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Anglers on Fort Peck Reservoir this summer may be asked a few questions about their fishing experience when they come off the water. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is conducting an angling "creel" survey on the state's largest and most popular warm water fishery to monitor catch rates of popular game fish and determine level of satisfaction with the fishery. The data-gathering surveys will be based at marinas and boat ramps around the reservoir. Creel clerks will ask several questions about...
The MonDak chapter of Walleyes Unlimited and the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks held their annual Kids' Fishing Day on Thursday, May 9, at Gartside Reservoir near Sidney and Crane, MT....
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds outdoor recreationists to keep public use areas, including state wildlife management areas, clean this summer by packing out all trash. All garbage should be placed in a proper trash receptacle. If trash cans aren’t available, or are full, take the trash and dispose of it at home. It is not uncommon to see garbage piling up around full trash containers. Styrofoam containers are not biodegradable, but yet are often found wedged in cattails, drifting or washed up on shore. Tires, mattresses and k...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds citizens that possession or use of fireworks on state wildlife management areas is prohibited. The primary objective of a wildlife management area is to enhance wildlife production, provide hunting and fishing opportunities, and offer other outdoor recreational and educational uses that are compatible with these objectives. Only activities that would not disrupt the intentions of how these areas are managed are encouraged, and a fireworks display is not compatible. In addition, the Game and...
The 15th Annual Children's Fishing Derby was held 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at Watford City Fishing Pond, Watford City, ND. This was a free event open to children 13 years old and under. They had several sponsors for this event that included, fishing poles donated by the National Wild Turkey Federation; tackle donated by Lund's One Stop; tackle boxes donated by the North Dakota Game and Fish, US Forrest Service Department of Agriculture, City of Watford City, Watford City Parks and...
Spending time outdoors around water and in swimming pools is a great way to stay active and healthy during the summer season in Montana. The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), along with local health authorities, want to remind Montanans to stay safe while having fun in the water this summer, and to be aware of the health and safety risks that come into play around water. Over the past ten years, there have been an average of 20 unintentional drowning deaths per year in Montana. Almost 50% of the drowning’s occurred in natu...
Boat owners transporting watercraft with ballast tanks or bladders will undergo additional cleaning at watercraft inspection stations to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The Montana Legislature passed a law requiring watercraft with ballast tanks or bladders to be decontaminated before launching on Montana waters. Decontamination is required when coming into Montana from out-of-state or when traveling west across the Continental Divide into the Columbia River Basin. Because some aquatic invasive species are microscopic, standing...
Opening day of the Montana paddle fishing season was a great one for Bloomfield resident Anna Hill. She caught her first ever paddlefish, estimated at about 40 pounds, within 20 minutes of fishing at the Sidney Bridge. Last year, she fished all season and came up empty handed, even though her companions all managed to snag one. It was also her 8th anniversary on May 15 and she was excited to spend it with her husband, fishing. "It's a great anniversary present!" she said of the...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites anglers and other interested parties to participate in a survey regarding changes to the 2020 fishing regulations. The survey is available at http://fwp.mt.gov/fish/publicComments/regsScoping.html. The survey is part of a public scoping process to review fishing regulations and identify potential issues with fisheries. This review happens every four years. Public input is vital to crafting fishing regulations, said Eric Roberts, FWP fisheries management bureau chief. We evaluate how a regulation may impact...
Each spring, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks receives several calls from people who have picked up deer fawns or other wildlife. FWP advises against this practice for several reasons. The agency does not accept, hold or rehabilitate deer and elk because the animals rarely survive the stress of captivity, and because of concerns with the spread of disease. So FWP’s likely response would be to tell people to leave the animals alone or return them to where they were found. While people mean well, they may not understand that their intervention c...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites anglers and other interested parties to participate in a survey regarding changes to the 2020 fishing regulations. The survey is available at http://fwp.mt.gov/fish/publicComments/regsScoping.html. The survey is part of a public scoping process to review fishing regulations and identify potential issues with fisheries. This review happens every four years. Public input is vital to crafting fishing regulations, said Eric Roberts, FWP fisheries management bureau chief. We evaluate how a regulation may impact...
Spring is here in our region. Daytime temps are regularly in the 60's but overnight lows are still a bit scary for most annual plants. Plants that are safe to install right now would be trees, shrubs, and perennials. Many people plant perennials because of the attraction of year after year growth. This means they will not have to plant their entire space with annuals each season. We try and keep a selection of perennial plants in stock all season long. Firstly, when considering perennial plants...
If you would like your children who are ages 10 to 12 years old to learn more about gardening, the Junior Master Gardener Program (JMG) is for them! This free course will be held in Watford City starting Wednesday, May 22 from 5 p.m. CT to 6:30 p.m. CT and continuing weekly on Wednesdays during the summer. Pre-registration is requested by Monday, May 13 at NDSU Extension/McKenzie County. Please call 701-444-3451 to register or email [email protected]. This program is modeled after the highly successful Master Gardener Program and...
Montanans know how precious water is. It's essential for fish and wildlife, boating and angling, irrigating, drinking and creating much of our electricity. When something threatens our water - such as aquatic invasive species - we are on high alert. Preventing the introduction and spread of AIS is work that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks takes very seriously as we understand the devastation it can cause to habitat, recreation and our economy. After the discovery of invasive mussel larvae on...
North Dakota's 2019 paddlefish snagging season opens May 1 and is scheduled to continue through May 21. However, depending on the overall harvest, an early in-season closure may occur with a 24-hour notice issued by the state Game and Fish Department. Legal snagging hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. One tag per snagger will be issued. Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and in the area of the Missouri River lying west of the U.S. Highway 85 bridge to the...
The MonDak Chapter of Walleye's Unlimited held their annual banquet on April 6 at the Richland County Event Center. Pictured is the Heads or Tales game winner Kyle Carter with the Hummingbird Helix7 G2N GPS he won. The proceeds from the banquet are used towards the Kids Fishing Day for Sidney 6th graders and improvements to local fishing access sites....
High-water conditions continue to impact fishing access sites and other recreational areas in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 7. FWP urges people to use caution and check accessibility if they plan to recreate near rivers or streams. Breaking ice jams, spring rains and continuing snowmelt mean that some areas may see flooding and elevated water levels. Road access is partially restricted at some sites, and even foot traffic could be hazardous. FWP Fisheries/Maintenance crews will assess conditions as they visit sites and offer periodic...
North Dakota State University is offering a series of forums to help you care for your yard and garden. Live presentations from NDSU will be delivered to Extension offices across the state, including McKenzie County. NDSU Extension in McKenzie County is located at 205 6th Street NW in Watford City. Sessions will be held on consecutive Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free samples of bulbs and seeds will be provided. The sessions are free. Everyone is welcome! Gardeners have the option of...
A couple of tiger muskies were reported caught recently in Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 7, one at Gartside Dam near Sidney and one at Tongue River Reservoir. These are the only waters in the region that have tiger muskies, so it's a rare and exciting opportunity. It's also a chance to remind anglers that they need to abide by the statewide regulation for tiger muskie, which is one fish daily and in possession, and the fish must be over 40 inches in length. Fish not meeting these dimensions must...
Anglers have until midnight, March 15 to remove permanent fish houses from North Dakota waters, and from any state wildlife management area or federal refuge land. Anglers are advised to remove their house soon because access on many lakes could be restricted due to snow. The deadline of March 15 will not be extended. Fish houses may be used after March 15 if they are removed daily....
Winter anglers are reminded that any fish house left unoccupied on North Dakota waters must be made out of materials that will allow it to float. A popular question this time of year is if campers qualify as legal fish houses. The answer is the same for any structure taken on the ice – if it’s left unattended, it must be able to float; if it’s not able to float, it must be removed when the angler leaves the ice. Other fish house regulations include: - Fish houses do not require a license. - Occupied structures do not require ident...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is urging winter anglers and late-season hunters to use extreme caution when venturing out on ice. Ice thickness is never consistent, especially early in winter, and can vary significantly on the same body of water. Edges become firm before the center. A few reminders include: - Snow insulates ice, which in turn inhibits solid ice formation, and hides cracks, weak and open water areas. - Avoid cracks, pressure ridges, slushy or darker areas that signal thinner ice. The same goes for ice that forms aroun...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds waterfowl hunters that they can help prevent aquatic invasive species from infesting Montanas wetlands, rivers and lakes. The three steps of*Clean, Drain, Dry*greatly minimize the risk of spreading invasive species. Waterfowl hunters use gear that should be inspected before hunting in a new area. Waterfowl hunters should: • Clean aquatic plants, animals, and mud from boat, trailer, waders, boots, decoys, decoy lines, and push poles. • Drain water from decoys, boats, motors, and other hunting equ...
Friday, Sept. 14 at noon signals the start of a nine-and-a-half-day deer hunting season for youth, and hunters are reminded that a 2018 general game and habitat license must be purchased before the state Game and Fish Department mails the youth deer license. Hunters are encouraged to purchase the required license early, since it takes a couple days to receive the deer license in the mail. Licensed residents ages 11, 12 and 13, and 10-year-olds who turn age 11 in 2018, are allowed to hunt statewide, but only for antlerless white-tailed deer. Res...
Fall weather and hunting season are in the air, if we are not careful smoke can be as well. Firefighters want to remind you that vegetation is dry and wildfires can occur. Do your part to ensure that you do not start a wildfire. Before constructing a fire, check local fire restrictions and weather conditions. Be responsible and incorporate these tips to have a safe and enjoyable fire: Constructing your warming fire: • Clear away all leaves and other combustibles from your fire circle. • Do not build a fire underneath overhanging branches, again...
