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Keep Fish Caught Deep

A push to encourage open-water anglers to keep fish caught from deep waters should carry over into the ice fishing season, state fisheries biologists say.

Catch-and-release fishing, no matter the time of year, is discouraged for fish caught in 25 feet or more of water because fish reeled in from those depths have a greater chance of dying if released.

Fish caught in deep water won’t likely survive because of the extreme change in water pressure, which causes the swim bladder to expand. Fish can no longer control their balance in the water column when this happens. Other internal injuries, such as rupturing of organs and bleeding, are also likely for fish hauled from deep waters.

Devils Lake ice anglers commonly catch yellow perch in 30-45 feet of water during the winter months. Of course, this practice also translates to other deep water bodies around the state.

Anglers targeting fish at 25 feet or more should make the commitment to keep what they catch. And once they reach their limit, anglers should stop fishing at that depth to avoid killing more than their limit of fish.

Tentative 2019 Season Opening Dates

To help North Dakota hunters prepare for hunting seasons in 2019, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department annually provides its best estimate for opening dates for the coming year.

Dates become official when approved by governor’s proclamation. Tentative opening dates for 2019 include:

• Spring Turkey – April 13
• Deer and Pronghorn Bow, Mountain Lion – August 30
• Dove – September 1
• Youth Deer – September 13
• Grouse, Partridge, Squirrel – September 14
• Youth Waterfowl – September 14
• Early Resident Waterfowl – September 21
• Regular Waterfowl – September 28
• Pronghorn Gun – October 4
• Youth Pheasant – October 5
• Pheasant, Fall Turkey – October 12
• Mink, Muskrat, Weasel Trapping – October 26
• Deer Gun – November 8
• Deer Muzzleloader – November 29

Aquatic Bait Regulations

Anglers are reminded that it is illegal to import minnows and other forms of live aquatic bait into North Dakota.

Anglers should buy bait from a licensed North Dakota retail bait vendor. Bait vendors can properly identify species and have taken steps to ensure all bait is clean of any aquatic nuisance species.

For more information, refer to the 2018-20 North Dakota Fishing Guide, available at license vendors or online.

Sampling Data Available

Anglers seeking a more in-depth look into many of North Dakota’s fisheries now have that chance.

Jerry Weigel, fisheries production/development section supervisor, said anglers can now view the most recent fisheries sampling data on those waters surveyed, which is the same data biologists use to make management decisions.

The various sampling surveys, for example, provide some insight into the sizes of fish in a lake and general population trends.

This most recent data is available for those lakes surveyed. Weigel said Game and Fish doesn’t have the personnel to survey all of the nearly 450 active lakes every year, but the majority of the better fishing waters are monitored annually.

Weigel said sampling data complements the other information – driving directions, contour maps, fish species and boat ramp availability – already provided on the website for all active fisheries.

Ice Awareness for Anglers

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department advises winter anglers to exercise extreme caution when venturing out on ice.

Ice thickness is never consistent, especially early in winter, and can vary significantly on the same body of water. Edges become firm before the center.

A few reminders include:

• Snow insulates ice, which in turn inhibits solid ice formation, and hides cracks, weak and open water areas.
• Avoid cracks, pressure ridges, slushy or darker areas that signal thinner ice. The same goes for ice that forms around partially submerged trees, brush, embankments or other structures.
• Ice thickness is not consistent and can vary significantly even in a small area. Ice shouldn’t be judged by appearance alone.
• Daily temperature changes cause ice to expand and contract, affecting its strength.

The following minimums are recommended for travel on clear-blue lake ice formed under ideal conditions. However, early in the winter it’s a good idea to double these figures to be safe: 4 inches for a group walking single file; 6 inches for a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle; 8-12 inches for an automobile; and 12-15 inches for a pickup/truck.

These tips could help save a life:

• Wear a personal flotation device and carry a cell phone.
• Carry ice picks or a set of screwdrivers to pull yourself back on the ice if you fall through.
• If someone breaks through the ice, call 911 immediately. Rescue attempts should employ a long pole, board, rope, blanket or snowmobile suit. If that’s not possible, throw the victim a life jacket, empty water jug or other buoyant object. Go to the victim as a last resort by forming a human chain where rescuers lie on the ice with each person holding the feet of the person in front.

To treat hypothermia, replace wet clothing with dry clothing and immediately transport victim to a hospital.

Winter Fishing Regulations

North Dakota anglers are encouraged to refer to the 2018-20 North Dakota Fishing Guide or the state Game and Fish Department’s website for winter fishing regulations.

In addition, anglers can visit the Game and Fish website for an extensive list of fishing questions and answers.

Some winter fishing regulations include:

• A maximum of four poles is legal for ice fishing.
• Tip-ups are legal, and each tip-up is considered a single pole.
• Mechanical devices that set the hook are legal; however, the use of any device that automatically retrieves the fish is illegal.
• There is no restriction on the size of the hole in the ice while fishing. Materials used to mark holes must be in possession of anglers and spearers as soon as a hole larger than 10 inches in diameter is made in the ice.
• It is only legal to release fish back into the water immediately after they are caught. Once a fish is held in a bucket or on a stringer, they can no longer be legally released in any water.
• It is illegal to catch fish and transport them in water.
• It is illegal to leave fish, including bait, behind on the ice.
• All aquatic bait, such as fathead minnows, must be purchased or trapped in North Dakota.
• Depositing or leaving any litter or other waste material on the ice or shore is illegal.
• The packaging of fish (including parts thereof) away from one’s permanent residence must be done in such a manner that the number of fish in each package may be easily determined.
• The daily limit is a limit of fish taken from midnight to midnight. No person may possess more than one day’s limit of fish while on the ice or actively engaged in fishing. If a situation occurs when an angler fishes overnight, the first daily limit must be removed from the ice by midnight prior to continuing to fish.
• The possession limit is the maximum number of fish that an angler may have in his or her possession during a fishing trip of more than one day.
• It is illegal to introduce anything into the water for the purpose of attempting to attract fish (chumming, artificial light, etc.) that is not attached or applied to a lure.

2017-18 Darkhouse Spearfishing Stats

The 2017-18 North Dakota darkhouse spearfishing season set records for total participants and northern pike speared, according to statistics compiled by the state Game and Fish Department.

A total of 3,717 participants speared 28,138 pike last winter, besting the totals established during the 2015-16 season of 3,289 participants and 17,269 harvested pike. Average weight of harvested pike was 7 pounds.

The number of anglers who registered was 5,387, and 3,772 of those were from North Dakota. Minnesotans accounted for 1,197. The average age was 45, and 90 percent were male.

Devils Lake and Lake Sakakawea accounted for 30 percent of the spearing harvest in the state.

All individuals who participate in darkhouse spearfishing must first register online. In addition, spearers age 16 and older must possess a valid fishing license.

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 with a natural object or a brightly painted or colored wooden lath.

Fish House Regulations

Winter anglers are reminded that any fish house left unoccupied on North Dakota waters must be made from materials that will allow it to float.

A popular question this time of year is if campers qualify as legal fish houses. The answer is the same for any structure taken on the ice – if it’s left unattended, it must be able to float; if it’s not able to float, it must be removed when the angler leaves the ice.

Other fish house regulations include:

• Fish houses do not require a license.
• Occupied structures do not require identification. However, any unoccupied fish house must have an equipment registration number issued by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, or the owner’s name, and either address or telephone number, displayed on its outside in readily distinguishable characters at least three inches high.
• Fish houses may not be placed closer than 50 feet in any direction to another house without consent of the occupant of the other fish house.
• All unoccupied fish houses must be removed from all waters after midnight, March 15.

Anglers should refer to the 2018-20 North Dakota Fishing Guide for other winter fishing regulations.

Order 2019 OUTDOORS Calendars

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is still taking orders for its North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar, the source for all hunting season and application dates for 2019.

Order online, or send $3 for each, plus $1 postage, to: Calendar, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095. Be sure to include a three-line return address with your order, or the post office may not deliver our return mailing.

Johnson Named Game and Fish Employee of the Year

Sandra Johnson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department conservation biologist in Bismarck, received the agency’s Director’s Award for professional excellence during the Department’s annual winter meeting.

Terry Steinwand, Game and Fish director, said Johnson was instrumental in the development and implementation of North Dakota’s state wildlife action plan; in determining and providing technical advice on the status of the state’s nongame species, including the rare and declining species of conservation priority and federally listed threatened and endangered species; and in coordinating select projects that have been awarded state wildlife grants funding.

“Sandra accomplishes these roles in an effective, efficient, comprehensive and professional manner,” Steinwand said. “She continually looks for new and innovative ways and opportunities to fulfill her duties.”

Bluem Named Wildlife Officer of the Year

Jerad Bluem, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden stationed in Steele, is the state’s 2018 Wildlife Officer of the Year. Bluem was honored in December 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 Robert Timian said Bluem’s district has many lakes, wetlands and public use areas that draw hunters, anglers and water recreationists to the area.

“Warden Bluem’s communication efforts with landowners, hunters and anglers is outstanding,” Timian said. “He is often mentioned for assisting those in need, whether it is helping load an angler’s boat in less than ideal weather conditions, to providing a helping hand to a rancher in search of escaped cattle. He has a caring attitude and consistently makes a positive impression on others.”

Game and Fish Recognizes Employee Efforts

North Dakota Game and Fish Department Director Terry Steinwand honored a number of employees with performance-based awards. Steinwand presented the following employees with special recognition awards at the Department’s annual winter meeting.

• Levi Jacobson, private land biologist, Bismarck, was recognized for his work ethic and leadership efforts. He is the first Game and Fish employee to participate in the North Dakota Rural Leadership program, an 18-month program offered through North Dakota State University Extension.
• Brandon Diehl, administrative assistant, Bismarck, was recognized for his administration, correspondence and coordination efforts that are required to meet the needs and demands of the hunter education program and its volunteers.
• Dale Repnow, administrative officer, Bismarck, was recognized for his team-first approach, and for his friendly, calm and polite demeanor when working on his assigned duties and when presented with contentious issues.

In addition to special recognition recipients, Corey Erck, district game warden, Bismarck, was named North Dakota’s Boating Officer of the Year. His district includes the Missouri River, which is one of the most highly used and congested areas for boaters and water recreationists in the state. Chief game warden Robert Timian said warden Erck is extremely skilled in the detection, apprehension and prosecution of boaters who may be operating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.