Drought conditions, and not as many hunters in the field last fall meant fewer pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge in the bag, according to statistics compiled by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Last year, more than 58,300 pheasant hunters (down 24 percent) harvested…
North Dakota boaters who are traveling to or through other states or Canadian provinces, are reminded to check the aquatic nuisance species regulations of their destination, to make sure they are in compliance.
Mandatory boat inspections may be required along highways or at lakes based on…
Deer hunters are reminded the deadline for submitting applications for the 2018 gun season is Wednesday, June 6.
Applicants for regular deer gun, youth and muzzleloader can apply online through the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov, or call 800-406-6409. A service fee is charged for…
Anglers are reminded that it is illegal to import all forms of live aquatic bait into North Dakota. This includes minnows, suckers, leeches, waterdogs (salamanders) and frogs.
Anglers should buy bait from a licensed North Dakota retail bait vendor. Bait vendors can properly identify species and…
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest is now open, and the deadline for submissions is Oct. 1.
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…
A fish kill affecting adult rainbow smelt is ongoing in portions of the upper half of Lake Sakakawea.
Dave Fryda, Missouri River System fisheries supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said the cause of the die-off has been documented in the state numerous times in the past.
…With almost ideal weather predicted for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department urges boaters to keep safety in mind when enjoying time on the water.
At the top of the safety checklist is to make sure a boat has enough life jackets on board for all passengers…
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has lifted its ban on open fires on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area south of Bismarck and Mandan, which means that campers and anglers can again have campfires. However, be aware of any county burn ban restrictions which may be in place since they include the WMA’s (https://www.nd.gov/des/).
Game and Fish implemented the fire ban in late…
North Dakotans who want to give fishing a try are reminded they can fish for free June 2-3.
That is the state’s Free Fishing Weekend, when all residents age 16 and over can fish any North Dakota water without a license. Residents age 15 and under do not need a fishing license at any time of year…
More than 50 local fisheries throughout North Dakota now have a fresh supply of catchable trout, as state Game and Fish Department personnel are wrapping up their annual spring trout stocking efforts.
Fisheries production and development section leader Jerry Weigel said while the number of…
North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries biologists investigated winterkills at 13 lakes this spring, and some were considered significant enough to affect the quality of fishing.
Popular fishing lakes that appear to have suffered a significant kill include Spring Lake (Bowman County),…
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…
Neal Leier’s walleye caught on May 18 broke the longest-standing state record fish in North Dakota, one that stood for nearly 60 years.
The Bismarck angler reeled in a 15-pound, 13-ounce walleye from the Missouri River near Fox Island, besting the old record by one ounce.
…North Dakota’s 2018 deer season is set, with 55,150 licenses available to hunters this fall, 650 more than last year.
In total, antlered mule deer licenses increased by 150 from last year, antlerless mule deer by 550, antlered whitetail by 150 and antlerless whitetail by 150. The state Game and Fish Department…
North Dakota anglers and water recreationists are reminded that all water must be drained from boats before leaving a water body.
This regulation, intended to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species, includes all watercraft and associated bilges, livewells, baitwells and motors.…
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.
…The Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area shooting range south of Williston will be closed May 14-16, and the Riverdale WMA range southwest of Riverdale will be closed May 16.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department manages five public shooting ranges on its wildlife management areas.
…The North Dakota Game and Fish Department completed its annual spring mule deer survey in April, and results indicate western North Dakota’s mule deer population is similar to last year, and 45 percent above the long-term average.
Biologists counted 2,540 mule deer in 245.8 square miles during…
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…
Boat owners are reminded that children ages 12-15 who want to operate a boat or personal watercraft alone this summer must first take the state’s boating basics course.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department education coordinator Brian Schaffer recommends all boaters take a boater education course…
