Anglers May Not Bring Aquatic Bait into North Dakota
Anglers are reminded that it is illegal to import minnows and other forms of live aquatic bait into North Dakota.
Anglers should buy bait from a licensed North Dakota retail bait vendor. Bait vendors can properly identify species and have taken steps to ensure all bait is clean of any aquatic nuisance species.
For more information, refer to the 2018-20 North Dakota Fishing Guide, available at license vendors or online at the state Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.
Deer Application Deadline is June 5
Hunters are reminded the deadline for submitting applications for the 2019 deer gun season is Wednesday, June 5.
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 applications made through the 800 number.
Gratis applicants must apply online – the toll-free licensing telephone number is not set up to receive gratis applications.
Applicants who do not have access to a computer or smartphone can submit the application at a public service location such as a public library, stop at a Game and Fish office, or request help from a friend, relative or neighbor.
Gratis applications received on or before the regular deer gun lottery application deadline will qualify for an any-legal-deer license. As per state law, gratis applications received after the deadline will be processed based on licenses remaining after the lottery – and generally only antlerless licenses remain.
Walleye Tagging Studies at Sakakawea, Alkaline
North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries personnel recently tagged approximately 3,000 walleyes in Lake Sakakawea - 1,000 each in the upper, middle and lower regions of the lake.
Managers plan to continue tagging 3,000 walleye from Lake Sakakawea each year through 2022. This four-year study is aimed to help fisheries biologists assess walleye harvest by size, natural mortality, angling mortality and movements.
In addition to Sakakawea, crews tagged approximately 2,000 walleyes at Alkaline Lake in Kidder County. This one-year study will enhance the understanding of the proportion of fish that anglers harvest each year from Alkaline Lake.
Anglers who catch a tagged fish are encouraged to treat the fish like any other. Whether keeping or releasing the fish, anglers are asked to report tagged fish at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. If the fish is released, anglers are reminded not to remove the tag.
Signs posted around these lakes with ongoing tagging studies feature a QR code that will take anglers directly to the tagged fish report page on the department’s website.
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.
North Dakota Archers Place at NASP Nationals
North Dakota archers placed in the top 10 in every category at the National Archery in the Schools Program Western National Tournament, held recently in Salt Lake City, UT.
State Game and Fish Department NASP coordinator Jeff Long said North Dakota’s young archers had a great showing, particularly the elementary kids.
“We took first place in both boys and girls for individuals, and the team took first place as well,” Long said.
Danica Onchuck of Hankinson claimed the top spot in both elementary girls 3-D and bull’s-eye competitions, while Alex Weisenburger of New Rockford took first place in the elementary boys 3-D category and third in bull’s-eye.
Other elementary girls place winners were Matilda Moch, Edgeley, third in bull’s-eye; Kiara Fredrick, Wilton, third in 3-D; Jourdyn Bucholz, Griggs County Central, sixth in 3-D; and Claire Wehsler, North Sargent School, ninth in 3-D.
Also placing in the elementary boys division were Tucker Schacher, Wilton, second in 3-D and ninth in bull’s-eye; William Bergquist, Wilton, second in bull’s-eye and third in 3-D; Brady Hanson, Edgeley, fourth in bull’s-eye; Jayson Schlenker, Barnes County North, fifth in 3-D; and Hayden Risty, Wilton, eighth in bull’s-eye.
Place winners in the middle school girls division were Zoey Bohnenstingl, Lidgerwood, fourth in 3-D; Rylee Suhr, Griggs County Central, sixth in 3-D and seventh in bull’s-eye; and Ariana Onchuck, Hankinson, 10th in bull’s-eye.
In the middle school boys division, Brady Sand of Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg placed fourth in 3-D and ninth in bull’s-eye.
In high school girls, Gracie Gunderson of Medina finished fifth in 3-D and seventh in bull’s-eye, while Edgeley archer Sydni Berg placed fifth in bull’s-eye.
In the high school boys competition, Joshua Wiebusch of Wahpeton placed fourth in bull’s-eye and sixth in 3-D, and Andrew Hill from Oakes was seventh in 3-D.
Wilton’s elementary team took first place in 3-D and second in bull’s-eye.
Hankinson’s high school team finished second in bull’s-eye and third in 3-D.
Some North Dakota archers went to Louisville, KY for eastern nationals and two students finished in the top 10.
Oakes elementary students Braysen Sagert finished in eighth place in the 3-D boys competition, and Shayle Zimbelman took ninth place in the 3-D girls division.
Fishing for Free June 1-2
North Dakotans who want to give fishing a try are reminded they can fish for free June 1-2.
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.
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.
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.
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.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department