Buffaloberry Patch

Zebra mussels were confirmed in the lower end of Lake Oahe in South Dakota in fall after the species was detected at both the East Shore and Cow Creek boat ramps during inspection done by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks staff.

Ben Holen, North Dakota Game and Fish Department aquatic nuisance species coordinator, said Cow Creek is over 100 lake miles south of the North Dakota-South Dakota border.

“It will likely take a little time before we see zebra mussels in the upper end of the reservoir, unless they are moved by another vector,” Holen said.

ANS education, prevention and monitoring activities on Lake Oahe will increase, Holen said.

“In addition, we plan to work with our constituents over the next few months to discuss bait water regulations, while the upper end of the lake is uncolonized and cold water inhibits zebra mussel veliger production,” he added.

Oahe recreationists should remember to follow North Dakota ANS regulations.

Fisheries crews completed their annual salmon spawning operation on the Missouri River System, collecting 944,000 eggs.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department Missouri River System fisheries supervisor Russ Kinzler said this year was more of a challenge to collect eggs.

“The spawn started about a week later than normal and then the cold weather at the end of October shut down egg collections before the spawning crew could meet the goal of 1 million eggs,” Kinzler said.

The eggs collected should be enough to stock the 300,000 smolts planned for Lake Sakakawea in 2024.

In 2023, all eggs were collected from Lake Sakakawea, unlike past years when some eggs were taken from fish in the Missouri River. The average size of female salmon was 4.4 pounds, which is about half-pound smaller than last year. The largest salmon was 8.5 pounds.

Chinook salmon begin their spawning run in October. Since salmon cannot naturally reproduce in North Dakota, Game and Fish personnel capture the fish and transport them to Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery where they are relieved of their eggs.

Once the eggs hatch, young salmon spend about 6 months in the hatchery before being stocked in Lake Sakakawea.

Dr. Charlie Bahnson, wildlife veterinarian for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck, received the agency’s Director’s Award for professional excellence at the Department’s annual staff meeting in December.

Jeb Williams, Game and Fish director, said Dr. Bahnson is an incredible asset to our state who is not only recognized by his local peers, but nationwide as well.

“His expertise and knowledge of the issues are continuously expanding. He is an instrumental participant in many state and nationwide working groups pertaining to wildlife health and disease,” Williams said. “Charlie spends countless hours collaborating with other agencies, such as the Board of Animal Health, and educating staff, the public and legislators on wildlife issues, including chronic wasting disease, epizootic hemorrhagic disease and avian influenza. He spearheaded a task force to revise our CWD management plan which will guide big game management into the future. In addition, he is one of the few wildlife veterinarians in the nation who is certified to surgically implant cellular GPS transmitters in birds to learn more about their natural movements. He successfully implemented these implants in mallards and in 2023, pintails.”