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Zebra mussels discovered in eastern end of Lake Sakakawea
After detecting zebra mussel larvae in routine sampling, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels on the extreme eastern portion of Lake Sakakawea.
Ben Holen, department aquatic nuisance species coordinator said, "Follow-up sampling found two adult mussels along the northern shoreline near the Highway 83 Embankment."
While current findings suggest the infestation is isolated to the far eastern stretch of the reservoir, Game and Fish personnel, working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will conduct expanded surveys in the coming days to delineate the infested area.
Officials note that falling water temperatures this fall greatly reduce the immediate risk of zebra mussel spread. The department will work with stakeholders over the winter to refine appropriate rules and implement best management practices to mitigate the spread of mussels before next year's boating season.
To report a suspected sighting of aquatic nuisance species visit gf.nd.gov/ans.
Hunters encouraged to have deer tested for CWD
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will continue its hunter-harvested surveillance program during the 2026 hunting season by sampling deer for chronic wasting disease from select units in the southwestern portion of the state.
CWD is a slow-moving brain disease of deer, moose and elk that can cause population-level impacts under high infection rates.
Samples will be tested from deer taken from units 2J1, 3B3, 3C, 3D1, 3D2, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4D, 4E and 4F. Outside of this area, hunters can still have their animal tested by taking it to a Game and Fish district office, deer head collection site or by using a self-sampling kit.
Hunters are encouraged to drop off harvested deer heads at collection locations listed on the department's website at gf.nd.gov. Fawns and head-shot deer cannot be tested. Hunters wishing to keep the heads can bring them to a Game and Fish district office during business hours to have them sampled.
Self-sampling kits, can be requested on the department's website or at district offices for hunters who wish to have their deer tested but are unable to drop the head at a collection site. The do-it-yourself kit allows hunters to remove the lymph nodes and ship them to the department's wildlife health lab for testing.
Results can be expected within four weeks and will be sent to your Game and Fish My Account inbox.
Hunters are also reminded that carcass disposal requirements apply statewide. The entire carcass can be transported outside of the gun unit where it was harvested, but the carcass waste (material left after processing) must be disposed of via landfill or waste management provider. This requirement does not apply to heads dropped at CWD collection sites, or lymph nodes submitted for CWD surveillance.
More information on CWD is available at the Game and Fish website.
Submit lower deer jaws
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is asking deer hunters to help in collecting lower jaws from their harvested deer this season.
Biologists can examine tooth replacement and wear to determine the deer's age.
This information helps determine the age structure of deer populations in each hunting unit and guides future management.
Fall mule deer survey underway
The state Game and Fish Department's annual fall aerial mule deer survey began Oct. 19 in western North Dakota. Weather permitting, the survey takes about two weeks to complete.
During the survey period, people could notice low-flying small airplanes over some parts of the badlands.
Game and Fish biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 badlands study areas since the 1950s. The survey is used to collect mule deer population data for monitoring demographic trends, such as buck-to-doe and fawn-to-doe ratios.
Remainder of Advisory Board meetings scheduled
North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board public meetings this fall remain for several area counties. The meetings provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.
District 3 (includes Benson, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner counties), Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at Lake Region State College, Chautauqua Gallery, 1801 College Dr. N, Devils Lake. Host: Lake Region Anglers. Contact and advisory board member: Edward Dosch, Devils Lake, 351-4202.
District 7 (includes McLean, Mercer, Oliver and Sheridan counties), Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at NDGFD Auditorium, 100 N. Bismarck Expy., Bismarck. Host: Dakota Chapter, Pheasants Forever. Contact and advisory board member: Jody Sommer, Mandan, 527-2295.
Meetings for area counties in other districts were held earlier.