×

People turn to the outdoors for coronavirus relief

Staying in the state

Kim Fundingsland/MDN An increase in the number of people engaging in outdoor activities in North Dakota this summer appears to be a response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Campgrounds are full. Lakes are busy. Boat ramps well frequented.

With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to be a concern, more and more people are finding relief by spending time outdoors in North Dakota. Getting involved in outdoor activities, such as fishing or camping, is an outlet for many trying to deal with coronavirus inspired restrictions. The surge in outdoor interest includes increased sales of fishing licenses.

“It started out about April 1 when COVID-19 was on everybody’s radar,” said Terry Steinwand, North Dakota Game and Fish Department director. “At one period of time our fishing license sales were up about 40% from the same time last year.”

Although the sale of fishing licenses has slowed somewhat as the summer progresses, sales are still running well above the long-term average. North Dakota is no exception. It is a trend that has occurred throughout the nation.

“We saw a real, immediate uptick in license sales,” said Greg Power, NDG&F fisheries division chief. “This week our sales were at 147,000. In comparison, last year at this time it was about 125,000.”

“Because of the virus people are looking to get outside,” added Randy Meissner, NDG&F licensing manager.

A big part of fishing license sales have come from an unexpected age group, people in their late teens and early 20s.

“That group had been on a pretty steep decline in the past four years,” said Steinwand. “We are glad to see the increase.”

“In particular it is the early high school and college kids that came and had to stay home,” remarked Power. “We really saw a big bump.”

It’s not just fishing though, recreational use of state lakes in on the increase too. Sales of watercraft licenses is up this year, another possible indicator that people are finding the outdoors tailor made for dealing with social distancing issues caused by coronavirus.

Tracking watercraft trends differs somewhat from fishing license sales. While fishing licenses must be purchased every year, boat and watercraft licenses are issued for a three-year period. Nevertheless, an increase is evident.

“Total watercraft licenses from the last three year period was 60,372,” said Steinwand earlier this week. “As of now, six months into the next three year period, we’re almost at 63,000.”

According to Power, Game and Fish field personnel are reporting an increased number of people at lakes and campgrounds and public use areas.

“That’s one thing for sure,” said Power. “We won’t really know until our survey data is all in next year but I think usage is going to be way up.”

Part of the increase in outdoor activity in the state comes from people spending vacation days in North Dakota rather than traveling out of state. Again, the reason why is likely due to coronavirus.

“People are staying at home and spending family vacation time in the state,” said Power. “I think coronavirus is the basis for the fairly dramatic changes we’ve seen this year.”

Every year a number of North Dakotans travel to Canada to sight-see or fish but, with the Canadian border being closed due to coronavirus, those activities are no longer possible. That means people searching for alternatives to Canadian or other vacation destinations, are discovering opportunities much closer to home.

“There’s a lot more water and a lot more fishing opportunities spread around the state than ever before,” said Power. “It doesn’t matter where you are at, there’s something near you to go fish at.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today