2026-28 fishing regulations set

North Dakota’s 2026-28 fishing proclamation is set, with regulations effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. New fishing licenses are required April 1.

Anglers can find the North Dakota 2026-28 Fishing Guide at the state Game and Fish Department website or at Game and Fish Department offices and license vendors throughout the state.

Noteworthy regulation changes include:

– Allows for the use of white sucker as legal live baitfish on the Missouri River System, Lake Audubon, Devils Lake and Stump Lake. Suckers remain legal in the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers.

– Allows for the harvest of chinook salmon with the reinitiation of a snag­ging season. Also, allows for the harvest of salmon with archery and spearing equipment during the new snagging season.

– Requirement to register before participating in darkhouse spearfish­ing eliminated.

– White bass daily and possession limits increased to 30 and 60, respectively.

The 2026-27 fishing licenses can be purchased by visiting the Game and Fish website.

2026-27 licenses needed April 1

North Dakota anglers, hunters and trappers should note that new licenses are required beginning April 1.

Licenses can be purchased by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website. Once the license is processed, hunters and anglers will have the option to print a hard copy and/or download the license to a smart phone or mobile device, which is helpful when asked by a game warden to show proof while hunting or fishing in rural areas that lack cellular service.

Licenses also can be purchased at more than 80 vendor locations throughout the state. The 2026-27 small game, fishing and furbearer licenses are effective April 1, 2026. to March 31, 2027.