Breaking News

Outdoors

Operation Dry Water underway

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will participate in Operation Dry Water as part of a nationally coordinated effort to increase knowledge about the dangers of boating under the influence. The goal is to reduce the number of accidents and deaths associated with alcohol and drug use on state waterways. Operation Dry Water weekend, July 4-6, is the national weekend of heightened enforcement directed at boating under the influence laws and recreational boater outreach. While educating boaters about the hazards associated with boating while under the influence of alcohol or ...

Deer lottery held, licenses remain

North Dakota’s deer gun lottery has been held and more than 2,900 licenses remain. Only resident applicants who were unsuccessful in the lottery can apply for remaining licenses. Successful applicants will have their payment processed, with licenses mailed in early August. More than 70,000 individuals applied for a deer gun lottery license, in addition to over 12,000 gratis applicants. The 2025 deer gun proclamation allows for 42,300 deer gun season licenses. Unsuccessful applicants can apply online for remaining licenses beginning today. The deadline for applying is July 16.

Breeding duck numbers decline again

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66 million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023. The 2025 breeding duck index was the 33rd highest on record and exceeded the long-term (1948-2024) average by 7%, according to Mike Szymanski, Department migratory game bird supervisor. “Things are continuing to decline a little bit as far as duck populations go. The mallard population estimate was down 26% from last year and is the lowest estimated mallard breeding population on ...

North Dakota Outdoors: Life jackets: Simple choice saves lives

Summer means folks across North Dakota are flocking to lakes and rivers with fishing poles in hand, coolers packed, and boats in tow. It’s a seasonal rhythm as familiar as the flick of a fishing line or the call of a meadowlark across the prairie. But amid all the excitement, there’s one ...

Riverdale angler’s whitefish breaks record

Lonnie Liebel caught a new state record lake whitefish, breaking a record that had been in the books for more than 40 years. The Riverdale angler reeled in his 9-pound, 3-ounce whitefish on June 2 from the Garrison Dam Tailrace in the Missouri River. The previous record of 8 pounds, 11 ounces was established in 1984 by Bill Mitzel, a Bismarck angler who also was fishing the tailrace.

Fireworks prohibited on WMAs, camping restrictions lifted for Fourth of July holiday

Outdoor enthusiasts should note that possession or use of fireworks on state wildlife management areas is prohibited. The primary objective of a wildlife management area is to enhance wildlife production, provide hunting and fishing opportunities and offer other outdoor recreational and educational uses compatible with these objectives. Only activities that would not disrupt the intentions of how these areas are managed are encouraged, and fireworks are not compatible. In addition, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restriction for ...