05-13-2004, 12:54 AM
[size 4]Anglers Urged to be Aware of Baitfish Regulations
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[/size]On 22 North Dakota lakes, anglers are not allowed to use live baitfish. The State Game and Fish Department has this regulation to prevent introduction of undesirable species, and anglers are asked to follow a few simple guidelines to ensure quality fisheries remain.
Undesirable fish can hurt all lakes, but especially those that are small in size, said Emil Berard, western district fisheries supervisor, Dickinson, and lakes with no-live-baitfish restrictions on average cover less than 50 acres. "History tells us smaller lakes wouldn't stay clean long if anglers unknowingly used illegal baitfish," Berard said. "The fishery quality can be decimated within a few years."
One concern, Berard said, is that some anglers aren't able to identify legal bait, and where to use it. "If we could be assured that anglers are using legal baitfish in the right place, there wouldn't be a problem," he said. "But bait identification is an area of concern, as is over harvest of certain game fish species."
One of the contributing factors, Berard mentioned, is individuals trapping their own bait. "This has turned out to be a significant problem, because some anglers don't know what they are using," he added. "This is likely how carp and green sunfish got stocked in Camels Hump Dam. This lake is scheduled for eradication in 2004."
Berard encourages anglers to buy bait from a licensed retailer because retailers should know how to identify bait. "Plus, the bait gets inspected periodically, which helps against the spread of aquatic nuisance species," he said.
Because of the possibility of hidden unwanted species in bait buckets, Berard said, anglers should not dump their bait bucket into the lake. Besides, it is illegal to release baitfish into any North Dakota waters. "Anglers should dispose of their bait properly because it lessens the likelihood of ANS becoming a problem," he added. "Baitfish regulations are designed to protect all waters of the state from the movement of ANS."
The following waters have a "no-live-baitfish" regulation: Belfield Dam, Stark County; Blumhardt Dam, McIntosh County; Brewer Lake, Cass County; Buffalo Gap, Golden Valley County; Bylin Dam/Dougherty Dam, Walsh County; Camels Hump Dam, Golden Valley County; Clausen Springs, Barnes County; Custer Mine Pond, McLean County; Davis Dam, Slope County; Dickinson Dike, Stark County; Fish Creek, Morton County; Indian Creek, Hettinger County; Kettle Lake, Williams County; Leland Dam, McKenzie County; Lightning Lake, McLean County; McDowell Dam, Burleigh County; North Lemmon Dam, Adams County; Nygren Dam, Morton County; Raleigh Reservoir, Grant County; Sather Dam, McKenzie County; Sheep Creek Dam, Grant County; Velva Sportsmens Pond, Ward County.
Anglers should refer to the 2004-2006 North Dakota Fishing Guide for more information.
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[/size]On 22 North Dakota lakes, anglers are not allowed to use live baitfish. The State Game and Fish Department has this regulation to prevent introduction of undesirable species, and anglers are asked to follow a few simple guidelines to ensure quality fisheries remain.
Undesirable fish can hurt all lakes, but especially those that are small in size, said Emil Berard, western district fisheries supervisor, Dickinson, and lakes with no-live-baitfish restrictions on average cover less than 50 acres. "History tells us smaller lakes wouldn't stay clean long if anglers unknowingly used illegal baitfish," Berard said. "The fishery quality can be decimated within a few years."
One concern, Berard said, is that some anglers aren't able to identify legal bait, and where to use it. "If we could be assured that anglers are using legal baitfish in the right place, there wouldn't be a problem," he said. "But bait identification is an area of concern, as is over harvest of certain game fish species."
One of the contributing factors, Berard mentioned, is individuals trapping their own bait. "This has turned out to be a significant problem, because some anglers don't know what they are using," he added. "This is likely how carp and green sunfish got stocked in Camels Hump Dam. This lake is scheduled for eradication in 2004."
Berard encourages anglers to buy bait from a licensed retailer because retailers should know how to identify bait. "Plus, the bait gets inspected periodically, which helps against the spread of aquatic nuisance species," he said.
Because of the possibility of hidden unwanted species in bait buckets, Berard said, anglers should not dump their bait bucket into the lake. Besides, it is illegal to release baitfish into any North Dakota waters. "Anglers should dispose of their bait properly because it lessens the likelihood of ANS becoming a problem," he added. "Baitfish regulations are designed to protect all waters of the state from the movement of ANS."
The following waters have a "no-live-baitfish" regulation: Belfield Dam, Stark County; Blumhardt Dam, McIntosh County; Brewer Lake, Cass County; Buffalo Gap, Golden Valley County; Bylin Dam/Dougherty Dam, Walsh County; Camels Hump Dam, Golden Valley County; Clausen Springs, Barnes County; Custer Mine Pond, McLean County; Davis Dam, Slope County; Dickinson Dike, Stark County; Fish Creek, Morton County; Indian Creek, Hettinger County; Kettle Lake, Williams County; Leland Dam, McKenzie County; Lightning Lake, McLean County; McDowell Dam, Burleigh County; North Lemmon Dam, Adams County; Nygren Dam, Morton County; Raleigh Reservoir, Grant County; Sather Dam, McKenzie County; Sheep Creek Dam, Grant County; Velva Sportsmens Pond, Ward County.
Anglers should refer to the 2004-2006 North Dakota Fishing Guide for more information.
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