North Dakota’s free ice fishing weekend is Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 30-31. Resident anglers may fish those two days without a license. All other winter fishing regulations apply. The weekend provides a great opportunity to try ice fishing for the first time or take someone new.
Darkhouse spearing is allowed for all anglers with a valid fishing license and for youth younger than age 16. Individuals required to possess a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) to darkhouse spearfish must first register with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Northern pike and nongame fish are the only legal species statewide, while walleye can be speared at Stump Lake and the Devils Lake complex south of U.S. Highway 2 and the Missouri River System (including lakes Oahe and Sakakawea and the Missouri River) up to the first tributary bridge. Spearers and ...
Any fish house left unoccupied on North Dakota waters must be made of materials that allow it to float. In addition, fish houses do not require a license. Other fish house regulations include: – Occupied structures do not require identification. However, any unoccupied fish house must have an equipment registration number issued by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, or the owner’s name, and either an address or telephone number, displayed on its outside in readily distinguishable characters at least 3 inches high. – Fish houses may not be placed closer than 50 feet in ...
Jonathan Tofteland, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden in Bottineau, is the state’s 2023 Wildlife Officer of the Year. Tofteland was honored recently by Shikar-Safari Club International, a private conservation organization that annually recognizes outstanding wildlife officers in each state. His district includes the Lake Metigoshe area and the rest of Bottineau County and Turtle Mountains.
Nonprofit organizations eligible to receive big game hunting licenses in 2024 must have the application submitted to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department no later than Jan. 1. North Dakota state law provides direction for the Game and Fish director to allocate big game hunting licenses to eligible organizations. Under this directive, up to two elk, moose and pronghorn licenses, and 10 white-tailed deer licenses, can be issued to organizations for fundraising. Eligible organizations must be exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3), and must provide proof from ...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department and North Dakota Department of Agriculture are again opening the Coyote Catalog, a statewide effort designed to connect hunters and trappers with landowners dealing with coyotes in their areas. Anyone who registered for the Coyote Catalog in the past must register again to activate their name on the database. Throughout winter, hunters or trappers may receive information on participating landowners and should contact landowners to make arrangements. Landowners experiencing coyote depredation of livestock should first contact the U.S. ...