Chinook Salmon Snagging, Bow (Archery) and Spear Fishing
New in 2026
Season Times and Dates: from sunup to sundown September 25 through October 31 of each fishing year.
Species: only salmon and nongame species may be taken.
Salmon Limits: Daily (5 fish), Possession (10 fish)
Nongame Limits: No limit
Where: Lake Sakakawea from Garrison Dam upstream to the Highway 23 bridge near New Town. This area includes up to the initial point where either a bridge spanning a tributary or a road crossing a tributary is encountered, whichever comes first. Bow (archery) and spearing within Lake Sakakawea and Fort Stevenson State parks is illegal.
Snagging: Each snagger must cast for, hook, and reel (retrieve) their own fish. The use of more than one snag hook per line or lure is illegal. Possession of a snagging pole is counted as a hook and line pole. There are no size restrictions for snag (treble) hooks. Snagging is legal from boat or shore unless signed as closed (currently, the east side of the spillway is closed).
Bow (Archery): Legal bow equipment for licensed anglers is any hand-drawn and released longbow, recurve bow, compound bow, or rubberband-assisted (sling) bow, to which an arrow is attached by a line and equipped with a harpoon-style or wire barbed point. Crossbows are prohibited, except with a special Director’s permit that may be issued if an individual is permanently disabled. Bow (Archery) is legal from boat or shore, except Bow (Archery) is illegal from shore within Lake Sakakawea and Fort Stevenson State parks. Possession of a bow or spear is counted as a hook and line fishing pole.
Spearing: Legal spear equipment is any manually powered shaft with barbed points. Spearing is legal from boat or shore, except spearing is illegal from shore within Lake Sakakawea and Fort Stevenson State parks.
Possession of a bow or spear is counted as a hook and line fishing pole.