perch are popular during the winter. "Devils Lake is still the place to go if you are looking for a good population of larger yellow perch," Hiltner said. "However, last winter the perch fishing was generally slow even though good numbers of fish were present."

Devils Lake is currently about 125,000 acres, he noted, so either plan on drilling lots of holes when attempting to find schools of fish or be patient and thoroughly fish a smaller area to harvest some fish.

Other lakes that offer some larger yellow perch, Hiltner mentioned, are Lake Laretta, Carbury Dam, Armourdale Dam, Stump Lake and Dion Lake. Many other lakes and reservoirs have abundant yellow perch but the fish are generally smaller. "These lakes are a good place to take kids fishing because the smaller fish bite readily," he said.

Most smaller lakes and reservoirs have limited walleye ice fishing opportunities. For more consistent walleye fishing with a chance at catching big fish, anglers should fish larger waters like Devils Lake and Lake Metigoshe. "Devils Lake had good walleye fishing last winter," Hiltner said, "and that should continue."

Southeast

Ice thickness varies from five to seven inches, requiring anglers to exercise caution while venturing out on the ice, said Gene Van Eeckhout, fisheries biologist, Jamestown.

Perch fishing should be good to excellent at many places this winter, Van Eeckhout mentioned, pointing to well-known lakes like Ashtabula, Hobart, Alkaline, West and Dry. "Miller Lake (Logan County Wildlife Management Area) and Wentz WMA, both new perch fisheries last year, merit investigation," Van Eeckhout said.

Northern pike are abundant in many places in the southeast. "Good choices are Round Lake, Cherry Lake, Lake Josephine, West Lake, Coldwater Lake, Lake Etta and Grass Lake," Van Eeckhout said, "with big pike potential in Mallard Marsh, Horsehead Lake and Dry Lake."

Walleye action is usually pretty good at Lake Ashtabula, Jamestown and Pipestem Reservoirs, Van Eeckhout noted, especially early in the season. "These are lakes with length limits so anglers may have to sort through several small fish before they catch 14-inch keepers," he said.

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