(Source: North Dakota Game & Fish Department) — The North Dakota Game & Fish Department will be releasing its 2022-2024 Fishing Guide on April 1. In advance of its release, Greg Power, NDGF Fisheries Division Chief, provided FOLS and other angler groups with some matters of interest.
License Sales Projections: NDGF projects the 2021-’22 fishing season will be more in line with license sales from 2016-’19 than what was experienced last year. The 2020-’21 season definitely experienced a license sales bump due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NDGF sees things have settled back to where they were before the start of the pandemic. In this regard, North Dakota is not alone. The vast majority of other states are seeing the same trends.
Not Many Regulation Changes: The new guide will feature a listing of state fishing regulations. There are not many new regulation changes, however, there are two changes of note. First, the statewide smallmouth and largemouth daily limit has increased from three to five. Second, NDGF will allow for the take of walleye during the Darkhorse Spearfishing (DHSF) season for the Missouri River System, Stump Lake, and Devils Lake.
Fish Winterkill Numbers: While more will be known within the next 45 days, numbers compiled by fisheries districts have found the risk of fish winterkill on a statewide basis is not currently high. Approximately a dozen waters are in trouble and, based on final numbers, perhaps another 15 to 20 lakes could be of some concern. Given the severity of this winter in eastern and northern North Dakota, the early numbers indicate the state is in better shape than anticipated.
The new fishing guide is currently being printed and will be available on April 1.
For more information, visit www.gf.nd.gov.