2024-26 Fishing Guide

2024-26 Fishing Guide Printable Version | Proclamation

Table of Contents

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Licenses

These regulations are in effect for two years from April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2026. 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 2024-26 proclamation, Game and Fish will alert the media and public and post new information on the Department’s website.

Licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. An angler must possess a valid fishing license for the respective season.

Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need valid licenses. Residents under 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a fishing license. Any nonresident under 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a nonresident fishing license if accompanied by an individual possessing a valid fishing license. Each individual possessing a married couple license may possess their individual limits of fish.

Residency qualifications and a waiver of residency form are available on the Department’s website. Call 701-328-6300 for more information. North Dakota residents on leave while on active duty with the United States military can fish without a license. Contact the Department for details.

Nonresident full-time students living in North Dakota, who are attending a state or tribal college, or a private institution of higher education, may qualify for purchasing resident fishing licenses. Contact the Department for details.

The fishing license (paper or electronic form) must be in possession of the licensee at all times while fishing and available for inspection.

Free Fishing Days – Residents of North Dakota may fish without a resident fishing license on June 1-2, 2024, December 28-29, 2024, June 7-8, 2025 and December 27-28, 2025.

New for 2024-26 Fishing Seasons

• Struck nine waters from the list of exceptions where no live baitfish could be used.
• For Bow and Spear fishing – increased opportunity by allowing for the take of channel catfish in the Missouri River System (including Lakes Sakakawea and Oahe and the Missouri River) up to the first tributary bridge.
• Increased opportunity by allowing the use of bows (archery) for the taking of northern pike and nongame fish during the winter while in dark houses (in the past only spearing was allowed).
• Requires individuals who trap their own baitfish to provide ownership information on the trap. Also, makes it illegal to tamper with other individuals bait traps and establishes a penalty.
• Establishes a channel catfish limit (20 daily, 40 possession) west of ND Highway 1.

General Regulations

Fish Definitions

Game fish are:

• bluegill,
• burbot,
• channel catfish,
• chinook salmon,
• crappie (black and white),
• largemouth bass,
• muskellunge (pure and hybrid),
• northern pike,
• paddlefish,
• sauger,
• saugeye,
• smallmouth bass,
• sturgeon (pallid, shovelnose and lake),
• trout (brown, lake, rainbow, tiger and cutthroat),
• walleye,
• white bass,
• yellow perch and
• zander.

Legal live baitfish are:

• fathead minnows,
• creek chubs,
• sticklebacks,
• white suckers and
• rainbow smelt.

See Bait Definitions and Regulations for use and possession.

Nongame fish are all species that inhabit and reproduce in the state’s waters that are not listed above as game fish or legal live baitfish.

Wanton Waste – No individual possessing any game fish species may waste, destroy or abandon edible flesh (fillets).

It is illegal to deposit, or cause to be deposited, any fish or parts thereof, upon the ice, in the water, or on shore of any water body in North Dakota.

Depositing or leaving any litter (including refuse, bottles, cans, etc.) or other waste material in the water, on shore or on the ice is illegal.

It is illegal to introduce anything into waters of the state for the purpose of attempting to attract fish (e.g. chumming, artificial light, acoustic equipment, etc.) that is not attached or applied to a lure as defined in Hook and Line Fishing - Specific Regulation Information. Decoys used while darkhouse spearfishing and bow fishing are excluded.

Other than landing a fish caught on hook and line equipment, netting or trapping fish is illegal except for legal live bait as defined on pages 6-8. No individual or entity may conduct a fishing contest on any public waters without first obtaining a permit issued by the Game and Fish director.

Stocking of any live fish, live fish eggs, live amphibians, or other live aquatic organisms into any waters of the state is illegal except with the appropriate license or permit issued by the Game and Fish director.

Transportation of any live fish, live fish eggs, live amphibians or other live aquatic organisms is illegal except for:

• Anglers transporting legal live baitfish and legal live aquatic bait (see following sections).
• Dealers and buyers of tropical fish species for the pet trade sold at commercial outlets.

No individual shall sell, or take for the purpose of sale, any fish (including baitfish) except as allowed in bait or commercial fishing laws.

No fish species may be transported in water away from the water body from which they were taken. Ice in a cooler or other container may be used in transporting fish.

It is illegal to remove more than gills, entrails and scales from fish species harvested in waters that are subject to a size limit while on the water or actively engaged in fishing. It is illegal to remove more than the gills and entrails (head, fillets and tail must be attached) from channel catfish east of ND Highway 1 while on the water, actively engaged in fishing, transporting or until the fish are at the license holder’s residence.

Fish may be filleted for transport, unless size limits apply, under the following conditions:

• Each individual portion of the meat removed from a fish is considered a fillet;*
• Two fillets are counted as one fish, and;
• The packaging of fish must be done in a manner so that the fillets can be readily separated and counted. If fillets are frozen, they must be packaged so that the fillets are separated and can be easily counted without thawing.

*Fish cheeks and pectoral girdles (wings) are not considered as fillets and are legal to transport.

Any fish (whole and/or fillets) may be given (gifted) to another individual, but the fish must be counted in the donor’s daily limit. Individuals who receive gifted fish may not exceed the possession limit while the fish are being transported.

Gifted fish, including packages of fish, must be accompanied with the following information from the individual gifting the fish: name, fishing license number, phone number, date, species and number of fish gifted.

Except for legally gifted fish, it is illegal to possess or transport another individual’s game fish or parts thereof without the license holder accompanying or as otherwise permitted.

Commercial processors, common carriers and common storage areas may possess any individual’s legally taken possession limit of fish. Each package must be labeled with the owner’s name and address.

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality has issued advisories for the consumption of fish from certain North Dakota lakes and rivers. These fish contain levels of mercury which may be harmful to women of childbearing age and young children if they are eaten too often. Information listing current consumption advice is available from the Department of Environmental Quality website at: https://www.deq.nd.gov/topicsAtoZ.aspx, Fish Consumption Advisory (pdf) or by calling 701-328-5150.

The director may make reasonable accommodations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bait Definitions and Regulations

Legal live aquatic bait are

• leeches, frogs, salamander and crayfish species that are native to North Dakota
• and the following legal live baitfish species; fathead minnows, creek chubs and sticklebacks.

In addition, live white suckers are legal aquatic baitfish in the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers only.

Live rainbow smelt are legal aquatic baitfish when captured only with a dip net, minnow trap or by hand and used in the Missouri River System.

All other species of live aquatic bait are illegal.

The use of game fish and parts thereof are illegal, except yellow perch eyes, and trout and salmon eggs.

All terrestrial bait (live or dead) such as nightcrawlers and waxworms are legal.

Products manufactured as edible fishing bait and other inert biodegradable substances are legal bait.

No live baitfish (e.g. fathead minnows) may be used or possessed on the waters listed below. All other legal live bait (e.g. nightcrawlers, leeches, etc.) can be used.

For the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers up to the first vehicular bridge or crossing on any of their tributaries: legal live baitfish are fathead minnows, creek chubs, sticklebacks and white suckers.

Statewide – in all other water bodies of North Dakota not listed above, the only legal live baitfish are fathead minnows, creek chubs and sticklebacks.

  Exception – rainbow smelt may be taken on the Missouri River System; however, all smelt taken must be dead when transported.

All legal live aquatic bait used by anglers, including legal baitfish, must have been purchased or trapped in North Dakota. No live aquatic bait may be imported into the state by anglers. This includes live baitfish, live amphibians and leeches.

Anglers may not transport water, including that used for bait (e.g., bait buckets, etc.), away from waters of the state designated as infested with Class 1: Prohibited Aquatic Nuisance Species. See the Department’s website for a current list of lakes. All water must be drained from bait buckets as anglers leave the shore or remove their boat from the water. Anglers must properly dispose of unused bait away from the water they were fishing, as dumping bait in the water or on shore is illegal.

In all other waters of the state, legal live baitfish and other legal live aquatic bait may be transported in water but only in containers of 5 gallons or less.

Any container (e.g. bait bucket) used to hold bait must be free of aquatic vegetation.

The transportation of live white suckers, other than in Richland, Cass, Traill, Grand Forks, Walsh and Pembina counties, is illegal.

It is illegal to possess more than an aggregate of 150 legal live baitfish. Statewide Daily and Possession Limits.

All individuals selling live aquatic bait must possess a bait vendors license.

Licensed anglers may trap their bait but may not use more than one minnow trap and/or one dip net for taking smelt or legal live aquatic bait. The trap may not exceed 12 inches in diameter and 30 inches in length, with a throat opening not to exceed 3 inches. The owner’s name, city, and telephone number or the customer identification number issued by the department must be on the fish trap. It is illegal to tamper with other individuals bait traps. Dip nets may not exceed 24 inches in diameter or 36 inches in depth. All other nets (e.g. cast) are illegal.

Legal live bait and legal live baitfish may be taken in all public waters except for the following:

• Those water bodies listed above as “no live baitfish” lakes.
• Water bodies that may have been designated as infested with prohibited or regulated aquatic nuisance species – current list of lakes

It is illegal to use live rainbow smelt for bait anywhere except for the Missouri River System.

It is illegal to possess, or possess with intent to sell, or to use as live baitfish, any species other than fathead minnows, creek chubs, sticklebacks and white suckers. The penalty for fishing with or possession of illegal live bait is $250.

Manner of Taking

Each angler must take his or her own fish. Party fishing is illegal.

The daily creel limit is defined as the maximum number of legally taken fish (by species) that may be harvested from midnight to midnight. No individual may harvest or possess more than North Dakota’s daily limit of fish while on the water, ice or actively engaged in any manner of fishing.

The possession limit is defined as the maximum number of legally taken fish (by species) that an individual may have in their actual possession during any phase of any single fishing trip of more than one day. At no time may an individual transport more than a possession limit without written approval of the Game and Fish director.

The storage limit at one’s permanent residence is unlimited.

It is illegal to take, possess or transport any of the following species of fish in North Dakota (they must be immediately released back into the water from which they were caught): pallid sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon and lake sturgeon.

It is illegal to take paddlefish at any time except as provided paddlefish regulations.

Turtles may not be taken commercially in North Dakota.

The season on clams (freshwater mussels) remains closed in North Dakota.

Taking or attempting to take fish from North Dakota waters is limited to the following methods only: Hook and Line Fishing, Darkhouse Spear and Bow (Archery) Fishing, Bow (Archery) and Spearfishing, Underwater Spearfishing and Paddlefish Snagging. All other manners of taking (e.g. “jugging,” “noodling,” and use of trot [set] lines, etc.) are illegal. The following pages provide detailed manner of taking regulations.

Hook and Line Fishing

Open Areas and Season Dates

Statewide Daily and Possession Limits and Exceptions

Specific Regulation Information

With the exceptions noted below, legal hook and line equipment for each angler shall consist of not more than two poles, each equipped with one line, in the water at any one time. Each line in the water may have one or two lures attached.

Exceptions:

• Four poles are legal while ice fishing.

Note: When fishing a water body where both open water and ice fishing occur at the same time, an angler is allowed a maximum of four poles, of which no more than two poles can be used in open water. See additional ice fishing regulations.

A lure is defined as any man-made object made or used to catch fish. A lure may not contain more than three hooks and the maximum distance between any hooks on a lure may not exceed 12 inches. A single hook may not include more than three points, barbed or otherwise. Spinners and other live bait rigs and harnesses are considered a lure and are legal. Hookless dodgers or attractors used ahead of a lure or bait or attached to a downrigger ball are legal.

Fishing poles must be easily visible and within a maximum distance of 150 feet of the participating angler. Fishing poles must be checked at least once per hour while fishing.

Any device directly connected to the fishing rod that sets the hook is legal as long as it does not reel in (retrieve) fish. The use of any device to retrieve fish is illegal.

After a fish is caught on hook and line, it is legal to return all fish to the water at the site of capture if done in no longer than the time needed to unhook, measure and/or photograph the fish immediately after being caught. Fish returned to the water should show no evidence of bleeding, be handled carefully, and not thrown or dropped. All fish released from bridges and wing walls (e.g. Garrison Dam Tailrace) must be done immediately after being placed in a fish basket/open container to ensure fish survival.

High-grading or culling is illegal. No fish may be returned to the water after being held on a stringer or confined by or in any type of holding structure, except in the case of approved live-release fishing tournaments and only with written permission from the Game and Fish director. No fish may be released into any waters other than the one from which it was originally caught.

A foul-hooked or snagged fish is defined as any fish hooked or caught in any area from behind the gill covers to the tail. For fish hooked by a lure with multiple hooks, the fish is not considered foulhooked, if at least one of the hooks is embedded from the gill covers forward. Any foul-hooked or snagged fish must immediately be returned to the water regardless of condition. Possession of foulhooked fish is illegal.

Attempting to snag fish is illegal.

Landing a fish caught on hook and line equipment with aid of a gaff is legal except for sturgeon, paddlefish, muskellunge and species in waters in which there are size limits. No gaffed fish may be returned to the water.

It is illegal to tag or mark any fish prior to release.

Lake specific rules may exist and may be displayed by Department signage at access areas and bridges.

Fish Size Restrictions

All undersized or oversized fish caught where there is a size limit, must be returned to the water immediately regardless of condition and must be handled carefully to avoid injury.

It is illegal to remove more than gills, entrails and scales from fish species harvested in waters that are subject to a size limit while on the water or actively engaged in fishing.

It is illegal to remove more than the gills and entrails from channel catfish east of North Dakota Highway 1 while on the water, actively engaged in fishing, transporting or until the fish is at the license holder’s residence. Head, fillets and tail must be attached.

How to Measure the Length of a Fish

To determine the “total length” of a fish, lay it flat on its side with its mouth closed and measure from the nose to the tip of the tail when the tail lobes are pressed together.

Red and Bois de Sioux Rivers

Individuals fishing the Red River and/or the Bois de Sioux River in a boat or on the ice who possess a valid fishing license from either North Dakota or Minnesota may fish the river(s) between the banks separating North Dakota and Minnesota. Individuals fishing the Red River and/or the Bois de Sioux River on the shoreline must have a valid fishing license from the state in which they are fishing. Those individuals possessing the correct, valid license may transport caught fish by the most convenient and direct route to the state in which they are licensed. While on the water or ice, anglers must comply with the regulations of the state for which they are licensed. Upon leaving the water, all anglers and boaters are required to comply with aquatic nuisance/invasive species, fish and bait transport regulations of the state they are in (NOTE: this includes those not required to have a license).

For anglers fishing the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers (as well as all waters east of ND Highway 1), some daily and length limits differ from statewide regulations. Also, due to the presence of zebra mussels, all water must be completely drained from (bait) containers, including bait buckets, upon leaving the Red River. This is in addition to the statewide aquatic nuisance species rules.

Ice Fishing Regulations

Ice fishing is defined as hook and line fishing that occurs while on the ice. Waters open to hook and line fishing.

The daily creel limit is defined as the maximum number of legally taken fish (by species) that may be harvested from midnight to midnight.

No individual may harvest or possess more than North Dakota’s daily limit of fish while on the water, ice or actively engaged in any manner of fishing.

A maximum of four poles is legal for ice fishing. However, when fishing a water body where both open water and ice occur at the same time, an angler is allowed a maximum of four poles, of which no more than two poles can be used in open water.

Fishing poles must be easily visible and within a maximum distance of 150 feet of the participating angler.

Tip-ups are legal for ice fishing. Each tip-up is considered a single pole.

There is no restriction on the size of the hole in the ice while ice fishing. When a hole greater than 10 inches in diameter is left in the ice, the area in the immediate vicinity of the hole must be adequately marked with a natural object or a brightly painted or colored wooden lath.

Markers must be in possession of the angler as soon as a hole greater than 10 inches in diameter is made. Markers must be visible from a minimum of 150 feet.

Fishing holes outside a fish house may be placed no closer than 10 feet from the house without consent of the fish house occupant.

As a guideline, anglers should consider the following as the minimum thickness for safe loads on ice:

Fish Houses

Darkhouse Spearfishing

Northern pike and nongame fish are the only legal species for darkhouse spear and bow (archery) fishing statewide. Daily and possession limits are the same as listed on page 10 except for:

• Northern pike can not be taken on the Red River with bow equipment.
• For Stump Lake and the Devils Lake complex south of U.S. Highway 2 and the Missouri River System (including lakes Sakakawea and Oahe and the Missouri River) up to the first tributary bridge, walleye are also legal.

Darkhouse spear and bow fishing is legal from November 15 through March 15 of each fishing year.

All waters open to hook and line fishing are open to darkhouse spear and bow fishing, except the following fishing waters:

• East Park Lake – McLean Co.
• Heckers Lake – Sheridan Co.
• Lake Ashtabula – Barnes and Griggs Cos.
• Lake Audubon – McLean Co.
• Larimore Dam – Grand Forks Co.
• McClusky Canal
• New Johns Lake – Burleigh Co.
• Red Willow Lake – Griggs Co.
• West Park Lake – McLean Co.
• Whitman Dam – Nelson Co.
• Wood Lake – Benson Co.

Individuals required to possess the needed valid fishing license to participate in darkhouse spear and bow fishing must first register on the Game and Fish Department website (gf.nd.gov) prior to participating.

It is illegal to return fish to the water after they are shot or speared. Possession of a spear is counted as a hook-and-line fishing pole while darkhouse spearfishing. Legal darkhouse spear equipment shall be any manually powered shaft with barbed points. Pneumatic or rubber band powered spear guns may not be used. Legal bow fishing (archery) equipment for licensed anglers is any hand-drawn and released longbow, recurve bow, compound bow or rubberband-assisted (sling) bow, to which an arrow is attached by a line and equipped with a harpoon-style or wire barbed point. Artificials and all legal bait, with the exception of live white sucker and rainbow smelt, may be used as decoys. (Note: it is legal to use live white suckers as decoys on the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers up to the first vehicular bridge or crossing on any of their tributaries.)

There is no restriction on the size of the ice hole while actively engaged in darkhouse spear and bow fishing. When a hole greater than 10 inches in diameter is left in the ice when a darkhouse is moved, the area in the immediate vicinity of the hole must be adequately marked by the spearer or archer with a natural object or a brightly painted or colored wooden lath. Markers must be in the possession of the angler as soon as a hole greater than 10 inches in diameter is made. Markers must be visible from a minimum of 150 feet.

Bow (Archery) and Spearfishing

Other than the following exception, game fish may not be taken with bow/arrows or spears.

Exceptions

Channel catfish may be taken in the Missouri River System (including

Lakes Sakakawea and Oahe and the Missouri River) up to the first tributary bridge.

It is illegal to return fish to the water after they are shot or speared. All fish must be used and/or disposed of properly and not left in the water or on land.

Bow and spearfishing is legal from April 1 through March 31 of each fishing year.

Bow and spearfishing are open in all waters as specified in Hook and Line Fishing, except for the following area which is closed:

• That portion of the Missouri River from the Garrison Dam downstream to the southern boundary of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Downstream Recreation Area.

Legal bow equipment is any hand-drawn and released long bow, recurve bow, compound bow or rubberband-assisted (sling) bow to which an arrow is attached by a line and equipped with a harpoon-style point or wire-barbed point. The use of night vision equipment or electronically enhanced light-gathering optics, including all lights used for locating and shooting at fish, is legal. Crossbows are prohibited except with a special director’s permit that may be issued if an individual is permanently disabled.

Legal spear equipment is any manually powered shaft with barbed points.

Possession of a bow or spear is counted as a hook and line fishing pole while bow or spear fishing.

Underwater Spearfishing

The following fish may not be taken with underwater spearfishing gear: muskellunge, paddlefish, smallmouth bass and sturgeon. All other species are legal. Daily and possession limits for legal fish are the same as listed in Hook and Line Fishing.

Underwater spearfishing is legal from May 1 through November 30 of each fishing year.

Underwater spearfishing is open only in the following waters:

• The Missouri River except that portion from the Garrison Dam downstream to the southern boundary of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Downstream Recreation Area.
• Lake Oahe, Lake Sakakawea (except those areas posted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers near the intake and spillway structures) and open fishing areas of Lake Audubon.
• Devils Lake
• Stump Lake
• Spiritwood Lake

Legal underwater spear equipment is a rubber band powered or pneumatic powered spear gun with the spear attached to the gun with a lanyard not to exceed 20 feet. Underwater spears may be discharged only when the operator and equipment are entirely under the surface of the water.

Underwater spearfishing is illegal within 150 feet of any individuals engaged in fishing, designated swimming or water ski areas, boat docks or spillways.

The Diver’s Down Flag must be displayed on a float or buoy during any underwater spearfishing. Underwater spearers must stay within 100 feet of the vertical position of their Diver’s Down Flag. Individuals who underwater spearfish between sunset and sunrise must display a lighted Diver’s Down Flag and must carry a hand-held light that is visible from a distance of 150 feet. The handheld light must be displayed when the diver is at the surface.

Paddlefish Snagging

Snagging of paddlefish is legal May 1 through May 21 (if the harvest season is closed early due to overall harvest, the closure will be posted on the paddlefish snagging page and as a news release) for those with a valid paddlefish tag. Only paddlefish may be taken while snagging; all other species must be returned immediately to the water regardless of condition. The open area includes the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and the Missouri River 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 WMA (river mile 1,565). Paddlefish snagging is legal only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Central Time) during each day of the paddlefish snagging season. Select days are set aside for harvest and release only.

A paddlefish snagger must obtain and have in their possession a valid paddlefish tag, in addition to a valid fishing license that may be required. Only one tag per snagger will be issued and the tag is not transferable to another individual. Any paddlefish tag locked shut prior to attachment, altered or modified shall be voided and will not be replaced.

It is illegal for an individual to use fish snagging equipment in the paddlefish area if that individual does not possess his/her own unused paddlefish tag. Each paddlefish snagger must cast for, hook and reel in (retrieve) his/her own fish. The use of more than one snag hook per line is illegal. Snagging from a boat is illegal. It is illegal to gaff any species other than paddlefish, and paddlefish may only be gaffed on “snag and harvest days.” There are no size restrictions on the size of treble hooks.

The sale, barter, trade or purchase of paddlefish eggs is legal only for one qualified and properly permitted Confluence fish cleaning operation (the permitted paddlefish caviar processing site). No individuals may take any paddlefish eggs from other snaggers for any reason including in exchange for cleaning their fish.

All fish delivered to, and/or processed fish transported away from the Confluence fish cleaning operation, must be done so by either the individual who snagged the fish or an approved individual working for the permitted Confluence fish cleaning operation. Any fish left at the Confluence fish cleaning operation after 8 p.m. the day they were caught will be considered abandoned and the snagger is subject to a fine.

All paddlefish snagged and tagged must be removed from the river by 7 p.m. of each snagging day.

Depending on overall harvest, an “in-season” closure may occur, with a 24-hour notice issued by the Game and Fish director. If this occurs, there will be no refunds for unused tags. If there is an early closure, snag-and-release-only will still be allowed for a seven-day period immediately following the harvest closure, but not to extend beyond May 21. Notice of an early closure and subsequent days set aside for snag-and-release-only will be announced by the Department. Once a snagger harvests a paddlefish, they can no longer snag for paddlefish at any subsequent time during the current season (including snag-and release-only and extended snag-and-release-only days).

HARVEST-ONLY DAYS are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

On these days, all paddlefish caught must be tagged immediately with one’s own tag. Season creel limit is one paddlefish. The release of paddlefish after snagging is illegal. If a fish is cut up, the tag must accompany the dressed fish either by attachment to the bag containing the dressed fish or by placement within the bag. The snagger must keep that portion of the back and dorsal fin (back fin) necessary to maintain the tag sealed to the fish.

SNAG-AND-RELEASE-ONLY DAYS are Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays

If snaggers have in possession their own unused and current year’s paddlefish tag, they can snag but must release immediately any and all paddlefish snagged on each Sunday, Monday and Thursday throughout the open season. No harvest of any paddlefish is allowed during these days. There is no limit on the number of fish that can be snagged during the day. The use or possession of a gaff on snag-andrelease days is illegal.

EXTENDED SNAG-AND-RELEASE-ONLY DAYS

If the harvest season closes early, snag-and-release will be allowed for up to seven days immediately following the harvest closure, but not to extend beyond May 21. If snaggers have in possession their own unused and current year’s paddlefish tag, they can snag but must release immediately any and all paddlefish snagged during the extended season. Snag-and-release will be open only in that area of the Missouri River starting on the north shore from the Confluence boat ramp then east (downstream) to the pipeline crossing (river mile 1577), and on the south shore from the Confluence with the Yellowstone River then east (downstream) to the pipeline crossing (river mile 1577). No harvest of any paddlefish will be allowed during these days and all snagged fish must be released immediately. There is no limit on the number of fish that can be snagged during the day. The use or possession of a gaff on snag-and-release days is illegal. For the extended snag-and-release days only, hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT.

Aquatic Nuisance Species Rules and Q/A

Aquatic nuisance species are animals, plants and even diseases that are not native to North Dakota, can cause some impact, and have the likelihood to become established if introduced. They can negatively impact fishing, displace native plants and animals, and cause serious economic and ecological damage. North Dakota has adopted rules designed to minimize the transport of ANS:

1. All water must be drained from boats and other equipment, including bilges, livewells and motors before leaving a water body or entering the state. This regulation means that harvested fish, legal live baitfish and other live aquatic baits may not be transported in a livewell containing water after leaving a water body. Transportation of fish in or on ice is allowed. Potable (drinking) water and a boat’s sewage water are excluded from this regulation.
2. All drain plugs must be removed, and all draining devices must be open on all watercraft and recreational bilges and confined spaces, during any out-of-water transport of same.
3. All aquatic vegetation must be removed from boats, personal watercraft, trailers and associated equipment, such as fishing poles/lures, before leaving a body of water or prior to entering the state. That means “vegetation free” when transporting watercraft and equipment, including bait buckets, away from a boat ramp, landing area or shoreline.
4. Live aquatic bait or aquatic vegetation may not be transported into North Dakota. It is in North Dakota’s best interest that anglers, boaters and hunters understand and comply with these important regulations. Except for waters containing Class 1: Prohibited Aquatic Nuisance Species, water used for in-state transportation of legal live bait is allowed but only in bait buckets (containers) no larger than 5 gallons.
5. All docks, lifts, and related equipment must be dried and left out of water for at least twenty-one days before they may be placed in another water.

The following questions and answers are intended to provide additional insight into ANS matters.

Where do I find out more information about ANS in North Dakota, especially which water bodies are infested and what species are considered ANS?

Up-to-date information about ANS can be found on the Department’s website.

What happens if I catch an ANS fish species?

Class III ANS, such as common carp, silver carp, grass carp or bighead carp, can be kept for consumption if legally harvested. However, the Department does not recommend releasing any Class III ANS back into a water body. If kept, a Class III ANS should be killed and the carcass disposed of properly. All other ANS are illegal to possess and should be left where found. If you find something you believe to be an ANS, report it to the Department through the online reporting form on the Department’s website, or by emailing or calling the Department.

Can I drain water from my boat anywhere?

No, you must drain the water (pull all plugs, etc.) back into the water from which it originated. This must be done at the access site before you leave.

What if I observe boats, trailers, jet skis, etc., that have weeds hanging from them away from a lake?

The best thing you can do is spread the word on the risk of ANS. If the boat owner/operator is present and willing, ask that they clean the boat and trailer. If the owner/operator is not cooperative, call the RAP line at 701-328-9921.

Do I need to dispose of the weeds in a trash container or can they be left on the ground/parking lot?

Dispose of weeds back into the water from which they originated, to keep parking lots and access areas clean.

Can I cross the state line to purchase live aquatic bait and transport it back into North Dakota?

No. Live aquatic bait, including fathead minnows and leeches, may not be imported into North Dakota.

What else can I do to help prevent the spread of ANS?

The single most important step all anglers and boaters can take to prevent the spread of ANS is to be in full compliance of ANS rules and regulations. In addition, boaters are encouraged to thoroughly wash their watercraft down after each outing with hot water (120-140 degrees Fahrenheit at the point of contact) and pressure washing equipment. Between outings, boaters are also encouraged to thoroughly dry their watercraft, fishing gear or other equipment.

Zebra mussels have been found in my local lake. What do I need to know?

Once zebra mussels are introduced into a new water, their population grows exponentially in the first few years. One female zebra mussel can produce up to a million eggs per year. After a successful spawn, veligers (the larval form of zebra mussels), spend 2 to 3 weeks free-floating in the lake before they look to settle on hard substrate. After a short time, adult zebra mussels will be found throughout the lake on a variety of surfaces. When participating in water-based recreation on a zebra mussel infested water, avoid mooring watercraft. Thoroughly inspect and remove all mussels and aquatic vegetation after recreating. It is illegal to move water, including bait water, away from the infested lake. Before traveling to a new water, consider decontamination measures and drying your watercraft for a week. For a complete list of decontamination recommendations visit the Department’s website. Finally, never move a boat dock or lift from an infested water without removing all zebra mussels and allowing it to dry for at least 3 weeks.

Informational

How to Properly Transport Filleted Fish

Fish may be filleted for transport, unless size limits apply, under the following conditions:

• Each individual portion of meat removed from a fish is considered a fillet,
• Two fillets are counted as one fish,
• The packaging of fish, away from one’s permanent residence, must be done in a manner so that the fillets can be readily separated and counted,
• If fillets are frozen, they must be packaged so that the fillets are separated and can be easily counted without thawing.

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Filleting for Transport Videos

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Fish Length-Weight Table

The following table is intended to assist an angler with a weight estimate based on the fish’s length. The table shows the average weights of select fish statewide. The true weight of an individual fish may vary due to the sex of the fish, time of year (e.g. spawning) when it is caught, health of the fish and the water body from which it is caught.

Boating Information

Restrictions

Please check for signs at access points or call the Game and Fish Department. “Idle speed only” is defined as operating a boat at the slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage (i.e., trolling – with no wake).

Electric Motors Only: (Note: Boats may be propelled manually or with an electric motor. No combustion motor may be operated on these waters): Casselton Reservoir, Davis Dam, Dickinson Dike, Heinrich-Martin Dam, J. Clark Salyer, Kettle Lake, Larimore Dam, Lightning Lake, McDowell Dam, Mooreton Pond, Sather Dam, Spring Lake Park Ponds and Strawberry Lake (Turtle Mountains).

Idle Speed Only: Alkali Lake (Stutsman Co.), Arroda Lakes, Arrowwood Wildlife Refuge, Lake Audubon (north arm), Baukol-Noonan Dam, Baukol-Noonan East Mine Pond, Belfield Pond, Boundary Lake, Brewer Lake, Camels Hump Dam, Carbury Dam, Clausen Springs Lake, Coal Mine Lake, Crown Butte, Davis WPA, Dion Lake, Epping-Springbrook Dam, Fish Creek Dam, Fordville Dam, Gravel Lake, Harmon Lake, Harmony Lake, Heart Butte (Lake Tschida) – designated areas only, Hooker Lake, Lake Ilo, Indian Creek Dam, Jensen Lake, Jim Lake Wildlife Refuge, Kota-Ray Dam, Kraft Slough, Long Lake Wildlife Refuge, McClusky Canal proper, McGregor Dam, Mirror Lake, North Golden Lake, Pelican Lake, Raleigh Reservoir, Sheep Creek Dam, South Carlson Lake, Sweet Briar Dam, and along the Missouri River at the mouths of the Heart River, Lakewood, Marina Bay, Misty Waters and Square Butte Creek.

Where signed at Devils Lake, boats used for fishing may not obstruct normal boat traffic underneath bridges.

See Hook and Line Areas for federal refuge boating closures.