North Dakota outdoors legislative update

dougleier / March 1st, 2013 / No Comments » Posted in Uncategorized / Tag: fishing, hunting, legislation, North Dakota, northland outdoors, outdoors, sports /

Friday, March 1, 2013

2013 North Dakota State Legislature

House Energy and Natural Resources Committee – Meets Thursdays and Fridays in Pioneer Room

Chair Todd Porter, Vice Chair Chuck Damschen, Dick Anderson, Roger Brabandt, Glen Froseth, Curt Hofstad, Bob Hunskor, George J. Keiser, Scot Kelsh, Corey Mock, Mike Nathe, Jim Schmidt, Peter F. Silbernagel

Senate Natural Resources Committee – Meets Thursdays and Fridays in Fort Lincoln Room

Chair Stanley W. Lyson, Vice Chair Randall A. Burckhard, David Hogue, Lonnie J. Laffen, Philip M. Murphy, Connie Triplett, Jessica K. Unruh

Active

HB 1017 - Introduced by Appropriations at the request of the Governor. Provides an appropriation of $66,773,869 to the Game and Fish Department for the biennium beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2015. Passed house 83-9. Bill in Senate Appropriations Committee.

HB 1062 - Introduced by Energy and Natural Resources Committee at the request of the State Engineer. Removes a person’s ability to appeal to a district court a decision made by the water resource board regarding removal or closing of a noncomplying dam, dike or other device. Passed house 93-0. Senate Natural Resources Committee recommended do-pass 7-0.

HB 1123 - Introduced by Transportation Committee at the request of the Highway Patrol. Would not require the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident with a undomesticated animal, such as a deer, to notify law enforcement authorities. Passed house 84-6. Senate Transportation Committee recommended do-pass 7-0.

HB 1130 - Introduced by Rep’s Porter, Damschen, Hofstad; Sen’s Burckhard, Carlisle, Lyson. Would increase the fee of a resident small game hunting license from $6 to $10, a nonresident small game hunting license from $85 to $94, resident big game hunting license from $20 to $25, a youth big game hunting license from $10 to $11, nonresident big game hunting license from $200 to $220, resident furbearer license from $7 to $10, resident wild turkey license from $8 to $10, nonresident waterfowl hunting license from $85 to $94, nonresident furbearer and nongame hunting license from $25 to $28, resident combination license from $32 to $38, nonresident swan license from $25 to $28, and a resident application fee for moose, elk and sheep from $3 to $5, the habitat restoration stamp required for the general game license would increase from $10 to $17, and $8 (instead of $5) of each habitat stamp sold would be placed in the Game and Fish Department’s private land habitat and access improvement fund. In addition, a resident fishing license would increase from $10 to $16, resident fishing license for ages 65 and older from $3 to $5, nonresident fishing license from $35 to $45, resident husband and wife fishing license from $14 to $22, motorboat under 16 feet in length from $12 to $18, motorboat 16 feet to less than 20 feet in length from $24 to $36, motorboat over 20 feet in length from $33 to $45, resident paddlefish tag from $3 to $10, nonresident paddlefish tag from $7.50 to $25, nonresident husband and wife fishing license from $45 to $60, nonresident three-day fishing license from $15 to $20, and a nonresident 10-day fishing license from $25 to $30. Passed house 75-17. Senate Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/8, 9 a.m.

HB 1131 - Introduced by Rep’s Hofstad, Schmidt, Vigesaa; Sen’s Carlisle, Lyson, Schaible. Would allow an individual who turns age 14 in the same year as the respective big game hunting season to apply for a license, an individual who turns age 12 in the same year as the youth deer season to receive an antleress white-tailed deer license for the youth deer season, and an individual who turns age 12 in the same year as the antelope season to apply for a license. In addition, the number of acres required to qualify for a big game gratis license would be lowered from 160 to 150. Passed house 85-6, emergency clause carried. Senate Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/8, 9:30 a.m.

HB 1141 - Introduced by Representative Nathe and Senator Miller. Would allow an individual at least age 16 to windsurf or boardsail without wearing a life jacket; would prohibit an individual from towing another individual on water skis, surfboard or other similar device between one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise; and would allow a vessel equipped with a mirror with a wide field of vision to the rear to replace an observer while towing an individual on water skis, surfboard or similar device. Passed house 78-9. Bill in Senate Natural Resources Committee.

HB 1161 - Introduced by Rep’s Porter, Froseth, Hunskor; Sen’s Armstrong, Lyson, Schneider. Clarifies who is eligible to receive a license as a resident, effective April 1, 2014. Passed house 91-0. Senate Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/8, 10:15 a.m.

HB 1169 - Introduced by Rep’s Keiser, Klemin; Senator Kilzer. Would allow the court to suspend hunting, fishing and trapping privileges as a sentencing alternative. Passed house 72-22. Bill in Senate Natural Resources Committee.

HB 1195 - Introduced by Rep’s Porter, Hawken, Louser, Rohr, Streyle, Weisz; Sen’s Klein, Lyson. Would allow an individual to show proof of a hunting or fishing license in paper or electronic format. Passed house 87-0. Bill in Senate Natural Resources Committee.

HB 1247 - Introduced by Rep’s Schmidt, Belter, Damschen, Headland, D. Johnson; Sen’s Dotzenrod, Wanzek. The agriculture commissioner would implement a program under which wetland credits may be established by an agricultural landowner who restores a wetland and made available for purchase by an agricultural landowner needing to replace wetlands. Passed house 87-1. Bill in Senate Agriculuture Committee.

HB 1264 - Introduced by Rep’s Brandenburg, Krempenich; Sen’s Erbele, Wanzek. Would require the Game and Fish Department to implement an online application process for Canada goose kill permits to match volunteers with producers. In addition, a nonresident could hunt during the entire early Canada goose season at a license fee of $50 and would not count against the 14-day regular season license; residents would have to pay $5 to hunt during the early season. Passed house 92-0. Senate Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/8, 11:15 a.m.

HB 1278 - Introduced by Rep’s Porter, Carlson; Sen’s Lyson, Wardner. Creates a North Dakota outdoor heritage fund which would provide access to private and public lands and develop fish and wildlife habitat. Passed house 48-44. Senate Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/7, 9 a.m.

HB 1282 - Introduced by Rep’s Heilman, Anderson, Beadle, Dosch, Hatlestad, Porter, Vigesaa, Weisz; Senator Schaible. Would allow an individual in lawful possession of a device that will silence or deaden the sound when the firearm is discharged to hunt game for which the individual is licensed. Passed house 90-2. Bill in Senate Natural Resources Committee.

HB 1312 - Introduced by Rep’s Wieland, Boehning, Kreidt, Nathe, Porter; Sen’s Carlisle, G. Lee. Would require the Game and Fish Department to establish a boat landing on the former Missouri River correctional center property, after the center is relocated to the state penitentiary site and the land is transferred to the Parks and Recreation Department. House Appropriations Committee amended to relocate the center to the youth correctional centre site, recommended do-pass 21-1. Passed house 87-6. Bill in Senate Government and Veterans Affairs Committee.

HB 1322 - Introduced by Rep’s Hofstad, Damschen, D. Johnson; Sen’s Miller, Oehlke. Would require pending land acquired by Game and Fish to be appraised prior to purchase. Before appraisal, the director must give notice to every landowner within one mile of the boundary, and to the board of county commissioners and publish a notice in the official county newspaper. Passed house 94-0. Bill in Senate Natural Resources Committee.

HB 1336 - Introduced by Rep’s Wall, Anderson, J. Nelson, Williams; Sen’s Luick, Dotzenrod. Would allow by governor’s proclamation to issue paddlefish tags by lottery. Passed house 88-6. Bill in Senate Natural Resources Committee.

HB 1338 - Introduced by Rep’s Brandenburg, Froseth, Heller, Kasper, Kreidt, Kretschmar, Rohr, Schmidt, Onstad; Sen’s Schaible, Unruh, Warner. Would require the governor to negotiate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the return of excess lands outside the boundaries of the Ford Berthold Indian Reservation around Lake Sakakawea above 1,854 feet msl and excess lands outside the boundaries of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation around Lake Oahe above 1,620 feet msl to the state of North Dakota. Status of negotiations must be submitted before December 31, 2014. Passed house 75-18. Bill in Senate Government and Veterans Affairs Committee.

HB 1354 - Introduced by Rep’s Oversen, Amerman, Klemin, Trottier, Vigesaa; Sen’s Armstrong, Marcellais, Wardner. Would issue four any deer and six any whitetail licenses annually to the injured military wildlife project of North Dakota (currently known as wounded warrior project). Passed house 92-0. Senate Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/7, 11 a.m.

HB 1434 - Introduced by Rep’s Schatz, Fehr, Heller, N. Johnson, Monson, Steiner, Thoreson; Sen’s Laffen, Poolman, Schneider. Allows a resident disabled veteran with a 50 percent service related disability to qualify for a $5 fishing license. Passed house 92-0. Senate Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/7, 10:45 a.m.

SB 2211 - Introduced by Sen’s Flakoll, J. Lee, O’Connell; Rep’s Anderson, Delmore, D. Johnson. Relates to the duties of the State Board of Animal Health and the treatment of animals. Passed senate 45-0. House Agriculture Committee to hear 3/7, 9 a.m.

SB 2221 - Introduced by Sen’s Erbele, Oehlke, Robinson; Rep’s Brandenburg, Onstad. Would appropriate out of any moneys in the special road fund in the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $20,000,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary, to the Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing grants to counties and townships for roadway improvements to scenic byway roads, scenic backways roads, and roads that provide access to recreational areas, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2015. In addition, the special road committee may distribute a maximum of $2,500,000 of grants for projects located within the boundaries of each Department of Transportation district in the state. Rereferred to Senate Appropriations, recommended do-pass 8-5. Passed senate 30-17. Bill in house.

SB 2231 - Introduced by Sen’s Laffen, Burckhard, Murphy; Rep’s Kreun, Porter, Ruby. Would increase the price of a resident small game license from $6 to $15, nonresident small game hunting license from $85 to $100, resident big game hunting license from $20 to $30, youth big game hunting license from $10 to $11, nonresident big game hunting license from $200 to $250, nonresident bow hunting license from $200 to $220, resident furbearer license from $7 to $15, resident fishing license from $10 to $16, resident age 65 and older or permanently disabled fishing license from $3 to $5, nonresident fishing license from $35 to $45, resident husband and wife fishing license from $14 to $22, resident wild turkey license from $8 to $12, motorboat under 16 feet in length and all canoes from $12 to $18, motorboats from 16 feet to less than 20 feet in length from $24 to $36, motorboats at least 20 feet in lenth from $33 to $45, resident paddlefish tag from $3 to $10, nonresident paddlefish tag from $7.50 to $25, nonresident waterfowl hunting license from $85 to $100, nonresident husband and wife fishing license from $45 to $60, nonresident three-day fishing license from $15 to $20, nonresident furbearer and nongame license from $25 to $30, combination license from $32 to $40, resident swan license from $5 to $15, nonresident swan license from $25 to $30, crane license from $5 to $10, nonresident 10-day fishing license from $25 to $30, habitat restoration stamp required for the general game license from $10 to $17 and $8 (instead of $5) of each habitat stamp sold would be placed in the Game and Fish Department’s private land habitat and access improvement fund, and a resident application fee for moose, elk and sheep from $3 to $5. In addition, would eliminate the nonresident seven-day fishing license for $20. Passed senate 40-6. House Energy and Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/8, 9 a.m.

SB 2242 - Introduced by Sen’s Oehlke, Hogue, Lyson; Rep’s Hofstad, D. Johnson, Hunskor. Would allow a resident disabled veteran with a 100 percent service related disability to purchase a fishing license for $3, and a combined general game, habitat, small game and furbearer license for $3. Passed senate 47-0. House Energy and Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/8, 9 a.m.

SB 2279 - Introduced by Sen’s Holmberg, Campbell, Cook; Rep’s Owens, Sanford, Trottier. Would require legislative management to consider studying the benefits and implications on tax policy of the forestry stewardship tax and report its findings to the 64th legislative assembly. Passed senate 46-1.

HCR 3010 - Introduced by Rep’s Steiner, Delzer, Froseth, Hatlestad, Heller, Kreidt, Laning, Rohr, Schmidt, Onstad; Sen’s Lyson, Unruh. A concurrent resolution urging Congress and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure that access to Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe for agriculture, commerce, energy and water development, and recreation is not inhibited by unreasonable regulations and to address proper funding for all project purposes and weed control on Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe. House adopted. Resolution in Senate Natural Resources Committee.

HCR 3017 - Introduced by Rep’s Brandenburg, Belter, Headland, Kempenich, Schmidt, Boe; Sen’s Schaible, Wanzek, Dotzenrod, O’Connell. A concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service to fairly administer water management laws and regulations in a manner that allows landowners and tenants certainty and cooperation in the management of these laws and regulations. House adopted. Resolution in Senate Natural Resources Committee.

SCR 4027 - Introduced by Sen’s Axness, Sinner, Triplett; Rep’s Guggisberg, S. Kelsh, Oversen. A concurrent resolution that would create an outdoor heritage fund from 4 percent of the total revenues from oil and gas production and extraction taxes and allows the fund to be administered by the outdoor heritage commission for clean water, lands and outdoor heritage. Senate Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/7, 9:30 a.m.

SCR 4029 - Introduced by Sen’s Dotzenrod, Armstrong, Poolman; Representative N. Johnson. A concurrent resolution directing the Legislative Management to study the economic activity surrounding the three units of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the North Dakota Badlands, including the Little Missouri River, to determine the best practices for sustaining and enhancing this unique and special part of North Dakota and the related tourism, recreation, oil and gas development, livestock and grassland-based agriculture, hunting, historical attractions, and quality of life. Senate Natural Resources Committee to hear 3/7, 10 a.m.

Failed/Withdrawn

state record crappie

dougleier / February 25th, 2013 / No Comments » Posted in Uncategorized / Tag: crappie, Doug Leier, fishing, northland outdoors, outdoors, record, sports /

Chris Rick’s catch on Jan. 19 tied a state record for crappie that’s been on the books for nearly 15 years.

The Jamestown angler reeled in a 3-pound, 4-ounce crappie from the Jamestown Reservoir.

The record was established in 1998 by Don Newcomb, a Mandan angler who was fishing Lake Oahe.

fishing is BIG in Devils Lake region

dougleier / January 21st, 2013 / No Comments » Posted in Uncategorized / Tag: Devils Lake, Doug Leier, fishing, northland outdoors, outdoors, sports /

By: Devils Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

“Without this lake and what it offers, this town would be dead; a very boring town,” exclaimed Jon Dircks of Ed’s Bait Shop in Devils Lake, ND. Mayor Richard Johnson said, “The lake’s excellent fishing has a huge impact on the local economy, and it’s growing annually.”

Devils Lake, a relatively small town with about 7,200 people (less than 12,000 in the county) accounts for about one percent of North Dakota’s total population. “But, amazingly, they sell 25 percent of the non-resident 3-day and 10-day fishing licenses,” said ND Game & Fish licensing manager Randy Meissner. “People want to fish the lake, and historically, we’ve seen a steady increase in fishing and waterfowl non-resident license sales there.”

It doesn’t hurt that Devils Lake fish populations are at high levels and the season is open year-round. Game and Fish northeast district fisheries supervisor Randy Hiltner said fall test netting placed perch catch rates at the highest since 2003; walleye and northern pike numbers are the highest since 2001.

Devils Lake has some of the most accomplished fishing and waterfowl guides anywhere. Estimates are that the fishing guides escort more than 15,000 clients on the lake’s 250,000 acres each open-water season. With the huge number of ice-fishing rental houses and large, skilled guide services, the ice season could equal that number for the three to four month winter period. Waterfowl guides hunt the lake and its many bays, but also set-up in the surrounding marshes and fields for thousands more guide days.

The mayor quantified fishing and hunting as the Number Two contributor to the local economy, right behind a strong agricultural industry. He said, “It’s phenomenal; they’re towing boats into town from all over; they’re coming by plane and Amtrak. They contribute significantly to the restaurant and lodging taxes which have been increasing annually. More fishermen and more hunters mean good things for this community.” City manager Terry Johnston also owns the Dairy Queen. “They come in with their summer sunburns and in the fall with mud on their boots. Tournaments really boost traffic. Outdoor recreation has a big impact on Devils Lake,” he said.

Dircks and his mother Donna run Ed’s Bait Shop. He said, “Devils Lake and the outdoor opportunities mean a lot to most businesses in town.” Donna said, “We’re here because of the lake. The good fishing keeps our doors open. There’s not a person in town who doesn’t know the positive economic impact the lake has on all of us.”

Local motel manager Teresa Nelson at the Davis Motel said, “80 percent of our business comes from fishermen and hunters – year-round. This is one of the most popular walleye lakes anywhere, and people come.” The motel, like most Devils Lake resorts and lodging facilities, caters to outdoorsmen, and Nelson said, “The guys who stayed with us years ago are now bringing their sons and grandkids.”

There are 679 motel rooms in town and around the lake, 18 resorts with cabins, 300 overnight camping sites, 900 seasonal camping sites and three marinas (Ackerman Acres, Woodland Resort, Spirit Lake Casino) with a fourth marina, Eastbay Campground, being built. The Devils Lake state park on Graham’s Island is one of the most-visited North Dakota state parks.

Devils Lake has one of the highest-tech fish-cleaning stations in North America. It’s located just south of Ed’s Bait Shop on Hwy 20 (south of the city of Devils Lake), and free to the public. The 20 x 32 building can handle 15 anglers at one time. It has two grinders, a separate clean-up sink, a handicapped accessible bathroom, is heated (A/C for summer), has plenty of parking for trucks and trailers and is well-lit.

Devils Lake ice fishing guides target perch, walleyes and pike. They make every first-time angler feel like this is home, and the thousands of anglers who return year after year to fish with the same guides know that’s the case. For information on Devils Lake guides, fishing reports to go out on your own, winter ice conditions and roads, the Jan. 26, 2013 ice fishing tournament, activities, fish-cleaning station (open all year), lodging, resorts and restaurants, check www.devilslakend.com, or call 701-662-4903.

winter ice fishing regulations

dougleier / December 18th, 2012 / No Comments » Posted in Uncategorized / Tag: Doug Leier, fishing, northland outdoors, outdoors, sports /

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 the 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 identification. However, any unoccupied fish house must have the owner’s name, and either address or telephone number, displayed on its outside in readily distinguishable characters at least three inches high.
Fish houses may not be placed closer than 50 feet in any direction to another house without consent of the occupant of the other fish house.
Fish houses shall be removed from all waters by midnight, March 15, of each year. They can be used after March 15 if they are removed daily.

Anglers should refer to the 2012-14 North Dakota Fishing Guide for winter fishing regulations.

winter fishing regulations

dougleier / December 5th, 2012 / No Comments » Posted in Uncategorized / Tag: Doug Leier, fishing, northland outdoors, outdoors, sports /

North Dakota anglers are encouraged to refer to the 2012-14 North Dakota Fishing Guide or the State Game and Fish Department’s website for winter fishing regulations.

In addition, anglers can access the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, for an extensive list of fishing questions and answers, and a winter fishing preview from North Dakota Outdoors magazine.

Some winter fishing regulations include:

· A maximum of four poles is legal for ice fishing. However, when fishing a water body where both open water and ice occur at the same time, an angler is allowed a maximum of four poles, of which no more than two poles can be used in open water.
· Tip-ups are legal, and each tip-up is considered a single pole.
· There is no restriction on the size of the hole in the ice while fishing. When a hole larger than 10 inches in diameter is left in the ice, the area in the immediate vicinity must be marked with a natural object. See regulations for more information..
· It is only legal to release fish back into the water immediately after they are caught. Once a fish is held in a bucket or on a stringer, they can no longer be legally released in any water.
· It is illegal to catch fish and transport them in water.
· It is illegal to leave fish, including bait, behind on the ice.
· Depositing or leaving any litter or other waste material on the ice or shore is illegal.
· Any dressed fish to be transported, if frozen, must be packaged individually. Anglers are not allowed to freeze fillets together in one large block. Two fillets count as one fish.
· The daily limit is a limit of fish taken from midnight to midnight, and no person may possess more than one day’s limit of fish while actively engaged in fishing. The possession limit is the maximum number of fish that an angler may have in his or her possession during a fishing trip of more than one day.

Caution on early ice

dougleier / December 3rd, 2012 / No Comments » Posted in Uncategorized / Tag: Doug Leier, fishing, northland outdoors, outdoors, sports /

Be Cautious of Early Ice

Winter anglers are encouraged to consider early ice conditions before traveling onto and across North Dakota lakes.

Keep in mind:

Snow insulates ice, hampering solid ice formation, and makes it difficult to check thickness. Snow also hides the blemishes, such as cracked, weak and open water areas.
Avoid cracks, pressure ridges, slushy or darker areas that signal thinner ice. The same goes for ice that forms around partially submerged trees, brush, embankments or other structures.
Ice thickness is not consistent and can vary significantly even in a small area. Ice shouldn’t be judged by appearance alone. Anglers should drill test holes as they make their way out on the lake, and an ice chisel should be used to check ice thickness while moving around.
Daily temperature changes cause ice to expand and contract, affecting its strength.
The following minimums are recommended for travel on clear-blue lake ice formed under ideal conditions. However, early in the winter it’s a good idea to double these figures to be safe: 4 inches for a group walking single file; 6 inches for a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle; 8-12 inches for an automobile; and 12-15 inches for a pickup/truck.

These tips could help save a life:

Wear a personal flotation device and carry a cell phone.
Carry ice picks or a set of screwdrivers to pull yourself back on the ice if you fall through.
If someone breaks through the ice, call 911 immediately. Rescue attempts should employ a long pole, board, rope, blanket or snowmobile suit. If that’s not possible, throw the victim a life jacket, empty water jug or other buoyant object. Go to the victim as a last resort, but do this by forming a human chain where rescuers lie on the ice with each person holding the feet of the person in front.
To treat hypothermia, replace wet clothing with dry clothing and immediately transport victim to a hospital.

dougleier / November 27th, 2012 / No Comments » Posted in Uncategorized / Tag: fishing, northland outdoors, outdoors, spearing, sports /

North Dakota’s darkhouse spearfishing season opens on most state waters December 1. The season extends through March 15. Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species.

Darkhouse spearing is allowed for all residents with a valid fishing license and for residents under the age of 16. Nonresidents may darkhouse spearfish in North Dakota if they are from states that offer the same privilege for North Dakota residents.

All individuals who participate in darkhouse spearfishing must register with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department prior to participating. Registration is available at the department’s website, gf.nd.gov, or through any Game and Fish Department office.

All waters open to hook and line fishing are open to darkhouse spearing except:

Braun Lake – Logan County
East Park Lake, West Park Lake, Lake Audubon – McLean County
Heckers Lake – Sheridan County
McClusky Canal
New Johns Lake – Burleigh County
Red and Bois de Sioux rivers
Red Willow Lake – Griggs County
Sweet Briar Dam – Morton County

a tip of the hat to Tuttle

dougleier / October 31st, 2012 / No Comments » Posted in Uncategorized / Tag: fishing, North Dakota, northland outdoors, outdoors /

The State Game and Fish Department recently honored the Tuttle Wildlife Club for its ongoing efforts to develop and improve public use facilities at numerous lakes in northern Kidder County.

Each year the Department’s fisheries division presents a “Certificate of Appreciation” to an organization that has signed on as a cooperating partner in local projects. District fisheries supervisor Paul Bailey said the Tuttle group is “an outstanding example of the difference a small club can make on their local fisheries.”

Tuttle club members over the years have helped with construction and installation of boat ramps, courtesy docks, toilets, fishing piers, fishing access roads and parking areas at lakes Josephine, Cherry, Jasper, Frettim and Williams, among others.

In addition, Bailey said, the club also assumed primary responsibility for maintaining these facilities after construction. “The long-term commitment of providing the needed maintenance is as important as the initial construction,” Bailey noted, “and the club does an outstanding job in performing this task.”

North Dakota salmon goal reached

dougleier / October 30th, 2012 / No Comments » Posted in Uncategorized / Tag: Doug Leier, fishing, northland outdoors, outdoors, salmon, sports /

Fisheries crews have completed their annual salmon spawning operation on Lake Sakakawea after collecting 1.5 million eggs, easily surpassing their goal of 900,000.

Dave Fryda, North Dakota Game and Fish Department Missouri River System supervisor, said the majority of eggs came from Lake Sakakawea and the remainder from the Missouri River below Garrison Dam. The average size of Lake Sakakawea females was about 6.5 pounds, similar to 2011. The Missouri River females, which are typically larger than the lake fish, were smaller in size this year reflecting the decline in forage abundance in Lake Oahe.

“The 2012 salmon spawning run was a success with good numbers of fish available throughout the run,” Fryda said. “We were able to exceed our own egg collection goals early, which enabled us to provide assistance to South Dakota and possibly Montana in meeting their egg needs for 2013.”

Plans for 2013 are to stock Lake Sakakawea with 200,000 salmon, with none scheduled for the river below Garrison Dam, Fryda said.

Chinook salmon begin their spawning run in October. Since salmon cannot naturally reproduce in North Dakota, Game and Fish Department and Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery personnel collect eggs and transport them to the hatchery.

Once the eggs hatch, young salmon spend several months in the hatchery before being stocked in Lake Sakakawea.

fall fishing heating up

dougleier / October 15th, 2012 / No Comments » Posted in Uncategorized / Tag: Devils Lake, Doug Leier, fishing, northland, outdoors /

Fall is Trophy Walleye Time for Devils Lake Walleyes

By: Devils Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

“Walleye dreams become a reality every fall here on Devils Lake,” said North Dakota guide and professional angler Johnnie Candle. “All my biggest fish have come in the fall; it’s what I call trophy walleye time.”

Open water fishing usually runs until mid-November, with all areas of the lake becoming very productive. “The many year-classes of fish are equally distributed, but the 26 to 30 inchers show up now,” the world champion said. Devils Lake has expanded in the past 30 years to some 200,000 acres, consisting of many “lakes within lakes.” He urged anglers to select an area and stick to it, “Launch and fish that piece of Devils Lake. The fish will be there.”

When compared to the heydays of summer, Candle said the typical 100-fish days might drop to 35 walleyes in a day, with most measuring more than 20 inches. “The fish profile changes in fall,” he emphasized. That’s why he breaks ice many mid- to late-November mornings to pound away at the fish.

Candle’s fall walleye fishing has been narrowed down to a few simple points:

** Fish the steepest drops nearest deep water;

** Many of these are flooded road beds;

** 14 to 22 feet of water are good depths;

** Where the steep break meets the mud basin, expect walleyes;

** Roadbeds and main-lake points with rocks can be the best;

** Use a GPS map to locate roads (or watch the shoreline);

** Troll crankbaits – Salmo Hornets, Rapala Shad Raps and Berkley Flicker Shads are tops.

Candle trolls straight behind the boat, trying to keep lures in the exact zone where the steep break transitions to the bottom. “Walleyes love to eat ‘em, and we cover water,” he said. Some of the roadbeds and “spots” run for miles. Watching sonar units helps anglers concentrate and circle back on active schools of trophy walleyes.

Candle also fishes the many bridges, especially when any breeze creates a current flow. He works the downstream side of bridges, vertical jigging with Gulp! or minnows, much like he would in a river. Deep-water jigging and rigging major points and mid-lake rock humps and transitions (rock to mud) are also popular. “Fall is trophy time,” he said. While fishing for walleyes, he expects to contact numerous pike, with many of the “teeners” eating everything in sight in late October and November.

Al Freidig, past president of the Lake Region Anglers fishing club agreed with Candle and said most of his biggest walleyes come every fall. He favors trolling leadcore with crankbaits on rock piles and ridges of roadbeds. He was instrumental in a community wide effort to create one of the few 4-seasons fish cleaning stations in the country. “This effort involved many organizations, with anglers benefiting tremendously,” he said.

The fish-cleaning station will be open by Christmas, in time for the famous Devils Lake perch ice fishing season. “Hey, walleye and pike anglers flock to Devils Lake when it’s hard, also,” Freidig said. Located just south of Ed’s Bait Shop on Hwy 20 (south of the city of Devils Lake), the 20 x 32 building will be able to handle 15 anglers at one time. It has two grinders, a separate clean-up sink, a handicapped bathroom, will be heated (A/C for summer), plenty of parking for trucks and trailers, will be well-lit, and be accessed with a coded entry.

The code will be available at Ed’s Bait Shop between 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. “Best aspect of the new cleaning facility is that it’s free for all to use!” he said. The Lake Region anglers donated 25 percent of the cost; the North Dakota Game and Fish department added the remainder of the money. The Greater Ramsey Water District did the sewer and water connections. Assistance also came from the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce, the City of Devils Lake, Ramsey County and the Park Board.

For information on Devils Lake conditions, ramps and/or winter ice conditions and roads, the Jan. 27, 2013 ice fishing tournament, activities, guides, lodging, resorts and restaurants, check www.devilslakend.com, or call 701-662-4903.

North Dakota Outdoors and beyond