Fish Challenge
Pick Your Challenge
Classic Challenge
Sportfish Challenge
Rough Fish Challenge
Total Catch Challenge
Submit a Catch
Begin by signing up for the challenge(s) of your choice.
Then each time you catch a challenge fish or complete a challenge activity, let us know by filling out the online submission form and be sure to attach a photo of your catch or activity.
When you have caught your last fish or completed your last activity, check "Yes" next to the final question on the entry form indicating you have completed your challenge.
Those who complete the challenge will receive a certificate and sticker.
(Contest Dates: May 1, 2025 - August 15, 2025)
Completed Challenges
See who has completed the challenge so far.
The Challenges
Classic Challenge
To complete the Classic Fish Challenge, anglers must catch (in North Dakota), photograph, and submit a photo of each of the four fish species:
- northern pike,
- yellow perch,
- smallmouth bass and
- channel catfish.
Sign Up for the Classic Challenge
Sportfish Challenge
To complete the Sportfish Fish Challenge, anglers must catch (in North Dakota), photograph, and submit a photo of each of the four fish types:
- bluegill,
- walleye,
- bass (largemouth, smallmouth or white) and
- trout (rainbow or brown).
Sign Up for the Sportfish Challenge
Rough Fish Challenge
To complete the Rough Fish Challenge, anglers must catch (in North Dakota), photograph, and submit a photo of each of the three fish types:
- bullhead (black, yellow or brown)
- carp (common, silver, bighead and grass),
- sucker (white, blue, bigmouth buffalo, and shorthead redhorse).
Sign Up for the Rough Fish Challenge
Total Catch Challenge
New for 2025
To complete the Total Catch Challenge, anglers must complete the four items below, photograph, and submit a photo that represents each one:
- Coach a New Angler
- Invite somebody new to go fishing with you! Make sure if they are 16 or older they have a valid fishing license and teach them about the basics of fishing in North Dakota.
- Cleanup a Lake
- Bring a trash bag and fill it with trash from your favorite fishing spot whether it’s a lake, community pond, boat access, parking lot, shoreline, park, or other area near a waterbody.
- Cook a Catch
- Make a meal of one of your catches. While frying is always a great option, consider checking out other fish recipes and inviting someone to join you!
- Cast a Story
- Everybody loves a good fish tale, and there’s no better way to get someone hooked on fishing. Simply tell someone about a fishing story, write an article, story, or social media post, be on a podcast, or anything else that spreads the word. Be creative!
Sign Up for the Total Catch Challenge
Resources
Where to Fish
Not sure where to find the challenge fish species? Check out our Where to Fish page. You can search for a fishing water by the game fish species present.
General Information
Fish Identification
The Fish - Classic Challenge
Northern Pike
(Pike Family)
Yellow Perch
(Perch Family)
Smallmouth Bass
(Sunfish Family)
Channel Catfish
(Catfish Family)
The Fish - Sportfish Challenge
Walleye
(Perch Family)
Bluegill
(Sunfish Family)
Smallmouth Bass
(Sunfish Family)
Largemouth Bass
(Sunfish Family)
White Bass
(Temperate or True Bass Family)
Rainbow Trout
(Trout Family)
Brown Trout
(Trout Family)
The Fish - Rough Fish Challenge
Black Bullhead
(Catfish Family)
Yellow and brown bullhead can also be found in the state.
White Sucker
(Sucker Family)
Blue Sucker
(Sucker Family)
Bigmouth Buffalo
(Sucker Family)
Shorthead Redhorse
(Sucker Family)
