The 2026 Watchable Wildlife Contest is open and the deadline for submitting photos is Oct. 1.
The contest has three categories; nongame species, game species and plants and insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries.
Wildlife photographers interested in submitting photos should go to the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov/wildlife/watchable-photo-contest. Please follow all directions and enter required information to assist department staff in managing submissions.
Contestants are limited to no more than five entries. Photos must have been taken in North Dakota.
By submitting an entry, photographers grant permission to Game and Fish to publish winning photographs in North Dakota OUTDOORS, on the department’s website and social media channels.
For more information or questions, contact Patrick Isakson, department conservation supervisor, at pisakson@nd.gov.
Near Record Walleye Production Will Bolster Fisheries
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department stocked nearly 12 million walleye fingerlings statewide earlier this summer, about 11 million of which were raised at Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery and 1.1 million at Valley City National Fish Hatchery.
The record combined walleye production from both federal hatcheries was more than 12 million in 2017.
“Traditionally, on large production years, significant numbers of walleye fingerlings would go to big systems”, according to Jerry Weigel, North Dakota Game and Fish Department fish production and development section supervisor, “but this year, 2.3 million walleye went into Lake Sakakawea and just under 500,000 into Stump, Darling and Ashtabula, with the remaining fish stocked into over 150 other lakes”.
Each spring, walleye eggs are collected by fisheries personnel and taken to Garrison Dam and Valley City national fish hatcheries where they are hatched. Shortly after, the walleye fry are stocked into production ponds and after a month of growth, 1-inch or larger fingerlings are collected and stocked across the state.
Distribution trucks traveled more than 12,000 miles over a two-week period in June to stock fingerlings.
“Stocking conditions in 2026 were optimal given the unusually cool temperatures over the weeks in June when fish were being stocked,” Weigel said.
The receiving waters were rich in invertebrates, critical food for the survival of the newly stocked walleye. Conditions are favorable for good survival and growth of young walleyes.
Additionally, 1.1 million northern pike fingerlings where stocked into 37 waters statewide. These pike stockings are generally limited to waters that do not support walleye but provide unique fishing opportunities and enjoyment from the fast-growing pike.
Department partnerships with national hatcheries, department stocking efforts and favorable conditions continue to bolster excellent fishing opportunities across the state for years to come.
State Fair Conservation and Outdoor Skills Park
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host thousands of visitors to its free Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park July 17-25 at the State Fair in Minot.
Visitors of all ages can try their hand at the fishing pond, air rifle shooting gallery and archery range.
In addition to these hands-on outdoor activities, the area offers a live fish display, boat and water safety station, furbearer exhibit and native prairie plantings. An information center staffed by Game and Fish Department personnel is located in the Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park, on the north end of the fairgrounds near the State Fair Center.
The park is open daily during the fair from 1-7 p.m.
Report Boat Accidents
Boat accidents involving injury, death or disappearance of a person must be reported to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department within 48 hours of the occurrence. If property damage exceeds $2,000, but no deaths or injuries occur, a boat operator has five days to file a report.
These reporting requirements are mandatory whether one or more boats are involved.
The North Dakota Cooperative Fur Harvester Education Program is holding a class Aug. 4, 6, and 8 at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck and a class Oct. 1, 2 and 3 at the Velva Wildlife Club.
Fur harvester education classes are 16 hours in length, free, voluntary, and cover topics associated with trapping and fur hunting. Much of the instruction includes hands-on experience with traps and equipment commonly used for harvesting furbearers and properly caring for the pelts.
Successful completion of this training provides certification recognized by other states where mandatory trapper education training is required. Participants can enroll in the August class now on the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov/education/fur-harvester. Enrollment for the October class will open at a later date.
The North Dakota Cooperative Fur Harvester Education Program is also hosting a training seminar on using cable devices in North Dakota Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Velva Wildlife Club.
The seminar is free and available to anyone who would like information and experience using cable devices. All aspects of cable device construction, care, use, ethics, responsibility and legal requirements are covered. Much of the instruction includes hands-on field application and set construction. Preregistration is required by contacting Rick Tischaefer at 701-460-1055.
Guide and Outfitter Exam Scheduled
The next guide and outfitter written examination is Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than Aug. 7 by calling the Department’s enforcement office at 701-328-6604.
In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations; certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid; and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter.
Hunting outfitter eligibility requirements include the guide qualifications, as well as an individual must have held a hunting guide license for two years; and must have proof of liability insurance.
The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a guide or outfitter in the state.
Inspect All Boats, Docks and Lifts Before Buying or Selling
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department urges people to check boats, trailers, docks, lifts, and all other water-related equipment for aquatic nuisance species before buying or selling. During summer, there is an elevated risk of having ANS, like zebra mussels, attached to submerged equipment.
North Dakota requires all docks, lifts and related equipment to be dried and left out of the water for at least 21 days before being placed in another water.
Ben Holen, Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator, said “While often overlooked, docks and lifts are one of the highest risk vectors for starting new zebra mussel infestations. Following the 21-day out-of-water rule is critical to preventing the spread of mussels to cabin lakes in North Dakota.”
Protecting our waters is everyone’s responsibility. Please remember to follow all North Dakota regulations:
Remove aquatic vegetation before leaving the water access and do not import into North Dakota.
Drain all water before leaving the water access.
Remove drain plugs and devices that hold back water and leave open and out during transport.
Do not import aquatic bait into the state. For Class I ANS Infested waters, aquatic bait cannot be transported away from the water during the open-water months. At all other waters, bait must be transported in a container that holds 5 gallons or less. It is illegal to dump unused bait on shore or into the lake.
Operation Dry Water: Heightened Boating Enforcement July 3-5
As boating traffic increases over the Fourth of July weekend, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, along with other law enforcement agencies, will increase on-the-water patrols and enforcement as part of Operation Dry Water, a national campaign focused on preventing boating under the influence. From July 3–5, officers will take part in the initiative in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Alcohol use remains the leading contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities. As part of Operation Dry Water, Game and Fish will focus on public education, compliance checks, and enforcement efforts designed to identify and remove impaired vessel operators from the water. Boaters can expect an increased law enforcement presence, including targeted patrols and sobriety checks in high-traffic areas.
"The Fourth of July weekend is one of the busiest times of the year on the water," said Jackie Lundstrom, Department enforcement operation supervisor, "Boating under the influence is completely preventable, and it puts everyone at risk. Our wardens will be actively enforcing BUI laws to help ensure a safe holiday weekend for all waterway users."
Regardless of whether you are operating a vessel or riding as a passenger, alcohol- or drug-impaired boating increases the risk of incidents, injuries and fatalities. In North Dakota, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. The department urges boaters to always boat sober and utilize a life jacket when on or near water.
Each spring, North Dakota Game and Fish Department staff count the number of male sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chickens and greater sage grouse dancing on leks, while also tallying the number of male ruffed grouse drumming in suitable aspen habitats.
These surveys serve as relative indices of spring breeding populations.
“The sharp-tailed grouse counts were mixed across the state this spring, which resulted in an unchanged statewide count compared to 2025,” said Jesse Kolar, department upland game management supervisor.
This result was better than expected following poor reproduction and decreases in adult sharptail densities in last summer’s roadside surveys and the 24% decrease in hunter harvest last fall.
“Thus, we expected to see very poor numbers for lek counts this spring, but we suspect that our mild winter led to minimal mortality and helped minimize losses after the cool and wet summer of 2025,” Kolar said.
By district, observers saw 4.9 males per square mile in the southwest, down 8% from 2025; 5 males per square mile in the prairie potholes, up 2%; and 2.9 males per square mile in the drift prairie, up 10% from last year. The only remaining survey block in the Red River Valley is Grand Forks County, which is not a primary region for sharptails but was up 9% from last year.
Ruffed grouse survey results indicated an uptick in drums heard in the Turtle Mountains (+40%) and a decrease in the Pembina Hills (-15%) compared to 2025.
“In contiguous forest habitats, ruffed grouse numbers usually rise and fall in cycles, but because habitat in North Dakota is isolated and fragmented, we have not seen these peaks, but the population has been increasing slightly since 2019,” Kolar said.
Small greater prairie chicken populations remain in Grand Forks County and the Sheyenne National Grasslands but overall, North Dakota no longer holds enough suitable, intact tallgrass prairie to support a huntable population.
Only one male and one female sage grouse were observed in 2026. Both sage grouse and greater prairie chicken hunting seasons will remain closed.
Overall, the long-term outlook for our native prairie grouse remains a concern due to grassland conversion, fragmentation and woody encroachment on prairies.
Deer Lottery Held, Licenses Remain
North Dakota’s deer gun lottery has been held. More than 72,000 individuals applied for a deer gun lottery license, in addition to over 12,000 gratis applicants. The 2026 deer gun proclamation allowed for 39,100 deer gun season licenses.
More than 1,200 licenses remain. Only resident applicants who were unsuccessful in the lottery can apply online for remaining licenses beginning July 1, with a deadline of July 15.
Licenses will be mailed to successful applicants in early August.
Remaining Deer Gun Licenses:
Unit
Type
Available
3A1
Any antlerless
234
3A2
Any antlerless
129
3F1
Any antlerless
101
3F1
Antlerless white-tail
151
3F2
Any antlerless
478
3F2
Antlerless white-tail
151
Pronghorn Survey Begins
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual aerial pronghorn survey will begin June 28 and is scheduled to be completed within two weeks.
During the survey period, small airplanes will sometimes fly low over parts of western North Dakota.
The survey determines pronghorn abundance, herd demographics and fawn production. This data is used to set the number of licenses for the fall hunting season.
Fireworks Prohibited on WMAs, Camping Restrictions Lifted for Holiday
With Independence Day approaching, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds outdoor recreationists fireworks on state wildlife management areas are prohibited.
The primary objective of a wildlife management area is to enhance wildlife production, provide hunting and fishing opportunities, and offer other outdoor recreation compatible with these objectives. Activities that do not disrupt the intentions are encouraged, and fireworks are not compatible.
In addition, the department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restriction for the Fourth of July holiday week, which will allow overnight camping June 30 and July 1 on those WMAs that otherwise have this two-day restriction.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department