The North Dakota Game and Fish Department urges boaters to keep safety in mind when enjoying time on the water.
A boat should have enough 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 of 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 who is at least 16 years of age to windsurf or boardsail without wearing a PFD.
Water users should make sure to wear life jackets that are the appropriate size, and in good condition. Water skiers and tubers should wear a life jacket with four nylon straps rather than one with a zipper, because straps are stronger than zippers upon impact with water. Anglers or persons paddling a canoe should opt for a PFD that is comfortable enough to wear for an entire outing.
It is also important that children wear a PFD while swimming. Swimmers should know the water’s depth, as serious injuries can occur from diving into water. Large objects hidden below the water’s surface can lead to significant injury.
Failure to wear a personal flotation device is the main reason people lose their lives in water recreation accidents.
North Dakota boaters also are reminded that marine VHF radios are an important part of boat safety that should not be improperly used by operators. These radios are intended for boat operators who are in distress and facing an emergency situation.
Open Fire Ban Removed, Local Burn Restrictions Remain on Oahe WMA
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has removed the open fire ban on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area effective immediately.
However, this area still falls under burn restrictions implemented by Morton, Burleigh and Emmons counties, which only allows open fires, including campfires, when the fire danger rating is low or moderate.
The burn ban is in effect when the rating is very high or extreme and/or a red flag warning has been issued.
Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along the Missouri River south of Bismarck and Mandan within Burleigh, Emmons and Morton counties.
Be Courteous at Boat Ramps
North Dakota boaters are reminded to exercise patience and plan accordingly when heading to a lake or river this summer.
The state Game and Fish Department receives a number of complaints every year about overly aggressive behavior at boat ramps. A few simple reminders will help ensure a fluent transition when launching and loading a boat.
Launching
Don't pull onto the ramp until your boat is ready to launch.
Prepare for launching in the parking area. Remove covers, load equipment, remove tie downs, attach lines and put in drain plug, before backing onto the ramp.
When ready, pull into line to launch. Wait your turn. Be courteous.
It takes at least two people to efficiently and courteously launch a boat: one to handle the boat and one to take care of the tow vehicle.
Loading
Don't block the loading area with your boat until your tow vehicle is ready to load. Wait until you are clear of the launch area to unload gear.
As soon as your trailer is in the water, load and secure your boat to the trailer.
Remove boat and trailer from the water as quickly as possible.
Get clear of the ramp. Pull into the parking area to finish securing your boat, unloading gear, draining all water and inspecting for and removing any vegetation. Remember to leave plugs out when transporting boat.
Leave Baby Animals Alone, Watch for Deer
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department offers a simple message to well-intentioned humans who want to pick up and 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 just leave them alone.
More often than not, young animals are not abandoned or deserted, and the mother is probably nearby. Young wildlife are purposely placed into seclusion by their mothers to protect them from predators.
Anytime a young wild animal has human contact its chance for survival decreases significantly. It’s illegal to take wild animals home, and captive animals later returned to the wild will struggle to survive because they do not possess learned survival skills.
The only time a baby animal should be picked up is if it is in an unnatural situation, such as a young songbird found on a doorstep. In that case, the young bird could 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 this could lead to a potentially dangerous situation.
In addition, motorists are reminded to watch for deer along roadways. During the next several weeks young animals are dispersing from their home ranges, and with deer more active during this time, the potential for car‑deer collisions increases.
Reminders to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species
North Dakota anglers, water recreationists and anyone working in lakes or streams are reminded to follow these simple regulations to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.
Know the laws, as each state and province have their own rules and regulations. North Dakota regulations include:
Do not import live aquatic bait.
Use only legal bait species.
Transport live bait in containers of five gallons or less.
Properly dispose of unused bait.
Drain water and remove vegetation from all equipment when leaving a waterbody.
Remove drain plugs and keep out or open during transport.
Clean, drain and dry any equipment (recreational or commercial) that is used in any waterbody.
Clean: remove plants, animals and excessive mud from trailers, hulls, motors and other equipment such as fishing rods.
Drain: drain all water, including bilges, livewells and bait buckets.
Dry: allow all equipment to dry completely or disinfect before using again. If necessary, use sponges or towels to remove excess water and allow compartments to dry.
Report any plant or animal that seems out of place.
Visit the online reporting form at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.
Call Jessica Howell, Game and Fish ANS coordinator, 701-368-8368.
White Suckers Only Legal in Bois de Sioux, Red Rivers
The state Game and Fish Department reminds anglers that live white suckers are not legal baitfish anywhere in North Dakota, except in the Bois de Sioux and Red rivers.
Although anglers can use live white suckers on the Bois de Sioux and Red rivers, and tributaries up to the first vehicular bridge, they are illegal elsewhere. Fathead minnows, sticklebacks and creek chubs are the only legal live baitfish outside of the Bois de Sioux and Red rivers. Dead white suckers which have been preserved by freezing, salting or otherwise treated to inactivate reproductive capabilities are legal bait.
The transportation of live white suckers, other than in Richland, Cass, Traill, Grand Forks, Walsh and Pembina counties, is illegal.
Anglers are also reminded that live baitfish, or other live aquatic bait such as leeches, cannot be transported from another state into North Dakota.
Big Walleye Does Not Qualify as State Record
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has completed an investigation into the 16-pound, 9-ounce walleye taken April 21 from the Heart River, and based on evidence provided, department officials have concluded the fish was foul-hooked, and therefore cannot be recognized as a state record.
To qualify as a state record, a fish must be harvested in accordance with rules for recreational fishing.
Paddlefish Snagging Harvest Season to Close May 11
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is closing the state's 2019 regular paddlefish snagging season, effective at 7 p.m. Central Time, on Saturday, May 11.
The 2018-20 fishing proclamation allows for the Game and Fish director to close the snagging season early if it appears the harvest will exceed 1,000 paddlefish.
“All things considered, the 2019 snagging season has gone well with good numbers of both females and males taken,” said Greg Power, fisheries chief. “Perhaps most importantly, a number of small paddlefish have been harvested which may bode well for the future.”
An additional four-day snag-and-release season will begin Sunday, May 12 and run through Wednesday, May 15. Paddlefish snaggers with an unused paddlefish tag can continue snagging during the additional snag-and-release season, but must release all fish immediately.
Snag-and-release is legal only in that area of the Missouri River starting on the north shore from the Confluence boat ramp then east (downstream) one-half mile, and that area of the Missouri River starting on the south shore from the Confluence with the Yellowstone River then east (downstream) one-half mile (both areas will have boundary signs).
Paddlefish snagging is allowed only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time during each day of the additional four-day season. The use or possession of a gaff on snag-and-release days is illegal.
Hunters, Anglers Take Note of New Legislation
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department tracked 40 outdoors-related bills during the 2019 legislative session, 21 of which were passed by both chambers and signed into law.
The following bills take effect Aug. 1, unless the bill includes an emergency clause which indicates it is already in effect.
HB 1021 – Included in the Information Technology Department’s appropriation, during the 2019-21 interim, a 14 member land access committee (with nine voting members) will study access to public and private lands for hunting, trapping, fishing and related issues, including trespass violations and penalties, and provide recommendations regarding a land access database with capabilities of electronic posting. The study committee may establish a trial electronic posting and hunter access information system in up to three counties prior to Aug. 1, 2020, and report findings and recommendations to the next legislative assembly.
HB 1066 – Returns the funding limit to the North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund to $20 million per fiscal year.
HB 1209 – Allows the use of dogs in the recovery of big game animals.
HB 1246 – Defines the eligibility requirements relating to gratis licenses for hunting big game and to provide a legislative study.
HB 1286 – Amends the century code relating to law enforcement agencies reporting seizures and forfeitures.
HB 1366 – Allows the use of a telescopic sight on a crossbow with a maximum power of 8x32.
HB 1383 – Alters the North Dakota Public Service Commission’s century code relating to mitigating environmental impacts associated with energy development.
HB 1412 – Allows the use of night vision, thermal vision or infrared light with a power source of not more than six volts while hunting coyote, fox, raccoon or beaver during the open season, and on a predatory animal attacking and attempting to destroy poultry, livestock or other property.
HB 1462 – Changes the seven white-tailed deer licenses to four any-whitetail and three any-antlered deer licenses, that are provided to the outdoor adventure foundation to be used by youth with life-threatening illnesses.
HB 1503 – Requires an individual who enters private property and installs a device for observing, recording or photographing wildlife to either receive written permission from the landowner, or identifies the device with a permanently affixed metal or plastic tag with a registration number issued by the Game and Fish Department, or the individual’s name, address and telephone number.
SB 2017 – Appropriates $83,803,632 to the Game and Fish Department for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2021.
SB 2034 – Defines the terms “firearm” or “weapon” and clarifies who can carry, including a minor under age 15 carrying a muzzleloader under direct supervision.
SB 2055 – Allows Game and Fish to get approval from either the legislative assembly or budget section for each land acquisition of at least 10 acres or $10,000.
SB 2058 – Amends the century code relating to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, whereas grant applications that are eligible to be forwarded to the North Dakota Industrial Commission must receive favorable recommendation from a majority of the outdoor heritage advisory board members.
SB 2138 – Allows advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, in addition to a physician, to verify the physical condition necessary for individuals to qualify for a shoot from a stationary motor vehicle permit.
SB 2165 – Amends the tax department’s section of the century code relating to gross receipts, specifically that gross receipts does not include the amount of compensation received from an insurance company for the loss of a stolen or destroyed watercraft that had been previously taxed if that compensation is used as a trade-in credit on the purchase of a replacement watercraft.
SB 2239 – Defines open records laws/exemptions of animal tracking data bases for animal health purposes, including state and federal agencies would be able to collect information to assist in animal disease control or tracking an animal disease. Declared an emergency measure.
SB 2261 – Amends the energy and conversion and transmission facilities section of the century code, relating to conditions imposed on designation of sites, corridors and routes.
SB 2293 – Creates an aquatic nuisance species program fund in the state treasury. Effective Jan. 1, 2020, establishes an ANS fee of $15 for each motorized watercraft registered in North Dakota to run concurrent with the three-year watercraft registration period. For motorized watercraft operated on waters in North Dakota but not licensed in North Dakota, an ANS fee of $15 to be paid for each calendar year and to display an ANS sticker on their watercraft. Effective April 1, 2020, establishes a $2 surcharge on each resident fishing license and combination license, with the exception of the resident 65 and older fishing license, permanently or totally disabled fishing license, or a disabled veteran fishing license. In addition, includes a $3 surcharge on each nonresident fishing license and each nonresident waterfowl license.
SB 2342 – Any boat operated between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. may not produce a noise in excess of 88 decibels for more than 10 minutes.
SB 2358 – Relates to Red River Valley water supply project contract terms, elimination of voter approval requirements and notice of proposed water management systems.
First Fish Certificate
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is reminding parents to capture their little angler’s first catch on a specially designed First Fish certificate.
First Fish has no qualifying weights or measurements. The only requirement is the successful landing of a North Dakota fish. Certificates are available to all who request them, and have ample room for all the important information, such as name, age, lake and a short fish story, plus a blank space for a photograph big enough to contain the smile of the happiest little angler.
Free certificates are available by contacting the Game and Fish Department at 701-328-6300, or email ndgf@nd.gov.
Workshops for Educators Scheduled
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is sponsoring workshops in Dickinson, Valley City and Bismarck for teachers, environmental educators and anyone else who works with youth.
Pollinators in the Classroom is June 12-13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Dickinson State University in Dickinson, and June 25-26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Valley City State University in Valley City.
Participants will examine different animal species, receive the new Urban Pollinator curriculum with three distinct sections, and explore urban pollinator gardens and learn how to develop one in a local community or near a school.
The fast-paced workshop offers a hands-on approach that educators can use in their classrooms and on field trips, and in discussing classroom and curriculum integration. All supplies are provided.
Curriculum materials are suitable for both elementary and secondary teachers.
Herpetology and Citizen Science in the Classroom is June 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Game and Fish Department’s main office in Bismarck.
Participants will learn about reptiles and amphibians of North Dakota, including species identification, basic biology, life history and territories.
In addition, participants will learn how to incorporate Citizen Science in the Classroom, specifically the HerpMapper platform, and will spend time outdoors looking for species of interest.
More information on the workshops, including registration, fees and graduate credits, is available by visiting the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.
Catchable Trout, Catfish, Pike Stocked
North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries personnel have already stocked dozens of local community fisheries with catchable trout, catfish and pike, with additional lakes still to be stocked in early- to mid-May.
Approximately 10,000 11-inch rainbow trout, 600 2- to 4-pound rainbow trout, 1,200 adult catfish, 1,100 adult pike and 1,100 1- to 3-pound cutthroat trout were recently stocked in community fisheries around the state.
Fisheries production and development section leader Jerry Weigel said these stockings put catchable fish in waters that are easily accessible, and in or near communities throughout North Dakota.
“Many have fishing piers and are a great opportunity for a first-time angler to catch fish,” Weigel said.
Adams – Mirror Lake (catfish)
Barnes – Hatchery Kids Pond (rainbow)
Burleigh – Cottonwood Park Pond (pike), OWLS Pond (cutthroat, rainbow), Wilton City Pond (rainbow)
Stark – Belfield Pond (catfish, rainbow), Dickinson Dike (catfish, rainbow)
Stutsman – Little Britches Pond (rainbow, cutthroat)
Ward – State Fair Pond (rainbow, catfish)
Williams – East Spring Lake Pond (pike), West Spring Lake Pond (catfish, rainbow)
In addition to these fisheries, Game and Fish personnel will continue stocking numerous trout lakes the next few weeks, including Glenburn Pond (Renville), Hazen Creek (Mercer), Lightning Lake (McLean), Little Heart Pond (Morton), Langdon City Pond (Cavalier), Oliver County Sportsmen’s Pond (Oliver), Ryan Park Pond (Grand Forks) and Stanley Pond (Mountrail).
North Dakota Game and Fish Department