Outdoors Notebook: NDGF offers ANS reminder for Lake Oahe recreationists
Apr. 26—BISMARCK — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is working with counterparts in South Dakota to monitor the colonization of zebra mussels after the invasive mollusks were found in the lower end of Lake Oahe in South Dakota in December 2023 by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks staff.
Zebra mussels haven't been found in the North Dakota portion of the Missouri River reservoir, according to Ben Holen, aquatic nuisance species coordinator for Game and Fish in Jamestown, North Dakota.
"The nearest mussel that was found last year was over 100 lake miles south of the North Dakota border, so we will utilize various early detection techniques to track the leading edge of the zebra mussel population as it establishes up the lake," Holen said.
In addition to monitoring efforts, Game and Fish will launch a digital marketing campaign and work with the North Dakota Department of Transportation to place highway signage to raise zebra mussel awareness and promote compliance with aquatic nuisance species regulations, Holen said. Also, anglers and boaters can expect a higher game warden presence along Lake Oahe this year.
"It is critically important that water recreationists comply with ANS regulations and remember to clean, drain, dry all watercraft and equipment between every use," Holden said.
More information about zebra mussels, ANS regulations and decontamination tips is available at
. — staff report
BISMARCK — Boaters with watercraft registered outside North Dakota must have a 2024 aquatic nuisance species (ANS) sticker before operating watercraft in the state.
State law requires a $15 ANS fee for motorized watercraft not licensed in North Dakota to be paid for each calendar year, and the ANS sticker must be displayed on the watercraft.
In addition, Minnesota anglers launching boats on the North Dakota side of the Red River must have a current ANS sticker displayed on the watercraft.
The ANS sticker
can only be purchased
by logging into the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website,
. — staff report
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is encouraging Minnesotans to contact the state duty officer if they see evidence of a fish die-off in a lake or stream. Fish die-offs can result from a variety of natural and human causes.
To report fish die-offs, people should call the Minnesota duty officer at (651) 649‐5451 or (800) 422‐0798 (the duty officer line is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days a week). An early report facilitates timely water and fish sampling or other response actions, if needed. It's especially helpful to know what sizes and types of fish people see in a fish die-off.
More information on fish die-offs is available on the
Minnesota DNR website
at
mndnr.gov/fisheries/fishkills.html
. — staff report
