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Finally, winter is over. I’ve been around for quite a few years, living in North Dakota for most of them, and I can’t remember a winter that seemed so long. Maybe it was because of the snow that came during the November deer gun season and didn’t leave, or maybe the seemingly thousand times I had to remove snow from my driveway.

In any event, spring is seemingly here. We’re losing more and more snow by the day, large numbers of geese are fl ying, and I can fi nally go outside either wearing a light jacket or none at all. I’m just plain excited.

Th e last few winters have been fairly dif-fi cult for people and wildlife alike. Th e cold and snow have tested the patience of good people and the survivability of wildlife we love to watch and hunt. It was diffi cult to again access many of the fi shing lakes around the state due to heavy snow conditions. We’ve been asked numerous times why the Game and Fish Department can’t plow trails on many of the more popular fi shing lakes. First, the defi nition of a popular lake can change. Lake X may be popular in southeast-ern North Dakota, but that means nothing to someone in, say, Bowman, so why should Game and Fish plow a lane to a lake he or she never fi shes? More importantly, once a trail is plowed there’s a good chance it will blow shut within days and have to be plowed again.

Th e Game and Fish Department simply doesn’t have the budget or staffi ng to deal with this.

But there’s always a bright side to every diffi cult event. When we’re in a wet cycle as we are now, ducks and fi sh reap the rewards.

Sure, we lose some lakes to winterkill when snow comes early and stays late, but overall the precipitation is a benefi t to our fi sheries.

Having plenty of water to enhance and create new fi sheries is, of course, just one part of the equation. Access to those fi sheries must also be available. Th is issue of North Dakota OUTDOORS provides information on where the state’s 300-plus waters are located and directions on how to get there. It’s a good guide to stash in your vehicle before leaving home.

Th e Game and Fish Department’s boating access program is basically a three-man crew that gets an extraordinary amount of work done so anglers can launch their boats or fi sh from piers. While this crew works hard, they couldn’t accomplish their goals without the long list of partners across the state, which include water and park boards, wildlife clubs and so on.

Given the good water conditions we’ve had across the state for the past three years, I have to believe that fi shing is going to be good once again in 2011. From smaller lakes to larger waters, we have to be thankful to live in a state where opportunities abound.

I encourage you to take a kid – or anyone who doesn’t have the opportunities that you might have – fi shing. I spend as much time observing nature when I’m out fi shing or walking as anything else. It’s amazing what we can learn by simply slowing down and looking around. As the weather gets nicer, get outside and take someone fi shing and enjoy what North Dakota has to off er in the great outdoors.

Terry SteinwandDirector

MATTERS OF OPINION

North Dakota OUTDOORS is published 10 times a year, monthly except for the months of April and September. Subscription rates are $10 for one year or $20 for three years. Group rates of $7 a year are available to organizations presenting 25 or more subscriptions. Remittance should be by check or money order payable to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Indicate if subscription is new or renewal. Th e numbers on the upper right corner of the mailing label indicate the date of the last issue a subscriber will receive unless the subscription is renewed.

Permission to reprint materials appearing in North Dakota OUTDOORS must be obtained from the author, artist or photographer. We encourage contributions; contact the editor for writer and photography guidelines prior to submission.

Th e NDGFD receives federal fi nancial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the NDGFD joins the U.S. Department of the Interior and its bureaus in prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex (in education programs or activities) and also religion for the NDGFD. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or you desire further information, please write to: N. D. Game and Fish Department, Attn: Chief Administrative Services, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095 or to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Civil Rights Coordinator, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP-4020, Arlington,Virginia 22203.

Th e mission of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is to protect,

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for sustained public consumptive and nonconsumptive use.

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TABLE OF CONTENTSFEATURESMotivations and Benefi ts of Fishing .................................................................................... 4Boasting of Big Bass in 2010 ............................................................................................... 6Devils Lake Walleyes Doing Well ..................................................................................... 10Missouri River System Boating Access ............................................................................. 142010 Fish Stocking Report ................................................................................................ 172011 Fishing Waters .......................................................................................................... 20

DEPARTMENTS From Both sides: Two-Year Fishing Proclamation............................................................... 2Buff aloberry Patch ............................................................................................................. 28Back Cast .......................................................................................................................... 33

MARCH-APRIL 2011 • NUMBER 8 • VOLUME LXXIII

DEPARTMENT DIRECTORYGovernor Jack DalrympleADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONGame and Fish Director: Terry SteinwandDeputy Director: Roger RostvetChief, Administrative Services: Kim MolesworthBusiness Manager: Corey WentlandAdministrative Assistant: Geralyn M. EvansAdministrative Offi cer/Building Maint. Supvr: George LeeBuilding Maint. Tech: Dustin RepnowChief Accountant: Terry KreiterAccountants: Carl Edgerly, Kelly Wike, Melissa LongData Processing Coordinator: Randy MeissnerInformation Technology Coordinators: Jerry Gulke, Alan Reile, Sally SorensenGIS Specialist: Brian HosekLicense Section Supervisor: Carrie Whitney

Assistants: Gail Mosset, Katherine Mernitz, Janet Wolf, Amanda SchroeterAdministrative Assistant – Dickinson: Janel KolarAdministrative Assistant – Devils Lake: Lisa TofteAdministrative Assistant – Jamestown: Tonya KukowskiAdministrative Assistant – Riverdale: Clare RennerCONSERVATION AND COMMUNICATIONS DIVISIONDivision Chief: Paul T. Schadewald, BismarckAdministrative and Water Safety Coordinator: Nancy Boldt, BismarckCommunications Supervisor: Craig Bihrle, BismarckEditor, North Dakota OUTDOORS: Ron Wilson, BismarckWebsite Editor: Pat Headrick, BismarckNews Editor: Greg Freeman, BismarckVideo News Director: Tom Jensen, BismarckVideographer: Mike Anderson, BismarckInformation Specialist: Dawn Jochim, BismarckGraphic Artist: Connie Schiff , BismarckOutreach Supervisor: Chris D. Grondahl, BismarckOutreach Biologists: Doug Leier, West Fargo; Greg Gullickson, Minot; Marty Egeland, Grand Forks; Pat Lothspeich, Bismarck Education Coordinator: Jeff Long, BismarckHunter Education Coordinator: Jon Hanson, BismarckConservation Supervisor: Steve Dyke, BismarckResource Biologists: Alexis Duxbury, John Schumacher, Bruce Kreft, BismarckConservation Biologists: Sandra Johnson, Patrick Isakson, BismarckENFORCEMENT DIVISIONDivision Chief: Robert Timian, BismarckInvestigations Supvr: Bruce Burkett, BismarckInvestigator: Scott Winkelman, BismarckPilot: Amy Jo Brown, BismarckRegion No. 1 Warden Supvr: Corey Erck, Jamestown

District Wardens: Mark Pollert, Jamestown; Jason Scott, Fargo; Erik Schmidt, Lin-ton; Tim Phalen, Wyndmere; James Myhre, Dawson; Andrew Dahlgren, Edgeley

Region No. 2 Warden Supvr: Paul Freeman, Devils LakeDistrict Wardens: Gene Masse, New Rockford; Kurt Auff orth, Cando; Gary Rankin, Larimore; Michael Sedlacek, Cavalier; Randy Knain, Rugby; Chris Knutson, Devils Lake

Region No. 3 Warden Supvr: Daryl Kleyer, WillistonDistrict Wardens: Brent Schwan, Watford City; Michael Raasakka, Stanley; Jim Burud, Kenmare; Josh Frey, Bottineau; Al Howard, Minot; Cory Detloff , Williston

Region No. 4 Warden Supvr: Dan Hoenke, DickinsonDistrict Wardens: Bill Schaller, Killdeer; Arthur Cox, Bowman; Courtney Sprenger, Elgin; Jeff Violett, Mandan; Jerad Bluem, Belfi eld

Region No. 5 Warden Supvr: Doug Olson, RiverdaleDistrict Wardens: Jackie Lundstrom, Bismarck; Ryan Tunge, Hazen; Tim Larson, Turtle Lake, Ken Skuza, Riverdale

WILDLIFE DIVISIONDivision Chief: Randy Kreil, BismarckAssistant Division Chief: Greg Link, BismarckGame Mgt. Section Leader: Michael A. Johnson, BismarckProcurement Offi cer: Ray Parsons, BismarckPilot: Jeff Faught, BismarckUpland Game Mgt. Supvr: Stan Kohn, BismarckUpland Game Mgt. Biologist: Aaron Robinson, DickinsonMigratory Game Bird Biologist: Mike Szymanski, BismarckBig Game Mgt. Supvr: Roger Johnson, Devils LakeBig Game Mgt. Biologists: Bill Jensen, Bismarck; Bruce Stillings,Brett Wiedmann, DickinsonWildlife Veterinarian: Dr. Daniel Grove, BismarckFurbearer Biologist: Stephanie Tucker, BismarckGame Management Technician: Jason Smith, JamestownLands/Development Section Supvr: Scott Peterson, LonetreeWildlife Resource Mgt. Biologists: Brian Prince, Devils Lake; Jeb Williams, Bismarck; Kent Luttschwager, Williston; Brian Kietzman, Jamestown; Dan Halstead, RiverdaleAssistant Wildlife Resource Mgt. Biologists: Arvid Anderson, Riverdale; Randy Littlefi eld, Lonetree; Rodd Compson, Jamestown; Judd Jasmer, DickinsonWildlife Techs: Tom Crutchfi eld, Jim Houston, Bismarck; Dan Morman, Robert Miller, Riverdale; Ernest Dawson, Jamestown; Morgan Johnson, Seth Gaugler, Lonetree; Alan Roller, Williston; Scott Olson, Devils LakePrivate Land Section Leader: Kevin Kading, BismarckAsst. Private Land Coordinator: Doug Howie, BismarckPrivate Land Field Operation Coordinator: Casey Anderson, BismarckPrivate Land Biologists: Jon Roaldson, Colin Penner, Terry Oswald, Jr., Bismarck; Caroline Littlefi eld, Lonetree; Ty Dressler, Dickinson; John Bauer, Riverdale; Ryan Huber, Williston; Nathan Harling, Devils Lake; Renae Martinson, JamestownAdministrative Assistant: Dale Repnow, BismarckLonetree Administrative Assistant: Diana Raugust, HarveyFISHERIES DIVISIONDivision Chief: Greg Power, BismarckFisheries Mgt. Section Leader: Scott Gangl, BismarckNorthwest District Supvr: Fred Ryckman, WillistonSouthwest District Supvr: Jeff Hendrickson, DickinsonNorth Central District Supvr: Jason Lee, RiverdaleSouth Central District Supvr: Paul Bailey, BismarckNortheast District Supvr: Randy Hiltner, Devils LakeSoutheast District Supvr: Gene Van Eeckhout, JamestownDistrict Fisheries Biologist: Brandon Kratz, JamestownMissouri River System Supvr: David Fryda, RiverdaleMissouri River System Biologist: Russ Kinzler, RiverdaleFisheries Technicians: Shane Shefstad, Williston; Phil Miller, Devils Lake; Pat John, Jamestown; Justen Barstad, Bismarck; Brian Frohlich, Riverdale; Jeff Merchant, DickinsonProduction/Development Section Supvr: Jerry Weigel, BismarckAquatic Habitat Supvr: Scott Elstad, BismarckFisheries Development Supvr: Bob Frohlich, BismarckFisheries Dev. Proj. Mgr.: Bill Haase, BismarckFisheries Development Technician: Wesley Erdle, BismarckANS Coordinator: Lynn Schlueter, Devils LakeAdministrative Assistant: Janice Vetter, BismarckADVISORY BOARDDistrict 1 ............................................................................... Jason Leiseth, ArnegardDistrict 2 .................................................................. Richard Anderson, Willow CityDistrict 3 ......................................................................... Tracy Gardner, Devils LakeDistrict 4 .................................................................................Ronald Houdek, TolnaDistrict 5 ........................................................................... Loran Palmer, West FargoDistrict 6 ....................................................................... Joel Christoferson, LitchvilleDistrict 7 ............................................................................... Frank Kartch, BismarckDistrict 8 ...............................................................................Wayne Gerbig, Amidon

Front cover: Northern pike battling. Photo by

Craig Bihrle, Bismarck.

Offi cial Publication of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (ISSN 0029-2761)

100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095

Website: gf.nd.gov • email: [email protected]

Information (701) 328-6300 • Administration (701) 328-6305

Hunter Education (701) 328-6615 • Licensing (701) 328-6335

24-Hour Licensing by Phone: (800) 406-6409

Th e TTY/TTD (Relay ND) number for the hearing or speech impaired is (800) 366-6888

Since 2011 is an odd-numbered year, the State Game and Fish Department does not have a long list of fi shing regulations changes that anglers need to consider when the new licensing year begins April 1.

Instead, the version of the 2010-12 fi shing guide that rolled off the presses in mid-March is basically a second printing to supply anglers who didn’t save theirs, or to inform new anglers who did not fi sh in North Dakota in 2010 about the state’s rules and regulations.

Th e Game and Fish Depart-ment has followed this odd-year second-printing plan since 1996, when it became the country’s fi rst state fi sh and wildlife agency – and it remains the only one – to adopt a set of regulations that covers two years instead of one.

Th e premise behind streamlining the regulations process is that fi sh populations statewide generally do not change dramatically from year to year. While changes up or down occur annually on individual waters, most notably on lakes that suf-fer winterkill, the Game and Fish Department philosophy is to keep regulations relatively simple and have few rules specifi c to individual waters.

While specifi c rules do exist, such as daily and length limits for catfi sh on the Red River, for the most part Department biologists advocate general rather than water-specifi c regulations unless there is sound biological justifi cation that a specifi c regulation is warranted.

Of course, removal or addition of at least a few regulations occurs with each two-year proclamation. Th e same thing occurred when each proclamation was for one year.

While many proposed changes can wait an addi-tional year for implementation if they are sug-gested during the off year, others are more urgent. In all but two procla-mation periods since 1996, Game and Fish has requested a governor’s emergency adjustment for the second year of the procla-mation.

One problem created when these situations arise is that for a year, guides that were already print-ed do not contain those new rules. While Game and Fish can publi-cize the changes and include them in a second printing of a guidebook, many of the 100,000 or so guides printed the fi rst year are still circu-lating the second year. Regardless of the extent of the eff ort to publicize a rule change, some anglers would likely not get the message.

Over the past 15 years, state anglers have not provided much feedback regarding the two-year regulation concept. Th at’s prob-ably not unexpected. Changing the proclamation every year, or every two years, is more of a signifi cant issue for the Department than it is for anglers.

One aspect of the 1996 change that anglers did notice was the fi sh-ing guide format. At the time the

switch was made, Game and Fish converted the fi shing guide from a large fold-out sheet to a small, pocket-sized booklet featuring not only regulations, but also informa-tion on state fi shing waters and Missouri River System boat ramps.

Previously, the fi shing waters guide and Missouri River System boat ramps guide were separate publications.

Now, after producing eight two-year guides, Game and Fish admin-istrators are again reevaluating the process to determine whether a two-year or one-year proclamation would best serve the agency and state anglers in 2012 and beyond.

Following are some advantages for each strategy. Keep in mind that in either case, the Department is not considering major changes to the current fi shing regulations guide format, such as going back to three separate publications. Th e

Two-Year Fishing Proclamation

Prior to the change to a two-year fi shing proclamation, the fi shing regulations were printed in one large foldout sheet.

2 ND Outdoors March-April 2011

most noticeable change anglers may see, if any changes are made at all, is a new guide with a dif-ferent cover every year instead of every two years.

Two-Year Proclamation

Fishing proclamations are • the most lengthy of all Game and Fish proclama-tions. Producing a compan-ion guidebook every two years, instead of annually, saves considerable staff time involved in propos-ing changes and soliciting public and stakeholder comments, drafting the proclamation and produc-ing the guide.Modest cost savings. Cur-• rently, Game and Fish prints 120,000 copies of the fi shing guide in the fi rst year, and an additional 50,000 in the second year. Th is compares to a neces-sary 120,000 every year if the proclamation was annual. An annual guide would cost about $10,000 more over the course of two years than the current process. In addition, costs for required legal advertise-ment of the proclamation would double – about $20,000 every year instead of $20,000 every other year. Total cost savings per bien-nium with a two-year proc-lamation is about $30,000.Eff orts to generate aware-• ness of law changes occurs less often, though the num-ber of changes each procla-mation year is about double the number that would occur if the regulations were produced annually. Th ere is less waste if anglers • keep and use only one

printed guide every two years, rather than discarding an old guide and obtaining a new guide every year.

One-Year Proclamation

More responsive to regula-• tion changes when they are needed. Anglers come to expect a few changes at the same time every year and this process eliminates year-old guidebooks that are still circulating but do not contain the emergency changes. Faster turn-around when • regulations do change. For instance, under the current process, if fi sheries per-sonnel recommend a new lake to open to darkhouse spearfi shing, depending on when the recommendation was made it could be three fi shing seasons before the lake was actually open to spearing.Fewer emergency change • amendments to proclama-tions because regulation changes would occur every year.Details on boat ramps and • other information such as state record fi sh would be more up-to-date with an annual fi shing guide.Anglers may better remem-• ber regulations changes if there are a few every year, compared to all of them in one year and none the next.

What do you think? To pass along your comments, send us an e-mail at [email protected]; call us at (701) 328-6300; or write North Dakota Game and Fish Depart-ment, 100 N. Bismarck Express-way, Bismarck, ND 58501.

Th e fi rst two-year fi shing guide (above) was a black-and white version. Color covers (below) were added later.

March-April 2011 ND Outdoors 3

MOTIVATIONS AND BENEFITS OF

By Greg Power

Every day we decide what to do with our time. And when it comes to free time,

we prioritize and balance obligations and task lists with the pursuits of happi-

ness, such as fi shing.

Imagine fi shing as a youngster with your family and catching one jumbo bluegill

after another, landing a 15-pound pike along a muddy shore at ice-out with buddies,

or nearly fi lling a bucket with 13-inch perch while ice fi shing. If you’re reading North

Dakota OUTDOORS, chances are you’re an outdoor enthusiast and experiences such

as these strike a chord. Yet, not everyone shares the passion.

What motivates some people to fi sh, while others are perfectly happy staying home

to experience more screen time, is a topic of great interest to demographers and mar-

keters. When current or former North Dakota anglers were asked in a survey what

motivates them to fi sh, expressions such as “relaxation” and “interactions with family/

friends” were the most frequent answers. Conversely, motivating factors such as “chal-

lenge,” “food” and “excitement” were far less signifi cant.

Despite all the hype on new technology, tricks and tactics that lure fi sh into your

creel, fi shing is basically simple, and most North Dakotans appreciate an atmosphere

where they can relax.

BBBy Greg

we decide what to do wiiitthhh our time And

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When asked about possible detractions, the fi shing public routinely replied with the infamous “lack of time.” Since we all are limited by the same hourglass, the lack of time response generally means some other activity (work, sleep, mowing the lawn, and so on) takes priority. Clearly, the Game and Fish Department cannot provide people with more time. However, it can address other common reasons that keep people from fi shing. In particular, travel distance, quality of fi shing, lack of facilities, complex regulations, lack of skill level and expense are all identifi ed issues over which Game and Fish can have some infl uence.

Travel Distance

Due to time and fi nancial consider-ations, people don’t like to drive great distances to fi sh. With nearly 350 water bodies scattered across the state, many anglers have more than one option for a quick fi shing trip near home.

In or near North Dakota’s larger cities, about two dozen community fi sheries off er quality fi shing and little travel. Never has the state had so many water bodies where you can wet a line.

Quality of Fishing

Although fi shing “quality” is in the eye of the beholder, Game and Fish Depart-ment fi sheries biologists continue to challenge themselves to improve fi shing conditions across the state.

Habitat rehabilitation, infrastructure development, judicious stocking and informed species introductions are all

activities staff address at diff erent water bodies. As a result, angling opportunities in North Dakota are many and diverse. You can pursue paddlefi sh as big as the neighbor’s Labrador retriever, dunk worms for eager panfi sh, fi sh any number of noteworthy waters that contribute to the state’s annual walleye harvest of 750,000 to 850,000 fi sh, or relax off the beaten path and experience fi shing without the noise and clamor of others.

Lack of Facilities

Twenty or more years ago a boat ramp was a great improvement for a fi shery. Today, the state has more than 350 public boat ramps, and it’s often other amenities that are in high demand.

Based on public requests, toilets, fi shing piers and fi sh cleaning stations are con-structed to meet demand. Shore-fi shing opportunities, especially with fi shing piers, is a Department priority.

Complex Regulations

Because many other states have a lot more people, high fi shing eff ort, if not controlled, can dramatically and negatively infl uence a lake’s fi sh population. For-tunately in North Dakota, fewer people means angler eff ort is considerably less, and regulations are far from complex. Nonethe-less, people continue to indicate “complex” regulations as a reason why they fi sh less, quit fi shing or don’t take up the pursuit in the fi rst place.

Th e Department has and will continue to examine and re-examine all of our rules

and regulations to eliminate or minimize those that are truly unnecessary, while safeguarding the fi sheries.

Lack of Skill

Some people don’t think they have the skills and know-how to fi sh. Aquatic education courses including Becoming an Outdoors-Woman have been greatly strengthened in the past decade and include courses on fi shing basics. Further, the Department has formed partnerships to develop sites and off er introductory fi shing activities at the OWLS Pond in Bismarck, State Fair Pond in Minot, and elsewhere. Many communities now also off er fi shing outings for kids at local fi sher-ies. All of these eff orts provide anyone who is interested a chance to experience fi shing.

Costs

At its basic level, fi shing is a relatively aff ordable recreational activity. Costs, however, are a factor identifi ed by many as a signifi cant detraction.

Unfortunately, some newcomers believe that to catch fi sh you have to buy a big boat and motor, trimmed with the latest in electronic gadgetry. Th ose who choose to go this route may have more opportunity to harvest fi sh, but the expense may com-promise the “relaxation” aspect of fi shing that many cite as the reason they fi sh in the fi rst place.

A fi shing license in North Dakota is inexpensive compared to fees to participate in many other leisure or recreational activi-ties. Although you can spend thousands of dollars annually, fi shing doesn’t need to be expensive.

While motivating factors vary, it is obvious that many people continue to fi sh in North Dakota. About 200,000 anglers (including children) will fi sh in state waters in 2011, and North Dakota con-tinues to rank among the highest states in per capita fi shing participation rates.

Given the record amount of water on the landscape, and many new, young fi sheries in the state, the motivation and benefi ts to fi shing North Dakota will remain strong. Now is the time to wet a line with family and friends.

GREG POWER is the Game and Fish Department’s fi sheries chief.

Opportunities to fi sh for northern pike, shown here, and other fi sh species abound in North Dakota.

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in 2010 By Ron Wilson

Boasting of

Brandon Kratz, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district fi sheries biologist, Jamestown, and avid bass angler, caught this nice smallmouth bass in Spiritwood Lake.

BRAN

DON

KRAT

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It would be overstating it to call 2010 the year of the bass here in the heart of walleye country, but it should be noted that more big smallmouth bass

were reported to North Dakota’s Whopper Club last year than in any other year in the last half-century.

Of the 79 smallmouth bass registered with the club in 2010, the biggest was a 5-pound, 6-ounce fi sh from Spiritwood Lake in Stutsman County. To qualify as a whopper, a smallmouth must weigh 3 pounds or more. Th e entrants last year came from 12 diff erent North Dakota waters.

“A 3-pound fi sh in North Dakota is a nice fi sh no matter what species of bass,” said Greg Power, North Dakota Game and Fish Department fi sheries chief. “Pound-for-pound, smallies are one of the hardest fi ghting species out there. Th ey are a blast to catch and relatively easy to catch.”

Brandon Kratz, Department district fi sheries biolo-gist, Jamestown, is an avid bass angler who also speaks highly of this species once hooked.

“River bass, bronzeback … whatever your favorite nickname for the smallmouth bass, one thing is for certain, this species is the undisputed champion of battle,” he said. “Th ese pit bulls of the aquatic world have stamina, endurance and power when on the end of the rod.”

Its pluses aside, the smallmouth bass, like most fi sh in North Dakota not named walleye, is often overlooked. For many anglers, this member of the sunfi sh family is not a targeted species, but a fi sh of happenstance.

“Th ose walleye anglers who do stumble across smallmouth bass enjoy catching them for the sport of it,” Power said. “Th en they release the fi sh and move on to fi nd where the walleye are biting.”

While a widely popular fi sh in states mostly east of here, the smallmouth bass is not native to North Dakota. Th e fi rst documented smallmouth stock-ing in the state was 1934 in Clear Lake in Kidder County. Th ere is some speculation that smallies were planted in the Turtle Mountain area before that. “Th ere is a notation that Lake Metigoshe was stocked with ‘black bass’ in 1893 … there is photo documentation of smallmouth bass from Turtle Mountain lakes shortly thereafter,” Power said.

In the last 50 years, smallmouth bass have been stocked dozens of times in North Dakota waters. Th is undertaking hit its peak in the 1990s when Game and Fish Department fi sheries crews recorded 120 stocking eff orts. Th at’s not to say they stocked 120 diff erent waters, but many times stocked the

same fi shery again and again.Today, many smallmouth populations in the state

are self-sustaining. Game and Fish has stocked smallies only twice since 2005, the last time in 2008.

“Where there are smallmouth bass in North Dakota, for the most part they are there to stay,” Power said. “Many of the respective populations are getting by on natural reproduction, which is pretty impressive. We are not aware of a downside to these fi sh … they are not competing with walleye or any other fi sh species that we manage. Th ey go quietly about their business and people should take advantage of the quality fi shing that they provide.”

Arguably the most successful introduction was in Sakakawea in the early 1970s. Smallmouth bass favor rocky habitat, of which Sakakawea has plenty to off er with its many points, islands, bars and riprap on the face of Garrison Dam and along the U.S. Highway 83 embankment. Th e fi sh use the rocks to hide in and around to wait for prey. Smaller rocks also provide spawning habitat.

“Over the long haul, Sakakawea and Spiritwood have been the best smallmouth bass lakes in the state,” Power said. Th irty of the 79 Whopper Club smallies reported in 2010 were taken from Sakakawea alone. “In the last decade, Lake Darling and Lake Audubon have really been coming on, though.”

Adult smallmouth bass are often diffi cult to catch in nets, fi sheries biologists say, but not impossible. Th is fi sh was taken from the Missouri River System south of Bismarck during sampling eff orts.

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Smallmouth bass made their way from Sakakawea to Audubon on their own. What they found there in terms of habitat suited them well. “After years of erosion, the tops of all those underwater islands are littered with rocks,” Power said.

Smallmouth bass are known for eating crayfi sh, which are often found near rocks or hiding in crevices. Th e thing is, North Dakota doesn’t have a lot of crayfi sh. Th ree crayfi sh species have been documented here, but only one in any abundance. “What’s unique in North Dakota is that although the rock and shading habitat conditions are met for the fi sh, in general most of these water bodies are lack-ing strong crayfi sh populations. Yet, we’re growing 4- to 5-pound smallmouth bass, and it’s only a guess what they are eating to get that big,” Power said.

To answer this question and others is diffi cult because adult smallmouth bass are seldom caught by Depart-ment fi sheries crews in nets. “Th ey do a really good job of avoiding our nets,” Power said. “Our data on these fi sh is as much anecdotal as anything else from talking to wardens

and anglers.”Little is known about

the growth potential for smallmouth bass in North Dakota, but it’s no secret fi sh can exceed 6 pounds here on the Northern Plains. Th e state record smallmouth – 6 pounds, 13 ounces – was taken from Lake Darling, located northwest of Minot, in 2007. Th e record holder prior to that was a 5-pound, 15-ounce fi sh caught at Spiritwood Lake in 2003.

“Th is is an adaptable fi sh that has pretty much made a go of it on its own in many of our water bodies,” Power said. “Mostly through natu-ral reproduction smallmouth bass have fi lled a niche some anglers are enjoying and other anglers should take advantage of. When the walleye fi shing slows a little this summer, go search out a rocky point and have a blast casting for bass.”

RON WILSON is editor of North Dakota OUTDOORS.

Smallmouth Bass by the Numbers

Whopper Club small-mouth bass numbers and where they were caught in 2010.

Sakakawea, 30• Lake Audubon, 13• Spiritwood Lake, 12• Missouri River, 7• Lake Darling, 6• McClusky Canal, 3• GDU Canal Lakes, 2• Sheyenne River, 2• Jamestown Reservoir, 1• Lake Ashtabula, 1• Heart Butte Reservoir, 1• Fish Creek Dam, 1•

Th ese smallmouth bass were electro-shocked by Game and Fish Department fi sheries personnel at Lake Darling and then released.

FRED

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Best Bass Water Bets

Some smallmouth bass waters in North Dakota where an angler stands a good chance of catching a nice, hard-fi ghting fi sh.

Lake Ashtabula – 10 miles north of Valley City.• Lake Audubon – North of Coleharbor.• Blacktail Dam – 5 miles north, 5 miles west, 1 mile north of • the junction of U.S. highways 2 and 85.Bowman-Haley Dam – 11 miles south, 8 miles east, 2 miles • south of Bowman.Lake Darling – 16 miles north, 13 miles west of Minot.• Lake Elsie – 1 mile south, 1.5 miles west of Hankinson.• Fish Creek Dam – 8 miles south, 2 miles east, 1 mile south of • I-94 Exit 134.GDU Canal Lakes – 9 miles south, 3 miles east and west of • Mercer.Heart Butte Reservoir (Lake Tschida) – 15 miles south of • Glen Ullin.Hiddenwood Lake – 8 miles south of Makoti.• Indian Creek Dam – 1.5 miles west, 2 miles south, 2 miles • west, 3 miles south of Regent.Jamestown Reservoir – 2 miles north of Jamestown.• Kota-Ray Dam – 5 miles south, .5 miles east, 2 miles south of • Ray.McClusky Canal – Central part of state in McLean, Burleigh • and Sheridan counties.Missouri River – Near Riverdale to south of Bismarck.• North Lemmon – 5 miles north of Lemmon, South Dakota.• Raleigh Reservoir – 3.5 miles west, .25 miles south of Raleigh.• Lake Sakakawea – From New Town to Riverdale.• Sheep Creek Dam – 4 miles south, .5 miles west of Elgin.• Sheyenne River – Southeastern part of the state.• Spiritwood Lake – 10 miles north, 4 miles east of Jamestown.• Spiritwood Lake – 10 miles north, 4 miles east of Jamesto

Top fi ve years for smallmouth bass Whopper Club entrants.2010 – 79 fi sh• 1998 – 77 fi sh• 2004 – 76 fi sh• 2007 – 75 fi sh• 2003 – 68 fi sh•

Greg Gullickson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department outreach biologist, Minot, with a smallmouth bass from Lake Audubon.

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Devils Lake has not only grown in size – the last time lake elevations were this high was about 1,000 years ago – it has grown in popularity. For the last few years, more anglers have spent more time fi shing this natural lake in northeastern North Dakota than any other water in the state.

And if Devils Lake anglers are like those fi shing elsewhere in the state – and there’s no reason to think they’re not – 80-plus percent are concentrating their eff orts on catching walleyes.

Knowing this, North Dakota Game and Fish Department fi sheries personnel shouldered a three-year tagging study to determine if fi shing pressure and harvest are too excessive to maintain a quality walleye fi shery in Devils Lake.

From 2007-09, tags were inserted into 1,000 fi sh per year. Only those walleye 14 inches and longer were selected for the study. “We attempted to tag 500 males and 500 females each year,” said Randy Hiltner,

Game and Fish Department northeast district fi sher-ies supervisor. “Essentially all walleye were tagged at north Six Mile Bay in the spring before and during spawning operations. Th is is a well-known area where fi sh can be found in the highest concentrations.”

Hiltner said tag numbers of nearly 700 fi sh were reported during the 2007-09 fi shing seasons. Anglers harvested 85 percent of those fi sh and released the others. “Most fi sh were harvested the fi rst time they were caught by an angler,” he said. “However, 9 percent of the fi sh released were captured again by an angler. Anglers released a higher rate of females (19 percent) compared to males (11 percent). Th is makes sense as anglers are more likely to release larger fi sh.”

Walleye mortality caused by anglers during the three fi shing seasons was estimated at 26 percent, which is below the threshold where fi sheries manag-ers believe it’s necessary to add fi shing regulations and restrictions to protect the fi shery.

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Tagging study shows production keeping up with harvest

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North Dakota Game and Fish Department fi sheries personnel measured (top photo) fi sh before fi tting them with a tag. All walleye in the study were 14 inches or longer. Tags were attached near the dorsal fi n (bottom photo) where anglers would spot them easily.

Hundreds of fi sh marked for a three-year walleye tagging study were caught by Devils Lake anglers.

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Th is estimate of angling mortality is slightly higher than some other recent tagging studies at Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon, Hiltner said, but it is not considered excessive based on other published studies.

“Research has shown that walleye populations can sustain angling mortality rates near or slightly above 30 percent without losing fi shing quality,” Hiltner said. “Th is is especially true at more productive waters such as Devils Lake. Walleye harvest at Devils Lake is cur-rently high, but not too high as to negatively impact the population.”

While diff erent lakes can sustain diff erent levels of exploitation, there were no red fl ags concerning the fi nd-ings on Devils Lake. “If we thought exploitation was too high then we’d look at fi shing restrictions such as diff er-ent creel limits, slot limits …” said Scott Gangl, Depart-ment fi sheries management section leader. “Twenty years ago, this kind of exploitation by anglers may have been detrimental to the walleye population. But as the lake has fi lled and become much more productive, it’s not an issue.”

A secondary reason for the study was to examine wall-eye movements within and outside Devils Lake. Hiltner said walleye recaptures after tagging did not indicate any obvious dispersal patterns, and since essentially all of the tagged fi sh were initially captured and released at Six Mile Bay, it made sense that most angler returns were from the western half of the lake.

“Th is was indeed the case as 74 percent of the angler tag returns were from west of N.D. Highway 57, Main Bay to Pelican Bay,” Hiltner said. “However, a substantial number (26 percent) of tag returns were from the eastern regions of the lake, which is much farther from the tag-ging release site.”

A tag return hotspot was Channel A, a popular fi shing spot in spring. To date, 62 tag returns have come from this area. More than half of those were reported in 2009.

Located in the vicinity of the tagging site, high fl ows through Channel A tempt fi sh to move upstream from Six Mile Bay and into the current. “Th e fi sh must run the gantlet of anglers waiting for them at this site,” Hiltner said.

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Essentially all walleye were tagged in the Six Mile Bay area of Devils Lake. One tagged fi sh was later caught by an angler in Stump Lake, which is about 45 miles by water.


Not all fi sh hung around the area where they were tagged. A female walleye tagged at Six Mile Bay on April 29, 2007, was caught by an angler and harvested more than a year later on the eastern end of Stump Lake. She measured 19.3 inches when tagged, but the angler did not report her length when harvested.

“As the crow fl ies, that’s about 35 miles, but as the fi sh swims, it’s about 45 miles,” Hiltner said. “Th at fi sh swam through lots of bridge crossings and down Jerusalem Coulee before fi nally getting to the eastern region of Stump Lake.”

Hiltner said fi sheries biologists don’t know the exact reporting rate among anglers who caught tagged fi sh, but they extract estimates by asking anglers during creel surveys if they caught tagged fi sh and if they reported their fi nd.

“Th e estimate for this three-year study was 80 percent of the anglers who caught a tagged fi sh actually reported the informa-tion,” Hiltner said. “Th is estimate seems realistic as anglers seem to be excited about catching a tagged fi sh, especially if it is the fi rst one they have ever caught. If a tagging study goes on for too many years at the same lake, however, then the novelty seems to wane.”

Whether at Devils Lake where tagged fi sh still swim, or elsewhere around the state, Hiltner encourages anglers to treat tagged fi sh just like they would any other fi sh. Meaning: either keep or release the fi sh as they typically would.

If a fi sh is released, the tag should not be removed, but the tag number and fi sh length need to be reported to Game and Fish. Whether the fi sh is released or not, anglers can report the information online (gf.nd.gov), over the phone or in person at their local Department offi ce. Tag cards can also be fi lled out at most local bait shops. “Anglers can keep the tags, we just need the information,” Hiltner said.

Department fi sheries biologists also want to know where tagged fi sh are caught and angler contact information. “We send out a tag letter to the angler to provide some his-tory on the tagging study, as well as detailing when and where the fi sh was tagged and the length of the fi sh at capture,” Hiltner said. “Anglers typically look forward to learning a little something about the tagged fi sh they catch.”


As water levels climbed at Devils Lake over the years, so has the fi shing pressure.

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Tales of the Tags

Some walleye traveled Some walleye traveled • • outside of the Devils Lake outside of the Devils Lake tagging site into Mauvais, tagging site into Mauvais, Big, Jerusalem and Stark-Big, Jerusalem and Stark-weather coulees.weather coulees.Two tagged fi sh were Two tagged fi sh were • • netted and released twice netted and released twice during the spring spawning during the spring spawning operation. Later that same operation. Later that same month, both fi sh were month, both fi sh were caught and harvested by caught and harvested by anglers.anglers.Two tagged fi sh were Two tagged fi sh were • • caught and released by an caught and released by an angler, caught and released angler, caught and released from spawning nets the from spawning nets the next year, and then caught next year, and then caught and kept by anglers the and kept by anglers the same year.same year.Two anglers in one boat Two anglers in one boat • • each caught tagged fi sh the each caught tagged fi sh the same day from diff erent same day from diff erent locations on the lake.locations on the lake.Tagged walleye recaptures Tagged walleye recaptures • • from Game and Fish from Game and Fish Department gill nets were Department gill nets were recovered primarily west of recovered primarily west of N.D. Highway 20. Walleye N.D. Highway 20. Walleye netted in other connected netted in other connected waters included fi sh from waters included fi sh from Dry Lake and Mike’s Lake. Dry Lake and Mike’s Lake. A tagged fi sh was also A tagged fi sh was also found dead in a road ditch found dead in a road ditch near the lake.near the lake.


Following is a list of boating access sites on the Missouri River System in North Dakota. Corresponding map is on page 16. All sites have a boat ramp, cour-tesy dock and restrooms unless otherwise noted. Check the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website (gf.nd.gov) for updated access informa-tion or contact the appropriate managing authority noted at the end of each listing.

1. SUNDHEIM PARK – 2 miles west of Cartwright on ND Highway 200, on west side of Yellowstone River and south side of ND Highway 200. Paved access road, no courtesy docks, primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles – Sundheim Park Board.

2. CONFLUENCE AREA – 1.5 miles south of Buford on ND Highway 1804. Paved access road, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash recep-tacles – Williams County WRD.

3. LEWIS AND CLARK BRIDGE – 4 miles west of Williston on U.S. Highway 2, 3 miles south on U.S. Highway 85, on south side of Missouri River, and east side of U.S. Highway 85. Paved access road, no courtesy docks, primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles – Williams County WRD.

4. AMERICAN LEGION PARK (RAUMS) – 4 miles west of Williston on U.S. Highway 2, 6 miles south on U.S. Highway 85, then 4 miles east. Gravel access road, no courtesy docks, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles – American Legion Post 37.

5. LEWIS AND CLARK STATE PARK – 16 miles east of Williston on ND Highway 1804, then 3 miles south. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, lodging, access fee, telephone, RV dump station – North Dakota Parks and Recreation.

6. WHITETAIL BAY (LUND’S LAND-ING) – 22 miles east of Williston on ND Highway 1804. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, lodging, boat rental – Williams County WRD.

7. TOBACCO GARDEN CREEK BAY – 2 miles east of Watford City on ND High-way 23, then 25 miles north and east on ND Highway 1806. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, lodging, RV dump station – McK-enzie County Park Board.

8. LITTLE BEAVER BAY – 32 miles northwest of New Town on ND Highway 1804, then 3 miles south. Gravel access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles – Williams County WRD.

9. WHITE EARTH BAY – 28 miles north-west of New Town on ND Highway 1804, then 2 miles south, 1 mile east, 3 miles south, 3 miles east. Gravel access road, fi sh clean-ing facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, telephone, RV dump station – Mountrail County Park Board.

10. SANISH BAY (AFTEM) – 1 mile north, 2 miles west of New Town. Gravel access road, no restrooms – New Town Park Board/Aftem Development.

11. NEW TOWN MARINA – 2 miles west of New Town on ND Highway 23. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, tele-phone, RV dump station – New Town Marina Association.

12. FOUR BEARS – 4 miles west of New Town on ND Highway 23. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, lodging, telephone, RV dump station – Th ree Affi liated Tribes.

13. POUCH POINT – 7 miles south, 2 miles east, 2 miles south, 1 mile east, 3 miles south of New Town. Paved access road, devel-oped and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession – Th ree Affi liated Tribes.

14. LITTLEFIELD BAY – 5 miles south, 2 miles east of New Town. Gravel access road, no restrooms, no courtesy docks, primitive camp-ing – ND Game and Fish Department.

15. VAN HOOK – 5 miles east of New Town on ND Highway 23, then 2 miles south. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, telephone, RV dump station – Mountrail County Park Board.

16. PARSHALL BAY – 3 miles west, 1 mile south, 3 miles west, 1 mile south, 2 miles west of Parshall. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, boat rental, telephone, RV dump station – Mountrail County Park Board.

17. SKUNK BAY – 14 miles northeast of Mandaree. Gravel access road, developed and primitive camping, concession, lodging – Th ree Affi liated Tribes/Roads Maker, Inc.

18. DEEP WATER CREEK BAY – 14 miles south of Parshall on ND Highway 37, then either 1 mile south to the corps ramp or 2.5 miles west and .5 miles south to the county ramp. Gravel access road, primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash recepta-cles – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/McLean County Park Board.

19. HALE MARINA – 18 miles southeast of Mandaree. Gravel access road, no restrooms, no courtesy docks – Th ree Affi liated Tribes.

20. MCKENZIE BAY – 22 miles southeast of Mandaree. Gravel access road, fi sh clean-ing facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, lodging, telephone, RV dump sta-tion – Watford City Park Board.

MISSOURI RIVER SYSTEM BOATING ACCESS

(LUND’S LAND-Williston on ND cess road, fi sh cleaning

13. POUCCHHH PPOPOINT – 7 miles south, 2 miles east, 2 miles south, 1 mile east, 3 miles south of New Town. Paved access road, devel-


21. LITTLE MISSOURI BAY – 16 miles northeast of Dunn Center. Gravel access road, security lights – Dunn County.

22. CHARGING EAGLE BAY – 12 miles north of Halliday on ND Highway 8, then 10 miles west on BIA No. 22. Gravel access road, no restrooms, fi sh cleaning facility, primitive camp-ing, trash receptacles – Th ree Affi liated Tribes.

23. INDIAN HILLS RESORT – 11 miles west of White Shield on ND Highway 1804, then 3 miles south. Gravel access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, lodging, boat rental, telephone, RV dump station – ND Parks and Recreation/Th ree Affi liated Tribes.

24. BEAVER CREEK BAY – 12 miles north of Zap. Paved access road, primitive camping, picnic shelter, trash receptacles – Zap City Park Board.

25. DAKOTA WATERS RESORT – 15 miles north of Beulah. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, lodging, boat rental, telephone, RV dump station – Dakota Waters Resort.

26. BEULAH BAY – 17 miles north of Beulah. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, lodging, telephone, RV dump station – Beulah City Park Board.

27. DOUGLAS CREEK BAY – 5 miles south, 4 miles east of Emmet to corps ramp or 2 miles south, 1 mile east, 1 mile south of Emmet to county ramp. Gravel access road, primitive camping, trash receptacles – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/McLean County Park Board.

28. CAMP OF THE CROSS – 4 miles west, 1.5 miles south, 1 mile west, 1 mile south, 1 mile west, .5 miles south of Garrison. Gravel access road, no restrooms, primitive camping – Camp of the Cross.

29. HAZEN BAY – 14 miles north of Hazen. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, devel-oped and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, lodging, telephone, RV dump station – Hazen City Park Board.

30. LAKE SAKAKAWEA STATE PARK – Just east and north of Pick City. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, devel-oped and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, lodging, boat rental, access fee, telephone, RV dump station – ND Parks and Recreation.

31. GARRISON CREEK – 2 miles west of Garrison on ND Highway 37, 3 miles south, 1 mile east. Gravel access road, no restrooms – Garrison Cabin Association.

32. FORT STEVENSON STATE PARK – 3 miles south of Garrison. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, lodging, boat rental, access fee, telephone, RV dump station – ND Parks and Recreation.

33. STEINKE BAY – 3 miles west of the junction of ND Highway 37 and U.S. High-way 83, then 2 miles south. Gravel access road, primitive camping – McLean County Park Board.

34. SPORTSMENS CENTENNIAL PARK – 1 mile west of the junction of ND Highway 37 and U.S. Highway 83, then 2 miles south, 1 mile west. Gravel access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, telephone – McLean County Park Board.

35. WEST TOTTEN TRAIL – 7 miles north of Coleharbor on U.S. Highway 83, then .5 miles west, or 2 miles south of the junction of U.S. Highway 83 and ND Highway 37, then .5 miles west. Gravel access road – McLean County Park Board.

36. WOLF CREEK – 1 mile east of River-dale on ND Highway 200, then 2 miles north, 1 mile east, 1 mile north, .5 miles east. Gravel access road, fi sh cleaning facility, primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, RV dump station – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

37. GOVERNMENT BAY – Just north of Riverdale. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facil-ity, developed and primitive camping, security lights, trash receptacles – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

38. GARRISON DAM TAILRACE – Directly below Garrison Dam with the campground located south of the fi sh hatchery. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, devel-oped camping, security lights, trash recep-tacles – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

39. UPA SITE (STANTON) – Just west of UPA power plant on ND Highway 200A near Stanton. Paved access road, security lights, trash receptacles – City of Stanton.

40. WASHBURN – On east side of Missouri River near Washburn, north of ND Highway 200A bridge. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, primitive camping, security lights, pic-nic shelter, trash receptacles, RV dump station – Washburn City Park Board.

41. SANGER (CROSS RANCH) – Just east of Sanger townsite on west side of Mis-souri River. Gravel access road, primitive camp-ing, picnic shelter, trash receptacles – ND Parks and Recreation.

42. STECKEL BOAT LANDING (WIL-TON) – 22 miles north of Bismarck on ND Highway 1804, or 5.5 miles west, 1 mile south, and 1.5 miles west of junction of U.S. Highway 83 and ND Highway 36. Paved access road, primitive camping, picnic shelter, trash recep-tacles – Burleigh County Park Board.

43. HOGE LANDING – On east side of Missouri River near Bismarck, 6.4 miles north of I-94 bridge on River Road, then .7 miles west and 1.5 miles south/southwest. Gravel access road, no courtesy docks, picnic shelter, trash receptacles – Bismarck Parks and Recre-ation.

44. KNIEFEL LANDING – On east side of Missouri River near Bismarck, 3 miles north of I-94 bridge on River Road, then 1 mile west. Paved access road, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession – Burleigh County Park Board.

45. GRANT MARSH BRIDGE – On east side of Missouri River near Bismarck, south side of I-94 bridge on River Road. Paved access road, security lights, trash receptacles – Bis-marck Parks and Recreation.

46. FOX ISLAND PARK – From Washing-ton Street, .75 miles west on Riverwood Drive 1 block south of Expressway, 1.5 miles south and .5 miles west. Heavy pleasure boat use in summer. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facil-ity, security lights, trash receptacles – Bismarck Parks and Recreation.

47. LITTLE HEART BOTTOMS (SCHMIDT) – 11 miles south of Mandan on ND Highway 1806, then 1 mile north. Paved access road, trash receptacles – Morton County Park Board.

48. KIMBALL BOTTOMS (DESERT) – 8 miles south of Bismarck on ND Highway 1804, then 2 miles south. Paved access road, primitive camping, security lights, picnic shel-ter, trash receptacles – Burleigh County Park Board.

49. GRANER BOTTOMS (SUGAR LOAF) – 19 miles south of Mandan on ND Highway 1806, then 1 mile east, or about 3 miles north of Huff . Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primi-tive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, RV dump station – Morton County Park Board.


50. MACLEAN BOTTOMS (GUN RANGE) – 14 miles south of Bismarck on ND Highway 1804, then 2 miles south. Paved access road, primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles – Burleigh County Park Board.

51. HAZELTON – 31 miles southeast of Bismarck on ND Highway 1804 or 13 miles west and 2 miles north of Hazelton. Camp-ground located just south of boat ramp. Paved access road, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash recep-tacles – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

52. FORT RICE – 28 miles south of Mandan on ND Highway 1806, then .5 miles east. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facil-ity, primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles – Morton County Park Board.

53. WALKER BOTTOMS (PRAIRIE KNIGHTS MARINA) – 10 miles south of the Cannonball River on ND Highway 1806, then 3.5 miles east. Gravel access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, lodging, telephone, RV dump sta-tion – Prairie Knights Casino.

54. BEAVER BAY – 13 miles west of Linton on ND Highway 13, then 2 miles south on ND Highway 1804. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, developed and primitive camping, security lights, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession, telephone, RV dump station – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

55. CATTAIL BAY (WINONA) – 10 miles west of Strasburg, 1 mile south, 7 miles west, then 1 mile north on ND Highway 1804, 2 miles west, 2 miles south, 1 mile west. Gravel access road, primitive camping, picnic shelter, trash receptacles, concession – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

56. FORT YATES – North edge of Fort Yates. Paved access road, primitive camping, picnic shelter, trash receptacles – Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

57. LANGELIERS BAY – 10 miles west of Strasburg, 1 mile south, 7 miles west, then 11 miles south on ND Highway 1804, and .75 miles west. Paved access road, fi sh cleaning facility, primitive camping, security lights, trash receptacles – Emmons County Park Board.


20102010 FISH FISH STOCKSTOCKING ING REPORTREPORT

BLACK CRAPPIEHatchery Kids Pond, Barnes County (adult) ..... 146

Gravel Pit Lake, Benson County .................. 30,000

Long Lake, Bottineau County ..................... 27,000

OWLS Pond, Burleigh County (adult) ............... 27

Mount Carmel Dam, Cavalier County ........ 27,000

Fordville Dam, Grand Forks County ............. 9,000

Harmony Lake, Mercer County (adult)............... 52

Crown Butte Dam, Morton County ............ 10,000

Harmon Lake, Morton County .................... 20,000

Tolna Dam, Nelson County ......................... 20,000

Sprague Lake, Sargent County ..................... 30,000

Lake Tewaukon, Sargent County ................. 76,000

Sykeston Dam, Wells County ....................... 12,000

WHITE CRAPPIEHarmony Lake, Mercer County (adult)............. 280

State Fair Pond, Ward County (adult) ............... 151

BLUEGILLHatchery Kids Pond, Barnes County (adult) ....... 86

Lutz Dam, Bowman County (adult) ................. 550

Northgate Dam, Burke County (adult) ............. 205

OWLS Pond, Burleigh County (adult) .......... 1,000

New Rockford Reservoir, Eddy County (adult) .. 344

Odland Dam, Golden Valley County (adult) .... 808

Odland Dam, Golden Valley County .......... 20,000

Ryan Park Pond, Grand Forks County (adult) ... 150

Gaebe Pond, Morton County (adult) ................ 480

Porsborg Dam, Morton County (adult) ............ 414

Belcourt Lake, Rolette County .................. 130,000

Gordon Lake, Rolette County ..................... 47,000

Jarvis Lake, Rolette County ......................... 40,000

Dassinger Pond, Stark County (adult) ............... 280

Armourdale Dam, Towner County .............. 13,000

State Fair Pond, Ward County (adult) ............ 1,000

CHANNEL CATFISHCottonwood Park Pond, Burleigh County (adult) ............................................................. 239

Watford City Park Pond, McKenzie County (adult) ............................................................... 90

Danzig Dam, Morton County (adult) ................. 96

Gaebe Pond, Morton County (adult) .................. 50

In late October, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department stocked more than 800 1-pound pure muskies into New Johns and Red Willow lakes. Th is was only the second time since the mid-1990s that pure muskies were stocked into North Dakota waters. Also, these were the largest muskies ever stocked in the state, so Game and Fish biologists expect good survival. Th is musky stocking eff ort was made possible by a fi nancial contribution from the Fargo-Moorhead chapter of Muskies, Inc., one of the nation’s largest chapters.

All numbers more than 1,000 are rounded to the nearest 1,000. Stocked fi sh are fi ngerlings unless otherwise noted.

By Jerry Weigel

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Harmon Lake, Morton County (adult) ............. 502Stanley Pond, Mountrail County (adult) ............. 60Dickinson Dike, Stark County (adult)............... 150Dickinson Reservoir (Patterson Lake), Stark County (adult) ............................................. 1,000

CUTTHROAT TROUTLightning Lake, McLean County .................... 400Fish Creek Dam, Morton County .................... 800Missouri River .............................................. 21,000

CHINOOK SALMONMissouri River (smolt) .................................. 52,000Lake Sakakawea (smolt) ............................. 210,000

FATHEAD MINNOWMooreton Pond, Richland County (adult).. 160,000

GIZZARD SHADBowman-Haley Dam, Bowman County (adult) ... 100

LARGEMOUTH BASSNorthgate Dam, Burke County ..................... 7,000Baukol-Noonan Dam, Divide County .......... 3,000Red Willow Lake, Griggs County ............... 10,000Harmon Lake, Morton County .................... 18,000Dassinger Pond, Stark County (adult) ................. 50Iverson Dam, Williams County ..................... 1,000

PURE MUSKELLUNGERed Willow Lake, Griggs County ..................... 100GDU Canal Lakes ............................................ 720

TIGER MUSKELLUNGEBraun Lake, Logan County ............................... 250Lake Audubon, McLean County ................... 4,000

NORTHERN PIKEMirror Lake, Adams County ......................... 6,000Lake Ashtabula, Barnes County ................ 276,000Sanborn Lake, Barnes County ....................... 5,000Carbury Dam, Bottineau County ................ 10,000Gascoyne Lake, Bowman County ............... 19,000Spring Lake, Bowman County ...................... 4,000Powers Lake, Burke County ...................... 116,000

Lake Harriet (Arena Lake), Burleigh County ... 50,000Mitchell Lake, Burleigh County .................. 20,000Moores Lake, Dickey County ....................... 3,000Pheasant Lake, Dickey County .................... 17,000Wilson Dam, Dickey County ......................... 4,000Skjermo Lake, Divide County ........................ 4,000New Rockford Reservoir, Eddy County ......... 1,000Warsing Dam, Eddy County (adult) ................. 150Warsing Dam, Eddy County .......................... 6,000Baumgartner Lake, Emmons County ........... 50,000Hague WMA, Emmons County .................. 10,000Jake’s Lake, Emmons County ....................... 30,000Juanita Lake, Foster County ......................... 25,000Kolding Dam, Grand Forks County ............... 1,000Niagara Dam, Grand Forks County ............... 1,000Carlson-Tande Dam, Griggs County ............. 1,000Cherry Lake, Kidder County ........................ 25,000Des Moines Lake, Kidder County ................ 40,000Helen Lake, Kidder County ......................... 48,000Horsehead Lake, Kidder County ................ 269,000Lake Isabel, Kidder County .......................... 50,000Leno Lake, Kidder County .......................... 30,000Alfred Lake, LaMoure County .................... 10,000Boom Lake (Marion Lake), LaMoure County .. 9,000Flood Lake, LaMoure County ..................... 20,000Kalmbach Lake, LaMoure County ................. 8,000Kulm-Edgeley Dam, LaMoure County ......... 3,000Lake LaMoure, LaMoure County ................ 30,000Schlenker Dam (Lehr Dam), LaMoure County ... 1,000Arnies Lake, Logan County ......................... 20,000Beaver Lake, Logan County ....................... 101,000West Lake Napoleon, Logan County ......... 105,000George Lake, McHenry County .................. 10,000Clear Lake, McIntosh County ..................... 20,000Coldwater Lake, McIntosh County ............. 76,000Homestead Lake, McIntosh County ............ 30,000Pudwill Lake, McIntosh County .................. 50,000Arnegard Dam, McKenzie County ................ 4,000Long Lake, McLean County ........................ 19,000Painted Woods Creek, McLean County ......10,000Danzig Dam, Morton County ...................... 13,000Stanley Reservoir, Mountrail County ........... 27,000White Earth Dam, Mountrail County ......... 14,000Balta Dam, Pierce County ............................ 10,000Davis Lake, Pierce County ........................... 20,000

Cavanaugh Lake, Ramsey County ................ 20,000Lake Elsie, Richland County ........................ 38,000Grass Lake, Richland County ...................... 53,000Gullys Slough, Richland County .................. 32,000Cain Lake, Rolette County............................. 4,000Gravel Lake, Rolette County ........................ 10,000Island Lake, Rolette County ......................... 93,000School Section Lake, Rolette County........... 28,000Wheaton Lake, Rolette County ..................... 5,000Alkali Lake, Sargent County ........................ 16,000Buff alo Lake, Sargent County ...................... 31,000Silver Lake, Sargent County ......................... 13,000Coal Mine Lake, Sheridan County .............. 48,000North (Hoff er) McClusky, Sheridan County ... 9,000Sheyenne Lake, Sheridan County ................ 44,000Dickinson Reservoir (Patterson Lake), Stark County (adult) ................................................. 643Dickinson Reservoir (Patterson Lake), Stark County...................................................... 105,000Finley Dam (Lynch Lake), Steele County ...... 1,000North Golden Lake, Steele County.............. 29,000South Golden Lake, Steele County .............. 29,000Alkali Lake, Stutsman County ..................... 36,000Bader Lake, Stutsman County ..................... 14,000Barnes Lake, Stutsman County .................... 53,000Big Mallard Marsh, Stutsman County ......... 50,000Clark Lake, Stutsman County ...................... 20,000Crystal Springs, Stutsman County ............... 13,000Hehn-Schaff er Lake, Stutsman County ......... 7,000Jamestown Reservoir, Stutsman County ....... 50,000Pipestem Reservoir, Stutsman County (adult) ..... 46Pipestem Reservoir, Stutsman County ......... 50,000Spiritwood Lake, Stutsman County ............. 49,000Streeter Lake, Stutsman County .................... 4,000Sunday Lake, Stutsman County ................... 20,000Cottonwood Lake, Williams County ........... 31,000Epping-Springbrook Dam, Williams County .. 14,000Tioga Dam, Williams County ....................... 7,000

RAINBOW TROUTBolke Dam, Adams County ............................. 350North Lemmon, Adams County .................... 2,000Blumers Pond, Barnes County........................... 350Hatchery Kids Pond, Barnes County ................ 350Moon Lake, Barnes County (adult) ................ 2,000Strawberry Lake, Bottineau County .................. 700Holocek Dam, Bowman County ....................... 350Lutz Dam, Bowman County ............................. 350Northgate Dam, Burke County ...................... 4,000Cottonwood Park Pond, Burleigh County ........ 700McDowell Dam, Burleigh County (adult) .......... 99McDowell Dam, Burleigh County .................... 700OWLS Pond, Burleigh County ......................... 875Wilton City Pond, Burleigh County ................. 200North Woodhaven Pond, Cass County ............. 700Langdon City Pond, Cavalier County ............... 350Baukol-Noonan Dam, Divide County (adult) ... 100Baukol-Noonan Dam, Divide County ........... 3,000Baukol-Noonan East Mine Pond, Divide County . 350Beach City Pond, Golden Valley County .......... 350Camels Hump Dam, Golden Valley County .. 3,000Ryan Park Pond, Grand Forks County .............. 700Raleigh Reservoir, Grant County ................... 3,000Sheep Creek Dam, Grant County .................. 2,000Castle Rock Dam, Hettinger County ................ 700Mott Watershed Dam, Hettinger County ...... 1,000Blumhardt Dam, McIntosh County ............... 1,000Leland Dam, McKenzie County ....................... 700Sather Dam, McKenzie County ..................... 1,000Watford City Park Pond, McKenzie County..... 350

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Custer Mine, McLean County .......................... 700Lightning Lake, McLean County .................. 2,000Riverdale City Pond, McLean County .............. 700Harmony Lake, Mercer County ..................... 1,000Crown Butte Dam, Morton County (adult) ...... 199Crown Butte Dam, Morton County .............. 1,000Fish Creek Dam, Morton County .................. 4,000Gaebe Pond, Morton County ............................ 350Harmon Lake, Morton County ...................... 5,000Nygren Dam, Morton County .......................... 700Porsborg Dam, Morton County ........................ 700Stanley Pond, Mountrail County ....................... 700Missouri River .............................................. 23,000Turtle River .................................................... 2,000Oliver County Sportsmen’s Pond, Oliver County . 200Glenburn Pond, Renville County ...................... 350Mooreton Pond, Richland County (adult)...... 2,000Hooker Lake, Rolette County ........................ 1,000Davis Dam, Slope County .............................. 1,000Belfi eld Pond, Stark County .............................. 700Dickinson Dike, Stark County (adult)................. 49Dickinson Dike, Stark County ....................... 2,000Slater Pond, Stark County ................................. 350State Fair Pond, Ward County .......................... 350Velva Sportsmen’s Pond, Ward County ............. 700East Spring Lake Pond, Williams County ..... 1,000Iverson Dam, Williams County ......................... 700Kettle Lake, Williams County (adult) ................. 50Kettle Lake, Williams County ........................... 700Kota-Ray Dam, Williams County .................. 2,000McGregor Dam, Williams County ................ 3,000West Spring Lake Pond, Williams County ....... 350

WALLEYELake Ashtabula, Barnes County ................. 502,000Fox Lake, Barnes County ............................. 30,000Island Lake, Barnes County ......................... 15,000Moon Lake, Barnes County ......................... 16,000Wood Lake, Benson County ........................ 15,000Long Lake, Bottineau County ...................... 26,000Lake Metigoshe, Bottineau County ............. 97,000Bowman-Haley Dam, Bowman County .... 214,000Short Creek Dam, Burke County ................. 17,000Smishek Lake, Burke County ....................... 30,000Brewer Lake, Cass County ........................... 19,000Casselton Reservoir, Cass County .................. 2,000Mount Carmel Dam, Cavalier County ......... 39,000Pheasant Lake, Dickey County .................... 26,000Wilson Dam, Dickey County ......................... 6,000Lake Coe, Eddy County ............................... 55,000Braddock Dam, Emmons County ................ 10,000Rice Lake, Emmons County ........................ 84,000Fordville Dam, Grand Forks County............ 27,000Larimore Dam, Grand Forks County ........... 11,000Red Willow Lake, Griggs County ................ 21,000Alkaline Lake, Kidder County.................... 297,000Frettim Lake, Kidder County ....................... 17,000Jasper Lake, Kidder County ......................... 40,000Lake Josephine, Kidder County .................... 50,000Round Lake, Kidder County ........................ 30,000Sibley Lake, Kidder County ....................... 117,000Lake Williams, Kidder County .................... 15,000Woodhouse Lake, Kidder County ................ 30,000Boom Lake (Marion Lake), LaMoure County ... 19,000Diamond Lake, LaMoure County ................ 65,000Kulm-Edgeley Dam, LaMoure County ......... 4,000Lake LaMoure, LaMoure County ................ 62,000Twin Lakes, LaMoure County ..................... 67,000Marvin Miller Lake, Logan County ............. 50,000Mundt Lake, Logan County ........................ 35,000Th urn Lake, Logan County .......................... 10,000

Buff alo Lodge Lake, McHenry County ..... 110,000Cottonwood Lake, McHenry County .......... 26,000Round Lake, McHenry County ................... 75,000Coldwater Lake, McIntosh County ............. 64,000Green Lake, McIntosh County .................... 40,000Lake Hoskins, McIntosh County ................. 31,000Lehr WMA, McIntosh County ................... 50,000Lake Audubon, McLean County ............... 198,000Lake Brekken, McLean County ................... 22,000Brush Lake, McLean County ....................... 27,000Crooked Lake, McLean County .................. 93,000Lake Holmes, McLean County .................... 32,000Painted Woods Creek, McLean County ...... 10,000Strawberry Lake, McLean County ............... 21,000Danzig Dam, Morton County ...................... 15,000White Earth Dam, Mountrail County ......... 24,000McVille Dam, Nelson County ....................... 5,000Stump Lake, Nelson County ...................... 288,000Tolna Dam, Nelson County ......................... 25,000Whitman Dam, Nelson County ................... 24,000GDU Canal Lakes ..................................... 178,000Lake Sakakawea ...................................... 4,001,000Renwick Dam, Pembina County .................. 23,000Antelope Lake, Pierce County.................... 201,000Clear Lake, Pierce County ........................... 51,000Lesmeister Lake, Pierce County ................... 51,000Dead Colt Creek, Ransom County .............. 15,000Lake Darling, Renville County ................... 246,000Elm Lake, Richland County ......................... 37,000Lake Elsie, Richland County ........................ 55,000Grass Lake, Richland County .................... 109,000Horseshoe Lake, Richland County ............... 40,000Lueck Lake, Richland County ...................... 23,000Wahl Lake, Richland County ....................... 15,000West Moran Lake, Richland County ........... 15,000Belcourt Lake, Rolette County ..................... 34,000Gordon Lake, Rolette County ...................... 10,000Jarvis Lake, Rolette County .......................... 14,000Upsilon Lake, Rolette County ...................... 50,000Alkali Lake, Sargent County ........................ 25,000Buff alo Lake, Sargent County ...................... 62,000Consolidated Lake, Sargent County ............. 25,000Kraft Slough, Sargent County .................... 103,000Silver Lake, Sargent County ......................... 15,000Sprague Lake, Sargent County ..................... 10,000Lake Tewaukon, Sargent County ............... 128,000Tosse Slough, Sargent County ...................... 27,000Lake Walstead, Sargent County ..................... 4,000South (Hoff er) McClusky, Sheridan County ... 20,000Dickinson Reservoir (Patterson Lake), Stark County ............................................ 196,000North Golden Lake, Steele County.............. 31,000South Golden Lake, Steele County .............. 30,000Bader Lake, Stutsman County ..................... 22,000Barnes Lake, Stutsman County .................... 85,000Big Mallard Marsh, Stutsman County ......... 50,000Clark Lake, Stutsman County ...................... 43,000Crystal Springs, Stutsman County ............... 22,000Hehn-Schaff er Lake, Stutsman County ....... 10,000Jamestown Reservoir, Stutsman County ..... 110,000Pipestem Reservoir, Stutsman County (adult) ..... 18Pipestem Reservoir, Stutsman County ....... 152,000Reule Lake, Stutsman County ...................... 46,000Spiritwood Lake, Stutsman County ............. 82,000Streeter Lake, Stutsman County .................... 4,000Armourdale Dam, Towner County ............... 13,000Bisbee Dam-Big Coulee, Towner County .... 30,000Bylin Dam, Walsh County ............................. 9,000Homme Dam, Walsh County ...................... 23,000Matejcek Dam, Walsh County ..................... 21,000Hiddenwood Lake, Ward County ................ 19,000

Rice Lake, Ward County .............................. 21,000Harvey Dam, Wells County ......................... 31,000Hurdsfi eld-Tuff y Lake, Wells County .......... 50,000Sykeston Dam, Wells County ....................... 11,000Blacktail Dam, Williams County ................. 23,000Epping-Springbrook Dam, Williams County ... 20,000Kota-Ray Dam, Williams County .................. 5,000McLeod (Ray) Reservoir, Williams County .. 10,000

YELLOW PERCHBolke Dam, Adams County (adult) .............. 13,000Lake Ashtabula, Barnes County (adult) ....... 80,000Clausen Lake, Barnes County (adult) .................. 83Eckelson Lake North, Barnes County (adult).. 16,000Kee Lake, Barnes County (adult) ...................... 684Meadow Lake, Barnes County (adult) ............... 722Sanborn Lake, Barnes County (adult) .......... 19,000Spring Lake, Bowman County (adult) ........... 9,000Short Creek Dam, Burke County (adult) ..... 14,000Grass Lake, Burleigh County (adult) ............. 2,000Lake Harriet (Arena Lake), Burleigh County (adult) ........................................................... 3,000Twin Lakes, Burleigh County (adult) ............. 2,000Lindemann Lake, Cass County (adult) ................. 6Skjermo Lake, Divide County (adult) ............ 1,000BarZ Dam, Dunn County (adult) ..................... 300Steff an Dam, Dunn County (adult) ............. 10,000Goose Lake, Emmons County (adult) ............ 2,000Miller Lake, Emmons County (adult) ............ 2,000Odland Dam, Golden Valley County (adult) ... 16,000Bond Lake, Kidder County (adult) ................. 2,000Deer Lake, Kidder County (adult) ................. 2,000Koenig North, Kidder County (adult) ............ 1,000Koenig South, Kidder County (adult) ............ 2,000Kunkel Lake, Kidder County (adult) .............. 2,000Lake No. 5, Kidder County (adult) ................. 2,000Martin Slough, Kidder County (adult) ........... 2,000Pelican Lake, Kidder County (adult) .............. 2,000Swan Lake, Kidder County (adult) ................. 1,000Willow Lake, Kidder County (adult) ............. 2,000Twin Lakes, LaMoure County (adult).......... 20,000Dewald Lake, Logan County (adult) .............. 2,000Hauff Lake, Logan County (adult) ................. 2,000Kautz Lake, Logan County (adult) ................ 2,000Logan (Mueller) WMA, Logan County (adult) ... 2,000North Napoleon Lake, Logan County (adult) ... 2,000Roesler Lake, Logan County (adult) .............. 2,000Wentz WPA, Logan County (adult) .............. 2,000Harr Lake, McIntosh County (adult) ............. 2,000Homestead Lake, McIntosh County (adult) ... 12,000McIntosh WMA, McIntosh County (adult) .. 2,000Miller Lake, McIntosh County (adult) ......... 37,000Mudd Lake, McIntosh County (adult) ......... 35,000Venturia Lake, McIntosh County (adult) ....... 2,000Arnegard Dam, McKenzie County (adult) ..... 6,000Triangle Y Pond, McLean County (adult)...... 2,000Danzig Dam, Morton County (adult) .......... 15,000Heart River (adult) ....................................... 14,000Cherry Lake, Sheridan County (adult) ........... 5,000Vollrath Lake, Sheridan County (adult) ......... 2,000Belfi eld Pond, Stark County (adult) ............... 2,000Dickinson Reservoir (Patterson Lake), Stark County (adult) ............................................ 21,000Weigum Dam, Stark County (adult) .............. 4,000Big Mallard Marsh, Stutsman County (adult) 14,000R & M Lake, Stutsman County ................... 14,000Schock Lake, Stutsman County (adult) ........ 20,000Rice Lake, Ward County (adult) .................... 2,000State Fair Pond, Ward County (adult) ............ 2,000McLeod (Ray) Reservoir, Williams County (adult) ......................................................... 11,000


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20112011NORTHORTH DDAKOTAAKOTA

FISHINGISHING WWATERSATERS Th e following public fi shing waters in

North Dakota are listed by county in the six districts managed by the Game and Fish Department. Th e number in parenthesis that follows each fi shery is simply a code used by biologists to help identify those waters. Th e codes are also found on the maps to help readers locate waters in which they are interested.

Primary fi sh species present in the lake are noted. Most state public fi shing waters have boat ramps. Waters without ramps are listed as “no ramp.” Check signs at each area for further restrictions.

NORTHWEST

BURKE COUNTY

Northgate Dam (097) – 6 miles north, 1 mile west, 2 miles north, .5 miles west of Bowbells (walleye, bluegill, trout – fi shing pier).

Powers Lake (093) – Southeast side of Powers Lake (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

Th e following public fi shing waters in

Smishek Lake (095) – 4 miles northwest of Powers Lake (pike, perch, bluegill – fi shing pier).

DIVIDE COUNTY

Baukol-Noonan Dam (475) – 2 miles east, .5 miles south of Noonan (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

Baukol-Noonan East Mine Pond (508) – 2 miles east, .5 miles south of Noonan (trout, bluegill, perch).

Skjermo Lake (126) – 3 miles west, 4 miles northwest of Fortuna (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

MCKENZIE COUNTY

Arnegard Dam (216) – .5 miles west, 3 miles north, 1.5 miles southwest of Arne-gard (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

Leland Dam (469) – 11 miles south, 8 miles west, 8 miles south, 2 miles southeast, 1.5 miles east, 1 mile north of Alexander (bluegill, largemouth bass, trout).

Sather Dam (217) – 11 miles south, 8 miles west of Alexander (bluegill, largemouth bass, trout – fi shing pier).

Watford City Park Pond (640) – South-east side of Watford City (trout, catfi sh – no ramp, fi shing pier).

MOUNTRAIL COUNTY

Stanley Pond (245) – Northeast side of Stanley (trout, catfi sh – fi shing pier).

Stanley Reservoir (251) – 1 mile south of Stanley (pike).

White Earth Dam (249) – 6 miles north of White Earth (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

RENVILLE COUNTY

Lake Darling (285) – 16 miles north, 13 miles west of Minot (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

WARD COUNTY

Nelson-Landers Pond (638) – .25 miles west, .5 miles south, .25 miles east of Kenaston (bluegill, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

WILLIAMS COUNTY

Blacktail Dam (373) – 5 miles north, 5 miles west, 1 mile north of the junction of U.S. highways 2 and 85 (pike, perch, bluegill – fi shing pier).

Cottonwood Lake (381) – 1 mile east, .5 miles north of Alamo (pike – fi shing pier).

East Spring Lake Pond (380) – North side of Williston (trout – no ramp, fi shing pier).

Epping-Springbrook Dam (374) – 1.5 miles east of Springbrook (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Iverson Dam (375) – 3 miles south, 1 mile west, 8 miles south, .5 miles east of Tioga (trout, largemouth bass – no ramp).

Kettle Lake (099) – 3 miles east, 2.5 miles north of Zahl (trout, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

Kota-Ray Dam (376) – 5 miles south, .5 miles east, 2 miles south of Ray (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

McGregor Dam (378) – 1 mile south of McGregor (walleye, trout, perch – fi shing pier).

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Southwest fi sheries district.

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McLeod (Ray) Reservoir (377) – Southwest side of Ray (walleye, perch, pike – fi shing pier).

Tioga Dam (379) – North side of Tioga (pike – fi shing pier).

Trenton Lake (018) – South side of Trenton (pike, walleye, crappie – fi shing pier).

West Spring Lake Pond (033) – North edge of Williston (trout – no ramp).

RIVERS AND LAKES

Upper Missouri River (014) – Missouri River from Williston to the Montana state line (paddlefi sh, sauger, catfi sh).

Yellowstone River (019) – Near cities of Buford, Cartwright and Fairview (paddlefi sh, sauger, catfi sh – fi shing pier).

SOUTHWEST

ADAMS COUNTY

Bolke Dam (065) – 5 miles east, .5 miles north, .5 miles west, .5 miles north of Lem-mon, South Dakota (trout – no ramp).

Mirror Lake (040) – South side of Hettinger (walleye, perch, bluegill – fi shing pier).

North Lemmon (042) – 5 miles north of Lemmon, South Dakota (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

BOWMAN COUNTY

Bowman-Haley Dam (085) – 11 miles south, 8 miles east, 2 miles south of Bow-man (walleye, perch, smallmouth bass – fi shing pier).

Gascoyne Lake (086) – 1.5 miles north-west of Gascoyne (pike).

Holocek Dam (556) – 12 miles south, .5 miles west of Rhame (trout – no ramp).

Kalina Dam (087) – 2 miles west, 1 mile south, 1 mile west, 1 mile south of Bow-man (pike, perch, bluegill – no ramp).

Lutz Dam (519) – 2.5 miles south, 2 miles west of Griffi n (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass – no ramp).

Spring Lake (088) – 1 mile south, 4 miles west of Rhame (pike, perch).

DUNN COUNTY

Dvorak Dam (132) – 3.5 miles south, 5 miles east, .5 miles north of Manning (perch – no ramp).

Lake Ilo (131) – 1 mile west, 1 mile south of Dunn Center (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY

Beach City Pond (657) – Southwest side of Beach (bluegill, trout – no ramp).

Camels Hump Dam (150) – Northeast of Sentinel Butte – I-94 Exit 18 (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass).

Odland Dam (151) – 7 miles north of Beach (perch, bluegill, walleye – fi shing pier).

GRANT COUNTY

Heart Butte Reservoir (Lake Tschida) (160) – 15 miles south of Glen Ullin (wall-eye, perch, crappie – fi shing pier).

Raleigh Reservoir (163) – 3.5 miles west, .25 miles south of Raleigh (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

Sheep Creek Dam (164) – 4 miles south, .5 miles west of Elgin (walleye, bluegill, large-mouth bass – fi shing pier).

HETTINGER COUNTY

Blickensderfer Dam (176) – 4 miles south, 1 mile east, .5 miles south of Mott (walleye, perch, bluegill – no ramp).

Castle Rock Dam (174) – 2 miles west, 1.5 miles south, 1.5 miles west of Mott (trout, bluegill).

Indian Creek Dam (171) – 1.5 miles west, 2 miles south, 2 miles west, 3 miles south of Regent (walleye, bluegill, smallmouth bass – fi shing pier).

Larson Lake (173) – .5 miles north, 2 miles east of Regent (pike, crappie).

Mott Watershed Dam (175) – North side of Mott (bluegill, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

MORTON COUNTY

Danzig Dam (243) – 2 miles north, 1 mile west, .5 miles north of Bluegrass – I-94 Exit 120 (pike, walleye, catfi sh).

Gaebe Pond (025) – 1.5 miles west of New Salem (trout, bluegill, perch – no ramp, fi sh-ing pier).

Krieg’s Pond (705) – .5 miles east of Hebron (trout, bluegill – no ramp).

SIOUX COUNTY

Larson Lake (090) – 4 miles north, 1 mile west of Th underhawk, South Dakota (bluegill, large-mouth bass – no ramp).

SLOPE COUNTY

Cedar Lake (322) – 13 miles north, 2 miles west of Reeder (pike, walleye).

Davis Dam (323) – 16 miles west, 4 miles north of Amidon (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass).

STARK COUNTY

Belfi eld Pond (332) – Southwest side of Bel-fi eld (trout, perch, catfi sh – fi shing pier).


North central fi sheries district.

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Dassinger Pond (328) – 8 miles south, 1 mile east, 1 mile north of Gladstone (blue-gill, largemouth bass – no ramp).

Dickinson Dike (331) – Southwest side of Dickinson (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

Dickinson Reservoir (Patterson Lake) (330) – 2 miles west of Dickinson (walleye, crappie, catfi sh – fi shing pier).

Slater Pond (503) – From I-94 Exit 84, .75 miles north, 1 mile east, .5 miles north, .5 miles east (perch, trout – no ramp).

RIVERS AND LAKES

Cannonball River (388) – In Slope, Het-tinger, Grant and Sioux counties (pike, walleye, catfi sh – no ramp).

Heart River (390) – In Stark, Grant and Morton counties (pike, walleye, catfi sh – no ramp).

Little Missouri River (410) – Southwestern part of the state (sauger, catfi sh – no ramp).

NORTH CENTRAL

BOTTINEAU COUNTY

Carbury Dam (452) – 1 mile south, 1 mile west of Carbury (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

Lake Metigoshe (077) – 9 miles north, 4 miles east, 1 mile north of Bottineau (pike, walleye, bluegill – fi shing pier).

Long Lake (078) – 8 miles north, 7 miles east, 1 mile south, 1 mile east, .5 miles south, .3 miles east of Bottineau (pike, walleye, perch).

Loon Lake (674) – 9 miles north, 4 miles east, 2 miles south, 2 miles east, .5 miles north of Bottineau (perch – no ramp).

Pelican Lake (079) – 9 miles north, 8 miles east, .5 miles southwest of Bottineau (pike, perch).

Strawberry Lake (081) – 4 miles north, 2.5 miles east, .5 miles south of Carbury (trout –

fi shing pier).

MCHENRY COUNTY

Bentley Lake (129) – 3 miles west of Drake (pike, perch – no ramp).

Buff alo Lodge Lake (205) – 1 mile east, 3 miles north, 2 miles east of Granville (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Cottonwood Lake (202) – 2.5 miles north of Butte (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

George Lake (203) – 13 miles north, 3 miles east of the junction of U.S. Highway 52 and ND Highway 14 (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

Round Lake (204) – 6 miles north, 4.5 miles east of Drake (perch, walleye – no ramp).

MCLEAN COUNTY

Brush Lake (221) – 3 miles north of Mercer (pike, perch, walleye – fi shing pier).

Camp Lake (479) – 17.5 miles north, 2 miles east of Turtle Lake (pike, perch – no ramp).

Camp Loop Pond (546) – 3 miles southwest of Riverdale on U.S. Army Corps of Engi-neers’ downstream campground (trout – no ramp).

Crooked Lake (223) – 10 miles north, .2 miles east, .1 mile south of Turtle Lake (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Custer Mine (224) – 4 miles east, 2 miles south of Garrison (trout).

Lake Audubon (225) – North of Coleharbor (walleye, perch, smallmouth bass – fi shing pier).

Lake Brekken (232) – 1.5 miles north of Turtle Lake (walleye, perch, bluegill – fi shing pier).

Lake Holmes (455) – 1 mile northeast of Turtle Lake (walleye, perch, bluegill).

Lightning Lake (233) – .5 miles east of Turtle Lake (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

Long Lake (228) – 13 miles north, 4 miles east, 2 miles north, 1.5 miles west of Turtle Lake (pike).

Painted Woods Creek (418) – 5 miles southeast of Washburn (pike, walleye – no ramp).

Riverdale City Pond (220) – North side of Riverdale (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass – no ramp, fi shing pier).

Riverdale Spillway Lake (229) – 2 miles west, .5 miles south, 1 mile east of Riverdale (walleye, perch, crappie – fi shing pier).

Strawberry Lake (226) – 17.5 miles north, 2 miles east of Turtle Lake (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Triangle Y Pond (463) – 4 miles west, 1.5 miles south, 1 mile west, 1 mile south, 1 mile west, .5 miles south of Garrison (perch, bluegill – no ramp, fi shing pier).

Turtle Lake (697) – 4.5 miles west, 1 mile north of Turtle Lake (pike – no ramp).

Weishaur WPA (488) – 8 miles north, 8 miles west, 1 mile north of Turtle Lake (perch – no ramp).

MERCER COUNTY

Beulah Mine Pond (235) – 2 miles north, 2.5 miles east, .5 miles north of Beulah (perch – no ramp).

Harmony Lake (560) – 6 miles north, 1 mile west of Hazen (bluegill, largemouth bass, trout – fi shing pier).


South central fi sheries district.

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OLIVER COUNTY

East Arroda Dam (262) – 1 mile east of Fort Clark – ND Highway 200A (pike, crappie).

Nelson Lake (258) – 5 miles east, 3 miles south of Center (bluegill, crappie, large-mouth bass – fi shing pier).

Oliver County Sportsmen’s Pond (266) – 4 miles south, .5 miles west of Center (trout – no ramp).

West Arroda Dam (264) – 1 mile east of Fort Clark – ND Highway 200A (pike, crappie).

PIERCE COUNTY

Antelope Lake (617) – 9 miles east, 3 miles north, 1 mile west, 2 miles north of Ana-moose (perch, walleye – no ramp).

Balta Dam (269) – .5 miles south of Balta (pike, perch).

Clear Lake (654) – 2.5 miles north of Mar-tin (perch – no ramp).

Davis Lake (024) – 2 miles west, 1.5 miles south of Balta (pike, perch).

RENVILLE COUNTY

Glenburn Pond (466) – North side of Glen-burn (trout, bluegill – no ramp).

SHERIDAN COUNTY

Coal Mine Lake (482) – 14 miles south, 5 miles east of Anamoose (pike, perch – fi sh-ing pier).

Davis WPA (598) – 8 miles south, 1 mile east of Denhoff (perch – no ramp).

Lake Richard (653) – 4.5 miles south of Drake (perch – no ramp).

North (Hoff er) McClusky (461) – 2 miles north, 1 mile west of McClusky (pike, perch – no ramp).

Sheyenne Lake (314) – 10 miles south, 1 mile east, 1 mile south of Anamoose (pike, perch – no ramp).

South (Hoff er) McClusky (316) – 2 miles north, 1 mile west of McClusky (pike, wall-eye, perch – fi shing pier).

Stober Lake (562) – 4 miles west, 1 mile north of Goodrich (perch – no ramp).

Wolf Lake (558) – .5 miles south, 1.5 miles west of Martin (perch, pike – no ramp).

WARD COUNTY

Hiddenwood Lake (443) – 8 miles south of Makoti (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Makoti Lake (365) – 6 miles south of Makoti (pike, perch).

North Carlson Lake (360) – 10 miles east of Ryder (pike, perch).

Rice Lake (362) – 4 miles north, 7 miles east, 2 miles north of Ryder (pike, perch, walleye).

South Carlson Lake (361) – 10 miles east of Ryder (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

State Fair Pond (027) – North end of state fair grounds (trout, bluegill – no ramp, fi sh-ing pier).

Velva Sportsmen’s Pond (364) – 7 miles south, 1.5 miles west, 1 mile south, .5 miles west of Velva (trout).

RIVERS AND LAKES

GDU Canal Lakes (105) – 9 miles south, 3 miles east and west of Mercer (walleye, perch, smallmouth bass – fi shing pier).

Knife River (392) – In Dunn and Mercer counties (pike, walleye, catfi sh – no ramp).

Lake Sakakawea (020) – Near the cities of Williston, New Town, Garrison and River-dale (walleye, salmon, pike – fi shing pier).

McClusky Canal (464) – Central part of state in McLean, Burleigh and Sheridan counties (walleye, smallmouth bass, perch – no ramp).

Missouri River (004) – Missouri River from near Riverdale to south of Bismarck (walleye, catfi sh, trout – fi shing pier).

Souris River (Mouse River) (396) – North central part of state (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

SOUTH CENTRAL

BURLEIGH COUNTY

Cottonwood Park Pond (635) – On the west side of Cottonwood soccer complex in south Bismarck (trout – no ramp).

Grass Lake (689) – 5 miles north, 3.5 miles east of Wilton (perch – no ramp).

Lake Harriet (Arena Lake) (610) – 8 miles west, 1 mile south of Tuttle (pike, perch – no ramp).

Long Lake (104) – 1 mile south, 2.5 miles east of Moffi t (pike, perch – no ramp, fi shing pier).

McDowell Dam (101) – 4 miles east, 1 mile north of Bismarck on ND Highway 10 (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

OWLS Pond (026) – Just west of Bismarck Game and Fish offi ce (trout, perch, bluegill – no ramp, fi shing pier).

Wilton City Pond (600) – South side of Wilton (trout – no ramp).

EMMONS COUNTY

Baumgartner Lake (529) – 6 miles south of Linton (pike, perch – no ramp).

Braddock Dam (140) – 2 miles southwest of Braddock (pike, bluegill, perch).

Hague WMA (683) – 2 miles west of Hague (perch, pike – no ramp).


Jake’s Lake (527) – 13 miles south, 1 mile east of Strasburg (pike, perch – no ramp).

Miller Lake (525) – 8 miles south, 1 mile east of Strasburg (perch – no ramp).

Rice Lake (142) – 8 miles south of Strasburg (pike, perch, walleye).

Senger Lake (526) – 1 mile north, 6 miles east of Strasburg (perch – no ramp).

KIDDER COUNTY

Alkaline Lake (590) – 15.5 miles south, 7 miles east, .5 miles south, 1 mile east of Dawson (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Cherry Lake (177) – 15 miles north, 3 miles east of Steele (pike, perch).

Des Moines Lake (593) – 5.5 miles east of Robinson (pike – no ramp).

Etta-Alkaline Complex (650) – 1 mile south, 2.5 miles west, 3 miles south of Daw-son (pike – no ramp).

Fresh Lake (549) – 14 miles south, 1 mile east, 1.5 miles south of Tappen (pike, perch – no ramp).

Frettim Lake (180) – 2 miles east, 1 mile north of Robinson (pike, walleye, perch).

Helen Lake (601) – 2.5 miles west, 6 miles north of Tuttle (pike, perch – no ramp).

Horsehead Lake (594) – 2 miles west, 6 miles south of Robinson (pike – no ramp).

Jasper Lake (573) – 7 miles north, .5 miles east of Robinson (perch, walleye).

Koenig North (676) – 12.25 miles north, 1.5 miles east of Robinson (perch – no ramp).

Koenig South (677) – 12.25 miles north, 1.5 miles east of Robinson (perch – no ramp).

Lake Geneva (666) – 2 miles south, .5 miles east of I-94 Exit 195 (perch – no ramp).

Lake Isabel (183) – 2 miles south, .5 miles east, .75 miles south of Dawson (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

Lake Josephine (186) – 2 miles north of Tuttle (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Lake No. 5 (476) – .5 miles west, 2 miles north, 3 miles west, 4 miles north of Dawson (perch – no ramp).

Lake Williams (182) – Just south of the town of Lake Williams (pike, walleye, perch).

Leno Lake (604) – 1 mile east, 7 miles north of Tuttle (pike, perch – no ramp).

Long Alkaline Lake (629) – 3 miles west, 7 miles north of Robinson (perch – no ramp).

Martin Slough (419) – 2 miles east, 5.5 miles south of Robinson (perch – no ramp).

North Des Moines Lake (688) – 5.5 miles east of Robinson (pike – no ramp).

Ranch Lake (684) – 1 mile west of Pettibone (perch – no ramp).

Round Lake (181) – 1.5 miles east of Pet-tibone (pike, walleye, perch – no ramp).

Schumacher Lake (702) – 7 miles north, 1 mile east, .25 miles south of Robinson (perch, walleye – no ramp).

Sibley Lake (646) – 6 miles north, 2 miles east of Dawson (walleye – no ramp).

South Lake (686) – 7 miles east, 2 miles south of Robinson (perch – no ramp).

Swan Lake (678) – 10.5 miles north of Rob-inson (perch – no ramp).

Willow Lake (645) – 3 miles west, 7 miles north, .5 miles east, 1 mile north, .5 miles west, 1 mile north of Robinson (perch – no ramp).

Woodhouse Lake (472) – 1 mile east, 12 miles north, 2 miles west of Tuttle (perch, walleye – no ramp).

LOGAN COUNTY

Beaver Lake (197) – 8 miles south, 8 miles east of Napoleon (pike, perch).

Braun Lake (588) – 5 miles north, 6 miles west of Napoleon (perch – no ramp).

Kautz Lake (061) – 5 miles north, 7 miles west of Lehr (perch – no ramp).

Marvin Miller Lake (533) – 6.5 miles south, 8 miles west of Gackle (perch, walleye – no ramp).

Mundt Lake (199) – 3 miles east, 4 miles north, 1 mile east, .5 miles south of Lehr (walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Th urn Lake (620) – 5 miles north of Lehr, .5 miles east (perch, walleye – no ramp).

Wentz WPA (632) – 12 miles east of Napo-leon (perch, walleye – no ramp).

West Lake Napoleon (201) – 1 mile west of Napoleon (pike, perch).

MCINTOSH COUNTY

Becker-Schlepp Lake (628) – 1 mile north, 2 miles east, 3 miles north, 1.5 miles west of Ashley (perch – no ramp).

Clear Lake (215) – 6 miles east, 2 miles south of Wishek (pike – no ramp).

Dollinger-Schnabel Lake (580) – 2 miles north, 5 miles west, 3 miles north of Ventu-ria (perch – no ramp).

Dorfman Lake (642) – 5 miles north, 2 miles west of Ashley (pike, perch, walleye – no ramp).

Dry Lake (213) – 3 miles west, 3.5 miles north of Ashley (pike, walleye, perch).

Green Lake (210) – 2 miles east, 4 miles south, 1 mile east of Wishek (walleye, pike, perch – fi shing pier).

Homestead Lake (696) – 3.5 miles east, 2 miles north of Danzig (pike, perch – no ramp).

Lake Hoskins (211) – 3 miles west of Ashley (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Lehr WMA (570) – 2 miles east, 1 mile south of Lehr (walleye).

Miller Lake (315) – 7.5 miles east, 2.5 miles south of Lehr (pike, perch – no ramp).

Mudd Lake (595) – 1 mile west of Lehr (perch – no ramp).

Pfeifl e Lake (690) – 10 miles south, 2 miles east of Wishek (pike – no ramp).

Pudwill Lake (214) – 4 miles west, 7 miles south of Wishek (pike, perch – no ramp).

Rueb-Eszlinger (691) – 7.5 miles north, 2 miles west of Ashley (perch – no ramp).

MORTON COUNTY

Crown Butte Dam (237) – 4 miles west on access road on north side of I-94 Exit 147 (largemouth bass, crappie, trout – fi shing pier).

Fish Creek Dam (239) – 8 miles south, 2 miles east, 1 mile south of I-94 Exit 134 (trout, crappie, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

Harmon Lake (660) – 8 miles north of Mandan on ND Highway 1806 (trout – no ramp).

Nygren Dam (242) – 6 miles north, 1 mile east, 3 miles north, .5 miles east of Flasher (trout, bluegill, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

Porsborg Dam (675) – Northwest Mandan (perch, crappie, trout – no ramp).

Sweet Briar Dam (240) – 18 miles west of Mandan – I-94 Exit 134 (walleye, perch, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

SIOUX COUNTY

Froelich Dam (318) – 9 miles north, 2 miles west of Selfridge (pike, walleye, perch).

RIVERS AND LAKES

Lake Oahe (001) – Near the cities of Bismarck, Fort Yates, Hazelton, Linton and Strasburg (walleye, catfi sh, pike – fi shing pier).

NORTHEAST

BENSON COUNTY

Fort Totten Dam (663) – .5 miles east of Fort Totten (trout – no ramp).

Gravel Pit Lake (661) – 4.5 miles west of Fort Totten (black crappie – no ramp).

Mission Lake (662) – 5 miles south, 1.5 miles east, 2 miles south of Devils Lake (walleye, perch, pike – no ramp).

Silver Lake (058) – 1 mile west, 6 miles south, 1 mile west, 1 mile north of Churchs Ferry (pike, perch – no ramp).


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Wood Lake (054) – 2 miles west, 1 mile south of Tokio (pike, walleye, perch).

CAVALIER COUNTY

Langdon City Pond (115) – South side of Langdon (trout – fi shing pier).

Mount Carmel Dam (114) – 9 miles north, 2 miles east, 2 miles north of Langdon (pike, walleye, perch).

EDDY COUNTY

Adams Lake (603) – 10 miles south of War-wick (perch – no ramp).

Battle Lake (136) – .5 miles south, 1.5 miles west, 1.5 miles south of Hamar (pike, perch – no ramp).

Lake Coe (652) – 10 miles south of Warwick on east side of Eddy County Road 8 (perch, walleye – no ramp).

New Rockford Reservoir (137) – North side of New Rockford (pike, bluegill – no ramp, fi shing pier).

Warsing Dam (135) – 1 mile northeast of Sheyenne (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

FOSTER COUNTY

Dry Lake (548) – 4 miles east, 5 miles south of Carrington (pike, walleye, perch – no ramp).

Juanita Lake (147) – 2 miles east of Grace City (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

GRAND FORKS COUNTY

Fordville Dam (153) – 5 miles west, 1 mile north, .5 miles west, .5 miles north of Inkster (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Kolding Dam (155) – 5 miles southeast, 1 mile south of Niagara on U.S. Highway 2 (pike).

Larimore Dam (154) – 2 miles northeast of Larimore (pike, perch, bluegill – fi shing pier).

Niagara Dam (156) – North of Niagara (pike).

Ryan Park Pond (659) – South side of Grand Forks (trout – no ramp, fi shing pier).

GRIGGS COUNTY

Carlson-Tande Dam (169) – 1 mile south, 5 miles west of Aneta (pike, perch, bluegill – no ramp).

Lake Addie (596) – 4 miles east, 1 mile south, 1 mile west of Binford (perch, walleye).

Lake Jessie (597) – 4 miles east, 1 mile south, 1 mile west of Binford (perch, pike – no ramp).

Red Willow Lake (168) – 6 miles north, 2 miles west of Binford (pike, walleye, bluegill – fi shing pier).

Sibley Lake (435) – 11 miles west, 3 miles south of Binford (pike, perch – no ramp).

NELSON COUNTY

Lake Laretta (506) – 2 miles west and 3 miles north of Michigan (pike, perch – no ramp).

McVille Dam (252) – 1 mile east of McVille (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Silver Creek Dam (268) – 4 miles west, .5 miles south of McVille (pike – no ramp).

Stump Lake (516) – 12 miles south, 1 mile west of Lakota (perch, walleye, pike).

Tolna Dam (254) – 1 mile south, 2 miles east of Tolna (pike, walleye, perch).

Whitman Dam (253) – 1.5 miles north, 3 miles east of Whitman (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

PEMBINA COUNTY

Renwick Dam (265) – 6 miles west, 1 mile north of Cavalier (pike, perch, crappie – fi sh-ing pier).

PIERCE COUNTY

Buff alo Lake (271) – 4 miles west, 1 mile south of Esmond (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

Sand Lake (270) – 4 miles north of Pleasant Lake (pike, perch – fi shing pier).

RAMSEY COUNTY

Cavanaugh Lake (276) – 9 miles north, 1 mile west, .5 miles north of Devils Lake (pike, perch – no ramp).

Devils Lake (275) – Near the city of Devils Lake (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Lake Irvine (551) – 1 mile north of Churchs Ferry (pike, walleye, perch).

Morrison Lake (509) – 3 miles east, 2 miles south of Webster (pike, perch – no ramp).

Sweetwater Lake (277) – 7 miles north, .25 miles east of Devils Lake (pike, perch – no ramp).

ROLETTE COUNTY

Belcourt Lake (300) – 2 miles north of Belcourt (pike, walleye, perch).

Cain Lake (450) – 2 miles south, 9 miles west, .5 miles north of St. John (pike, perch – no ramp).

Carpenter Lake (291) – 12 miles west of St. John (pike, perch).

Dion Lake (293) – 10 miles west, 2 miles north, 1 mile east of St. John (walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Gordon Lake (299) – 4.5 miles north, 1 mile west, .25 miles northwest of Belcourt (pike, walleye, perch).

Gravel Lake (294) – 6 miles west, .5 miles north of St. John (pike, walleye, perch – fi sh-ing pier).

Hooker Lake (295) – 8 miles west of St. John (trout, smallmouth bass – fi shing pier).

Island Lake (634) – 3 miles west, 2 miles south of Mylo (pike, perch).

Jarvis Lake (301) – .75 miles southwest, 6 miles west of St. John (pike, walleye, perch – no ramp).

Northeast fi sheries district.


Jensen Lake (290) – 9 miles west, 3 miles north of St. John (perch).

School Section Lake (296) – 9 miles north, 2.5 miles east of Dunseith (pike, perch).

Shutte Lake (298) – .5 miles east of Dun-seith (pike, perch – no ramp).

Upsilon Lake (297) – 6 miles west, 1 mile north of St. John (pike, walleye, perch – fi sh-ing pier).

Wheaton Lake (292) – 4.5 miles north, 2 miles west of Belcourt (walleye, perch).

STEELE COUNTY

Finley Dam (Lynch Lake) (335) – 1 mile south of Finley (pike, perch – no ramp).

North Golden Lake (339) – 10 miles east, 4 miles north, .5 miles west of Finley (pike, perch, walleye).

North Tobiason Lake (336) – 8 miles west of Hatton (pike, bluegill, crappie).

South Golden Lake (337) – 10 miles east, 3 miles north, .5 miles west of Finley (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

TOWNER COUNTY

Armourdale Dam (349) – 9 miles east, 1.5 miles north of Rolla (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Bisbee Dam-Big Coulee (350) – 1 mile east of Bisbee (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

WALSH COUNTY

Bylin Dam (355) – 3 miles east, 3 miles south of Adams (pike, bluegill).

Dougherty Dam (032) – 1 mile west of Bylin Dam (pike, bluegill – no ramp).

Homme Dam (356) – 2 miles west of Park River (pike, perch, crappie – fi shing pier).

Matejcek Dam (354) – 6 miles south of Lankin (pike, walleye, perch).

WELLS COUNTY

Goose Lake (608) – 3 miles north, 3 miles east, 1 mile north of Harvey (pike, perch, walleye – no ramp).

Harvey Dam (368) – Southeast side of Har-vey (pike, perch, walleye – fi shing pier).

Hurdsfi eld-Tuff y Lake (616) – 3.5 miles east of Hurdsfi eld (perch – no ramp).

Sykeston Dam (369) – Northwest side of Sykeston (pike, perch, crappie – fi shing pier).

RIVERS AND LAKES

Turtle River (404) – In Grand Forks County (pike, catfi sh, trout – no ramp).

SOUTHEAST

BARNES COUNTY

Blumers Pond (023) – 1 mile south of Valley City (trout – no ramp).

Clausen Springs (051) – 3 miles north, 1 mile east, .5 miles north of the junction of ND highways 46 and 1 (perch, largemouth bass, walleye – fi shing pier).

Eckelson Lake North (605) – 2 miles east of Eckelson (perch – no ramp).

Fox Lake (586) – 1 mile west of Eckelson (perch, walleye – no ramp).

Hatchery Kids Pond (064) – 2 miles north-west of Valley City (trout – no ramp).

Hobart Lake North (636) – 6 miles west of Valley City (perch – no ramp).

Hobart Lake South (532) – 6 miles west of Valley City (perch – no ramp).

Island Lake (672) – 3 miles south, .5 miles east of Urbana (walleye – no ramp).

Lake Ashtabula (046) – 10 miles north of Valley City (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Moon Lake (049) – 2 miles west, 5.5 miles south, 4 miles west, 2 miles north of Valley City (perch, smallmouth bass, walleye – fi sh-ing pier).

Olson WPA (633) – 1.5 miles east, .5 miles south of Sanborn (perch – no ramp).

Sanborn Lake (557) – 2 miles east of San-born (perch, pike – no ramp).

Eckelson Lake South (671) – 4 miles south, 1.5 miles east of Eckelson (pike, perch – no

ramp).

St. Mary’s Lake (045) – 2 miles west, 5.5 miles south, 4 miles west, 1 mile north of Valley City (perch – no ramp).

CASS COUNTY

Brewer Lake (111) – 1 mile south, 1 mile west of Erie (bluegill, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass – fi shing pier).

Casselton Reservoir (106) – Just west of Casselton (pike, crappie, bluegill – fi shing pier).

North Woodhaven Pond (656) – 2.25 miles south, .25 miles east of I-94 Exit 348 (trout, bluegill – no ramp, fi shing pier).

South Woodhaven Pond (673) – 3.5 miles south, .25 miles east of I-94 Exit 348 (perch – no ramp).

DICKEY COUNTY

Moores Lake (119) – 18.5 miles west, 1 mile north of Ellendale (pike, perch – no ramp).

Pheasant Lake (120) – 6 miles west of Ellendale (pike, walleye, bluegill – fi shing pier).

Wilson Dam (121) – 7 miles west of Monango (pike, perch, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

LAMOURE COUNTY

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Southeast fi sheries district.


Alfred Lake (574) – 7 miles east, 1.5 miles south of Gackle (perch, pike – no ramp).

Boom Lake (Marion Lake) (561) – .5 miles west of Marion (perch, walleye, bluegill).

Diamond Lake (553) – 5 miles north of Kulm (pike, perch, walleye – no ramp).

Flood Lake (511) – 3.5 miles north of Kulm (pike, perch).

Heinrich-Martin Dam (189) – 1 mile southeast of Adrian (bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie).

Kalmbach Lake (194) – 1 mile south, 4.5 miles west, .5 miles south of Jud (pike, perch).

Kulm-Edgeley Dam (191) – 4 miles west, 2 miles south of Edgeley (pike, walleye, perch).

Lake LaMoure (196) – 1 mile south, 1 mile east, 2.5 miles south, 1 mile west, .5 miles south of LaMoure (pike, walleye, crappie – fi shing pier).

Limesand-Seefeldt Dam (193) – 8 miles south, 3 miles west of Marion (pike, bluegill, largemouth bass).

Schlecht-Th om Dam (195) – 5 miles west, .5 miles north of Edgeley (perch, largemouth bass, pike).

Schlecht-Weixel Dam (188) – 4 miles south of Jud (perch, pike).

Schlenker Dam (Lehr Dam) (422) – 11 miles west, .5 miles south of the junction of U.S. Highway 281 and ND Highway 46 (perch, largemouth bass, bluegill).

Twin Lakes (552) – 4 miles north of LaM-oure (perch, walleye, pike).

LOGAN COUNTY

Arnies Lake (623) – 1.5 miles south of Gackle, 2 miles east, 1 mile south (perch, pike – no ramp).

MCINTOSH COUNTY

Blumhardt Dam (208) – 10 miles east, 7 miles north, 1.5 miles east of Ashley (trout).

Coldwater Lake (209) – 16 miles east, 1 mile south, 1 mile west of Ashley (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

RANSOM COUNTY

Dead Colt Creek (284) – 5 miles south, 1 mile east, .5 miles north, .5 miles east of Lisbon (bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass – fi shing pier).

Mirror Pool (668) – 8 miles east, 2 miles south, 1.5 miles southeast of Sheldon (large-mouth bass, bluegill – no ramp).

RICHLAND COUNTY

Bisek Slough (682) – 2 miles north, .5 miles west of Lidgerwood (pike).

Elm Lake (693) – .5 miles east, 3.5 miles south of Lidgerwood (walleye, pike – no ramp).

Grass Lake (272) – 3 miles west, 2 miles north, 1 mile west of Lidgerwood (pike, crappie, walleye – fi shing pier).

Gullys Slough (572) – 4 miles east, 1 mile south of Lidgerwood (perch, pike – no ramp).

Horseshoe Lake (287) – 4 miles west, 1 mile south of Hankinson (perch, walleye – no ramp).

Kreiser Slough (680) – 4 miles north, 3 miles west of Lidgerwood (pike – no ramp).

Lake Elsie (289) – 1 mile south, 1.5 miles west of Hankinson (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Lueck Lake (622) – 4 miles east, 2 miles south, 1 mile east, .5 miles south of Lidger-wood (perch, walleye – no ramp).

Mooreton Pond (288) – 2 miles east of Mooreton (trout, bluegill, catfi sh – fi shing pier).

Silver Lake (681) – 2 miles north, 2 miles west of Lidgerwood (pike – no ramp).

Wahl Lake (523) – 2 miles south of Lidger-wood (pike, perch, walleye – no ramp).

West Moran Lake (669) – 2 miles east and .5 miles south of Lidgerwood (perch, wall-eye – no ramp).

SARGENT COUNTY

Alkali Lake (302) – 3 miles south of Cayuga (walleye).

Buff alo Lake (307) – 6 miles north, 1 mile east of Rutland (pike, walleye).

Consolidated Lake (651) – 2.5 miles south, 3 miles east of Forman (walleye, crappie, perch – no ramp).

Fiala Lake (571) – 1 mile west, 2 miles south of Forman (perch, walleye, pike – no ramp).

Kraft Slough (643) – 1 mile south, 9 miles east, 1 mile north, .5 miles west of Oakes (perch, walleye – no ramp).

Lake Tewaukon (305) – 5 miles south of Cayuga (pike, walleye, muskie – fi shing pier).

Lake Walstead (667) – 2.5 miles south, 1 mile east, .5 miles south of Forman (perch – no ramp).

Silver Lake (303) – 3 miles west, 2 miles south of Rutland (pike, crappie – fi shing pier).

Sprague Lake (309) – 6 miles west, 4 miles south, 1.5 miles west of Cayuga (pike, wall-eye, crappie).

Tosse Slough (679) – 8.5 miles south, 2.5 miles east of Geneseo (perch, walleye – no ramp).

STUTSMAN COUNTY

Alkali Lake (539) – 11 miles north, 5 miles east, 1 mile south of Jamestown (pike, perch – no ramp).

Arrowwood Lake (344) – 3 miles south, 5 miles west of Kensal (pike, walleye, perch – no ramp).

Bader Lake (427) – 4 miles south, 1 mile east of Medina (pike, perch, walleye).

Barnes Lake (346) – 1 mile east, 6 miles north of Woodworth (pike, walleye, perch).

Big Mallard Marsh (599) – 9 miles north, 1 mile east of Woodworth (pike, walleye, perch – no ramp).

Clark Lake (340) – 5 miles west, 2 miles north of Woodworth (pike, perch, walleye).

Cleveland Slough (665) – .5 miles south of Cleveland along County Road 67 (perch – no ramp).

Crystal Springs (179) – 1 mile east of Crys-tal Springs (pike, walleye, perch).

Hehn-Schaff er Lake (459) – 4 miles north of Gackle (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Hoggarth Dam (576) – 3 miles west, 3 miles south of Courtenay (perch – no ramp).

Jamestown Reservoir (341) – 2 miles north of Jamestown (pike, walleye, crappie – fi sh-ing pier).

Jim Lake (342) – 6 miles east of Pingree (pike, walleye, perch – no ramp).

Little Britches Pond (492) – Next to Jame-stown Reservoir marina (trout – no ramp).

Pipestem Reservoir (348) – 5 miles north-west, .8 miles west, 1 mile south of Jame-stown (pike, walleye, crappie – fi shing pier).

Reule Lake (607) – 5 miles west, .5 miles north of Medina (perch, walleye – no ramp).

Spiritwood Lake (343) – 10 miles north, 4 miles east of Jamestown (pike, walleye, perch – fi shing pier).

Streeter Lake (460) – South side of Streeter (pike, perch).

Sunday Lake (649) – 1.5 miles west and 3 miles north of Woodworth (pike – no ramp).

RIVERS AND LAKES

James River (400) – Southeastern part of the state (pike, walleye).

Red River (411) – Eastern edge of state (pike, walleye, catfi sh – fi shing pier).

Sheyenne River (397) – Southeastern part of state (catfi sh, walleye, smallmouth bass – fi shing pier).


BUFFALOBERRY PATCHBy Greg Freeman, Department News Editor Editows EEditor

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A year ago North Dakota Game and Fish Department offi cials began encour-aging anglers to drain water in livewells and baitwells prior to leaving a water body.

On October 1, 2010 this recommen-dation became law in an eff ort to help reduce the spread of aquatic nuisance species throughout the state.

Greg Power, Department fi sher-ies chief, said most anglers support the new regulation and understand that they have to do some preplanning – pack-ing a cooler with ice to haul fi sh, for instance – before going fi shing.

“Anglers are genu-inely concerned about the possible spread of aquatic nuisance species,” Power said. “We are simply doing what we can, with the help of anglers, to further protect the resource. Th is rule is intended to minimize the risk and eliminate a pathway for the transfer of aquatic nuisance species.”

Th e reasons for the concern go by the names of Eurasian water milfoil, VHS virus, spiny water fl ea, zebra mussels, the list goes on. Th ese alien environmental off enders have no place in North Dakota, but have the ability to thrive, suff ocating the natural order of things. In the case of milfoil, the plant grows under water, forming thick mats that make boating dif-fi cult; provides too much cover, potentially leading to stunted fi sh populations; and when the weeds die off it can promote fi sh kills. In short, when milfoil takes over, habitats are degraded and wildlife popula-tions decline.

While the state remains relatively free

of aquatic nuisance species, there are a handful that are only a boat ride away, biologists say, considering how mobile anglers, hunters and other recreationists are nowadays. It’s certainly not a stretch, for example, to say the same anglers who fi sh zebra mussel-infested waters in other states may also ply the Missouri River or Devils Lake in North Dakota for walleye.

Th e same can be said for jumping from lake to lake within our borders, especially now that zebra mussels have been found in North Dakota waters (Red River). Without question, a lot of anglers

in North Dakota don’t concentrate their eff orts on just one fi shery. “In our mobile and connected world, they move around from fi shery to fi shery, depending on where the fi sh are biting,” Power said.

One suggestion for anglers is to trans-port fi sh in or on ice after they’ve drained their livewells. Power said many will clean their fi sh right at a cleaning station, or

will make other arrangements if a station isn’t nearby. “Plac-ing fi sh on ice is the logical way for those who wait to clean their fi sh at a campsite or until they get home,” he said.

Game and Fish offi cials understand that draining livewells and baitwells, as well as other regulations concern-ing aquatic nuisance species, may mean some inconve-niences for boaters, anglers, hunters and others who use

our waters. Yet, the risk to our lakes and rivers is real because once an aquatic nuisance species is estab-lished it’s virtu-ally impossible to eliminate it.

Department fi sheries manag-ers have carefully weighed the risks versus the incon-veniences. Th ey strongly believe the current out-

look is serious enough to involve state boaters and anglers in the eff ort to ensure better long-term health of the state’s fi sheries.

“Th e ramifi cations are much larger if we sit back and do nothing,” Power said.

Drain Livewells, Baitwells to Prevent Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species

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One suggestion for anglers is to transport fi sh in or on ice after they’ve drained their livewells.


Final CWD Test ResultsTh e remaining 3,600 North

Dakota deer samples that were tested for chronic wasting disease are negative, according to Dr. Dan Grove, wildlife veterinarian for the State Game and Fish Department.

In all, more than 4,200 targeted and hunter-harvested samples from 2010 were sent to a lab at Michigan State University. One mule deer taken last fall in unit 3F2 in west-ern Grant County tested positive for CWD, the second positive sample from a North Dakota animal. Th e fi rst was taken during the deer gun season in 2009, also from a mule deer in unit 3F2.

Th e hunter-harvested surveillance program annually collects samples taken from hunter-harvested deer in specifi c regions of the state. Samples during the 2010 deer gun season were collected from units in the eastern third of the state, along with unit 3F2.

In addition to hunter-harvested deer, the Game and Fish Department has a targeted surveillance program that is an ongoing, year-round eff ort to test animals found dead or sick.

Since the Department’s sampling eff orts began in 2002, more than 20,000 deer, elk and moose have tested negative for CWD.

CWD aff ects the nervous system of members of the deer family and is always fatal. Scientists have found no evidence that CWD can be transmit-ted naturally to humans or livestock.

Winter Habitat Vital to WildlifeAnother tough winter in North Dakota was a chilling reminder of how important

habitat is to wintering wildlife.Kevin Kading, private land section leader for the state Game and Fish Department,

said wildlife depends on quality winter habitat to survive. “Grasslands, wetlands and other habitats for nesting, breeding or raising their young are equally important for wildlife during other times of their life cycle, but the most important factor for wildlife in severe winters is thermal cover,” he said.

Th e Game and Fish Department has funding and programs available for private land-owners interested in enhancing or developing habitat or wildlife food plots on their land. Kading said private land biologists will work with landowners to develop habitat and fi nd programs that fi t the landowner’s specifi c needs.

Th ermal cover consists of dense thickets of shrubs or multi-row tree and shrub plant-ings with essential zones, such as a north and west prevailing wind barrier, a snow trap or open area that allows snow to drop in, an interior loafi ng or wintering area, and backside protection on the south and east sides. Sizes, shapes and confi gurations of these habitat blocks depend upon the landscape and contour of the land, suitable soils and sites that provide the best opportunity for survival. Large, dense stands of cattail wetlands can also provide winter cover, but even those can fi ll in with snow in severe winters.

“When developing winter habitat, landowners should also consider having food plots available nearby,” Kading said. “Food plots need to be close to winter habitat so animals have adequate cover and protection from exposure.”

Landowners interested in developing winter habitat should visit the Department’s website at gf.nd.gov, or contact a private lands biologist at a regional Game and Fish offi ce in Williston (774-4320), Dickinson (227-7431), Riverdale (654-7475), Devils Lake (662-3617), Jamestown (253-6480), Harvey (324-2211) or Bismarck (328-6300).

North Dakota’s spring turkey season opens April 9 and continues through May 15.

Hunters are reminded a 2011-12 hunting license is required. Last year’s 2010-11 licenses expired March 31. In addition, hunters must have a fi shing, hunting and furbearer certifi cate, and a general game and habitat license. Also, hunters ages 16 and older must possess a small game license, or combination license.

Check the Game and Fish Department’s website to see if any licenses are still available. If so, only those hunters who do not have a license are eligible to apply.

First-come, fi rst-served licenses are available online at the Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, or call (701) 328-6300 to request an application. Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply.

Spring Turkey Hunter Reminders

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Winters are typically tough in North Dakota and good habitat is important in helping animals through to another spring.


New Fishing, Furbearer Licenses

Hunters, trappers and anglers are reminded that new fi shing and furbearer licenses are required April 1.

Th e dates for the furbearer license coincide with fi shing season. Licenses for 2011-12 are eff ective April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

For a complete list of regulations, refer to the 2010-12 North Dakota Fishing Guide, 2010-11 North Dakota Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Guide, or the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.

Paul Bailey

Bailey Wins AFS Award

Paul Bailey won the Best Professional Paper Award at the Dakota Chapter of the American Fish-eries Society meeting in Bismarck in January.

Bailey, south central district fi sheries supervisor, titled his work “Estimating Population Size of Gar-rison Reach Paddlefi sh.” Th e paper described the techniques used and results of conducting a popula-tion estimate on paddlefi sh in the Missouri River below Garrison Dam in North Dakota. Th is award is given annually to the best professional (nonstudent) paper presentation at the chapter meeting.

STAFFNOTES

Boating Basics Course Time

March and April are tradition-ally the months when many outdoor enthusiasts begin to ready equip-ment and make plans for another open water boating season in North Dakota. With that in mind, now is a good time to look into taking the state’s Boating Basics Course.

State law requires youngsters ages 12-15 who want to operate a boat or personal watercraft with at least a 10 horsepower motor to fi rst pass the state’s Boating Basics Course. In addition, major insurance companies give adult boat owners who pass the course a premium discount on boat insurance.

Th e course is available for home-study from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck offi ce, or online at boaterexam.com.

While the home-study course is free, students will be charged $29.95 to take it online. Th e online pro-vider charges for the course, and the money stays with them.

Students interested in taking the course online should choose the option “North Dakota.” Upon completion of the test, and provid-ing a credit card number, students will be able to print out a tempo-rary certifi cation card, and within 10 days a permanent card will be mailed.

Th e course covers legal require-ments, navigation rules, accidents and special topics such as weather, rules of the road, laws, life saving and fi rst aid.

For more information on Boating Basics contact Nancy Boldt, North Dakota Game and Fish Depart-ment, by email at [email protected]; or call (701) 328-6300.

Grouse Dancing Blinds by Appointment

Several national wildlife refuges and a state wildlife management area will off er sharp-tailed grouse observation blinds for public use this spring.

Grouse blinds typically receive widespread interest and are available by reservation only. Peak grouse dancing activity usually occurs from mid-April into early May.

Th e North Dakota Game and Fish Department has an observation blind at Lonetree Wildlife Management Area southwest of Harvey. Call (701) 324-2211 for reservations.

Contact the following national wildlife refuges for information on blind reservations: Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, Kenmare, (701) 848-2722.• Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge, Kenmare, (701) 385-4046.• Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Moffi t, (701) 387-4397.• Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, Pingree, (701) 285-3341.• Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, Berthold, (701) 468-5467.• J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, Upham, (701) 768-2548.•

Paddlefi sh Snagging Season

North Dakota’s paddlefi sh snagging season opens May 1 and is scheduled to continue through the end of the month. Depending on the overall harvest, however, an early closure may occur with a 36-hour notice issued by the Game and Fish Depart-ment.

If the season closes early, an extended snag-and-release-only period will be allowed for up to seven days immedi-ately following the early closure, but not to extend beyond May 31.

See the 2010-12 North Dakota Fishing Guide for more details.

N Fi hi PP ddl fi h S i SP


Volunteer instructors for North Dakota’s hunter education program were recognized in February for teaching students the importance of hunter safety and ethics.

Instructor of the year and years of service awards were presented at the annual hunter education workshop and awards banquet held in Bismarck.

Susan and Richard Harwood, Lemmon, South Dakota, and Keith Domke, Jamestown, were named instructors of the year.

Recognized for a decade or more of service were:

35 years• – James Linnertz, West Fargo.30 years• – Allan Auff orth, Bot-tineau; Dale Bakkum, Mayville; Ronald Brilz, Tioga; James Buchweitz, Bottineau; James Grubb, Tioga; Robert Herdt, St. John; Doyle Heupel, Elgin; Darrell Jamsa, Starkweather; Dale Kilwein, Dickinson; Allan Kville, Portland; Ellary Liebelt, Lidgerwood; Th omas Linnertz, Harwood; Charles Paulson, Bisbee; Ralph Peterson, Portland; Toby Placek, Crosby; Melvin Stark, Cavalier; Walter Turbiville, Dickinson; Daryl Vance, Watford City.25 years• – David Colby, Ken-mare; Bruce Fairbrother, Towner; Allen Giese, Wahpeton; Dwight Leier, Esmond; Gary Leslie, Burlington; Gary Nils-son, Walhalla; Larrett Peterson, Bottineau; Larry Sinner, Hills-boro; Paul Stave, Grafton; Mark Walsh, Williston; Terry Week, Beach; Walter Zimbelman, Ful-lerton.20 years• – Ronald Bachmeier, Dickinson; Dwain Barondeau, Mott; Neil Dockter, Horace; Th omas Kelsh, Minot; Gene

Kouba, Bismarck; Cory Lohse, Alexander; Patrick Lorge, Amidon; Dale Marks, Ypsilianti; Robert Opp, Jamestown; Gerald Quintus, Richardton; Paul Sin-ner, Wahpeton; Larry Th omp-son, Dickinson; Gary Wald, Maddock; Merle Weatherly, Jamestown; Curtis Wittmayer, Parshall.15 years• – Wayne Andersen, Bis-marck; William Byram, Devils Lake; Roger Dienert, Hankin-son; Glen Fuhrman, Enderlin; Rick Haldorson, Enderlin; Robert Herding, Hankinson; Mark Hunt, Minot; Jackie Jacob-son, Max; Ike Kuntz, Dickin-son; Larry Leier, Hague; Pam Podoll, Velva; Th omas Simmons, Cavalier; Douglas Sommerfeld, Lisbon; Mark Spravzoff , Watford City; Don Underwood, Grand Forks; Mark Volk, Bismarck; Debbie Waldahl, Casselton.10 years –• George Babcock, Minot; Bruce Baer, Belfi eld; Janice Bishop, Kathryn; Dawn Brehmer, Fargo; Ryan Brehmer, Fargo; Diane Dockter, Horace; James Dusek, Grafton; Corinne Engen, Anamoose; Merle Ferry, Finley; Sheila Francis, Norwich; John Gorman, Larimore; Bradley Gregoire, Grand Forks; Jeremy Haugen, Washburn; Tim Holt, Grand Forks; Rodney Howatt, Langdon; Darrell Kersting, Kindred; Dallas Marchus, Fes-senden; Danaee Marquette, Brit-ton, S.D.; Ryan Mitchell, Rolla; Scott Pedersen, Northwood; Tony Poupa, Emerado; Andrew Robinson, Minot Air Force Base; David Sardelli, Hebron; Jodie Woroniecki, Hebron.

Hunter Education Volunteers Recognized

Instructors of the Year, Susan and Richard Har-wood, Lemmon, South Dakota, with Game and Fish Department Director Terry Steinwand.

Director Terry Steinwand, left, with Instructor of the Year, Keith Domke, Jamestown.

30 Years of Service, Front Row: Doyle Heupel, Charles Paulson, Robert Herdt, Tom Linnertz, Al Auff orth; Back Row: Dale Bakkum, Daryl Vance, Ralph Peterson, Al Kville, Walt Turbiville, Jim Grubb, Dale Kilwein, Mel Stark (Not pictured – Ron Brilz, Jim Buchweitz, Darrell Jamsa, Ellary Liebelt, Toby Placek).

Director Terry Steinwand, left, with Jim Linnertz, West Fargo, honored for 35 years of service.


Buff alo – 38 pounds, 6 ounces, Heart • Butte Reservoir; 35 pounds, James River; 30-2, Heart Butte Reservoir.

Bullhead – 3-18, Sweet Briar Dam; • 2-12, Sweet Briar Dam; 2-12, Lake Ashtabula.

Bluegill – 2-12, Strawberry Lake.•

Brown Trout – 16-3, Missouri River; • 9-12, Missouri River; 9-7, Missouri River.

Channel Catfi sh – 20-4, Lake • Sakakawea ; 20-2, Red River; 19-8, Red River.

Chinook Salmon – 17-5, Missouri • River; 16-4, Missouri River; 15-4, Lake Sakakawea.

Carp – 27-2, Lake Sakakawea; 25-6, • Lake Audubon ; 23-0, Heart River.

Crappie – 2-9, Missouri River; 2-1, • Missouri River; 2-0, Lake Oahe.

Cutthroat Trout – 6-8, Missouri River.•

Drum – 12-10, New Johns Lake; 8-2, • Peterson WPA.

Lake Whitefi sh – 5-2, Lake Sakakawea.•

Largemouth Bass – 5-6, Sweet Briar Dam; 5-4, • Heart River; 5-1, Nelson Lake.

Northern Pike – 24-4, Lake Sakakawea; 23-12, • Lake Audubon; 23-0, Heart River.

Paddlefi sh – 130-0, Missouri River; 105-0, • Missouri River; 102, Missouri River.

Pure Muskellunge – 31-4, New Johns Lake.•

Rainbow Trout – 15-9, Missouri River; 13-9, • Missouri River; 10-13, Missouri River.

Sauger – 4-1, Missouri River; 4-0, Missouri • River.

Smallmouth Bass – 5-6, Spiritwood Lake; 5-0, • Spiritwood Lake; 4-15, Heart Butte Reservoir.

Walleye – 12-8, Little Muddy River; 12-4, • Missouri River; 12-2, Missouri River.

White Bass – 4-5, Devils Lake; 3-13, Devils • Lake; 3-11, Devils Lake.

Yellow Perch – 2-14, Lake Darling; 2-4, Lake • Darling; 2-4, Lake Darling.

CLUB APPLICATIONSFOR 2010

TOP WHOPPER


North Dakota has not had a fi shing opener for nearly 20 years, and if anyone misses the ceremonial start to the season, they’re not saying.

Maybe it’s because there is little to miss most years. When lake ice fi nally surren-ders in late March or sometime in April, the water is still too cool for a time to stir much activity in most fi sh species.

“Back when the season opened in early May, expectations to go fi shing in open water were great, but expectations to catch fi sh weren’t,” said Greg Power, North Dakota Game and Fish Depart-ment fi sheries division chief. “For a lot of people, and I was one of them, the opener just whet your whistle for the fi shing we’d do down the road. We knew how good the fi shing would get as we moved into summer.”

Game and Fish Department photo archives are littered with wonderful black and white images of opening-day anglers, sometimes just feet apart, sitting in lawn chairs, atop over-turned buckets, with their fi shing rods held in gloved hands or propped between forked sticks. In many of the photos, anglers are fi shing for trout, a species more willing to bite angler off er-ings in the cool waters of early spring.

“I remember as a kid going down to Nygren Dam (near Flasher) and it would be pretty crowded and you’d have to wander around a bit to fi nd a place to fi sh,”

said Scott Gangl, Department fi sheries management section leader. “We thought we were pretty good at catching fi sh, but we had no idea that the stocking truck was probably just there three or four days before.”

Today, opening day is an individual thing. You go after ice-out when your schedule allows, hopefully when the sun is big and bright and the wind is down. With so many fi shing opportunities, you can pick your spot away from what amounts to a crowd in North Dakota in early spring.

Year-round fi shing allows us to ease into the season at our own pace, to cast out dead smelt into waters full of possibility. Swimming around out there, we are cer-tain, are scary-big northern pike that will eventually ease into the shallows where the sun and the lake’s dark bottom have conspired to warm things up somewhat. Armed with patience, a comfortable chair and enough snacks, we are occasionally rewarded with a nice fi sh that becomes the benchmark for the season.

When I moved to Grand Forks in the 1980s I drove across the border and fi shed the Minnesota opener with college bud-dies. It was a big deal then, and still is. It was cold most years, and more than once prepping for the opener involved sweeping snow off boat seats. More work went into keeping warm and picking ice from rod guides, than fi guring out the fi sh.

Even so, the pageantry of the weekend had a deer camp feel to it – complete with wool pants and long underwear – that appealed to me. In one camp it was cus-tomary to start fi shing at midnight of the opener. A big campfi re on the lakeshore was involved, fueled by fi rewood trucked to water’s edge in an old, battered wheel-barrow that at one time appeared to have been painted red.

Th e anglers were all hardcore walleye guys, sons of fathers who, if the stories around the wood smoke were true, kicked off openers years ago the same way – by catching a mess of bullheads for breakfast.

Cussed during other fi shing trips, the bullheads were welcomed into the fi relight, slipped from barbed hooks and tossed into the wheelbarrow. When it was determined sometime before fi rst light that there was enough for a meal, the bullheads were nailed to a tree and cleaned with a fi let knife and pliers. Being the newcomer, I held the fl ashlight.

Bigger, more sporting fi sh would come later in the season for these guys when the waters warmed and the days got longer. Th e bullheads weren’t their benchmark for the fi shing ahead, but they sure ate good fried in bacon grease.


By Ron Wilson

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A proposal to name the northern pike as the state fi sh in the late 1960s likely wasn’t a tough sell, especially to those lawmakers who called them-selves anglers.

When lawmakers cast their votes for this native, pike were the preferred game fi sh of anglers in North Dakota. What little walleye fi shing there was took a backseat to an eager fi sh species that has been known to prey on most anything it can get its toothy mouth around, including waterfowl and rodents.

Paramount to the interest in pike fi shing back then was the completion of Garrison Dam in 1953. Water held back by the dam inched slowly upward, swallowing grasses, bushes and entire trees, creating tremendous pike spawn-ing habitat (and several really good year-classes) for a fi sh that would put Lake Sakakawea on the map.

From the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, Sakakawea featured some of the best pike fi shing around. Fish weigh-ing more than 20 pounds were not

uncommon. Signs along the highway proclaimed the big lake as “Pike Capi-tol in the Nation.” Th e title was well deserved.

A new northern pike state record was set fi ve times on Sakakawea between 1963-68, eventually landing on a 37-pound, 8-ounce fi sh that still stands.

It’s diff erent today. Good pike fi sh-ing isn’t limited to just reservoirs like Sakakawea, Darling and Ashtabula. Pike are spread across the state in many, many natural lakes and other waters. In fact, more than 200 North Dakota fi sheries are home to pike, including the Missouri River System and the Devils Lake chain.

While it’s cliché to say, the table has been set in North Dakota for a northern pike boom, the likes of which hasn’t been seen in a while. After years of below average precipitation, this neck of the Northern Plains received a well-deserved drink beginning in spring 2009, inundating exposed vegetation ideal for pike spawning.

Th e 2009 northern pike year-class in many North Dakota waters was phenomenal. Th e 2010 year-class might have been even better. While this is good news, there’s a caveat.

Th ese fi sh need some more growing time before hitting the 30-plus-inch range (think fall or winter) before most anglers will cast their vote to do some serious pike fi shing.

Here’s to thinking it should be worth the wait.


A CLOSER LOOKA CLOSER LOOK By Ron Wilson

Robust Return of the State Fish

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state inand other 200 Northto pike,

ver System .the tableota for a kes of which . After years tion, this ns receivedddd nning in

xposed pawning.

RON WILSON is editor of NorthDakota OUTDOORS.

Northern pike are wonderful table fare once you learn how to remove the Y bones. For a

step-by-step guide to do so, see the January 2011 North Dakota OUTDOORS or visit the Game

and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

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