ND GNF Weekley Newsletter 03-May-06

[marine_man]

- Anglers Reminded of Live Baitfish Regulations

- New Contour Lake Maps Available on Web

- First Fish! Certificate Captures Young Angler’s Special Moment

Anglers Reminded of Live Baitfish Regulations

Anglers are reminded that fathead minnows, creek chubs, spottail shiners and sticklebacks are the only legal live baitfish that can be used in most North Dakota waters.

The only exception for waters that allow live baitfish, according to Greg Power, fisheries chief for the state Game and Fish Department, is in the Red River where white suckers may also be used. “In addition, there are 20 state waters where it is illegal to use any live baitfish,” Power said.

Because it is sometimes hard to identify bait fish species due to their small size, Power said it is important that anglers buy bait from a licensed retail bait vendor. “They inspect their bait and can identify the species properly,” Power added. “They know what is going into our state waters.”

And to help keep a lake free of unwanted species, anglers should know that releasing baitfish, or dumping a bait bucket, into any North Dakota water is illegal. “It is important to maintain a healthy lake by properly disposing bait,” Power said.

Power also cautions anglers that using game fish, or parts of game fish as bait is illegal, except for perch eyes, and trout and salmon eggs. “Using game fish as bait could lead to the introduction of fish species into waters where they cause serious management problems,” Power said. “For example, we have seen a number of lakes with illegal perch introductions over the years, and many of these lakes had to be eradicated.”

Anglers should refer to the 2006-08 North Dakota Fishing Guide, available at license vendors or online at gf.nd.gov, for more information.

New Contour Lake Maps Available on Web

Lake Audubon in McLean County and Lake Josephine in Kidder County highlight this year’s list of lakes that are now available as full color contour maps on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department HSOforum at gf.nd.gov.

More than 120 high-tech maps are featured in “Lake Contour Maps” under the “Map Services/GIS” link. Another 40 lakes, including Lake Ilo (Dunn County), Lake Tewaukon (Sargent County), Alkaline Lake (Kidder County), Brush Lake (McLean County), Harmony Lake (Mercer County), Round Lake (Kidder County), and Mount Carmel Dam (Cavalier County), were surveyed last summer and will be added as full color maps upon completion.

These free maps are available in large and small sizes. Large maps show contour lines, man-made features such as boat ramps, roads and camping areas, and surrounding terrain taken from aerial photographs. Small maps show the same details except surrounding terrain.

Not all of the contour maps available on the HSOforum are full color. Some are the older version black-and-white maps that lack special features.

First Fish! Certificate Captures Young Angler’s Special Moment

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is reminding parents to capture their little angler’s first catch on a specially designed First Fish! certificate.

First Fish! has no qualifying weights or measurements. The only requirement is the successful landing of a North Dakota fish. Certificates are available to all who request them, and they have ample room for all the important information, such as name, age, lake and a short fish story, plus a blank space for a photograph big enough to contain the smile of the happiest little angler.

Certificates are available for free by writing to First Fish!, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095; or send an email to [email protected].

[marine_man]

Good work ND GNF! The first fish certificate is a great idea!

marine_man