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With higher than normal temperatures forecast this summer–and snowpack runoff depleted a month ahead of schedule–Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is gearing up now to protect fish from the life-threatening stress of low flows and elevated water temperatures. “In many areas we’re seeing stream flows fall below average for this time of year, and some that are the lowest ever recorded,” said Stephen Begley, a water conservation specialist for FWP in Helena. The situation is particularly grim in northwestern Montana. Following the warmest May on re...
The State Game and Fish Department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no camping restriction during the week of July 4 on those wildlife management areas in western North Dakota and along Lake Sakakawea that prohibit camping during those two days of the week. In addition to the other five days of the week, this waiver will allow overnight camping June 30 and July 1 at North Lemmon Lake in Adams County; Bull Creek in Billings County; Alkali Creek and Spring Creek in Bowman County; Smishek Lake and Short Creek Dam in Burke County; Harris M. Baukol...
Apprentice hunters, 10-17 years of age, will have the opportunity to obtain a certification to participate in several Montana hunting seasons later this summer. Apprentice hunters will be required to be accompanied by an adult mentor. The Fish & Wildlife Commission is only seeking comment on the proposed rule that defines the completion of hunter education; establishes the process for designating and identifying a mentor; and defines certain mentor responsibilities. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will conduct a public hearing on the proposed...
(Miles City) – Adult online Hunter Education students looking to complete their certification should plan to attend a field course scheduled in Miles City on Saturday, July 18th. The course, open to students 18 years and older, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the FWP Region 7 office, 352 I-94 Business Loop. This field course is designed for students to demonstrate their proficiency with and ability to safely control a firearm’s muzzle in field situations, safely navigate and cross obstacles in the field, safely store, remove and tra...
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. Only activities that would not disrupt the intentions of how these areas are managed are encouraged, and a fireworks display is not compatible. Excessive noise and commotion that come with fireworks disturbs...
State and local public health officials remind Montanans to be aware of the risk for exposure to rabies this time of year. Rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the central nervous system of warm blooded animals but it is also preventable. The rabies virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and is usually transmitted to people and other animals from the bite of a rabid animal. Although exposures can occur anytime, spring and summer are the seasons when most exposures occur as humans and animals emerge from the long Montana...
The State Game and Fish Department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no camping restriction during the week of July 4 on those wildlife management areas in western North Dakota and along Lake Sakakawea that prohibit camping during those two days of the week. In addition to the other five days of the week, this waiver will allow overnight camping June 30 and July 1 at North Lemmon Lake in Adams County; Bull Creek in Billings County; Alkali Creek and Spring Creek in Bowman County; Smishek Lake and Short Creek Dam in Burke County; Harris M. Baukol...
A popular Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 6 program that allows children and their families to check out free fishing rods and tackle is in full swing again this year. Just in time for summer fishing, FWP staff is in the process of restocking the 49 (and counting) different location sites across Montana's Hi-Line. The "Kids to Fish" program lets youngsters check out fishing rods and reels and basic tackle, such as hooks, bobbers, and sinkers. Typically, eight rods are at each location,...
The deadline for submitting photos to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest is Sept. 30. The contest has categories for nongame and game species, as well as plants/insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries. Contest entries are limited to digital files submitted on disk or via email. Contestants are limited to no more than five entries. Photos must have been taken in North Dakota. By s...
Paddlefish harvest season closed at Intake fishing access site and in the Yellowstone River and the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam effective Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 12:00 pm. Thereafter, catch-and-release paddlefishing is allowed only at Intake fishing access site from 6 am – 9 pm, through Saturday, June 13, 2015. With Montana’s paddlefish harvest target expected to be reached, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission agreed today to close the 2015 paddlefish harvest season on the Yellowstone River and the Missouri River below Fort Pec...
Over 130 Kids participated in the 11th annual children's fishing derby held at the Watford City Fishing Pond. The morning's catch included many cat fish, trout, and even a few turtles (photos by Kathy Taylor)....
North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries personnel will stock a record number of walleye lakes in the coming weeks. Fisheries production and development supervisor Jerry Weigel said 130 waters are scheduled to receive a share of 9 million fingerlings. “We need every available pond at Garrison Dam and Valley City fish hatcheries to meet a 9 million walleye fingerling request,” Weigel said. The growth of walleye lakes, according to Weigel, is directly correlated to the rapid increase in the number of public fishing waters in the sta...
Failure to wear a personal floatation device is the main reason people lose their lives in water recreation accidents. North Dakota Game and Fish Department boat and water safety coordinator Nancy Boldt said safety begins with wearing a personal flotation device, and knowing what’s below the surface of the water. “Water recreationists need to be alert and safe,” Boldt said. “Swimmers need to know the water’s depth, as serious injuries can occur from diving into water. Large objects hidden below the water’s surface can lead to significant...
North Dakota anglers are reminded they can fish for free June 6-7. That is the weekend North Dakota residents may fish without a license. All other fishing regulations apply. Refer to the 2014-16 North Dakota Fishing Guide for season information, online at http://gf.nd.gov/fishing/fishing-regulations-guide....
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is developing a statewide management plan for mountain lions and is seeking the public's help identifying issues of concern. FWP's last statewide look at mountain lion management was completed about 20 years ago. The updated plan will summarize the latest science and monitoring data, describe conservation and harvest strategies, and compile policies in a single document. "Management plans provide guidance to wildlife biologists and Fish and Wildlife Commissioners and they provide the public information on how and...
Muscle tissue and eggs from 30 paddlefish snagged this spring have come back clear of any lingering effects from an oil spill in the Yellowstone River in Montana last January. State Game and Fish Department fisheries chief Greg Power said Game and Fish and North Star Caviar, a nonprofit group that processes paddlefish eggs into caviar for sale, sent the samples to a lab for analysis to find out whether there was any contamination from 30,000 gallons of crude oil that entered the Yellowstone River near Glendive following a pipeline break in...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials remind private and commercial boaters that state law requires all motorists hauling watercraft to stop at inspection stations. Watercrafts include motorboats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, rowboats, rafts, jet skis and even small kick boats popular among some anglers. Always stop at AIS watercraft inspection stations for a brief interview and equipment check. Most inspections take fewer than five minutes, but failure to stop could lead to a $135 fine. Inspection stations aim to prevent the introduction and...
North Dakota’s 2015 deer season is set, with 43,275 licenses available to hunters this fall, 4,725 fewer than last year, and the lowest number since 1978. Jeb Williams, wildlife chief for the State Game and Fish Department, said deer populations remain well below management objectives in most units, and continuing a conservative management approach is needed to help with recovery efforts. Any-antlerless (down 2,650 from last year) and any-antlered (down 1,150) licenses make up the majority of the reduction, while antlerless whitetail (down 8...
Outdoor water recreationists are once again reminded to help prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species in North Dakota. State Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator Fred Ryckman applauds the efforts of those who keep North Dakota waters free of unwanted species. “I commend the commitment shown by the vast majority of our boaters and anglers who understand how important it is to keep our lakes and rivers free of ANS, by doing their part to ensure our waters do not become infested,” Ryckman said. “But at the same time,...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department tracked 23 outdoors-related bills during the 2015 legislative session, 12 of which were passed by both chambers and signed into law. The following bills take effect this year, unless otherwise noted. House Bill 1081 – Makes available to the Outdoor Adventure Foundation up to two spring turkey, one any-elk, one any-moose, seven deer and two pronghorn licenses for youth who have been diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening illness. In addition, provides for a study, during the 2015-16 interim, of N...
Boat owners are reminded that children ages 12-15 who want to operate a boat or personal watercraft this summer must first take the state’s boating basics course. State law requires youngsters ages 12-15 to pass the course before they operate a boat or personal watercraft with at least a 10 horsepower motor. In addition, major insurance companies give adult boat owners who pass the course a premium discount on boat insurance. The course is available for home-study from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office. Two com...
Year two of a four-year walleye tagging study on the Missouri River and Lake Oahe is complete, and returns are providing biologists with valuable information. Paul Bailey, North Dakota Game and Fish Department south central district fisheries supervisor, said nearly 17,000 fish were tagged in 2013 and 2014, the first two years of the study, and more than 3,000 tag numbers were turned in by anglers. “The study is designed to assess walleye movements, mortality and what proportion of the walleye population is harvested annually by anglers,” Bai...
North Dakota’s paddlefish snagging season opens May 1, and the season is scheduled to continue through the end of May. 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. Paddlefish tags are available over-the-counter-only in Bismarck at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s main office; in Williston at the Williams County auditor’s office, Scenic Sports and Wal-Mart; and in Dickinson at Runnings Farm and Fleet. Snaggers should be aware that ma...
BILLINGS — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has no plans to change its paddlefish season as a result of January’s oil spill in the Yellowstone River west of Glendive. On Jan. 17, 2015, a 12-inch-diameter Bridger Pipeline broke beneath the Yellowstone River six miles upstream from Glendive, dumping some 30,000 gallons of crude oil into the water. Efforts to clean up the spill and account for damage from the oil were thwarted until last week because ice covered the river. FWP has issued a fish-consumption advisory for any fish caught below the spi...
Spring burning season is here. Burning is a great way to clear dead vegetation and clean up. Before you light up this spring, take the necessary precautions to ensure your burn does not become the next wildfire. Obtain a permit or contact local authorities, burn early in the day and check weather for afternoon or next day wind conditions. Be sure to have adequate equipment, assistance and water supply with you and always make sure the area is cold to the touch before leaving. Checking the following day is also important as stumps or roots may...
