My 2 Cents

It’s been repeated for a number of years now for much of North Dakota that “it’s hard to imagine fishing getting any better.”

Yet, each year it seemingly does. In 2023, for instance, the walleye catch was record-breaking as the number of fish harvested was estimated at 1.7 million. While Lake Sakakawea, Devils Lake and Lake Oahe are considered the Big 3 for walleye fishing in our state — and for good reason — the expansion of a record number of prairie lakes across our state has significantly contributed to the amount of recreation hours spent on these highly productive, smaller lakes. These waters have a robust forage base that fuels not only a strong population of walleyes, but extremely healthy growth rates not commonly observed.

It’s no secret that walleye are the most sought and preferred catch of the day for both North Dakota anglers and our fishing guests traveling from elsewhere. While the Big 3 continue to receive the bulk of angler hours, the increased time and success spent at many prairie lakes has been a bonus to those who aren’t as interested in the travel and time associated with bigger trips in state. Many of these prairie lakes are producing the same plump limits of fish that the bigger waters are known for but allow anglers to do so in their own back yards.

While we applaud Game and Fish Department fisheries staff, with a nod to Mother Nature, about the growth of these wonderful prairie walleye fisheries and other managed waters, the onus to safeguard them from the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species falls on all of us.

At Game and Fish, it’s long been our task to educate the public through many different channels about the awareness of aquatic nuisance species and the actions that prevent the introduction and spread of undesirable species to North Dakota waters. Through this education and awareness, we will continue to encourage water recreationists to embrace their role in this ongoing ANS battle by doing the following: Clean, drain and dry all watercraft and water recreation equipment.

We are fortunate in North Dakota to have low numbers of aquatic nuisance species compared to many other places in the country and we want to keep it that way.

The new fishing proclamation, which is boiled down into a more reader friendly version called our fishing guide, doesn’t look much different. This is by design because keeping angler regulations as simple as possible is a desire of both the angling public and our Department.

With the dramatic increase in fishing opportunities across the state in our 400-plus managed waters, one might think our proclamation and guide would have to become bigger and more in depth. But that’s not the case. This year’s version is less cumbersome than in years past but comes with as much opportunity as ever.

Once again, 2024 is setting up to be another great year of fishing across the state. The outlook for all waters from the Big 3, to our thriving prairie walleye waters and nearby community fisheries, is promising.

Growing up here and experiencing all that Mother Nature can dish out, it’s impossible to predict what she has in store for us around the bend. Knowing that, and understanding that North Dakota features some of the best fishing opportunities in the state’s history, I encourage you, your family and friends, to embrace the continued hot bite, so to speak, at every opportunity.