News Release Archives - April 2006

"Most of these lakes are smaller waters that are managed for sport fish," said Scott Gangl, fisheries management section leader.

Live baitfish are illegal in these waters, according to Gangl, because when fish are small it is hard to tell desirable from undesirable fish. "Therefore, undesirable fish may get introduced unintentionally and grow into a larger population that can impact the game fish in the water," he said.

Undesirable fish reduce water quality and clarity, eat smaller game fish or their eggs, and compete with sport fish for limited food and space. "Illegal introductions in certain lakes would cause considerable harm to a fishery in just a short time," Gangl emphasized.

Anglers should be aware that baitfish preserved by freezing, salting or otherwise treated to inactivate sexual products are legal. Freezing ruptures cell membranes and salting dries them out. Other live bait, such as worms or insects, are also legal.

The following North Dakota waters have a "no live baitfish" regulation: Belfield Dam, Stark County; Blumhardt Dam, McIntosh County; Bylin Dam, Walsh County; Camels Hump Dam, Golden Valley County; Custer Mine Pond, McLean County; Davis Dam, Slope County; Dickinson Dike, Stark County; Dougherty Dam, Walsh County; Fish Creek, Morton County; Indian Creek, Hettinger County; Kettle Lake, Williams County; Leland Dam, McKenzie County; Lightning Lake, McLean County; McDowell Dam, Burleigh County; North Lemmon Dam, Adams County; Nygren Dam, Morton County; Raleigh Reservoir, Grant County; Sather Dam, McKenzie County; Sheep Creek Dam, Grant County; and Velva Sportsmens Pond, Ward County.

The penalty for fishing with or possessing illegal live baitfish on those lakes is $250.

Anglers should refer to the 2006-08 North Dakota Fishing Guide, available at license vendors or online at gf.nd.gov, for more information.

Hear this bird, and spy many others, on a birding field trip Saturday, May 20 sponsored by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Anyway you cut it, it beats listening to the rattle-hum of neighborhood lawnmowers, said Jeb Williams, outreach biologist.

"It doesn't matter if you are just beginning or are an experienced birder," Williams said. "Anyone interested in birding will enjoy the field trip."

The outing is open to the first 25 people who call and register. Participants will be going to McKenzie Slough, Long Lake and the Kimball Bottoms area in Burleigh County. "North Dakota has a lot of interesting bird species," Williams said, "and one doesn't have to venture very far with the good birding spots around the Bismarck area."

Bring binoculars, a bird book and a snack. Participants are asked to meet at the Game and Fish headquarters in Bismarck at 7 a.m., and can expect to return around noon. The trip is free and transportation will be provided.

To sign up for the birding trip, contact Jeb Williams at 328-6332.

Applications are now being accepted and enrollment is limited to 100 participants. The cost is $120 with an Aug. 1 registration deadline.

The workshop, sponsored by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, offers 26 different seminars, each of which lasts more than three hours, according to BOW coordinator Nancy Boldt.

Classes are held outdoors, and each session contains 45 minutes of lecture with the remainder dedicated to hands-on instruction. Each session has room for 12 women, Boldt said, ensuring each person receives the needed help and technical assistance.

Participants are limited to four sessions. New classes offered this workshop include dragonflies and butterflies, kayaking, waterfowl identification, birds and their nests, and furry creatures.

Other classes include fishing and fly-fishing, bird identification, plant identification, canoeing, predator calling, decoy carving, GPS adventure, archery and shotgunning.

Participants will stay in dorms and must provide their own bedding and towels. All camp facilities are handicap accessible. Equipment will be provided unless noted in the course description.

Something that has become troublesome on some waters is anglers anchoring their boats under or directly in front of bridge openings.

Nancy Boldt, North Dakota Game and Fish Department water safety coordinator, reminds boaters that it's against the law for a watercraft to obstruct or tend to obstruct ordinary navigation. "A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel," she said.

Anchoring under bridges interferes with normal boat traffic and causes congestion, as does a row of boats anchoring outside a bridge opening.

Terry Steinwand, Department director, said it goes beyond rules and regulations. "It's simple courtesy not to obstruct an area and deny another person the opportunity to pass through to their fishing spot," he said.

The property, managed by the Game and Fish Department, covers more than 16,000 acres south of Bismarck and Mandan along Lake Oahe. The heavily used wildlife management area is exceptionally prone to wildfires prior to spring green-up because of high traffic and heavy vegetative fuel loads such at dead timber, cattails, and marsh grasses.

"While recent rains did bring some relief, ground conditions in this area are still susceptible to wildfires," said Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief. "A few days of warm temperatures with high winds and we are right back to where we were."

Lake Oahe 's low water levels of recent years have caused hundreds of acres of shoreline, river oxbows, stream channels, and back water bays that are normally covered by water to dry out and grow over with tall, dense vegetation. "While providing good deer, turkey, and pheasant habitat, this heavy cover can be a tinderbox in spring before new green growth once again makes up the majority of the biomass composition, reducing the fire risk," Link said.

Burning restriction signs are posted at all entrances to the WMA.

Legal snagging hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. One tag per snagger will be issued.

Snag-and-release of all paddlefish will be required on Mondays and Tuesdays. Those planning to participate during the snag-and-release-only days will need to have in their possession a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag. Since all snagged fish on the catch-and-release days must be released, the use or possession of gaffs is prohibited on Mondays and Tuesdays.

During the other five days of the week, mandatory harvest of all snagged paddlefish is required. The use or possession of a gaff within one half mile in either direction of the Highway 200 bridge on the Yellowstone River is illegal at any time during the snagging season.

Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and in the area of the Missouri River lying west of the U.S. Highway 85 bridge to the Montana border, excluding that portion from the pipeline crossing (river mile 1,577) downstream to the upper end of the Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area (river mile 1,565).

Maps of the open and closed areas are available at all paddlefish tag vendors, and can be accessed on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.

Cost of a paddlefish tag is $3 for residents and $7.50 for nonresidents. Refer to the 2006-08 North Dakota Fishing Guide for additional information.

The test is scheduled for Saturday, May 6 at 1 p.m. at the department's main office in Bismarck. The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a hunting guide or outfitter in the state.

In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations; certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid; and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter.

Hunting outfitter eligibility requirements include the guide qualifications, as well as an individual must have held a hunting guide license for two years; and must have proof of liability insurance.

The nine-day October season was open in two units - Grand Forks County (north unit) and the other in southeastern North Dakota (south unit). Fifty resident hunters were awarded licenses in each unit.

Forty-two hunters bagged 25 prairie chickens and 15 sharptails in the north unit, while 45 hunters took 20 prairie chickens and 112 sharptails in the south unit.

Hunters had a season limit of two prairie chickens, and a sharptail limit of three daily and 12 in possession.

From the north unit seven hunters were successful in taking two prairie chickens, 11 hunters were able to bag one, and 24 were unsuccessful. In the south unit, nine hunters took a limit of prairie chickens, two hunters were able to harvest one, and 34 were unsuccessful.

The department received 390 applications - 229 for the north unit and 154 for the south unit.

The application process and 2006 season information will be announced in July.

Mike Johnson, migratory game bird management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, urges both North Dakotans and residents of surrounding states to attend. "Since the meeting is regional we hope to see people from across North Dakota and from out-of-state. In the Upper Midwest, the next closest meeting is in Bloomington, Minnesota," Johnson said.

Johnson hopes many wildlife groups and individuals attend the meeting to provide comments and suggestions. "Receiving input from the public is an important part of this SEIS process," Johnson said.

Federal and state agencies, as well as the private citizens, will be able to present their views on the scope and substance of the SEIS, options or alternatives to be considered, and important management issues.

In particular, the FWS would like to receive comments on harvest management alternatives for migratory game birds, limiting the scope of the assessment to sport hunting, and including basic regulations.

"Writing an EIS on migratory bird hunting requires a major effort and will likely take several years to complete," Johnson said. "Because final rules resulting from the EIS will affect hunting for years to come it is important that hunters pay attention to the EIS process and provide comments at the scoping meeting and on the draft when it becomes available."

In addition to public meetings, written comments may also be submitted, and are due by May 30, 2006. Comments should be directed to Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, MS MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240. Comments may also be sent by fax to (703) 358-2217 or by e-mail to huntingseis@fws.gov.

Dead vegetation and high winds make this time of year highly susceptible to wildfires, said Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief for the state Game and Fish Department. Because of highly variable weather patterns and increased outdoor human activity, North Dakota experiences a distinct spring fire season every year prior to green-up.

"April wildfires make up nearly half of any given year's fires," Link said. "With that in mind, it is important to pay attention to the daily rangeland fire danger index, and to follow the appropriate measures when planning camping or other outdoor activities."

Burleigh, Emmons, Kidder, Morton and Sheridan counties have temporarily instituted burn bans until further notice. The ban was implemented due to abnormally dry conditions in the region and the growing frequency of rural fires in recent weeks.

The daily fire danger index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental fires. The index can change from day to day depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts. If the index reaches the VERY HIGH or EXTREME category, people should refrain from burning outdoors.

The rangeland fire danger index is available through the NWS internet site at www.crh.noaa.gov/data/BIS/RFDBIS, or the county sheriff's office.

Whooping cranes stand about five feet tall and have a wingspan of about seven feet from tip to tip. They are white with black wing tips, which are visible only when the wings are outspread. In flight they extend their long necks straight forward, while their long, slender legs extend out behind the tail. Whooping cranes typically migrate singly, or in groups of 2-3 birds, and may be associated with sandhill cranes.

Anyone sighting whoopers should not disturb them, but record the date, time, location, and the birds' activity. Observers should also look closely for colored bands which may occur on one or both legs and record those colors and on which leg they occur. Young whooping cranes were marked during 1975-1988 with colored leg bands to help determine their identity.

Whooping crane sightings should be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office at 701-387-4397, the state game and fish department's main office in Bismarck at 701-328-6300, or to local game wardens around the state. Reports help biologists locate important whooping crane habitat areas, monitor marked birds, determine survival and population numbers, and identify times and migration routes.

The size of Missouri River walleyes continues to improve, and anglers are already catching many in the 14-20 inch range. "The walleye population continues to improve from a few years ago, especially for larger fish," said Jason Lee, south central fisheries supervisor.

Recent improvements in the walleye population can be attributed to gizzard shad, an ideal food source for walleye that was lacking prior to 2005. "Last fall's survey showed abundant young, 2-5 inch gizzard shad found from the Garrison Dam Tailrace to south of Beaver Bay, near Linton," Lee said.

Lee, who manages the river from Wilton to the South Dakota state line, said anglers are reporting good catches near Bismarck and south. "Fishing is off to a good start, and we expect it to continue," Lee said.

Jeff Hendrickson, north central fisheries supervisor who manages the river from the Tailrace to Washburn, said walleye fishing has been good, especially in the Tailrace. "Gizzard shad were abundant last year, and the walleye population is good," Hendrickson said.

While walleye receive the most attention, anglers shouldn't forget about the prospects of a good spring bite for white bass, catfish and sauger. "These species typically aren't as popular as walleye, but can provide for some good fishing," Lee said.

In addition, anglers should find good access to the water in most areas. If water releases are normal, most boat ramps from the Garrison Tailrace to the Ft. Rice/Hazelton area - about 30 miles southeast of Bismarck - should be in usable condition, reports Bob Frohlich, fisheries development supervisor. "The Burnt Creek boat ramp site has been closed due to continued erosion problems, and a new public boat ramp (Misty Waters) will be constructed just to the north and east of the old Burnt Creek area."

The Hazelton boat landing, which is managed by the Corps of Engineers, still has ice on the ramp, Frohlich said, and will likely require additional work before it is operational because of a sandbar that has built up in front of the ramp.

The Missouri River/Lake Oahe creel survey started April 1, and will continue through September. The Lake Sakakawea survey will run from May 1 through September, and the Lake Audubon survey will also begin May 1, but continue through ice fishing season. Clerks will be at various places at different times throughout the season, Hendrickson said.

Creel survey information is useful in assessing angler demographics, harvest and catch rates, catch-and-release information, and angling effort. Anglers are asked to cooperate with creel clerks, and answer questions honestly, as interviews take only a few minutes.

Information obtained is kept confidential, Hendrickson said.  

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department allocated 145,600 deer gun licenses for the 2005 season, and more than 97 percent were issued to hunters. Harvest survey data reveals nearly 99,600 deer were taken during the gun season, and combined with bow, muzzle-loader and youth seasons, the harvest was more than 100,000 deer, according to Randy Kreil, wildlife chief.

The overall hunter success rate of 76 percent during 2005 was 2 percent higher than in 2004, and about average over the past 15 years.

Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 75 percent, and antlerless whitetail was 74 percent.

Mule deer buck success was 78 percent, while mule deer doe hunters had a success rate of 83 percent.

Youth deer season hunters had an overall success rate of 44 percent, and muzzle-loader season hunters had a success rate of 49 percent.

Department biologists are in the process of determining the number of deer licenses that will be recommended in the 2006 deer proclamation, which will be sent to the governor's office for approval the end of April. "Since the winter was easy on the deer herd in much of the state we anticipate low winter mortality and high reproduction in 2006," Kreil said. "License numbers should remain high in many units, although some areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the state have reduced deer numbers and lower harvest success."

Game and Fish Department biologists determine deer license numbers by evaluating hunter harvest data, deer survey data, deer-vehicle collision reports, depredation reports, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.