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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

Breeding Duck Numbers Down Again

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 79th annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.4 million birds, down 9.5% from 2.66 million birds in 2025 and 2.9 million in 2024.

The 2026 breeding duck index dipped below the 1948-2025 average for the first time since 1993, according to John Palarski, department migratory game bird supervisor.

In these spring waterfowl surveys, Palarski said they’re counting a portion of what remains of last year’s fall flight. Duck production in North Dakota has been poor in recent years and midcontinent duck populations continue to decline.

“Waterfowl here in North Dakota have to have those wetlands in order to nest. But many species like mallards, pintails and blue-winged teal that are upland nesting ducks, also need grass,” he said.  “And so, we've seen a couple million acres of grass in the form of CRP come off the landscape in recent years. Between those declines and wetland loss due to drainage and consolidation, that's going to impact our ability to produce ducks into the future which has acute impacts for waterfowl hunters here in the state, but also has continental impacts, because North Dakota is the Duck Factory.”

Historically, duck numbers in North Dakota paralleled wetland conditions closely. In the heydays of North Dakota duck hunting from 1994-2016, the breeding duck index frequently topped 4 million birds, but it is unlikely for that to happen again, even in the wettest years, until habitat availability improves.

Indices for individual species were variable. Mallards (up 6.8%), pintails (up 23.7%) and green-winged teal (up 20.9%) indices increased from 2025 while blue-winged teal, gadwall, widgeon and most diving duck species decreased. Although mallards are up from 2025, they’re still down 15.3% from their long-term average. 

Palarski and crew covered more than 1,800 miles of transects counting wetlands and waterfowl down to the species and social grouping on both sides of the road. This spring, the wetland count was similar to last year but 34.9% below the long-term average.

As always, the July brood survey will give a better idea of duck production and insight into what to expect this fall.

For the full story, watch this week’s North Dakota Outdoors Webcast with John Palarski.

Navigation Change on BNSF Bridge Project

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announces a navigation change through the BNSF railroad bridge project on the Missouri River near Bismarck-Mandan.

The navigation channel through the construction zone will be moved towards the east side of the project area. This movement will occur this week, prior to June 13.

This is an idle speed only area and the navigation channel is marked with red and green buoys.  The remainder of the safety zone is marked with several lighted, floating buoys and encloses an area, from the west bank of the Missouri River, north of the project staging area to approximately 400 feet to the east, and then south approximately 600 feet and back to the west bank of the river. The buoys are marked with “No Boats” symbols, yellow flashing lights for night visibility, and always restricts boat access within the enclosed area.

It’s a violation if a boat enters the safety zone without authorization. A violation of the regulatory buoys is considered noncriminal and is subject to a fine.

Free Fishing Weekend

North Dakota’s free fishing weekend is June 6-7.

All residents 16 and older can fish any North Dakota water without a license. Residents 15 and younger do not need a fishing license at any time of year.

The weekend provides a great opportunity to try fishing for the first time or take someone new.

Information on regulations, where to fish and what equipment is needed is available on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

Deer Application Deadline

The application deadline for the 2026 deer gun season is June 3.

Applicants for regular deer gun, gratis, youth and muzzleloader can apply online through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

Prairie Day

In tribute to the cultural and biological importance of North Dakota’s diverse grassland ecosystems, Gov. Kelly Armstrong proclaimed June 6, 2026, Prairie Day.

Native prairie is worth celebrating every day, but Prairie Day gives us one moment each year to raise awareness for a habitat that is often overlooked and undervalued, yet essential to North Dakota’s identity, economy and ecological future.

Events are being hosted by local organizations across the state throughout the month of June to celebrate the prairie.

Upland Game Seasons Summarized

North Dakota’s 2025 upland bird harvests were down for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse and gray partridge compared to 2024.

“We were not surprised by a decrease in pheasant harvest in the fall of 2025 based on decreases of chicks in our late summer roadside counts. Chick production was negatively impacted by the cool, wet nesting season and these juvenile birds are often what make up a significant portion of a hunter’s bag. However, adult pheasant densities remain high due to good survival from the mild winter,” said RJ Gross, North Dakota Game and Fish Department upland game biologist.

Gross said given the number of roosters remaining on the landscape post-season, access was likely the most limiting factor for pheasant hunter success.

Last year, 53,008 pheasant hunters (down 4%) harvested 344,975 roosters (down 3%), compared to 55,401 hunters and 357,018 roosters in 2024.

Counties with the highest percentage of pheasants taken were Hettinger, Divide, Williams, Stark and McLean.

A total of 18,241 grouse hunters (down 16%) harvested 55,539 sharp-tailed grouse (down 24%), compared to 21,660 hunters and 73,010 sharptails in 2024.

Counties with the highest percentage of sharptails taken were Divide, Hettinger, Mountrail, Adams and Bowman.

Sharp-tailed grouse were down 38% in last year’s summer roadside brood counts.

“In addition to cool, wet weather in June, which is unfavorable for chick survival, we suspect sharptail may have been impacted by West Nile virus because they declined from spring surveys to late summer surveys. Those declines appeared to have hampered the rebounding population, and the 24% drop in sharptail harvest reflects this,” Gross said.

Last year, 18,343 hunters (down 16%) harvested 50,445 gray partridge (down 25%). In 2024, 21,887 hunters harvested 67,465 partridge.

Counties with the highest percentage of gray partridge taken were Stark, McLean, Hettinger, Williams and Divide.

“Although hunters harvested fewer pheasants in 2025, we are optimistic after yet another mild winter, that the high pheasant population should carry through to 2026,” Gross said.

However, since much of the fall forecast depends on nesting and brood-rearing success, hunters should stay tuned.

Camping Restriction Lifted for Memorial Day

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restriction for Memorial Day week, which will allow overnight camping May 26-27 on those Wildlife Management Areas that otherwise have this two-day restriction in place.

A complete list of WMA regulations is available on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

Leave Baby Animals Alone, Watch For Deer

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department offers a simple message to the well-intentioned who want to rescue what appear to be orphaned baby animals this time of year: don’t touch them. Whether it is a young fawn, duckling, cottontail rabbit or a songbird, it is better to leave them alone.

“Often, young animals are not abandoned or deserted, and the mother is probably nearby,” says Patrick Isakson, department conservation supervisor, “Secluding their young is a strategy to protect them from predators.”

Anytime a young wild animal has human contact, its chances of survival decrease significantly. Wild animals taken into captivity and later returned to the wild will struggle to survive without possessing learned survival skills.

The only time a baby animal should be picked up is if it is in an unnatural setting, such as a young songbird found on a doorstep. In that case, the young bird can be moved to the closest suitable habitat.

Citizens should also steer clear of adult wildlife, such as deer or moose that might wander into urban areas. Crowding stresses animals and can lead to potentially dangerous situations.

In addition, motorists are reminded to watch for deer along roadways. During the next several weeks, young animals are dispersing from home ranges, and with deer more active during this time, the potential for car‑deer collisions increases.

May Highlights Safe Boating

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department recognizes National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22, an annual boating safety public awareness campaign that serves to educate boaters and water users heading into summer.

A boat should have enough U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jackets on board for all passengers. North Dakota law requires all children ages 10 and younger to wear a personal flotation device while in boats less than 27 feet in length. The law also requires all personal watercraft users to wear a life jacket, as well as anyone towed on skis, tubes, boards or other similar devices.

However, state law allows an individual engaged in barefoot skiing or surfing to wear a wet suit (a life preserver must be on board the towing vessel), and a person who is at least 16 years of age can windsurf or boardsail without wearing a PFD. Water users should make sure to wear life jackets of the appropriate size and in good condition. 

Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three out of every four recreational boating fatalities in 2024, and that 87% of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

It is also important children wear a PFD while swimming. Swimmers should know the water’s depth, as serious injuries can occur from diving. Large objects hidden below the water’s surface can lead to significant injury.

North Dakota boaters are also reminded that Class A and Class 1 vessels are required to have one hand, mouth or power-operated whistle audible for at least one-half mile. This regulation also applies to kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and jet skis. 

Regulations to help ensure safe boating this summer are found in the North Dakota Boat and Water Safety Guide.

Zebra Mussel Eradication Plan for Smishek Lake Continues

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with state and federal partners and local stakeholders, plan to retreat Smishek Lake in May and June to eradicate the remaining zebra mussel population in the lake.

“This spring, at ice-out, we surveyed the mussel population in Smishek Lake to evaluate the effectiveness of last fall’s treatment” said Ben Holen, department aquatic nuisance species coordinator. “While the treatment significantly suppressed the zebra mussel population at the lake, live mussels capable of reproduction remain. This population poses a threat to the downstream waters of Lake Sakakawea and other lakes in the northwestern part of North Dakota, so we are doing what we can to achieve a full eradication.”

When weather conditions are suitable, department staff will apply an EPA-registered copper-based mollusicide called EarthTecQZ. Three treatment applications are anticipated starting mid-May and continuing into June. The lake will remain open for public recreation, but the ramp will be signed and closed on application days.

Additional information will be provided on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s ANS webpage gf.nd.gov/ans.

Register for Game Warden Exam

Individuals interested in taking the exam to select candidates for district game warden positions must register by May 27.

Exams are scheduled for 9 a.m. Central time at the following locations:

  • June 2 – Minot Job Service Building, Minot.
  • June 3 – West Fargo Police Department, West Fargo.
  • June 5 – Game and Fish office, Bismarck.

Exam is scheduled for 9 a.m. Mountain time at the following location:

  • June 4 – Game and Fish office, Dickinson.

Applicants must register by submitting an online application through the North Dakota State Job Openings website.

Applicants must be at least 21, have a bachelor’s degree at time of hire or an associate degree with either 2 years of law enforcement or wildlife experience, have a valid driver’s license and a current North Dakota peace officer license, or eligible to be licensed. Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check and must not have a record of any felony convictions.

For more information, see the district game warden testing announcement on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

Governor’s Legacy Program Adds Habitat and Access

The North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts has completed the first enrollment cycle for the Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program. The program was launched through a $6.5 million Outdoor Heritage Fund grant awarded in December 2025, with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department serving as a co-applicant. The program was developed with input from agricultural and conservation partners and is designed to support grassland restoration, soil health, and wildlife habitat across the state.

The program provides five-year agreements that include annual rental payments, cost-share for grass establishment, and a first-of-its-kind $10 per acre crop insurance credit for unproductive cropland converted to grassland habitat. Producers who enroll acres into the department’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen program receive additional incentives.

Demand for the program was strong, with 458 applications submitted and nearly 20,000 acres offered for consideration, totaling approximately $10.5 million in requests, well above the available grant funding. Interest in PLOTS was also high, with nearly 6,000 acres offered for walk-in public access. Following review and ranking, the highest scoring applications were selected, fully obligating all grant funds through more than 9,000 acres of habitat and access projects for 2026.

The response demonstrates significant producer interest in grassland restoration and soil health practices, as well as strong support for a state-led program. The Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program was developed following recommendations from the Game and Fish Department’s 2024 Habitat and Access Summit, which identified the need for a state program to help offset ongoing losses in the federal Conservation Reserve Program.

The North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the department are working with partners to explore long-term funding options to continue and expand the program.