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Outdoors

Anglers should keep fish caught in deep water

North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries personnel encourage anglers to keep fish caught from depths of more than 25 feet, rather than practice catch-and-release. Scott Gangl, Game and Fish fisheries management section leader, said with the exceptional fish bite at Lake Sakakawea this summer, anglers should know fish reeled in from this depth will likely die if released. “As water warms during summer, fish tend to move to deeper, cooler water,” Gangl said. “This is particularly true for walleye in the big lake, where they follow their primary forage of rainbow smelt to ...

Guide and outfitter exam scheduled

The next guide and outfitter written examination is Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than Aug. 11 by calling the Department’s enforcement office at 328-6604. The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a guide or outfitter in the state. In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a hunting guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations, certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid, and employment by ...

Say yes to clean, drain, dry boats across ND

While the effort to stop the introduction and transportation of aquatic nuisance species in North Dakota has been mostly successful, challenges remain as not all anglers, pleasure boaters and other water enthusiasts are abiding by the clean, drain, dry message. For example, last week department game wardens and other department staff inspected more than 1,200 watercrafts throughout the state. Unfortunately, these inspections found four watercraft that were transporting zebra mussels. Luckily, in all four incidences, the zebra mussels were determined to be dead. North Dakota waters ...

North Dakota Outdoors: Fisheries crews overcome challenges

I’ll apologize in advance as I’d rather not dig up bad memories, but this past winter started too early and stayed too long. But sometimes as a friend reminded me, “we can turn the page, but don’t forget what you’ve read.” The winter/spring of 2023 lasting impact on deer, ...

Crowing counts up statewide

The number of roosters heard crowing during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2023 spring pheasant crowing count survey was up 30% statewide from last year. “We documented increased production for most of the state during 2022 brood routes compared to the last couple years, and ...

Deer lottery held, licenses remain

North Dakota’s deer gun lottery has been held and more than 4,300 licenses remain. Only resident applicants who were unsuccessful in the lottery can apply for remaining licenses. Successful applicants can expect to receive their deer licenses by early August. More than 68,500 individuals applied for a deer gun lottery license, in addition to more than 13,000 gratis applicants. The 2023 deer gun proclamation allows for 53,400 deer gun season licenses. Unsuccessful applicants can apply online for remaining licenses beginning today. The deadline for applying is July 19. For a ...