ANS Prevention Continues

Mon, 07/28/2025

While North Dakota has low numbers of aquatic nuisance species, ongoing efforts to protect state waters from the spread of ANS highlight the need for further education and regulation compliance among water recreationists.

Game and Fish Department staff have conducted 7,500 watercraft inspections thus far in 2025, leading to the draining and removal of water and vegetation on watercraft. And, recently, department personnel intercepted three watercrafts with zebra mussels at Devils Lake. 

Ben Holen, Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator, said it is critically important water recreationists review ANS regulations and take a few minutes at the boat ramp to do the right thing each and every time.

“We encourage anglers, pleasure boaters and others to clean, drain and dry all equipment after every use,” Holen said.

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. Afterward, verify that all equipment is dry before using again and consider pressure washing with hot water.

Fall Flight Forecast Similar to Last Year

Mon, 07/28/2025

Duck brood numbers were up 28% from 2024, but State Game and Fish Department migratory game bird biologists expect a fall flight of ducks similar to last year.

The fall flight forecast is based on data from the May breeding duck survey and the July duck brood survey, both conducted annually by Game and Fish biologists.

According to John Palarski, migratory game bird management biologist, the department’s 78th annual breeding duck survey conducted in May indicated the 2025 duck index was the 33rd highest on record, down 8.7% from 2024, but still 7% above the 1948–2024 average.

“Spring started off dry, with winter bringing below-average snowfall and above-average temperatures in March. Mallards and pintails were seen moving through North Dakota as early as mid-March, but the lack of meltwater in temporary ponds, coupled with frozen semipermanent wetlands meant that many early migrants simply passed through without stopping,” Palarski said. “This contributed to a lower May index this year, along with a declining midcontinent duck population. Fortunately, we received enough rain in parts of the state to boost production, resulting in a fall flight forecast similar to last year.”

The number of broods observed during the department’s July brood survey was up 28% from 2024, but down 2% from the 1965–2024 average. Blue-winged teal and mallards were the most common broods recorded, accounting for 31.7% and 21.4% of all broods tallied, respectively.

Palarski noted that not all species of waterfowl showed declines in the May index. Most diving duck species showed increases, with redheads up 23% - the highest count on record. The total diver index was the highest since 2020 and the second highest in the past two decades.

Game and Fish biologists will conduct a separate survey in mid-September to assess wetland conditions heading into the waterfowl hunting season.

Pronghorn Hunting Season Set, Apply Online

Wed, 07/23/2025

The 2025 pronghorn hunting season is set with 1,310 licenses available in 18 units, an increase of 45 licenses from last year. Licenses are available for all traditional units. Additionally, a new unit,17A, which includes Emmons County and portions of Logan and McIntosh counties west of ND Highway 3, will be open.

Each unit will once again have a season that is split into an early bow-only portion, and a later gun/bow season.

The bow-only portion of the season is Aug. 29 (noon) – Sept. 21. Anyone who draws a license can hunt pronghorn with a bow in the unit printed on their license. 

From Oct. 3 (noon) – Oct. 19, hunters who still have a valid license can use legal firearms or archery equipment, but must stay in the assigned unit.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply for a pronghorn license. Hunters who have accumulated bonus points and choose not to apply this year will not lose their points, but will not earn a point for next year. However, hunters who do not want a license in 2025 have the option to purchase a bonus point on the application. 

Applicants can apply online at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

Applicants for a pronghorn lottery license must be at least 12 on or before Dec. 31. The application deadline is Aug. 6.

Haase Named Wildlife Division Chief

Mon, 07/21/2025

Jeb Williams, Game and Fish Department director, announced the apportionment of Bill Haase to the agency’s wildlife division chief.

“Bill’s work ethic, experience and passion for the work that we do will suit him quite well for this position,” Williams said.

Haase replaces Casey Anderson who was appointed deputy director in June.

Haase has worked for the Game and Fish Department for 22 years, the last four as assistant wildlife division chief. Prior to that, he was the wildlife resource management supervisor for 10 years.

Remaining Deer Gun Licenses Available Aug. 13

Mon, 07/21/2025

More than 1,100 deer licenses are available in four units for North Dakota’s 2025 deer gun season, and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Aug. 13 at 8 a.m. Central time. Residents and nonresidents who have not already received a lottery or landowner license are eligible to apply online by visiting the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

Hunters who want to purchase additional licenses may do so Aug. 20 at 8 a.m. Central time. At that time, any remaining licenses will be issued as a concurrent season license, which can be used during the archery season with a bow; deer gun season with a bow, rifle or muzzleloader; or during the muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader. However, youth under age 14 (at the end of the calendar year) will be issued a concurrent season license for archery only.

There is no limit on the number of concurrent season licenses a hunter can purchase.

Hunters with concurrent season licenses are restricted to the type of antlerless deer printed on the license and must stay in the unit in which the license is assigned.

Report Boat Accidents

Mon, 07/07/2025

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.

A boat accident form is available on the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, at any Game and Fish office or by contacting a local game warden.

Game and Fish at State Fair

Mon, 07/07/2025

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host thousands of visitors to its free Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park July 18-26 at the State Fair in Minot.

Visitors will be treated to an array of activities, exhibits and useful information as the park is open from 1-7 p.m. daily. Pathways to Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Archery are major attractions where interested kids and adults participate in each outdoor activity.

In addition to hands-on outdoor learning opportunities, 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.

Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest

Mon, 07/07/2025

Photographers interested in sending photos for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest must follow guidelines for submitting their work.

Photographers should go to the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov/wildlife/watchable-photo-contest. Then it is a matter of providing some pertinent information about the photo and uploading it. Doing so helps both with ease of submitting photos for the photographer and managing those images for department staff. 

The contest is open and the deadline for submitting photos is Oct. 1. For more information or questions, contact Patrick Isakson, department conservation supervisor, at pisakson@nd.gov.

The contest has categories for nongame and game species, as well as plants/insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries.

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.

Free Fishing Weekend

Mon, 06/02/2025

North Dakota residents who want to give fishing a try can fish for free June 7-8.

That is the state’s free fishing weekend, when 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.

SWAP Comment Period

Wed, 05/21/2025

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department encourages public comment on the revision of its 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan.

The SWAP is North Dakota's guiding document for the conservation and restoration of at-risk species and their habitats, with a focus on preventing species from becoming endangered. It identifies species of greatest conservation need, including fish, wildlife and invertebrates.

The plan is revised every 10 years and represents a unified effort involving various stakeholders aimed at creating and implementing conservation strategies to ensure the long-term protection and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife.

North Dakota’s SWAP is a collaborative effort by Game and Fish staff, species experts, partner conservation groups, and state, federal and local agencies.

A draft of the plan is available on the Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, and public comments are accepted through June 30, 2025.

County Restrictions Remain on Oahe WMA

Mon, 05/19/2025

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department removed the open fire ban on Oahe Wildlife Management Area. However, this area still falls under county burn restrictions.

More information, including restrictions, on current fire danger indexes is available at NDResponse.gov.

Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along the Missouri River south of Bismarck and Mandan within Burleigh, Emmons and Morton counties.

ANS Awareness Week

Mon, 05/05/2025

May 4-10 is Aquatic Nuisance Species Awareness Week in North Dakota in an effort to raise public 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.