Preview for new fishing season

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – North Dakota anglers need a new fishing license by April 1.

Mike Anderson reports on what anglers can expect.

Every year in February, fisheries biologists conduct dissolved oxygen testing on many lakes in North Dakota to determine potential winterkill.

“We should be in good shape,” said Greg Power, the North Dakota Game and Fish Fisheries Chief. “Ice is going off, we’re not seeing much for dead fish, we don’t expect to see much for dead fish.”

With little or no snow on the landscape, many of North Dakota’s waters will likely receive little runoff in spring.

“As you go east, we’re in better shape water level-wise,” said Power. “The mountains are going to provide Sakakawea and Oahe with a little bit more flush of water than was expected a couple of months ago, because there is, you know, snow in the mountains. But in the big picture, we’re still in good shape.”

With an eye always focused on walleye, anglers should be pleased with what the season holds.

“All species we’re doing okay with, but in particular in North Dakota here in the last 20 years, people like their walleye and the walleye populations, especially in the district lakes and central, southeast North Dakota, are at historic highs,” said Power. “The big three, that being Sakakawea, Oahe, and Devils Lake, maybe not record high walleye populations, but still really, really good shape.”

There’s a great resource on the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov that can help anglers find a place to go fishing in North Dakota.

“If somebody is new to fishing or it’s not just new to fishing, it’s everybody out there, utilize our Where to Fish tab on the department’s website. And there’s a whole lot of information in there from species, what species are in the lakes, to where to go,” said Power. “In some cases, contour maps, stocking records, catch records, a little bit of development, boat ramp access, stuff like that, a little bit of everything you can find at one stop shopping.”

Power said fishing over the last few years has never been better in North Dakota, and this year should be more of the same.

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