Check for ANS When Removing Structures

While the fall fishing bite will eventually fade, efforts to monitor the presence of aquatic nuisance species in North Dakota waters continue.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department urges local entities and water recreationists to check for new aquatic nuisance species infestations when pulling and storing fishing piers, boat docks and lifts prior to ice up.

Fred Ryckman, Game and Fish ANS coordinator, said it is especially important to look for zebra mussels during this winter prep work. Zebra mussels will attach to hard surfaces, such as fishing piers, boat dock and lifts. Inspecting these structures when pulled from the water is important to determine if mussels are present.

To date, adult zebra mussels have not been found in any North Dakota waters.  

If mussels are found, citizens are requested to leave the suspicious mussel attached, take a digital picture, and report findings immediately to a local Game and Fish Department district office. Pictures of zebra mussels are available on the 100th Meridian Initiative website at 100thmeridian.org/.