North Dakota 2008-2010 Fishing Guide

1. New for 2008-2010

Summary of major changes

• Any container used to hold bait must be free of aquatic vegetation.
• Spottail shiners are no longer a legal live baitfish.
• Establishes a wanton waste restriction. No person shall possess any game fish species and then waste, destroy or abandon the edible flesh (filets).
• Clarifies there is no storage limit for fish fillets at one’s personal permanent residence; however, at no time may a person transport more than a possession limit.
• Clarifies that gifting fish (giving fish to another person) is legal. However, the individual giving the fish must include on the pack-ages of fish their name, fishing license number, phone number, date, and number and species of fish included.
• The packaging of fish away from one’s permanent residence must be done so that the number of fish in each package is easily deter-mined.
• Two weeks are added to the darkhouse spearfishing season (will now run through March 15).
• Opened 16 additional lakes to darkhouse spearfishing.
• Removed the maximum size (12 inches in diameter) of a hole for ice fishing. However, when a hole greater than 10 inches in diameter is left in the ice for any reason, the hole must be adequately marked with a natural object or colored or painted wooden lath which must be visible from a minimum of 150 feet.
• Clarifies that it is illegal to introduce any substance in waters of the state for the purpose of attracting fish that is not attached or applied to a lure. Decoys used for darkhouse spearfishing are excluded.
• In years when the paddlefish harvest cap (1,000 fish) will likely occur before the official end of the season (May 31), the 60 hour public notice to close paddlefish season is changed to 36 hours.
• Removed the 14-inch minimum walleye size restriction on Lake Elsie, Brewer Lake and Dead Colt Creek Dam. All size restrictions for Sprague Lake and Lake Tewaukon are also removed.
• It is illegal to leave fish houses on state-owned or managed land after March 15 of each fishing year.
• New regulations are in place to reduce the threat of aquatic nuisance species (ANS). ANS include species of animals, plants, and even diseases which are not native to North Dakota and have the likelihood to become well established if introduced. If/when introduced, the ANS then have the ability to displace native flora and fauna, and cause serious hardships (including financial) to the citizens of North Dakota.
• To comply with these ANS regulations, anglers and boaters must:
  • Remove all aquatic vegetation from your boat, trailer, etc. when you leave the water body.
  • Remove all aquatic vegetation from your bait bucket when you leave the water body.
  • Drain all water from your boat, jet ski, etc. at the ramp site before you leave the water body. (Note: livewells and bait buckets used to transport fish are exempt).
• Do not dump bait into a water body.
• Please refer to pages 28 through 31 for more detailed information regarding ANS.

This guide is provided for informational purposes and is not intended as a complete listing of regulations. For more specific information on regulations and laws, visit the Game and Fish Department website (for proclamations) or for North Dakota state laws go to www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/T201.html.

2. Licenses

These regulations are in effect for two years from April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2010. A fishing year is defined as April 1 of one calendar year through March 31 of the following calendar year. NOTE: In the event of emergency changes to the 2008-10 proclamation, Game and Fish will issue a statewide press release and post new information on its website.

Licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. An angler must possess a valid fishing license for the respective season in which they’re fishing.

Residents 16 years of age and older need licenses. Residents under age 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a fishing license.

Any nonresident under age 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a nonresident fishing license if accompanied by an adult possessing a valid fishing license.

North Dakota residents who are on leave from active duty with the United States military can fish without a license. Contact the Department for details.

Nonresident full-time students living in North Dakota, who are attending a state or tribal college, or a private institution of higher education, may qualify for purchasing resident fishing licenses. Contact the Department for details.

Some licenses are in the form of stamps. Stamps must be pasted to a Fishing, Hunting, and Furbearer certificate and must also be signed.

The licensee shall carry the fishing license on his/her person at all times while fishing.

Free Fishing Days – Residents of North Dakota may fish without a resident fishing license on June 7 and June 8, 2008 and on June 6 and June 7, 2009.

License Fees
Resident Fishing, Hunting & Furbearer Certificate - $1.00
Resident Individual - $10.00
Resident Husband and Wife - $14.00
Resident, 65 years or older - $3.00
Resident, Disabled (from Bismarck office only) - $3.00
Resident Combination License (16 years or older - includes fishing, small game, general game and habitat, and furbearer licenses) - $32.00
Nonresident Fishing, Hunting & Furbearer Certificate - $2.00
Nonresident Individual - $35.00
Nonresident Husband and Wife - $45.00
Nonresident Ten Days - $25.00
Nonresident Three Days - $15.00

3. General Definitions and Regulations

Daily limit is a limit of fish taken or received from midnight to midnight.

No person may possess more than one day’s limit of fish while on the water or on the ice or actively engaged in fishing.

Possession limit is the maximum number of each legally taken fish species that a person may have in his or her actual possession during any phase of any single fishing trip of more than one day.

Storage limit at one’s personal permanent residence is unlimited; however, at no time may a person transport more than a possession limit.

Fish may be given (gifted) to another person but the fish must be counted in the donor’s daily limit.

Gifted fish including packages of fish must be accompanied with the following information from the individual gifting the fish: name, fishing license number, phone number, date, and number and species of fish gifted.

The packaging of fish away from one’s permanent residence must be done so that the number of fish in each package is easily determined.

It is illegal to remove more than gills, entrails, and scales from fish in waters that are subject to a size limit while on the water or actively engaged in fishing. It is illegal to remove more than the gills and entrails (head, fillets and tail must be attached) from channel catfish east of ND Highway 1 while on the water, actively engaged in fishing, transporting or until the fish are at the license holder’s personal, permanent residence.

Commercial processors, common carriers, and commercial storage areas may possess any person’s legally taken possession limit of fish. Each package must be labeled with the owner’s name and address.

No person shall sell or take for the purpose of sale any fish except as allowed in commercial fishing laws.

Game fish are bluegill, burbot, channel catfish, chinook salmon, crap-pie (black and white), largemouth bass, muskellunge (pure and hybrid), northern pike, paddlefish, sauger, saugeye, smallmouth bass, sturgeon (pallid, shovelnose, and lake), trout (brown, lake, rainbow, and cutthroat), walleye, white bass, yellow perch and zander.

Nongame fish are all species that inhabit the state’s public waters that are not listed above as game fish.

It is illegal to take, possess or transport any of the following species of fish in North Dakota, and they must be immediately released back into the water from which they were caught: pallid sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon and lake sturgeon.

It is illegal to take paddlefish at any time except as provided in Section 16.Other than landing a fish caught on hook and line equipment, netting or trap-ping game fish is illegal except as provided in Section 17.

It is illegal to gaff any sturgeon.

No person shall possess any game fish species, then waste, destroy or abandon the edible flesh (fillets).

It is illegal to deposit, or cause to be deposited, any fish or parts thereof, upon the ice, in the water, or upon the shore of any water body in North Dakota.

It is illegal to introduce any substance into waters of the state for the purpose of attracting fish that is not attached or applied to a lure as defined in Section 6. Decoys used for darkhouse spearfishing are excluded.

It is illegal to fish with any spring, lever, chemically, electrically, or mechanically actuated fish hook or gaff hook at all times. The use of any mechanical device to automatically retrieve the fish is also illegal.

4. Open Areas and Season Dates

6. Specific Regulations/Definitions

Legal hook and line equipment for each angler is two poles except:

• At the following locations where only one pole is legal:
  • Garrison Dam Tailrace – while fishing from the piers and wingwalls.
  • Drayton Dam – while shore fishing between boat ramp and area - designated “closed to fishing.”
• Four poles are legal while ice fishing.

Note: When fishing a water body where both open water and ice fishing occur at the same time, an angler is allowed a maximum of four poles of which no more than two poles can be used in open water. (See Section 12 for additional ice fishing regulations.)

No pole may have more than two hooks or lures.

A lure is defined as any man-made object comprised of metal, plastic, wood and other nonedible materials made or used to catch fish. A lure may not contain more than three hooks and the maximum distance between any hooks on a lure may not exceed 10 inches. A single hook may not include more than three points, barbed or otherwise. Spinners and other live bait rigs and harnesses are considered a lure and are legal. Hookless dodgers or attractors used ahead of a lure or bait are legal.

An angler must remain within 150 feet of their fishing equipment and must check it at least once per hour while open water and/or ice fishing.

Lake specific rules may exist. If so, information is posted at access areas and bridges.

No fish may be released into waters other than those from which they were originally taken.

It is legal to return fish to the water immediately after being caught on hook and line.

If a fish is returned to the water it must be done immediately after catching, not after being held on a stringer or confined by or in any type of container, live box, structure, or device except with written permission from the Game and Fish director. Fish returned to the water should show no evidence of bleeding, be handled carefully, and be returned to the water by hand or basket and not thrown or dropped. It is illegal to tag or mark any fish prior to release except with written permission from the Game and Fish director.

Grass carp caught in Spiritwood Lake must be returned to the water immediately, regardless of condition.

Paddlefish caught other than by legal snagging (as described in Section 16) must be returned to the water immediately, regardless of condition.

Attempting to snag fish is illegal except for paddlefish as provided in Section 16.

Possession of foul hooked fish is illegal. Any foul hooked or snagged fish must immediately be returned to the water regardless of condition, except for paddlefish as described in Section 16. A foul hooked or snagged fish is defined as any fish hooked or caught in any area behind the gill covers.

Two snapping turtles may be taken annually by hook and line.

7. Fish Size Restrictions

All undersize or oversize fish caught where there is a size limit must be returned to the water regardless of condition. They must be handled carefully to avoid injury.

It is illegal to remove more than the gills, entrails and scales from fish that are subject to a size limit, while on the water or actively engaged in fishing on waters having a fish size restriction.

It is illegal to remove more than the gills and entrails from channel catfish east of ND Highway 1 while on the water, actively engaged in fishing, transporting or until the fish is at the license holder’s personal, permanent residence. Head, fillets and tail must be attached.

How To Measure the Length of a Fish

To determine the total length of a fish, lay it flat on its side, and measure from the nose to the tip of the tail.

8. Bait Regulations

Definitions

• Legal live baitfish – Subject to use restrictions listed below, fathead minnows, creek chubs, sticklebacks and white sucker (Red River only) are the only legal live baitfish allowed in North Dakota.
• Preserved baitfish – Nongame fish, yellow perch eyes, and trout and salmon eggs which have been preserved by freezing, salting or otherwise treated to inactivate reproductive products are legal bait. Other game fish or parts thereof are illegal.
• Cut (prepared) bait –Cut bait using nongame fish is legal. Cut bait is defined as fish having the head and entrails removed. Heads and entrails of nongame fish are also considered cut or prepared bait.
• Other legal live bait – Other legal live bait includes all amphibians, insects and/or other invertebrates or parts thereof.

Live Baitfish Use Restrictions

STATEWIDE – except as listed below, fathead minnows, creek chubs and sticklebacks are the only legal live baitfish allowed in North Dakota waters.

• Red River and Bois de Sioux rivers up to the first vehicular crossing on any of their tributaries – fathead minnows, creek chubs, sticklebacks and white suckers are the only legal live baitfish.
• Absolutely no live baitfish may be used or possessed while on the following waters: Belfield Dam (Stark County), Blumhardt Dam (McIntosh County), Bylin Dam/Dougherty Dam (Walsh County), Camels Hump Dam (Golden Valley County), Custer Mine Pond (McLean County), Davis Dam (Slope County), Dickinson Dike (Stark County), Fish Creek (Morton County), Indian Creek (Hettinger County), Kettle Lake (Williams County), Leland Dam (McKenzie County), Lightning Lake (McLean), McDowell Dam (Burleigh), North Lemmon Dam (Adams), Nygren Dam (Morton), Raleigh Reservoir (Grant), Sather Dam (McKenzie), Sheep Creek Dam (Grant), Velva Sportsmen’s Pond (Ward).

It is illegal to possess, or possess with intent to sell, or to use as live baitfish any species of fish not allowed in this section. The penalty for fishing with or possession of an illegal live baitfish is $250.

Know Your Baitfish

Fathead Minnow
Legal and preferred baitfish in most state waters; by far the most common bait sold; sometimes called crappie minnows.

Courtesy Iowa DNR

Creek Chub
Legal baitfish in most state waters; may grow to a foot in length; found mainly in rivers.

Courtesy Iowa DNR

White Sucker
Legal baitfish only in the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers; larger than fathead minnow and sold at a higher price; often called sucker minnows.

Courtesy Iowa DNR

Stickleback
Legal baitfish in most state waters; commonly found in baitfish buckets along with fathead minnows.

Courtesy Iowa DNR

Other Bait Regulations

9. Transportation and Stocking

Transportation or possession of any live fish, live fish eggs, live amphibians, or other live aquatic organisms is illegal except for:

• Anglers transporting legal bait and/or legally caught game fish.
• Dealers of tropical fish species for the pet trade sold at commercial outlets.
• Individuals in possession of the appropriate license or permit from the Game and Fish director.

Stocking of any live fish, live fish eggs, live amphibians, or other live aquatic organisms into any waters of the state is illegal except with the appropriate license or permit issued by the Game and Fish director.

10. Fish Length-Weight Table

The following table is intended to assist an angler with a weight estimate based on the fish’s length. The table shows the average weights of select fish statewide. The true weight of an individual fish may vary due to the sex of the fish, time of the year (e.g., spawning) when it is caught, the health of the fish and the water body from which it is caught.

11. Red and Bois de Sioux Rivers

Residents of North Dakota and Minnesota holding a valid resident fishing license from their respective state, and residents of other states who either have a nonresident North Dakota or Minnesota fishing license, may fish in the Red and/or Bois de Sioux rivers and may transport fish with them by the most convenient route to the state in which they are licensed. If the laws of the states differ, anglers must comply with the laws and rules of the state in which they are licensed. (NOTE: This includes those who are not required to have a license).

From the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers (as well as all waters east of ND Highway 1) – the daily and possession limit on catfish is five regardless of the number of state or provincial licenses purchased by the angler. In daily and possession limit, only one catfish may exceed 24 inches in total length.

From the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers up to the first vehicular bridge or crossing on any of their tributaries – the daily and possession limit for walleye, sauger, saugeye or combination is three.

From the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers up to the first vehicular bridge or crossing on any of their tributaries – the daily and possession limit for northern pike is three.

Please Note:

• For a North Dakota resident with a North Dakota fishing license – can fish both rivers in their entirety but only to the mouth of any tributaries on the Minnesota side (fishing in any of the tributaries requires a valid Minnesota fishing license).
• For a Minnesota resident with a Minnesota fishing license – can fish both rivers in their entirety and any North Dakota tributary up to the first vehicular bridge or crossing (fishing upstream of these bridges/crossing on the tributaries requires a valid North Dakota fishing license).
• For a nonresident (not from North Dakota or Minnesota) – must purchase a North Dakota or Minnesota fishing license and the same rules would then apply as listed under North Dakota or Minnesota resident.

Ice Safety

Ice thickness is not always an accurate measure of its strength. New ice is stronger than old ice; ice formed by direct freezing of lake waters is stronger than ice formed from melted snow. As a guideline, anglers should consider the following as the minimum thickness for safe loads on ice:

Safe loads on ice
Ice thickness is not always an accurate measure of its strength. New ice is stronger than old ice; ice formed by direct freezing of lake waters is stronger than ice formed from melted snow. As a guideline, anglers might consider the following as the minimum thickness for safe loads on ice:

• 2 inches or less - STAY OFF
• 4 inches of good ice for a walking individual
• 6 inches of good ice for a snowmobile or ATV
• 8-12 inches of good ice for a car or small pickup
• 12-15 inches of good ice for a medium pickup truck.

12. Ice Fishing Regulations

Ice fishing is defined as hook and line fishing which occurs while on the ice. See Section 4 for waters open to hook and line fishing.

A maximum of four poles is legal for ice fishing. However, when fishing a water body where both open water and ice occur at the same time, an angler is allowed a maximum of four poles, of which no more than two poles can be used in open water (see Section 6).

Tip-ups are legal for ice fishing. Each tip-up is considered a single pole.

There is no restriction on the size of the hole in the ice while ice fishing. When a hole greater than 10 inches in diameter is left in the ice, the area in the immediate vicinity of the hole must be adequately marked with a natural object or a brightly painted or colored wooden lath. Markers must be visible from a minimum of 150 feet.

Depositing or leaving any litter (including refuse, bottles, cans, etc.) or other waste material on the ice or shore is illegal.

Fishing holes outside a fish house may be placed no closer than10 feet from the house without consent of the fish house occupant.

Fish Houses

Licensing of fish houses is not required in North Dakota. However, the following regulations apply:

• Any unoccupied fish house must have displayed on its outside in readily distinguishable characters at least three inches high, the owner’s name and address or the owner’s name and telephone number. Any unoccupied fish house left on the ice without having this proper identification may be removed or destroyed by the Department, and its owner is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.
• Occupied structures do not require identification.
• Fish houses may be of any size; however, any structure used as a fish house shall be constructed of material that will allow it to float, and to be readily removed from the ice at any time. Fish houses may be constructed with or without windows.
• If using a vehicle while fishing, the vehicle is not considered as a fish house.
• When in use, fish houses must be open for inspection at all times and hooks on doors are illegal.
• Fish houses may be placed no closer than 50 feet in any direction from another fish house, without consent of the other fish house occupant.
• Fish houses shall be removed from all waters by midnight March 15 of each year. Fish houses may be used after March 15 if they are removed daily.
• It is illegal to leave fish houses on any federal refuge land or on any state-owned or managed land after March 15 of each year.

13. Darkhouse Spear Fishing

Northern pike and nongame fish are the only legal species for darkhouse spearfishing. Daily and possession limits are the same as listed in Section 5. It is illegal to return fish to water after being speared.

Darkhouse spearfishing is legal from December 1 through March 15 of each fishing year. (*Exception: Spiritwood Lake – open January 1 through March 15 of each fishing year.)

Darkhouse spearfishing is open only in the waters listed below. Note – some of these listed water bodies are prone to low lake levels and fish kills, thus they may not contain a fishable population of pike. Refer to the list of fishing waters on the Department’s website (gf.nd.gov) for currently managed fisheries.

Darkhouse spear fishing is legal only in the following waters:

Alkaline Lake – Kidder, Beaver Lake – Logan, Blickensderfer – Hettinger, Buffalo Lake – Sargent, Buffalo Lodge Lake – McHenry, Carpenter Lake – Rolette, Cavanaugh Lake – Ramsey, Cherry Lake – Kidder, Clear, Lake – McIntosh, Coal Mine Lake – Sheridan, Coldwater Lake – McIntosh, Cottonwood Lake – Williams, Crooked Lake – McLean, Devils Lake – Benson/Ramsey, Diamond Lake – LaMoure, Dry/Goose Lake – McIntosh, Eckelson Lake Complex – Barnes, Etta/Alkaline Complex – Kidder, Flood Lake – LaMoure, Fresh Lake – Kidder, Gascoyne – Bowman, Grass Lake – Richland, Heart Butte (Tschida) – Grant, Helen Lake – Kidder, Horsehead Lake – Kidder, Island Lake – Rolette, Juanita Lake – Foster, Kalina Dam – Bowman, Lake Darling – Renville, Lake Irvine – Ramsey, Lake Josephine – Kidder, Lake Laretta – Nelson, Lake Williams – Kidder, Long Lake – McLean, Mallard Marsh – Stutsman, Morrison Lake – Ramsey, North Tobiason Lake – Steele, Patterson (Dickinson Reservoir) – Stark, Powers Lake – Burke, Rice Lake – Emmons, Round Lake – Kidder, School Section – Rolette, Sibley Lake – Griggs, Silver Lake – Benson, *Spiritwood Lake – Stutsman, Spring Lake – Bowman, Stanley Reservoir – Mountrail, Stump Lake – Nelson, Sunday Lake – Stutsman, Sweetwater Lake – Ramsey, Tioga Reservoir – Williams

Lake Sakakawea from Garrison Dam to U.S. Highway 85 bridge at Williston and all tributaries upstream to the first vehicular crossing.

Lake Oahe from South Dakota border to Mac Lean Bottoms boat ramp and all tributaries upstream to the first vehicular crossing.

Darkhouse spearfishing is legal for all residents having a valid fishing license and for residents who are under age 16. Nonresidents may darkhouse spearfish in North Dakota if the nonresident’s state provides the same privilege for residents of North Dakota. All individuals who participate in darkhouse spearfishing must first register on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website (gf.nd.gov), or through any Game and Fish Department office, prior to participating.

Possession of a spear is counted as a hook-and-line fishing pole while darkhouse spearfishing. Pneumatic or rubber band powered spear guns may not be used. Live fathead minnows, creek chubs and sticklebacks, preserved baitfish, legal live bait and artificials may be used as decoys. Any line used for a decoy will be considered a hook-and-line fishing pole if a hook is attached to the line.

There is no restriction on the size of the ice hole while actively engaged in darkhouse spearfishing. When a hole greater than 10 inches in diameter is left in the ice when a darkhouse is moved, the area in the immediate vicinity of the hole must be adequately marked with a natural object or a brightly painted or colored wooden lath. Markers must be visible from a minimum of 150 feet.

14. Archery and Spearfishing

Game fish may not be taken with bow/arrows or spears.

Archery and spearfishing is legal from May 1 through November 30 of each fishing year.

Archery and spearfishing is open in all waters as specified in Section 4, except for the following areas which are closed:

• That portion of the Missouri River from the Garrison Dam downstream to the southern boundary of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Downstream Recreation Area.
• The Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge (Lake Darling).

Legal archery equipment is any bow to which an arrow is attached by a line and equipped with a harpoon style point or with a point equipped with wire barbs. Crossbows are prohibited except with a Special Director’s Permit that may be issued if an individual is permanently disabled.

Legal spear equipment is any manually powered shaft with barbed points. The spear head shall not exceed 12 inches in width.

The use of night vision equipment or electronically enhanced light gathering optics including flashlights and lanterns used for locating and/or shooting at fish is illegal.

15. Underwater Spear Fishing

The following fish may not be taken with underwater spearfishing gear: largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskellunge, paddle-fish and sturgeon. All other species are legal. Daily and possession limits for legal fish are the same as listed in Section 5.

Underwater spearfishing is legal from May 1 through November 30 of each fishing year.

Underwater spearfishing is open only in the following waters:

• The Missouri River except that portion from the Garrison Dam downstream to the southern boundary of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Downstream Recreation Area.
• Lake Oahe, Lake Sakakawea and the open fishing areas of Lake Audubon
• Devils Lake and Stump Lake.
• Spiritwood Lake.

Legal underwater spear equipment is a rubber band powered or pneumatic powered spear gun with the spear attached to the gun with a lanyard not to exceed 20 feet. Underwater spears may be discharged only when the operator and equipment are entirely under the surface of the water.

Underwater spearfishing is illegal within 150 feet of any individuals engaged in fishing, designated swimming or water ski areas, boat docks, or spillways.

The Diver’s Down Flag must be displayed on a float or buoy during any underwater spearfishing. Underwater spearers must stay within 100 feet of the vertical position of their Diver’s Down Flag. Individuals who under-water spearfish between sunset and sunrise shall display a lighted Diver’s Down Flag and must carry a hand-held light which must be visible from a distance of 150 feet. The hand-held light must be displayed when the diver is at the surface.

17. Commercial Fishing

Noncontract type commercial fishing with use of seines, hoop nets and set lines may be done in certain waters at certain times. Contact the Department for licensing information and regulations.

19. Clam Season Closed

The season on clams will remain closed in North Dakota due to continued concern over the impacts commercial harvesting may have on clam populations.

20. Fish Consumption Advisory

The North Dakota Department of Health has issued advisories for the consumption of fish from certain North Dakota lakes and rivers. These fish contain levels of mercury which may be harmful to certain segments of the population if they are eaten too often.

Information listing current consumption advice is available from the North Dakota Department of Health (Division of Water Quality) at(701) 328-5210, or visit their website at: http://www.health.state.nd.us/wq/sw/Z7_Publications/B_2003FishAdvisory.pdf

21. Boat Motor Restrictions

Please check for signs at access points or call the Game and Fish Department. “Idle speed only” is defined as operating a boat at the slow-est possible speed necessary to maintain steerage (i.e., trolling – with no wake).

Electric Motors Only: Casselton Reservoir, Davis Dam, Dickinson Dike, Harmony Lake, Heinrich-Martin Dam, J. Clark Salyer, Kettle Lake, Larimore Dam, Leland Dam, Lightning Lake, McDowell Dam, Mooreton Pond, Rudolph Lake, Sather Dam, Strawberry Lake (Turtle Mountains), Spring Lake Park Ponds.

Idle Speed Only: Arroda Lakes, Lake Audubon (north), Baukol-Noonan Dam, Baukol-Noonan East Mine Pond, Brewer Lake, Camels Hump Dam, Carbury Dam, Clausen Springs Lake, Coal Mine Lake, Crown Butte, Dion Lake, Epping-Springbrook Dam, Fish Creek Dam, Fordville Dam, Gravel Lake, Harmon Lake, Heart Butte (Lake Tschida) (designated areas only), Hooker Lake, Lake Ilo, Indian Creek Dam, Jensen Lake, Kota-Ray Dam, McGregor Dam, Mirror Lake, North Golden Lake, Pelican Lake, Raleigh Reservoir, Riverdale Spillway Pond, Sheep Creek Dam, South Carlson Lake, Sweet Briar Dam, and along the Missouri River at the mouths of the Heart River, Lakewood, Marina Bay, Misty Waters and Square Butte Creek.

25 Horsepower Maximum: Arrowwood, Jim Lake and Long Lake national wildlife refuges:

Report All Poachers (R.A.P.) 800-472-2121

This program encourages people to report fish and wildlife violations, remain anonymous if they prefer, and receive monetary rewards for convictions based on their information. Anonymous callers will be given a special code number and are not required to give their name. Rewards range from $100 to $1,000 depending on the nature and seriousness of the crime. Call 800-472-2121. Call this number only to report game and fish violations. Note: If calling from outside North Dakota, the number is (701) 328-9921.The reward fund is supported by private donations. If you wish to donate to the RAP program, tax deductible contributions can be sent to RAP, Box 188, Valley City, ND 58072-0188.

23. Fish Identification

Knowing what fish species you are catching is not only fun, but in many cases it is required by law. The following fish are commonly misidentified by some anglers.

The Perch Family

Members of the perch family have two dorsal fins that are completely separated. The first fin is spiny while the second fin has soft rays. Walleye, sauger, and yellow perch are popular members of this family. Darters, which seldom exceed four inches in length, also belong to the perch family.

Walleye
Walleye are a dark-olive color with an over-all golden brown mottling and a white belly. A black blotch on the lower rear portion of the front dorsal fin helps identify the walleye. They prefer sand and gravel bottom areas, habitat commonly found in our large reservoirs. They are also called wall-eyed pike.

Sauger
The sauger resembles the walleye but is usually not as large or as stockily built. It has a blotched body color and rows of dark spots on the dorsal fin instead of the one black blotch of the walleye. Sauger typically inhabit fairly fast moving water of rivers and streams. It is also known as sand pike. The saugeye is a cross between a walleye and sauger but cannot be positively identified by external physical characteristics.

The Pike Family

There are two members of the pike family in North Dakota, the northern pike and the muskellunge. Both have long bodies and long snouts with large teeth. The dorsal fin is located far back on the body.

Northern Pike
Pike are marked with horizontal body spots and never have more than five pores on each side of the lower jaw. Pike have scales covering their entire cheek. The northern pike was named our State Fish by the 1969 Legislative Assembly. Other names are northern, pike, jack, snake, pickerel, and hammer handle.

Muskellunge
Muskellunge have vertical dark bars on their sides and from 6 to 8 pores on each side of the lower jaw. They have scales only on the upper half of the cheek. The tiger muskie is a hybrid cross between a muskellunge female and a northern pike male.

NOTE: Background colors of fish can vary slightly depending on environmental characteristics of the water body and its geographic location.

Location of submandibular pores on underside of lower jaw:

NORTHERN PIKE - 5 or fewer pores on each side

MUSKELLUNGE - 6 to 8 pores on each side

The Sunfish Family

Sunfish family members are deep and stockily built, attractive in coloration, and popular as panfish. Their dorsal fin has a spiny front portion and a soft rayed rear portion that are joined together. The dorsal fin is almost separated into two parts in the large and smallmouth bass.

Largemouth Bass
The back and upper sides of the largemouth is a dark green color and its sides have dark irregular patches. As its name implies, the mouth is large with the end of the upper jaw extending to or beyond the rear margin of the eye. It prefers small lake (stock dam) habitat. Its eyes are golden in color. Also called largemouth black bass.

Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth is similar in color to the largemouth except for barred markings on its sides and red colored eyes. The mouth is smaller and the rear of the upper jaw does not extend beyond the center of the eye. It prefers habitat similar to the walleye and is also known as smallmouth black bass.

The Trout Family

In North Dakota, the trout family are all introduced. They are beautiful fish and sporty to catch. They are fine scaled and are native to oceans and cold waters of rivers and lakes. North Dakota conditions offer little chance for most trout family members to spawn and reproduce successfully without the aid of a fish hatchery.

Rainbow Trout
The rainbow has been widely stocked in North Dakota. It varies in coloring but usually has pinkish streaks on its sides and small black spots on its sides, fins, and tail. The rainbow has 9-12 rays in its anal fin. Rainbows are found in a variety of coloration due to where they originate, where they are stocked, and the time of the year. Popular rainbow strains presently stocked into North Dakota waters include Shasta, Eagle Lake and Arlees.

Brown Trout
The brown or German trout is native to Europe and should be able to survive under warmer water conditions than the rainbow. It is found in the Missouri River system and a few lakes where it is regularly stocked. Like the rainbow, it has 9-12 rays in the anal fin. It has spots that are much larger and more colorful than those of the rainbow. The spots on the brown trout may be black, brown, orange, or red and are surrounded with a light colored halo. On large browns, the spots may be irregular shaped or even x-shaped. The brown usually does not have spots on its tail.

24. Whopper Club & Catch and Release Club Requirements

Whopper Club
Only species listed and meeting minimum weight requirements will qualify for a patch and certificate. Only one application may be made for each species in a lifetime. Anglers receive a patch for the first whopper of a species, an Expert patch for a whopper of another species, and a Master patch for a whopper of a third species. After that only certificates will be awarded for whoppers of additional species.

All fish entered must have been harvested by legal methods as described in the North Dakota fishing guide and come from North Dakota waters. Entries must be weighed on a scale used in trade.

Catch and Release Club
Only 19 species of fish qualify for Catch and Release Club. Entries must meet minimum length requirements and be released unharmed back to the water. Another angler must witness and verify the measurement and release.

Anglers will receive an official membership certificate and a choice of jacket patch or boat decal. A maximum of five entries per year per species will be recognized.

25. North Dakota Record Fish

STATE RECORD REQUIREMENTS

1. All new state record fish must be weighed on a scale used commercially and subject to certification by the Weights and Measures Division, North Dakota Public Service.
2. The catch must be verified by an employee of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
3. A recognizable photo must be furnished to the Department.

State Record Requirements

1. All new state record fish must be weighed on a scale used commercially and subject to certification by the Weights and Measures Division, North Dakota Public Service Commission.
2. The catch must be verified by an employee of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
3. A recognizable photo must be furnished to the Department.
4. All weights must be rounded to the nearest ounce.

First Fish Award
A FIRST FISH! certificate is a great way to preserve a memory for a young angler. These colorful awards have space for photos and details of the memorable day. FIRST FISH! certificates are available free by calling the Game and Fish Department at 701-328-6300; e-mail at ndgf@nd.gov; or writing 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501.

26. Aquatic Nuisance Species

Because of the increasing threat to North Dakota waters from Aquatic Nuisance Species, the Game and Fish Department is establishing several new rules starting in 2008. In the past these practices have been promoted as guidelines. Now, they are laws that may come with citations for violations.

These new rules are designed to greatly reduce the potential for introduction or spread of ANS within North Dakota. At present, the state has some problem areas, such as curly leaf pondweed in the Missouri River System, Eurasian water milfoil in parts of the Sheyenne River drain-age and common carp in many waters. It is in the best interest of North Dakota’s fisheries that anglers, boaters and hunters understand these important new provisions.

They include:

1. All aquatic vegetation must be removed from boats, personal watercraft, trailers and associated equipment such as fishing poles/lures before leaving a body of water. That means transporting a watercraft and equipment away from a boat ramp, landing area or shoreline.
2. All aquatic vegetation must be removed from bait buckets when leaving the water.
3. All water must be drained from boats and other watercraft, including bilges, livewells, baitwells, motors and trailers before leaving a water body. The only exception is livewells that contain fish or bait may maintain water during transportation.
4. You cannot transport live aquatic bait or aquatic vegetation into North Dakota. All water must be drained from watercraft upon entering the state.
5. It is illegal to dump bait into any North Dakota water.

27. Missouri River Boat Ramps

28. North Dakota Fishing Waters

29. Important Phone Numbers

North Dakota Game and Fish Department Fisheries Information