Help Me Find What I'm Looking For

This page is designed as a supplement to the menu navigation on this website. If you still cannot find the information you are looking for after viewing this page, or if you are having problems purchasing a license or applying for a lottery, please contact the Department for assistance at 701-328-6300.

Hunting Information

The Basics

What can I hunt?
- Listing of North Dakota game species (each species links to the appropriate hunting regulations)
When can I hunt?
- Searchable list of hunting season dates (includes tentative season dates for the next year when available)
- Special youth hunting seasons
Where can I hunt?
- Note: No hunting is allowed, without permission from the landowner or leasee, on private lands in North Dakota that have been legally posted either with physical signs or electronically
- Where to hunt
What do I need before I can hunt?
- Hunter education requirements
- Licenses - See licensing and lottery section below
I'm new to hunting, where can I find advice to help me get started?
- Hunting Virtual Mentor
What are some resources for hunters with disabilities?
- Services for People with Disabilities
I believe someone is poaching. How can I report it?
- Report All Poachers - detailed contact information
- 701-328-9921 any time, day or night

Licensing and Lotteries

What is a lottery?
Note - Licenses for the following species are only available by lottery: Deer, Moose, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Pronghorn, Turkey, Tundra Swan
- Guide to lotteries
What licenses do I need to hunt?
- Required licenses by species
  - Note - When you purchase a license online you will be presented with a list of the needed licenses to hunt a species
Am I considered a North Dakota resident for licensing and lottery purposes?
- Residency requirements
What is this going to cost?
- Resident license prices
- Nonresident license prices

Other Useful Hunting Information

Where can I find information about CWD (including regulations) and other wildlife and fish diseases found in North Dakota?
- Diseases
- Chronic Wasting Disease
What other hunting and trapping education do you offer?
Miscellaneous Resources

Fishing

The Basics

What fish can I harvest?
- Game fish/nongame fish
  - Fish identification
Where can I fish?
- Fishing waters maps and directions
What do I need before I can go fishing?
- Licenses - See licensing section below
- Darkhouse spearfishing registration
- Paddlefish snagging
I am new to fishing. Where can I find advice to help get me started?
- Fishing Virtual Mentor
What are some resources for anglers with disabilities?
- Services for People with Disabilities
Where can I find complete fishing regulations?
- Fishing regulations guide

Licensing

What licenses do I need to fish?
- Required licenses
Am I considered a North Dakota resident for licensing purposes?
- Residency requirements
What is this going to cost me?
- Resident license prices
- Nonresident license prices

Other Useful Fishing Information

Aquatic Nuisance Species - What are they, and why should I care?
Where can I find information about fish diseases and other issues impacting fish health?
- Diseases
- Barotrauma
I caught a tagged fish. Where can I report the tag number?
- Report tagged fish online
I just caught a monster fish. Is it a state record?
- North Dakota state record fish
I just caught a big, tasty fish. How do I cook it?
- Recipes
Miscellaneous Fishing Resources

Boating

The Basics

Where can I launch my boat?
- Boat access maps
Who can legally operate a boat in North Dakota?
- Regulations guide - Boat operator requirements
What watercraft must be registered?
- Regulations guide (watercraft types and fees)
How can I register my watercraft or renew my watercraft registration?
- Watercraft registration and renewal information
Where can I find boating regulations?
- Regulations guide
Do you have any boating safety classes?
- Boating and Water Safety Education
Aquatic Nuisance Species - What are they, and why should I care?

Conservation

Conservation in North Dakota

What is the Department doing to help conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat?
- State Wildlife Action Plan
- State Wildlife Grants - North Dakota's funding for species of conservation priority
- Educator programs: Educator workshops | Habitats of North Dakota program (for K-12 educators)
- Research, management and conservation publications
What can I do to help?

North Dakota Wildlife

What North Dakota species are listed as threatened or endangered?
- Threatened and endangered species
What are "Species of Conservation Priority?"
- Explanation and species listing
What are 'Invasive Species'?
- Explanation and links to listings
I found an animal that is hurt or appears to be orphaned. What do I do?
- Orphaned and injured animals
What are some of the diseases that effect North Dakota fish and wildlife?
- Wildlife diseases

North Dakota Habitats

What types of habitat are found in North Dakota?

Other

People with disabilities
- Services for people with disabilities
Photography
- Watchable Wildlife photo contest
Video
- Webcasts and news videos
- Department YouTube channel
Podcast
- Podcast
- Webcast audio
Published research, informational posters and pamphlets, etc.
- Searchable listing of publications
Maps
- Find a map
Youth
- Youth programs and resources (includes information on special youth hunting seasons)
Getting involved
Miscellaneous
- Department contact information
- FAQs by topic
- Online reporting (ex. tagged fish, wildlife mortality, active bald eagle nests)

Still unable to find the information you need? Please contact us at:

North Dakota Game and Fish Department
100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095
Phone: 701-328-6300

Online Form

Report All Poachers: 701-328-9921 (any time, day or night)