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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1

North Dakota’s paddlefish season opens May 1, and tags are only available for purchase online at the state Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, and during normal business hours at Game and Fish offices in Bismarck, Dickinson and Williston. Snaggers buying tags online should plan accordingly and allow for a few days delivery through the mail.

The season is scheduled to continue through May 21. However, depending on overall harvest, an early in-season closure may occur with a 24-hour notice issued by the state Game and Fish Department.

Legal snagging hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time daily. One tag per snagger will be issued. Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and in the area of 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 Wildlife Management Area (river mile 1,565).

Mandatory harvest of all snagged paddlefish is required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On these days, all paddlefish caught must be kept and tagged immediately. All paddlefish snagged and tagged must be removed from the river by 7 p.m. of each snagging day. Any fish left at the Confluence fish cleaning caviar operation after 8 p.m. the day they were snagged will be considered abandoned and the snagger is subject to a fine. 

Snag-and-release of all paddlefish is required on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. Participants during snag-and-release-only days need to have a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag in their possession.

If the paddlefish season closes early because the harvest cap is reached, an extended snag-and-release-only period will be allowed for up to seven days immediately following the early closure, but not to extend beyond May 21. Only snaggers with a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag are eligible to participate. Only a limited area at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers downstream to the pipeline crossing (river mile 1,577) is open to this extended season snagging opportunity. For the extended snag-and-release days only, hours for snagging are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT.

Use or possession of gaffs is prohibited on snag-and-release-only days, and, if it occurs, during the snag-and-release extension period.

All paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag, in addition to a valid fishing license for anyone 16 and older. Cost of a paddlefish tag is $10 for residents and $25.50 for nonresidents. Lost or destroyed tags will not be replaced.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will allow camping during the open paddlefish season at Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area Pumphouse, and at Neu’s Point WMA. However, no roads or gates will be open at Neu’s Point, therefore camping is allowed in the small Neu’s Point parking lot, and the rest of the WMA for walk-in access. All other WMA regulations apply.

In addition, snaggers who access the area by boat should note the Confluence boat ramp is unusable due to low water.

ANS Sticker Required

Boaters with watercraft registered outside of the state who do not have a 2022 aquatic nuisance species sticker need to purchase a current sticker before operating watercraft on North Dakota waters.

State law requires a $15 ANS fee for motorized watercraft not licensed in North Dakota to be paid for each calendar year, and the ANS sticker must be displayed on the watercraft.

In addition, Minnesota anglers launching boats on the North Dakota side of the Red River must have a current ANS sticker displayed on the watercraft.

The ANS sticker can only be purchased by logging into the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

Wildfire Potential High in Spring

Outdoor enthusiasts need to be aware of ground conditions while enjoying spring activities.

An increase in human outdoor activity in spring, combined with dead ground vegetation and high winds, make this time of year highly susceptible to wildfires.

Because of highly variable weather patterns, North Dakota experiences a distinct spring fire season every year. With that in mind, it’s important to pay attention to the fire danger index, and to follow the appropriate measures.

Hunters and anglers are urged to keep up with the daily rural fire danger index, issued by the National Weather Service, to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental starting or spread of fires.

In addition, county governments have the authority to adopt penalties for violations of county restrictions related to burning bans. These restrictions apply regardless of the daily fire danger index and remain in place until each county’s commission rescinds the ban.

Information, including restrictions, on current fire danger indexes is available at NDResponse.gov.

Advisory Board Meetings Announced

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board will host public meetings on site this spring at eight locations across the state. In addition, the district 7 meeting in Bismarck will be streamed live on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

These public meetings, held each spring and fall, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.

Topics to be discussed include big game issues and 2022-24 fishing proclamation.

For the statewide livestream, questions can be submitted via chat during the meeting.

 

District 3 – Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner counties

Date: April 18 – 7 p.m.

Location: NDSU Langdon Research Extension Center, 9280 107th Ave. NE, Langdon

Host: Cavalier County Gun Club

Contact: Lynn Miller, 701-370-8300

Advisory board member: Edward Dosch, Keene

 

District 4 – Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh counties

Date: April 19 – 7 p.m.

Location: American Legion Club, 701 Main St. W., Cavalier

Host: Pembina County and Area Sportsmen’s Club

Contact: Roger Furstenau, 701-265-2960

Advisory board member: Bruce Ellertson, Lakota

 

District 5 – Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill counties

Date: April 20 – 7 p.m.

Location: Hughes Shelter, Chahinkapa Park, 820 RJ Hughes Dr., Wahpeton

Host: Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club

Contact: Greg Gerou, 701-640-0188

Advisory board member: Doug Madsen, Harwood

 

District 2 – Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward counties

Date: April 25 – 7 p.m.

Location: Verendrye Electric Cooperative, 1225 Hwy. 2 Bypass E., Minot

Host: West Dakota Waterfowlers (Delta Waterfowl)

Contact: Kalvin Larson, 701-509-1097

Advisory board member: Travis Leier, Velva

 

District 7 – Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties

Date: April 26 – 7 p.m.

Location: Game and Fish Main Office, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck

Host: North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition 

Contact: Jerry Doan, 701-220-8442

Advisory board member: Dave Nehring, Bismarck 

 

District 1 – Divide, McKenzie and Williams counties

Date: April 27 – 7 p.m.

Location: McKenzie County Sportsman’s Club, 2306 121X Ave. NW, Watford City 

Host: McKenzie County Sportsman’s Club

Contact and advisory board member: Beau Wisness, Keene, 701-421-8814

 

District 6 – Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells counties

Date: May 2 – 7 p.m.

Location: Farmers Union, 1415 12th Ave. SE, Jamestown 

Host: Stutsman County Wildlife Club

Contact: Ken Anderson, 701-320-3318

Advisory board member: Cody Sand, Ashley

 

District 8 – Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark counties

Date: May 3 – 7 p.m.

Location: NDSU Hettinger Research Center, 102 Hwy. 12 W., Hettinger

Host: Cedar Creek Chapter, Pheasants Forever

Contact: Dr. Ben Geaumont, 701-567-4323

Advisory board member: Rob Brooks, Rhame

Professional Development for Educators

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is sponsoring professional development for educator workshops this summer in Devils Lake, Bottineau and Fargo. Curriculum materials are suitable for elementary, middle and high school teachers. 

Teaching Science Through Art is June 1-2 at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake and June 14-15 at Dakota College in Bottineau.

Participants will experiment with different media, including clay, water, pastel and colored pencil. No previous art experience is necessary. Register for either session. Graduate credit is available.

Pollinators in the Classroom is June 28-29 at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

Participants will explore pollinators, where they live, life cycles, their importance and how the public can make a difference. All materials are included. Graduate credit is available.

For more information contact curriculum specialist Sherry Niesar at 701-527-3714, sniesar@nd.gov, or visit the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. 

Deer Gratis Application Online

Landowners interested in a 2022 deer gratis license must apply online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is June 8.

General deer and muzzleloader lottery applications will be available online in early May, also with a deadline of June 8. 

Gratis applicants who have previously applied online will automatically have their land description forwarded to this year’s application. However, any changes with land descriptions from last year’s application must be made prior to submitting the 2022 application.

Moose and Elk Lotteries Held, Bighorn Sheep in September

North Dakota’s moose and elk lotteries have been held, and individual results are available by visiting My Account at the state Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

A total of 19,426 applications were received for bighorn sheep, 23,427 for elk and 26,038 for moose.

While in My Account, successful applicants must pay for a moose and/or elk license. In addition, a 2022-23 general game and habitat license, or combination license, is required. The moose/elk license will be mailed after the required hunting licenses are purchased.

The bighorn sheep lottery is scheduled in September, after summer population surveys are completed and total licenses are determined. Once the lottery is held, successful applicants will be contacted to select a hunting unit.

Game Warden Exam Scheduled

Individuals interested in taking the exam to select candidates for the position of a full-time temporary district game warden must register no later than May 24. The test is at 10 a.m., May 27, at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's main office in Bismarck.

Applicants must register by submitting an online application through the North Dakota State Job Openings website.

Applicants must be at least 21, have a bachelor’s degree at time of hire or an associate degree with either 2 years of law enforcement or wildlife experience, have a valid driver’s license and a current North Dakota peace officer license, or be eligible to be licensed. Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check and must not have a record of any felony convictions.

Salary through training is $4,400 per month. For more information, see the district game warden job announcement on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

Spring Mule Deer Survey Begins

The state Game and Fish Department’s annual spring aerial mule deer survey is set to begin around April 1 in western North Dakota. Weather permitting, the survey takes about two weeks to complete.

During the survey period, people could notice low-flying small airplanes over some parts of the badlands.

Game and Fish biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 badlands study areas since the 1950s. The purpose of the survey is to determine a population index to assess mule deer abundance in the badlands. 

Second Consecutive Record Count of Bighorn Sheep

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2021 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a record 335 bighorn sheep in western North Dakota, up 4% from 2020 and 15% above the five-year average. The count surpassed the previous record of 322 bighorns in 2020.

Altogether, biologists counted 99 rams, 175 ewes and 61 lambs. Not included are approximately 40 bighorn sheep in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and bighorns introduced to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in 2020.

Big game biologist Brett Wiedmann was pleased to see an increase in the survey for the fourth consecutive year.

The northern badlands population increased 6% from 2020 and was the highest count on record. The southern badlands population declined again to the lowest level since bighorns were reintroduced there in 1966.

“We were encouraged to see the count of adult rams increase to near record levels, and adult ewes were at record numbers,” Wiedmann said. “Most encouraging was a record lamb count corresponding with a record recruitment rate.”

Department biologists count and classify all bighorn sheep in late summer, and then recount lambs the following March as they approach one year of age to determine recruitment.

Department staff, in conjunction with biologists from the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division, also reported the bighorn sheep translocated in January 2020 from Rocky Boy’s Reservation in Montana to the Fort Berthold Reservation performed exceptionally well their second year in the state. The population has nearly doubled in just two years, which is exceptional population performance for bighorn sheep.

There are currently almost 450 bighorn sheep among populations managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the National Park Service and the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division. Wiedmann said the next benchmark is 500 bighorns in the state, which seemed improbable just a few years ago.

Dr. Charlie Bahnson, Game and Fish veterinarian, added that although the Department was pleased to see a low prevalence rate of Mycoplasma during last winter’s disease monitoring of bighorn sheep, biologists did observe several bighorns coughing during the 2021 survey, which indicates the population has not completely cleared the deadly pathogen first documented in 2014.

A bighorn sheep hunting season is tentatively scheduled to open in 2022.The status of the season will be determined Sept. 1, following the summer population survey.

Game and Fish issued five licenses in 2021 and four hunters were successful in harvesting a ram.

Report Bald Eagle Nest Sightings

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is asking for help locating active bald eagle nests.

Conservation biologist Sandra Johnson said the department is looking for locations of nests with eagles present, not individual eagle sightings.

Eagles lay eggs in early to mid-March, which hatch about a month later. Johnson said it’s easy to distinguish an eagle nest because of its enormous size.

Nearly 350 active bald eagle nests can be found in 47 of the 53 counties in the state. Historically, Johnson said nests were found along river corridors, but that’s not the case today, as bald eagles will nest in trees in the middle of pastures, fields or anywhere a food source is nearby.

Nest observations should be reported online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. Observers are asked not to disturb the nest, and to stay a safe distance away. Johnson said foot traffic may disturb the bird, likely causing the eagle to leave her eggs or young unattended.

Open Fires Banned on Oahe WMA, Surrounding Areas

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is prohibiting open burning this spring on public property it manages south of Bismarck and Mandan, as a means to reduce the potential for wildfires in a heavily wooded recreation area along the Missouri River.

All open burning, including campfires, is banned until further notice on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area along both sides of the Missouri River. While the use of portable grills is allowed, extreme caution is advised due to the heavily vegetated area.

These woodlands are prone to wildfires prior to spring green-up. Mild temperatures and a high fuel load in the river bottoms are a cause for concern, in addition to being a high-use area for anglers, campers and other outdoor recreationists.

In addition to Oahe WMA, surrounding areas included in the open burn ban include Kimball Bottoms and Maclean Bottoms managed by Bismarck Parks and Recreation District, Desert Off Road Vehicle Area managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Graner Park managed by Morton County Parks.

Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along Lake Oahe south of Bismarck-Mandan, in portions of Burleigh, Emmons and Morton counties. Burning restriction signs are posted at all entrances to the WMA.