Tyler Hughes ND paddlefish
By Doug Leier
For many, the other side of the window in May is a path to the first tulips and annual flowers
emerging, spotting the first baby goose or even swatting a mosquito. Gardens are planned and
planted, golf clubs, baseballs and softballs are as common as minnows, jigs and spinners. We
look forward to a walk after supper or spending a little more time outdoors than indoors. In North
Dakota, spring has something to offer for anyone outdoors from the first open water cast to the
end of spring turkey and snow goose hunts across the state.
If there’s a spotlight on one species or season in North Dakota in May it’s in extreme
northwestern North Dakota as paddlefish rightfully hog the spotlight for a few weeks each year.
When I say hog, it’s nothing but sheer reverence as they commonly weigh well over 50 pounds
and the state record caught by Tyler Hughes topped the scale at 131 pounds last year.
Paddlefish are as unique as they are big and the combination of specific habitat needs, low
reproductive success and recruitment conversely generate extreme interest for the paddlefish
snagging season.
The greatest threat is the loss of habitat for successful spawning and recruitment. Paddlefish
need natural, free–flowing rivers to reproduce effectively. Without spawning habitat there’s really
little that can be done to maintain viable populations over the long term. Water withdrawals from
the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers are reducing available habitat. Protecting and enhancing
habitat and flows in these rivers are critically important for the long–term survival of the stock.
Snag fisheries are regulated to ensure that the Yellowstone–Sakakawea stock is not
overharvested. Illegal fishing is a major threat, however, and has been documented in several
other states. Any illegal harvest activities should be reported. To emphasize it even more,
consider it’s the only fish species and season a tag is required to participate and harvest a fish.
Snagging of paddlefish is legal May 1 through May 21 for those with a valid paddlefish tag.
Paddlefish snagging is legal only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Central time) during each day of the
paddlefish snagging season. Select days are set aside for harvest and release only.
Depending on overall harvest, an “in–season” closure may occur, with a 24–hour notice issued
by the Game and Fish director. If this occurs, there will be no refunds for unused tags.
If there is an early closure, snag–and–release–only will still be allowed for a seven–day period
immediately following the harvest closure, but not to extend beyond May 21.
Notice of an early closure and subsequent days set aside for snag–and–release–only will be
announced by the department. Once a snagger harvests a paddlefish, they can no longer snag
for paddlefish at any subsequent time during the current season (including snag–and release–
only and extended snag–and–release–only days).
The open area includes the Yellowstone River in North Dakota and the Missouri River west of
the U.S. Highway 85 bridge to the Montana border, excluding that portion from the pipeline
crossing (river mile 1,577) downstream to the upper end of the Lewis and Clark WMA (river mile
1,565).
A paddlefish snagger must obtain and have in their possession a valid paddlefish tag, in
addition to a valid fishing license that may be required. Only one tag per snagger will be issued
and the tag is not transferable to another individual. Any paddlefish tag locked shut prior to
attachment, altered or modified shall be voided and will not be replaced.
Helpful Links:
2025 Paddlefish Season
https://gf.nd.gov/fishing/paddlefish–snagging
Paddlefish Species Information
https://gf.nd.gov/wildlife/id/paddlefish
Frequently Asked Questions
https://gf.nd.gov/help?term_node_tid_depth=525
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