ANS Awareness Week

Mon, 05/06/2024

May 5-11 is Aquatic Nuisance Species Awareness Week in North Dakota in an effort to raise the public’s understanding of the preventative steps recreationists need to follow to stop the introduction and spread of ANS in the state’s waterways.

ANS are nonnative plants, animals or pathogens that can affect the ecology of our lakes and rivers and the economic and recreational value of those waterways. 

Ben Holen, State Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator, said ANS awareness week is comprised of state and federal agencies highlighting the ongoing efforts taking place in North Dakota.

“The pathways of ANS introductions are vast, so it is important to relay ANS awareness across diverse platforms to reach many unique water users,” he said. “Raising awareness is a collaborative approach among partners and conscientious citizens.”

North Dakota currently has low numbers of aquatic nuisance species. Other than zebra mussels, just a few invasive plants and animals – curly leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, and grass, bighead, silver and common carp – are found in some state waters.

To fight the introduction and spread of unwanted invasives, Holen said some of the shared burden falls on water users. The Game and Fish Department encourages anglers, pleasure boaters and others to clean, drain and dry all equipment after every use. Clean and remove all plants or animals from watercraft or equipment prior to leaving any recreational area. Drain and remove water from all equipment prior to exiting designated access points. Not draining water can be extremely hazardous and may cause negligent transportation of ANS to various locations. Afterwards, verify that all equipment is completely dry before using again.

For more information on aquatic nuisance species, visit the department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

Navigational Safety Zone Begins Around BNSF Bridge Project

Mon, 04/22/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, under U.S. Coast Guard authority, has issued a regulatory permit to provide for a safety zone around the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad bridge project on the Missouri River in Bismarck.

The 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.

A navigation channel will be maintained between the enclosed area and the east bank of the river.

This permit is in place to protect people and boat traffic during the construction project and will be in effect during the open water months.   

It will be considered 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 under North Dakota Administrative Code 30-05-01-07.

ANS Sticker for Watercraft

Mon, 04/22/2024

Boaters with watercraft registered outside the state must have a 2024 aquatic nuisance species sticker before operating watercraft in North Dakota.

State law requires a $15 ANS fee for motorized watercraft not licensed in North Dakota to be paid for each calendar year, and the ANS sticker must be displayed on the watercraft.

In addition, Minnesota anglers launching boats on the North Dakota side of the Red River must have a current ANS sticker displayed on the watercraft.

The ANS sticker can only be purchased by logging into the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

Reminders for Lake Oahe Recreationists

Mon, 04/22/2024

Zebra mussels were confirmed in the lower end of Lake Oahe in South Dakota in December 2023 by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks staff.

As a result, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is working closely with South Dakota to monitor the colonization of mussels in Lake Oahe during the 2024 open water season, according to Ben Holen, Game and Fish Department aquatic nuisance species coordinator.

“The nearest mussel that was found last year was over 100 lake miles south of the North Dakota border, so we will utilize various early detection techniques to track the leading edge of the zebra mussel population as it establishes up the lake,” Holen said.

In addition to monitoring efforts, the Department will launch a digital marketing campaign and will work with the North Dakota Department of Transportation to place highway signage to raise zebra mussel awareness and promote compliance with ANS regulations, Holen said.  Also, expect a higher game warden presence along Lake Oahe this year.

“It is critically important that water recreationists comply with ANS regulations and remember to clean, drain, dry all watercraft and equipment between every use,” he added.

Lake Oahe recreationists and others can find facts about zebra mussels, ANS regulations and decontamination tips at https://gf.nd.gov/ans.

Tagging Studies Offer Insight into Fisheries

Mon, 04/15/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will be conducting numerous tagging studies on walleye populations across the state over the next several years to gain a better understanding of how anglers are utilizing these fisheries.

This year, walleye tagging efforts will occur at Coal, Twin, Coe and West Napoleon lakes. These studies will provide information that will enable the Department fisheries managers to provide the best fisheries possible for the state’s anglers to enjoy.

Anglers will play a vital role in these studies and are encouraged to report any tagged fish they encounter by logging in to their Game and Fish account or using the “tagged fish reporting” feature on the Department’s website gf.nd.gov.

Earth Day Patch Contest Winners

Mon, 04/15/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced the winners of the 2024 Earth Day Patch Contest. Over 2,000 students from 100 schools entered this year’s contest.

Winners in three age categories are Ella Haagenson, Leeds (K-4); Isla Anderson, St. Johns Academy, Jamestown (5-8); and Deegan Kierschemann, Barnes County North, Wimbledon (9-12). Haagenson’s design was chosen as the overall winner and will be made into the 2024 Earth Day patch. 

Youth and adults who participate in cleaning up public lands receive the 2024 patch to celebrate Earth Day and their service. Projects that qualify for the Earth Day patch include refuse pick-up on local, state or federal properties and landscaping on public property including planting trees, bushes and pollinator plants. 

Groups participating in the service projects are encouraged to take the following precautions to ensure their safety: keep young people away from highways, lakes and rivers and only allow older participants to pick up broken glass or sharp objects. 

Participants are asked to contact Sherry Niesar at 701-527-3714 or sniesar@nd.gov to receive a patch.

Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1

Mon, 04/15/2024

North Dakota’s paddlefish season opens May 1, and is scheduled to continue through May 21. However, depending on the overall harvest, an early in-season closure may occur with a 24-hour notice issued by the state Game and Fish Department.

Paddlefish tags are available for purchase online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, at license vendors, and during business hours at Game and Fish Department offices in Bismarck, Dickinson, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Lonetree (Harvey) and Williston. Snaggers buying tags online have the option to have the tag mailed or can stop at a district office and pick it up during business hours. Those purchasing a tag at a vendor or having it mailed should plan accordingly and allow for a few days for delivery.

All paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag, in addition to a valid fishing license for anyone 16 and older. Cost of a paddlefish tag is $10 for residents and $25.50 for nonresidents. Lost or destroyed tags will not be replaced.

The Game and Fish Department will allow camping during the open paddlefish season at Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area Pumphouse and at Neu’s Point WMA. However, no roads or gates will be open at Neu’s Point, therefore camping is allowed in the small Neu’s Point parking lot, and the rest of the WMA for walk-in access. All other WMA regulations apply. Outdoor enthusiasts are urged to be aware of the current fire index.

For more information on the paddlefish snagging season, snaggers should refer to the Game and Fish website.

Paddlefish Tags Online

Mon, 04/08/2024

North Dakota’s paddlefish snagging season opens May 1, and snaggers should be aware of the sale and distribution of paddlefish tags.

Paddlefish tags are available for purchase online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, at license vendors, and during business hours at Game and Fish Department offices in Bismarck, Dickinson, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Lonetree (Harvey) and Williston.

Snaggers buying tags online have the option to have the tag mailed or can stop at a district office and pick it up during business hours.

Snaggers purchasing a tag at a vendor or having it mailed should plan accordingly and allow for a few days for delivery.

Game and Fish Pays $762,000 in Property Taxes

Mon, 04/08/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently paid more than $762,000 in taxes to counties in which the department owns or leases land. The 2023 in-lieu-of-tax payments are the same as property taxes paid by private landowners.

The Game and Fish Department manages more than 200,000 acres for wildlife habitat and public hunting in 51 counties. The department does not own or manage any land in Traill or Renville counties.

Following is a list of counties and tax payments received.

Fourth Consecutive Record Count of Bighorn Sheep

Mon, 04/08/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2023 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a record 364 bighorn sheep in the grasslands of western North Dakota, up 5% from 2022 and 16% above the five-year average. The count surpassed the previous record of 347 bighorns in 2022.

Altogether, biologists counted 106 rams, 202 ewes and 56 lambs. Not included are approximately 40 bighorn sheep in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and bighorns introduced to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in 2020.

Big game biologist Brett Wiedmann was pleased to see an increase in the survey for the sixth consecutive year.

The northern badlands population increased 5% from 2022 and was the highest count on record. The southern badlands population dropped to its lowest level since bighorns were reintroduced there in 1966.

“We were encouraged to see a record count of adult rams, and adult ewes and lambs were near record numbers,” Wiedmann said. “Unlike the population declines observed in most other big game species following the severe winter of 2022-23, the increase in the bighorn population was attributable to two factors: higher than expected survival of adults and lambs during the extreme winter conditions of 2022, and better than anticipated lamb production and survival during 2023. Basically, bighorn sheep are incredibly hardy animals that can thrive during North Dakota’s most frigid winters.”

Department biologists count and classify all bighorn sheep in late summer, and then recount lambs the following March as they approach one year of age to determine recruitment.

Currently, about 490 bighorns make up the populations managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, National Park Service and the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division, just shy of the benchmark of 500 bighorns in the state.

A bighorn sheep hunting season is tentatively scheduled to open in 2024.The status of the season will be determined Sept. 1, following the summer population survey.

Game and Fish issued six licenses in 2023 and all hunters were successful in harvesting a ram.

Advisory Board Meetings Announced

Thu, 04/04/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board will host public meetings this spring at eight locations across the state.

These public meetings, held each spring and fall, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.

District 3 – Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner counties

Date: April 15 – 7 p.m.

Location: Community Center, 38 Forrest St., Rock Lake

Host: Lakeview Seed/AG365

Contact: Brock Mitchell, 701-550-9996

Advisory board member: Edward Dosch, Devils Lake

District 4 – Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh counties

Date: April 16 – 7 p.m.

Location: Good Friends Bar and Café Meeting Room, 220 Towner Ave., Larimore

Host: KEM Roughriders

Contact/advisory board member: Karissa Daws, Michigan, 701-270-1524

District 7 – Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties

Date: April 17 – 7 p.m.

Location: City Hall, 146 Main St. E., Hazen

Host: Hazen Sportsmen’s Club 

Contact: Sheldon Cieslak, 701-870-0053

Advisory board member: Jody Sommer, Mandan 

District 2 – Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward counties

Date: April 18 – 7 p.m.

Location: Verendrye Electric, 1225 Hwy 2 Bypass E., Minot

Host: Souris River Basin Longbeards

Contact: D.J. Randolph, 701-720-2134

Advisory board member: Travis Leier, Velva

District 6 – Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells counties

Date: April 22 – 7 p.m.

Location: American Legion, 34 First Ave. NE, LaMoure 

Host: James River Sportsman Club

Contact/advisory board member: Cody Sand, Ashley, 701-535-1071

District 5 – Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill counties

Date: April 23 – 7 p.m.

Location: Silver Lake Recreation Area Pavilion, 9571 135th Ave. SE, Forman

Host: Rutland Sportsman Club

Contact: Brian Ciesynski, 701-403-3085

Advisory board member: Doug Madsen, Harwood

District 1 – Divide, McKenzie and Williams counties

Date: April 24 – 7 p.m.

Location: Fairgrounds, 519 53rd St. E., Building C, Williston 

Host: Missouri Basin Bowmen

Contact/advisory board member: Beau Wisness, Keene, 701-421-8814

District 8 – Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark counties

Date: April 25 – 7 p.m.

Location: Pheasant Café and Lounge, 206 Brown Ave., Mott

Host: Pheasant Café and Lounge

Contact/advisory board member: Rob Brooks, Rhame, 701-440-8952

Deer Gratis Application Online

Mon, 04/01/2024

Landowners interested in a 2024 deer gratis license must apply online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is June 5.

General deer and muzzleloader lottery applications will be available online in early May, also with a deadline of June 5. 

Gratis applicants who have previously applied online will automatically have their land description forwarded to this year’s application. However, any changes with land descriptions from last year’s application must be made prior to submitting the 2024 application.