North Dakota 2010-2012 Fishing Guide
For the period April 1, 2010 - March 31, 2012
Licensing on the Web and Telephone, Downloadable Applications, & Regulations
For North Dakota state laws and regulations related to hunting, fishing, trapping, and boating
go to our regulations and laws page.
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Table of Contents
North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple
North Dakota is well-known for its legendary fishing and is regarded as one of the top walleye fishing destinations in the country. Our waters are home to a variety of species sure to lure anglers year-round.
Catch rates for walleye and other game fish are high on popular fishing waters such as Devils Lake, the Missouri River and Lake Oahe, and abundant water has created new fish habitat that will continue to enhance North Dakota's fishing opportunities.
Our state Game and Fish Department is working hard to ensure that all of our waters, large and small, have abundant fish populations and reasonable access. Game and Fish works with local partners to maintain more than 350 public boat ramps throughout the state, and just in the last few years, they have added more than 50 floating fishing docks on smaller waters to improve shore-fishing opportunities.
While walleye is the most popular fish for anglers to pursue in North Dakota, the state fish, the northern pike, is in the early stages of a population resurgence. If you want to catch pike, either in open water or through the ice, North Dakota is the place to fish for the next several years.
North Dakota also has good fishing for other species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, yellow perch, catfish, crappie and trout, and even a few spots for musky.
This guide provides important information regarding regulations to help you fish safely and legally on North Dakota waters. Check out the Game and Fish Department's website at www.gf.nd.gov/fishing for details on all of our fishing waters, including contour maps, species present, directions and available facilities.
So make North Dakota part of your next fishing adventure and see for yourself what makes our state a legendary fishing destination. I hope to see you on the water.
This guide is provided for informational purposes and is not intended as a complete listing of regulations. For more specifi c information on regulations and laws, visit the Game and Fish Department website (for proclamations) or for North Dakota state laws go to http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/T20-1.html
1. New for 2010-2012
Summary of major changes
- Effective October 1, 2010, All water must be drained from boats and other watercraft, including bilges, motors, livewells, and baitwells before leaving a water body.
- Effective October 1, 2010, water used for in-state transportation of legal live bait and legal live baitfish in bait buckets no larger than five gallons in volume is allowed. Fish transported and held in or on ice is allowed.
- Added Harmon Lake and Crown Butte Dam, both in Morton County, to the list of "no live baitfish" lakes.
- State Fair Pond, Ward County, is closed to all fishing from November 1 through March 31.
- Added all waters open to public fishing in Ramsey County; Carlson Lakes, Ward County; Gravel Lake, Rolette County; and West Napoleon Lake, Logan County; to the list of open waters for darkhouse spearfishing. Closed Patterson Reservoir (Dickinson Reservoir, Stark County) to darkhouse spearfishing.
- Lake Metigoshe, Bottineau County, daily and possession limit for bluegill was reduced to 10 and 20 respectively.
- Eliminated the 14-inch minimum walleye size limit on Spiritwood Lake, Stutsman County, and Lake Ashtabula, Barnes County.
Current law also states that no aquatic vegetation, or parts thereof, shall be in or on watercraft, motors, trailers and recreational equipment when out of water. Time out of the water needed to remove aquatic vegetation at the immediate water access area (e.g., boat ramp) is allowed. Watercraft and recreational equipment suspended above the water on lifts are also excluded. All bait buckets used to transport legal live bait, must also be free of aquatic vegetation.
These laws are in place to reduce the risk of aquatic nuisance species transfer between water bodies - see Aquatic Nuisance Species for more information. The Game and Fish Department acknowledges these regulations may create minor inconveniences, but without them, the risk for unwanted ANS movement is substantial. The amount of time to drain water from a boat and inspect and remove vegetation that may be clinging to the boat, motor and/or trailer is generally minimal.
Get more information about fishing waters, stocking records, and Missouri River boating access in the 2010 March-April annual fishing issue of North Dakota Outdoors magazine.
2. Licenses
These regulations are in effect for two years from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2012. 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 2010-12 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.
Residents and nonresidents age 16 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 individual 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 fishing license must be in the possession of the licensee at all times while fishing.
Free Fishing Days - Residents of North Dakota may fish without a resident fishing license on June 5 and June 6, 2010 and on June 4 and June 5, 2011.
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
All paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag in addition to a valid fishing license and certificates that may be required. A resident paddlefish tag is $3.00, a nonresident paddlefish tag is $7.50 see Paddlefish Snagging.
3. Transportation and Stocking
Transportation of any live fish, live fish eggs, live amphibians or other live aquatic organisms is illegal except for:
- Anglers transporting legal live baitfish and bait - see Bait Regulations.
- Dealers and buyers 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.
4. General Definitions and Regulations
Daily limit is a limit of fish harvested from midnight to midnight.
No person may possess more than North Dakota's daily limit of fish while on the water or on the ice or actively engaged in any manner of fishing.
Possession limit is the maximum number of each legally taken fish species that a person may have in his/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.
Any person who possesses any game fish species must not waste, destroy or abandon the edible flesh (fillets).
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, crappie (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 and reproduce in the state's waters that are not listed as game fish.
It is illegal to take, possess or transport any of the following species of fish in North Dakota (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 Paddlefish Snagging.
Other than landing a fish caught on hook and line equipment, netting or trapping fish is illegal except as provided in Bait Regulations (Restrictions).
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 anything into waters of the state for the purpose of attracting fish that is not attached or applied to a lure as defined in Specific Regulations and Definitions (paragraph 2 - A lure....). Decoys used for darkhouse spearfishing are excluded.
It is illegal to fish with any spring, lever, chemically, electrically or mechanically actuated hook at all times. The use of any mechanical device to automatically retrieve fish is also illegal.
The director may make reasonable accommodations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
5. Manner of Taking
Taking or attempting to take fish from North Dakota waters is limited to those methods listed below. Subsequent pages provide regulation detail.
A. Hook and Line Fishing
| Area | Season |
|---|---|
|
All waters of the state except for those listed below.
|
Open to all fishing April 1 through March 31 of each fishing year. |
|
OWLS Pond, State Fair Pond
|
Closed to fishing at night (sunset to sunrise). |
|
Lightning Lake, McDowell Dam, State Fair Pond
|
Open to all fishing April 1 through October 31 of each fishing year. Closed to all fishing November 1 through March 31 of each fishing year. |
|
Portions or all of the following waterfowl rest areas: Laretta, Mount Carmel,
North Golden Lake, Sheyenne Lake
|
Open to all fishing April 1 through September 23 and December 1 through March 31 of each fishing year. Closed to all fishing September 24 through November 30. |
|
All national wildlife refuges and easement national wildlife refuges are closed
to fishing except the following (contact refuge headquarters for designated open areas and
special restrictions):
|
|
|
Arrowwood, J. Clark Salyer, Lake Darling (and all waters within the Upper Souris
refuge boundary), Lake Ilo, Long Lake and Tewaukon national wildlife refuges.
|
Open to shore and/or ice fishing April 1 through March 31 of each fishing year in designated areas. Open to boat fishing May 1 through September 23 of each fishing year in designated areas. Closed to all boating April 1 through April 30 and September 24 through March 31 of each fishing year. |
| Lake Audubon National Wildlife Refuge (southern half of lake) | Open to ice fishing only. Closed to all other fishing. |
|
Dakota Lake, Hobart Lake, and Sibley Lake (Griggs County) easement national
wildlife refuges
|
Open to all fishing April 1 through September 23 and December 1 through March 31 of each fishing year. Closed to all fishing and boating September 24 through November 30. |
|
Lake Ardoch, Lake George, Rose Lake, and Silver Lake (Benson County)
easement national wildlife refuges
|
Open to shore and/or ice fishing from April 1 through March 31 of each fishing year. Closed to all boating year round. |
Closed to Fishing
|
|
| Species | Daily Limit |
Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, Sauger , Saugeye, or Combination* | 5 | 10 |
| Northern Pike | 3 | 6 |
| Trout | 3 | 3 |
| Salmon | 5 | 10 |
| Yellow Perch | 20 | 80 |
| Bluegill | 20 | 80 |
| Crappie | 20 | 80 |
| White Bass | 20 | 80 |
| Burbot (Ling) | 10 | 20 |
| Channel Catfish - East of ND Highway 1** | 5 | 5 |
| Channel Catfish - West of ND Highway 1 |
no limit |
no limit |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, or Combination | 3 | 6 |
| Muskellunge (pure or hybrid) |
1 |
1 |
| Paddlefish | ||
| Non-game Fish |
no limit |
no limit |
| Legal Live Baitfish |
150 |
150 |
| Smelt |
5 gallons |
5 gallons |
| Frogs | 24 | 24 |
| Salamanders | 24 | 24 |
| Crayfish | 48 | 48 |
|
Snapping Turtle (by hook and line only) |
Season limit of 2 |
|
|
* Zander are included as part of the walleye, sauger, saugeye combination in Spiritwood
Lake. |
||
|
Waters in Benson, Eddy and Ramsey counties and Stump Lake
|
Northern Pike - Daily 5, Possession 10. |
|---|---|
|
Red and Bois De Sioux rivers up to the first vehicular bridge or crossing on any
of their tributaries
|
Northern Pike - Daily 3, Possession 3. |
|
Lightning Lake
|
Trout - Catch and release only for trout from April 1 through June 30. |
|
OWLS Pond and State Fair Pond
|
All Species - Catch and release only. |
|
Kraft Slough
|
Yellow Perch - Daily 10, Possession 20. |
|
Lake Metigoshe
|
Bluegill - Daily 10, Possession 20. |
|
Odland Dam
|
Yellow Perch - Daily 10, Possession 20. Bluegill - Daily 10, Possession 20. |
|
Pipestem Dam
|
Crappie - Daily 10, Possession 20. |
Specific Regulations/Definitions
Legal hook and line equipment for each angler is two poles statewide except:
- One pole only is legal at:
- 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 Ice Fishing Regulations.
A lure is defined as any man-made object comprised of metal, plastic, wood and/or 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.
No pole may have more than two lures.
An angler must remain within 150 feet of his/her fishing poles that are in active use for fishing. Fishing poles must be checked at least once per hour while fishing.
It is legal to return fish to the water immediately after catching on hook and line. Fish returned to the water should show no evidence of bleeding, be handled carefully, and not thrown or dropped. No fish may be returned to the water after held on a stringer or confined by or in any type of holding structure except with written permission from the Game and Fish Director. No fish may be released into any waters other than the one from which it was originally caught.
Grass carp, sturgeon and paddlefish caught must be returned to the water immediately, regardless of condition. All undersize or oversize fish (see Fish Size Restrictions) caught where there is a size limit must be returned to the water regardless of condition.
A foul hooked or snagged fish is defined as any fish hooked or caught in any area from behind the gill covers to the tail. Any foul hooked or snagged fish must immediately be returned to the water regardless of condition. Possession of foul hooked fish is illegal. Attempting to snag fish is illegal.
Landing a fish caught on hook and line equipment with aid of a gaff is legal except for sturgeon, paddlefish, muskellunge and species in waters in which there are size limits. No gaffed fish may be returned to the water.
It is illegal to tag or mark any fish prior to release except with written permission from the Game and Fish director.
Lake specific rules may exist. If so, information is posted at access areas and bridges.
Two snapping turtles may be taken annually by hook and line.
Fish Size Restrictions
On waters that are subject to a fish size restriction, it is illegal to remove more than the gills, entrails and scales from fish while on the water or actively engaged in fishing.
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.
All undersize or oversize fish caught where there is a size limit must be returned to the water regardless of condition, and must be handled carefully to avoid injury.
| Water Areas | It is illegal to take or possess |
|---|---|
| Anywhere in the state. | Muskellunge less than 40 inches in total length. |
| Jamestown and Pipestem reservoirs (Stutsman County) | Walleye/Sauger less than 14 inches in total length. |
| North and South Golden lakes (Steele County) | Walleye/Sauger less than 14 inches in total length. |
| Red Willow Lake (Griggs County) | Northern Pike less than 24 inches in total length. |
| North and South Golden lakes (Steele County) | Northern Pike less than 24 inches in total length. |
| North and South Golden lakes (Steele County) | Largemouth Bass less than 14 inches in total length. |
| Red Willow Lake (Griggs County) | Largemouth Bass less than 14 inches in total length. |
| All waters east of ND Highway 1 including the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers |
More than 1 Channel Catfish Greater than 24 inches in total length. |
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.
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.
| Bluegill | Yellow Perch |
White Bass |
Small- mouth Bass |
Large- mouth Bass |
Walleye | Channel Catfish |
Northern Pike |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inches | Estimated Pounds | |||||||
| 6 |
0.2
|
0.1
|
0.1
|
0.1
|
0.1
|
|||
| 7 |
0.3
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
|||
| 8 |
0.5
|
0.3
|
0.3
|
0.3
|
0.3
|
0.2
|
||
| 9 |
0.7
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
0.3
|
||
| 10 |
1
|
0.5
|
0.5
|
0.5
|
0.6
|
0.3
|
0.3
|
|
| 11 |
1.3
|
0.7
|
0.7
|
0.7
|
0.8
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
|
| 12 |
1.7
|
1
|
0.9
|
0.9
|
1
|
0.6
|
0.5
|
0.4
|
| 13 |
1.3
|
1.2
|
1.2
|
1.3
|
0.7
|
0.6
|
0.5
|
|
| 14 |
1.6
|
1.5
|
1.5
|
1.6
|
0.9
|
0.8
|
0.6
|
|
| 15 |
2
|
1.9
|
1.8
|
2
|
1.1
|
0.9
|
0.7
|
|
| 16 |
2.3
|
2.2
|
2.4
|
1.4
|
1.2
|
0.9
|
||
| 17 |
2.7
|
2.6
|
2.9
|
1.7
|
1.4
|
1.1
|
||
| 18 |
3.3
|
3.2
|
3.4
|
2
|
1.7
|
1.3
|
||
| 19 |
3.8
|
3.7
|
4.1
|
2.4
|
2.3
|
1.5
|
||
| 20 |
4.3
|
4.4
|
4.7
|
2.9
|
2.9
|
1.8
|
||
| 21 |
5.1
|
5.5
|
3.3
|
3
|
2.1
|
|||
| 22 |
5.9
|
6.4
|
3.9
|
3.4
|
2.4
|
|||
| 23 |
6.8
|
7.3
|
4.5
|
4
|
2.7
|
|||
| 24 |
7.7
|
8.3
|
5.1
|
4.8
|
3.2
|
|||
| 25 |
5.8
|
5.8
|
3.7
|
|||||
| 26 |
6.6
|
6.5
|
4.1
|
|||||
| 27 |
7.4
|
8.7
|
4.6
|
|||||
| 28 |
8.3
|
9.7
|
5.1
|
|||||
| 29 |
9.3
|
10.1
|
5.7
|
|||||
| 30 |
10.4
|
11.2
|
6.3
|
|||||
| 31 |
12.7
|
11.9
|
7
|
|||||
| 32 |
13.5
|
7.7
|
||||||
| 34 |
17
|
9.2
|
||||||
| 36 |
21
|
11
|
||||||
| 38 |
26
|
13
|
||||||
| 40 |
15.2
|
|||||||
| 42 |
17.6
|
|||||||
| 44 |
20.3
|
|||||||
| 46 |
23.2
|
|||||||
| 48 |
26.5
|
|||||||
| 50 |
30
|
|||||||
Bait Regulations
Definitions
- Legal live baitfish - Subject to use restrictions listed in Live Baitfish Use Restrictions, fathead minnows, creek chubs, sticklebacks and white sucker (Red and Bois de Sioux rivers only) are the only legal live baitfish allowed.
- 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 fish - The use of nongame fish as cut fish is legal. Cut fish is defined as a nongame fish that has been reduced to sections, pieces or parts thereof. Heads and entrails of nongame fish are considered cut fish.
- Manufactured and biodegradable bait - Products manufactured as edible fishing bait and other inert biodegradable substances are legal bait.
- Other legal live bait - Other legal live bait includes all amphibians, insects and/or other invertebrates or parts thereof.
- Any container (e.g. bait bucket) used to hold bait must be free of aquatic vegetation.
- Effective October 1, 2010, water used for in-state transportation of legal live bait and legal live baitfish in bait buckets no larger than five gallons in volume is allowed. Fish transported and held in or on ice is allowed.
- All legal live aquatic organisms used by anglers, including legal baitfish (e.g. fathead minnows), amphibians (e.g. salamanders and frogs), invertebrates (e.g. crayfish and leeches) and insects must have been purchased or trapped in North Dakota. No live aquatic organisms may be imported into the state by anglers.
- It is illegal to use live rainbow smelt for bait anywhere except for: live smelt captured with a dip net or by hand in the Garrison Dam Tailrace and used only in the Tailrace from the Garrison Dam downstream to the southern boundary of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Downstream Recreation Area.
- Each licensed angler may use no more than one minnow trap and/or one dip net for taking smelt or legal live bait. The trap may not exceed 12 inches in diameter and 30 inches in length with a throat opening not to exceed 1 1/4 inches. Dip nets may not exceed 24 inches in diameter or 36 inches in depth.
- Legal live bait and legal live baitfish may be taken in all public waters of the state and at
all times except for the following:
- Those water bodies listed in "No Live Baitfish" lakes.
- Water bodies designated as infested with prohibited or regulated aquatic nuisance species see current list of Infested Waters in North Dakota.
- Exception - rainbow smelt may be taken on the Missouri River System; however, all smelt taken must be dead when transported.
Live Baitfish Use Restrictions
Statewide - except as listed below and in "No Live Baitfish" lakes, 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:
| Water Area | County |
|---|---|
| Belfield Pond | Stark |
| Blumhardt Dam | McIntosh |
| Bylin Dam/Dougherty Dam | Walsh |
| Camels Hump Dam | Golden Valley |
| Crown Butte | Morton |
| Custer Mine Pond | McLean |
| Davis Dam | Slope |
| Dickinson Dike | Stark |
| Fish Creek | Morton |
| Harmon Lake | Morton |
| Indian Creek | Hettinger |
| Kettle Lake | Williams |
| Leland Dam | McKenzie |
| 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. All individuals selling live bait must possess a bait vendor's license.
It is illegal to release any baitfish into any North Dakota waters.
Report All Poachers (R.A.P.) 1-800-472-2121
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.
Poachers Steal Your Wildlife - Make the Call!
Ice Fishing Regulations
Ice fishing is defined as hook and line fishing that occurs while on the ice. See Open Areas and Season Dates 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.
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 than 10 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 must 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.
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.
B. Darkhouse Spearfishing
Northern pike and nongame fish are the only legal species for darkhouse spearfishing. Daily and possession limits are the same as listed in Statewide Daily and Possession Limits and Exceptions to Statewide Fish Limits. 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. See Map of Darkhouse Spearfishing Waters (607Kb PDF - Note: Requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ to view. Download it free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/).
| Alkaline Lake - Kidder, Beaver Lake - Logan, Blickensderfer Dam - Hettinger, Buffalo Lake - Sargent, Buffalo Lodge Lake - McHenry, Carlson Lakes, North and South - Ward, Carpenter Lake - Rolette, 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 Lake - Bowman, Grass Lake - Richland, Gravel Lake - Rolette, Heart Butte (Tschida) - Grant, Helen Lake - Kidder, Horsehead Lake - Kidder, |
| Island Lake - Rolette, Juanita Lake - Foster, Kalina Dam - Bowman, Lake Darling* - Renville, Lake Josephine - Kidder, Lake Laretta - Nelson, Lake Williams - Kidder, Long Lake - McLean, Mallard Marsh - Stutsman, North Tobiason Lake - Steele, |
| 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, Tioga Reservoir - Williams, West Napoleon Lake - Logan, |
| All waters open to public fishing in Ramsey County including Devils Lake. |
| Lake Oahe - South Dakota border to MacLean Bottoms boat ramp. This includes all of Beaver Bay from its mouth to three miles east of Highway 1804 and all other tributaries upstream to the first vehicular crossing. Lake Sakakawea - Garrison Dam to Highway 85 Bridge at Williston including this area's respective tributaries upstream to the first vehicular crossing. |
| *Includes all waters within the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge boundary (Renville and Ward counties). |
Darkhouse spearfishing is legal for all residents having a valid fishing license and for residents who are under age 16. Nonresidents (see Licenses) 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 Online 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. Legal dark house spear equipment shall be any manually powered shaft with barbed points. The spear head shall not exceed 12 inches in width. Pneumatic or rubber band powered spear guns may not be used. Artificials and all legal bait with the exception of live white sucker and rainbow smelt 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.
C. Archery and Spearfishing
Game fish may not be taken with bow/arrows or spears.
It is illegal to return fish to the water after they are shot or speared. All fish must be used and/or disposed of properly and not left in the water or on land.
Archery and spearfishing is legal from May 1 through September 30 of each fishing year.
Archery and spearfishing is open in all waters as specified in Open Areas and Season Dates, 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.
Legal archery equipment is any bow to which an arrow is attached by a line and equipped with a harpoon style point or wire-barbed point. The use of night vision equipment, electronically enhanced light-gathering optics, flashlights and lanterns used for locating carp and suckers is legal. 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.
D. Underwater Spearfishing
The following fish may not be taken with underwater spearfishing gear: muskellunge, paddlefish, small-mouth bass and sturgeon. All other species are legal. Daily and possession limits for legal fish are the same as listed in Statewide Daily and Possession Limits and Exceptions to Statewide Fish Limits.
Underwater spearfishing is legal from May 1 through September 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 underwater spearfish between sunset and sunrise must display a lighted Diver's Down Flag and must carry a hand-held light that is visible from a distance of 150 feet. The hand-held light must be displayed when the diver is at the surface.
E. Paddlefish Snagging
Snagging of paddlefish is legal May 1 through May 31 for those with a valid paddlefish tag. The open area includes the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and the Missouri River west of the U.S. Highway 85 bridge to the Montana border, excluding that portion from the pipeline crossing (river mile 1,577) downstream to the upper end of the Lewis and Clark WMA (river mile 1,565). Paddlefish snagging is legal only from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Central Time) during each day of the paddlefish snagging season. Select days are set aside for harvest, and release only.
All paddlefish snaggers must obtain and have in their possession a paddlefish tag, in addition to a license and certificate that may be required. Only one tag per snagger will be issued and the tag is not transferable to another person. Any paddlefish tag that is locked shut prior to attachment, altered or modified shall be voided and will not be replaced.
It is illegal for a person to use fish snagging equipment in the paddlefish area if that person does not possess his/her unused paddlefish tag. Each paddlefish snagger must cast for, hook and reel in (retrieve) his/her own fish. The use of more than one snag hook per line is illegal. Snagging from a boat is illegal. It is illegal to gaff any species other than paddlefish.
The sale, barter, trade or purchase of paddlefish eggs is legal only for one qualified and properly permitted paddlefish caviar operation.
Depending on the overall harvest, an "in-season" closure may occur, with a 36-hour notice issued by the Game and Fish director. If this occurs, there will be no refunds for unused tags. If there is an early closure, snag-and-release-only will still be allowed for a seven-day period immediately following the harvest closure, but not to extend beyond May 31. Notice of an early closure and subsequent days set aside for snag-and-release-only will be issued by a special news release from the Department. Once a snagger harvests a paddlefish, they can no longer snag for paddlefish at any subsequent time during the current season (including snag-and-release-only and extended snag-and-release-only days).
Harvest Only Days are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and
Sundays
On these days, all paddlefish caught must be tagged immediately with one's own tag. Season creel
limit is one paddlefish. The release of paddlefish after snagging is illegal. If a fish is cut up,
the tag must accompany the dressed fish either by attachment to the bag containing the dressed fish
or by placement within the bag. The snagger must keep that portion of the back and dorsal fin (back
fin) necessary to maintain the tag sealed to the fish. The use or possession of any gaff hook for a
distance of one-half mile in either direction of the Highway 200 bridge on the Yellowstone River is
illegal.
Snag-and-Release-Only Days are Mondays and Tuesdays
If snaggers have in possession their own unused and current year's paddlefish tag, they can snag
but must release immediately any and all paddlefish snagged on each Monday and Tuesday throughout
the open season. No harvest of any paddlefish will be allowed during these days. There is no limit
on the number of fish that can be snagged during the day. The use or possession of any gaff on
snag-and-release days is illegal.
Extended Snag-and-Release-Only Days
If the harvest season closes early, snag-and-release will be allowed for up to seven days
immediately following the harvest closure, but not to extend beyond May 31.
If snaggers have in possession their own unused and current year's paddlefish tag, they can snag but must release immediately any and all paddlefish snagged during the extended season. Snag-and-release will be open only in that area of the Missouri River starting on the north shore from the Confluence boat ramp then east (downstream) one-half mile, and that area of the Missouri River starting on the south shore from the Confluence with the Yellowstone River then east (downstream) one-half mile. No harvest of any paddlefish will be allowed during these days and all snagged fish must be released immediately. There is no limit on the number of fish that can be snagged during the day. The use or possession of any gaff on snag-and-release days is illegal.
Maps of the open and closed areas are available at all paddlefish tag vendors, and can be accessed on the game and fish web site. The map is available in two formats:
- Paddlefish map graphic (201Kb JPG) or
- Paddlefish PDF map (434Kb):
- Requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™. Download a free copy at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html
- If you already have Reader™ download paddlefish map (434
Kb) here.
- Download Paddlefish Brochure (365Kb
PDF).
6. Fishing Contests
No person or entity may conduct a fishing contest on any public waters without first obtaining a permit issued by the Game and Fish director.
7. Red and Bois de Sioux Rivers
Residents of North Dakota and Minnesota holding a valid resident fishing license from their respective state, and persons of other states who either have a nonresident North Dakota or Minnesota fishing license, may fish in the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers.
Those anglers possessing a valid license may launch and fish from either shore and may transport legally harvested fish with them by the most convenient route to the state in which they are licensed.
All anglers and boaters are required to comply with aquatic nuisance species, and fish and bait regulations of the state in which they occupy, except while on the water or ice, anglers must comply with the regulations of the state for which they are licensed. (Note: this includes those who are not required to have a license.)
- Anglers with a valid North Dakota license (see first paragraph above) - 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).
- Anglers with a valid Minnesota license (see first paragraph above) - 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).
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 (including only one catfish that may exceed 24 inches) regardless of the number of state or provincial licenses purchased by the angler.
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. The daily and possession limit for northern pike is three.
8. 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.
9. Clam Season Closed
The season on clams remains closed in North Dakota due to continued concern over the impacts commercial harvesting may have on clam populations.
10. 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) website at: http://www.ndhealth.gov/wq/, or by calling (701) 328-5210.
11. 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 slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage (i.e., trolling - with no wake).
Electric Motors Only: Casselton Reservoir, Davis Dam, Dickinson Dike, Heinrich-Martin Dam, J. Clark Salyer, Kettle Lake, Larimore Dam, Leland Dam, McDowell Dam, Mooreton Pond, Rudolph Lake, Sather Dam, Spring Lake Park Ponds.
Idle Speed Only: Arroda Lakes, Lake Audubon (north arm), Baukol-Noonan Dam, Baukol-Noonan East Mine Pond, Belfield 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, Harmony Lake, Heart Butte (Lake Tschida) (designated areas only), Hooker Lake, Lake Ilo, Indian Creek Dam, Jensen Lake, Kota-Ray Dam, Kraft Slough, McClusky Canal Proper, 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.
12. Boating Regulations
Closed to fishing from boats: On the Bald Hill Creek, an area from the Wesley Acres Bridge downstream a distance of 1/2 mile. This area is closed to boat fishing from April 1 through May 24 of each fishing year.
Where signed at Devils Lake, boats used for fishing may not obstruct normal boat traffic underneath bridges.
See Open Areas and Season Dates for federal refuge boating closures.
- An owner of any watercraft propelled by a motor must register that vessel with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, or the state in which he/she resides.
- If your address changes, boat ownership changes, boat is destroyed, abandoned, stolen or recovered - you are required to notify the Department within 15 days.
- The Certificate of Number is not transferable. Anyone purchasing a boat must register the boat in his/her name.
- The Department can issue a new Certificate of Number to replace one that is lost. The cost is the same as for a new one.
- No person under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat (includes personal watercraft, jetskis, etc.) propelled by a motor of more than 10 horsepower unless the operator is accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older.
- No person 12 through 15 years of age may operate a motorboat or personal watercraft propelled by a motor of more than 10 horsepower unless the operator is accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older, or the operator has taken and passed a Department approved boating course.
- All boats must have a Coast Guard approved life preserver for each occupant, and those boats over 16 feet in length must also have an approved throwable life preserver. Boat occupants age 10 and under must wear their life preserver.
- No person may operate any vessel in a reckless or negligent manner such as:
- Endangering the life or property of another.
- Use of excessive speed during periods of reduced visibility while in close proximity of other vessels.
- Operating in overloaded condition.
- Operating within swimming areas designated by markers or by the presence of swimmers.
- Operating near dams and other hazardous waters.
- Operating in such a manner as to cause a dangerous or damaging wake.
- Operation in such a manner as to molest or annoy a person lawfully engaged in fishing.
- No person may operate a motorboat (includes personal watercraft) within 100 feet of a person fishing from a shoreline, a swimmer, swimming/diving raft, or an occupied, anchored or nonmotorized vessel, or within 250 feet of a reduced speed or slow or no-wake sign at greater than slow or no-wake speed.
- No person may operate any motorboat or vessel while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or any narcotic drug, barbiturate or marijuana.
- No person may operate or permit operation of a personal watercraft (jetskis, etc.) without each person on board wearing an approved life preserver.
- All boats operating between sunset and sunrise must display legal lights.
- The owner/operator of a vessel is required to file a report in writing whenever an accident results in loss of life or disappearance from a vessel, an injury which requires medical treatment beyond first aid, or property damage is in excess of $2,000 or complete loss of the vessel.
- Reports in death and injury cases must be submitted within 48 hours.
- Reports in other cases must be submitted within 5 days.
For more information on boating regulations and safety, contact the Game and Fish Department.
13. Whopper/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.
An application card must be filled out, giving weight and length of fish, date and where caught, signature of applicant, and signature of person weighing the fish.
All fish entered must have been harvested by legal methods as described in the North Dakota fishing guide and come from North Dakota waters open to public fishing. Entries must be weighed on a scale used in trade.
Catch and Release Club
Twenty species of fish qualify for the 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.
| Species | Minimum Whopper Club | Minimum Catch and Release Club |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | 20 lbs. | 32 inches |
| Walleye* | 8 lbs | 25 inches |
| Saugeye | 8 lbs. | 25 inches |
| Sauger | 4 lbs. | 20 inches |
| Yellow Perch | 1 3/4 lbs. | 13 inches |
| Bluegill | 1 1/2 lbs. | 11 inches |
| Crappie | 1 1/2 lbs. | 13 inches |
| White Bass | 3 lbs. | 16 inches |
| Largemouth Bass | 5 lbs. | 18 inches |
| Smallmouth Bass | 3 lbs. | 16 inches |
| Tiger Muskie | 20 lbs. | 40 inches |
| Muskellunge | 20 lbs. | 40 inches |
| Channel Catfish | 12 lbs. | 30 inches |
| Ling | 8 lbs. | 28 inches |
| Rainbow Trout | 5 lbs. | 21 inches |
| Brown Trout | 5 lbs. | 21 inches |
| Cutthroat Trout | 5 lbs. | 21 inches |
| Lake Trout | 5 lbs. | 24 inches |
| Chinook Salmon | 12 lbs. | |
| Paddlefish | 70 lbs. | |
| *This includes zander in Spiritwood Lake. | ||
| Species | Minimum Whopper Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitefish | 4 lbs. | ||
| Cisco | 1 3/4 lbs. | ||
| Bullhead | 2 lbs. | ||
| Drum | 6 lbs. | ||
| Buffalo | 15 lbs. | ||
| Carp | 15 lbs. | ||
| Goldeye | 2 lbs. | ||
Download State Record, Whopper Club, and Catch-and-Release Club Applications (113Kb PDF) - To view or print this document requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™. Get it free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/.
14. North Dakota State Record Fish Requirements
|
Game Fish
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Species
|
Weight | Where | When |
|
Bass, Largemouth
|
8 lbs 8 oz
|
Nelson Lake
|
1983
|
|
Bass, Smallmouth
|
6 lbs 13 oz
|
Lake Darling
|
2007
|
|
Bass, White
|
4 lbs 8 oz
|
Devils Lake
|
2000
|
|
Bluegill
|
2 lbs 12 oz
|
Strawberry Lake
|
1963
|
|
Burbot (Ling)
|
18 lbs 4 oz
|
Knife River
|
1984
|
|
Catfish, Channel
|
42 lbs 1 oz
|
Moon Lake
|
2009
|
|
Crappie
|
3 lbs 4 oz
|
Lake Oahe
|
1998
|
|
Muskellunge
|
46 lbs 8 oz
|
New Johns Lake
|
2007
|
|
Muskellunge, Tiger
|
40 lbs
|
Gravel Lake
|
1975
|
|
Paddlefish*
|
120 lb
|
Missouri River
|
1993
|
|
Perch, Yellow
|
2 lbs 15 oz
|
Devils Lake
|
1982
|
|
Pike, Northern
|
37 lbs 8 oz
|
Lake Sakakawea
|
1968
|
|
Salmon, Chinook
|
31 lbs 2 oz
|
Garrison Dam Tailrace
|
1986
|
|
Sauger
|
8 lbs 12 oz
|
Lake Sakakawea
|
1971
|
|
Saugeye
|
11 lbs 12 oz
|
Lake Sakakawea
|
1984
|
|
Trout, Brown
|
31 lbs 11 oz
|
Garrison Dam Tailrace
|
2005
|
|
Trout, Cutthroat
|
10 lbs 1 oz
|
Garrison Dam Tailrace
|
2003
|
|
Trout, Lake
|
14 lbs 4 oz
|
Garrison Dam Tailrace
|
1982
|
|
Trout, Rainbow
|
21 lbs 4 oz
|
Garrison Dam Tailrace
|
1998
|
|
Walleye
|
15 lbs 12 oz
|
Wood Lake
|
1959
|
|
Buffalo**
|
51 lbs 4 oz
|
Missouri River
|
2009
|
|
Buffalo
|
54 lbs
|
Heart Butte Reservoir
|
2011
|
|
Bullhead
|
4 lbs 1 oz
|
Devils Lake
|
1988
|
|
Cisco
|
2 lbs 8 oz
|
Garrison Dam Tailrace
|
2000
|
|
Carp
|
31 lbs
|
Sheyenne River
|
2003
|
|
Drum
|
26 lbs 2 oz
|
Lake Sakakawea
|
1988
|
|
Goldeye
|
3 lbs 13 oz
|
New Johns Lake
|
1998
|
|
Whitefish
|
8 lbs 11 oz
|
Garrison Dam Tailrace
|
1984
|
North Dakota State Record Fish Requirements
- All recognized fish must be harvested by legal methods for Recreational Fishing and come from North Dakota waters that are open for public fishing.
- All new state record fish must be weighed on a scale used commercially and subject to
certification by the North Dakota Public Service Commission.
- All weights must be rounded to the nearest ounce. - The fish must be visually verified by an employee of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
- Angler must thoroughly complete and submit to the Department a Whopper card application or a hand-written or typed note with all similar information.
- A recognizable photo of the fish must be furnished to the Department.
- A fin sample may be required and collected for some species for genetic analysis.
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.
15. Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic Nuisance Species are animals, plants and even diseases that are not native to North Dakota and have the likelihood to become well established if introduced. They can displace native plants and animals, and cause serious economic and ecological damage. North Dakota has adopted a number of rules designed to minimize the threat of ANS. They include:
- 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 "vegetation free" when transporting watercraft and equipment away from a boat ramp, landing area or shoreline.
- All aquatic vegetation must be removed from bait buckets when leaving the water.
- All water must be drained from boats and other watercraft, including bilges and motors before leaving a water body (Note: effective October 1, 2010, this includes livewells and baitwells).
- Live aquatic bait or aquatic vegetation may not be transported into North Dakota. Also, all water must be drained from watercraft prior to entering the state.
It is in North Dakota's best interest that anglers, boaters and hunters understand and comply with these important regulations. The following pages include some questions and answers intended to provide additional insight into this vital matter.
Why are ANS such a big deal?
ANS can greatly degrade or ruin habitats and compete with native and/or desirable species for food
and space. Not only can recreational fisheries suffer but so can industries and communities that
rely on lakes or rivers for their water supply. Once established, the cost of controlling the ANS
would far exceed the minimal costs required to keep from spreading it into or within North
Dakota.
Can ANS spread be stopped?
If precautions are taken and everyone follows them, the spread can be controlled. But it requires
everyone's participation.
How do I make sure I'm doing the right thing?
To comply with the regulations, you simply need to remove all aquatic vegetation from your boat,
trailer, bait bucket, etc., when you leave the water body. You need to drain all water from your
boat at the ramp site before you leave the water body. Also, remember you cannot dump bait into a
water body.
Do I have to run my motor dry also before I leave a lake?
No. The amount of water in the motor's cooling system is so minimal that it holds a small risk of
containing ANS. As you exit a lake, lower the motor to let gravity drain the lower unit, then raise
to transport. The intake screen should also be inspected and free of aquatic vegetation.
Can I drain water from my boat anywhere?
No, you must drain the water (pull all plugs, etc.) back into the water (immediate area) from which it originated. This must be done at the ramp or parking lot before you leave.
How do I transport minnows when traveling to my fishing destination?
Traditional bait buckets and/or any container five gallons or less can be used to transport minnows and other bait across land.
Do I need to dispose of the weeds in a trash container or can they be left on the
ground/parking lot?
Dispose of weeds back into the water from which they originated, to keep parking lots and access
areas clean.
As a resident who lives on the North Dakota border, and the nearest bait vendor is
across the border in another state, can I cross the state line to purchase bait and import it back
into North Dakota?
No. Aquatic bait, including fathead minnows and leeches, may not be imported into North
Dakota.
What else can I do to help prevent the spread of ANS?
You can disinfect your boat by adding hot water (110° F or warmer) to the livewell along with
enough household chlorine bleach to reach a solution of 1 part bleach to 20 parts water. Run the
recirculation pumps and use a brush (a toilet brush works well) to scrub under the lid and in the
corners. Drain the solution in an appropriate location, not into the lake. Air drying can also be
effective in preventing ANS transfer. The livewell, bilge and equipment must be allowed to
completely dry, which may take a few days for the bilge. However, some ANS produce hardy seeds and
eggs which can withstand extended periods out of the water; in these cases, air drying is not the
answer. Power-washing can remove lake scum and unseen hitchhikers, such as small plant fragments or
egg masses, from hard-to-reach places such as trailer frames and livewells. Use a commercial car
wash that runs water through a sewage treatment system. If done at home, be careful that the wash
water does not run down the street and into the storm sewer that empties into the local river or
lake.
What if I observe boats, trailers, jet skis, etc., that have weeds hanging from them
away from a lake?
The best thing you can do is spread the word on the risk of ANS. If the boat owner/operator is
present and willing, ask that they clean the boat and trailer. If the owner/operator is not
cooperative call the RAP line.
16. 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.
Sauger
Sauger resemble walleye, but are not as large or as stockily built. They have a blotched body
color and rows of dark spots on the dorsal fin compared to the one black blotch of the walleye.
Sauger typically inhabit fairly fast moving water of rivers and streams. They are also known as
sand pike. Saugeye are a cross between a walleye and sauger but cannot be positively identified by
external physical characteristics.
The Pike Family
North Dakota has two members of the pike family, the northern pike and 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. 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 and attractive in coloration. 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 large and smallmouth bass.
Largemouth Bass
The back and upper sides of the largemouth is dark green and the sides have dark irregular
patches. As the name implies, the mouth is large, with the end of the upper jaw extending to or
beyond the rear margin of the eye. Its eyes are golden.
Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth is similar in color to the largemouth except for barred markings on its sides and
red 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.
The Trout Family
In North Dakota, all members of the trout family are introduced. They are fine scaled and are native to cold rivers and lakes. North Dakota conditions offer little chance for reproduction. Trout and salmon fisheries are maintained by stocking of hatchery reared fish.
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 vary in color depending on where they originated, where they are stocked,
and the time of the year. Popular rainbow strains presently stocked into North Dakota waters
include Shasta, Firehole and Hotcreek.
Brown Trout
The brown typically survives 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.
17. Important Phone Numbers
North Dakota Game and Fish Department Fisheries Information
- General Information - Bismarck Office, (701) 328-6300
- Northwest District Lakes - Williston Office, (701) 774-4320
- Southwest District Lakes - Dickinson Office, (701) 227-7431
- North Central District Lakes and Missouri River System - Riverdale Office, (701) 654-7475
- South Central District Lakes - Bismarck Office, (701) 328-6688
- Northeast District Lakes - Devils Lake Office, (701) 662-3617
- Southeast District Lakes - Jamestown Office, (701) 253-6480
- NDGFD Fishing Homepage - http://gf.nd.gov/fishing
RAP Program (Report All Poaching)
- Call 1-800-472-2121 - call this number only to report game and fish violations.
- If calling from outside of North Dakota the number is (701) 328-9921.
Other Agencies
- N.D. Parks and Recreation Department, (701) 328-5357
- N.D. Department of Health, (701) 328-5210
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, (701) 250-4242
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Oahe Project, (701) 255-0015
- Sakakawea Project, (701) 654-7411
- Ashtabula Project, (701) 845-2970
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Garrison Dam Fish Hatchery, (701) 654-7451
- Valley City Fish Hatchery, (701) 845-3464
- Refuge System, (701) 250-4418
- Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, (701) 442-5474
- Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, (701) 724-3598
- Upper Souris and J. Clark Salyer refuges, (701) 768-2548
- Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, (701) 387-4397
Indian Reservations - Contact tribal offices for more information.
- Fort Berthold Game and Fish Department, 404 Frontage Road, New Town, ND 58763, (701) 627-4760.
- Standing Rock Game and Fish Department, Box D, Fort Yates, ND 58538, (701) 654-7236.
- Turtle Mountain Dept. of Natural Resources, Box 570, Belcourt, ND 58316, (701) 477-2600.
- Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife Department, Box 359, Fort Totten, ND 58335, (701) 766-4221.
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