ND GNF Weekley Newsletter 05-Apr-06

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- Missouri River Spring Fishing, Access Should Be Good

- Creel Survey Being Conducted on Missouri River System, Lake Audubon

- Department Evaluates 2005 Deer Gun Season

- Venturia Youth Wins Earth Day Patch Contest

Missouri River Spring Fishing, Access Should Be Good

A rebounding walleye population and early reports of good catches have North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists predicting a successful spring for anglers fishing the Missouri River.

The size of Missouri River walleyes continues to improve, and anglers are already catching many in the 14-20 inch range. “The walleye population continues to improve from a few years ago, especially for larger fish,” said Jason Lee, south central fisheries supervisor.

Recent improvements in the walleye population can be attributed to gizzard shad, an ideal food source for walleye that was lacking prior to 2005. “Last fall’s survey showed abundant young, 2-5 inch gizzard shad found from the Garrison Dam Tailrace to south of Beaver Bay, near Linton,” Lee said.

Lee, who manages the river from Wilton to the South Dakota state line, said anglers are reporting good catches near Bismarck and south. “Fishing is off to a good start, and we expect it to continue,” Lee said.

Jeff Hendrickson, north central fisheries supervisor who manages the river from the Tailrace to Washburn, said walleye fishing has been good, especially in the Tailrace. “Gizzard shad were abundant last year, and the walleye population is good,” Hendrickson said.

While walleye receive the most attention, anglers shouldn’t forget about the prospects of a good spring bite for white bass, catfish and sauger. “These species typically aren’t as popular as walleye, but can provide for some good fishing,” Lee said.

In addition, anglers should find good access to the water in most areas. If water releases are normal, most boat ramps from the Garrison Tailrace to the Ft. Rice/Hazelton area – about 30 miles southeast of Bismarck – should be in usable condition, reports Bob Frohlich, fisheries development supervisor. “The Burnt Creek boat ramp site has been closed due to continued erosion problems, and a new public boat ramp (Misty Waters) will be constructed just to the north and east of the old Burnt Creek area.”

The Hazelton boat landing, which is managed by the Corps of Engineers, still has ice on the ramp, Frohlich said, and will likely require additional work before it is operational because of a sandbar that has built up in front of the ramp.

Creel Survey Being Conducted on Missouri River System, Lake Audubon

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is conducting creel surveys on the Missouri River System and Lake Audubon in 2006, according to Jeff Hendrickson, north central fisheries district supervisor, Riverdale.

The Missouri River/Lake Oahe creel survey started April 1, and will continue through September. The Lake Sakakawea survey will run from May 1 through September, and the Lake Audubon survey will also begin May 1, but continue through ice fishing season. Clerks will be at various places at different times throughout the season, Hendrickson said.

Creel survey information is useful in assessing angler demographics, harvest and catch rates, catch-and-release information, and angling effort. Anglers are asked to cooperate with creel clerks, and answer questions honestly, as interviews take only a few minutes.

Information obtained is kept confidential, Hendrickson said.

Department Evaluates 2005 Deer Gun Season

A record number of licenses translated into a record number of deer harvested during the 2005 deer gun hunting season.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department allocated 145,600 deer gun licenses for the 2005 season, and more than 97 percent were issued to hunters. Harvest survey data reveals nearly 99,600 deer were taken during the gun season, and combined with bow, muzzle-loader and youth seasons, the harvest was more than 100,000 deer, according to Randy Kreil, wildlife chief.

The overall hunter success rate of 76 percent during 2005 was 2 percent higher than in 2004, and about average over the past 15 years.

Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 75 percent, and antlerless whitetail was 74 percent.

Mule deer buck success was 78 percent, while mule deer doe hunters had a success rate of 83 percent.

Youth deer season hunters had an overall success rate of 44 percent, and muzzle-loader season hunters had a success rate of 49 percent.

Department biologists are in the process of determining the number of deer licenses that will be recommended in the 2006 deer proclamation, which will be sent to the governor’s office for approval the end of April. “Since the winter was easy on the deer herd in much of the state we anticipate low winter mortality and high reproduction in 2006,” Kreil said. “License numbers should remain high in many units, although some areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the state have reduced deer numbers and lower harvest success.”

Game and Fish Department biologists determine deer license numbers by evaluating hunter harvest data, deer survey data, deer-vehicle collision reports, depredation reports, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.

Venturia Youth Wins Earth Day Patch Contest

Mindy Schumacher of Venturia submitted the winning entry in a contest seeking a design for a North Dakota Earth Day patch.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department celebrates Earth Day each year by sponsoring a youth clean-up day on state-owned or managed lands in April and May, said Jeb Williams, outreach biologist. “Each participant involved in cleaning up these public lands during April and May will receive a specifically designed conservation patch,” Williams said.

Winners of the contest – in the three age categories – were Tanner Lind of Rugby (6-9), Mindy Schumacher (10-13), and Tabitha Schumacher of Venturia (14-18). Mindy Schumacher’s design was chosen the overall winner, and will be used on this year’s Earth Day patch.

Schools, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H clubs or other groups interested in taking part in clean-up activities are asked to call Bill Jensen (328-6637) or Jeb Williams (328-6332) to receive a reporting form for their project.

Groups taking part in clean-up activities should take the following precautions to ensure safety: keep young people away from highways, lakes and rivers; and only allow older participants to pick up broken glass.