NDGF Brian Sea and Brian Frohlich
By Doug Leier
By mid-May, some North Dakota anglers have had weeks on the water since the new license season of April 1 began. That’s a subtle reminder to purchase your new license if you haven’t already. If your boat registration is expired, it’s time to renew. Both of which can be done efficiently on the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.
It’s also a good time to highlight a few key regulation changes that took effect April 1, along with some familiar reminders.
One notable change this year is the allowance of white sucker as legal live baitfish on the Missouri River System, Lake Audubon, Devils Lake, Stump Lake and the Irvine-Alice-Mikes complex. Expanding legal bait options provides additional flexibility for anglers while maintaining safeguards that protect fish populations and aquatic habitat.
As always, bait must be obtained and used in accordance with state guidelines.
Another significant update is the reintroduction of a chinook salmon snagging season. Anglers may now harvest chinook salmon during this designated season, and harvest with archery equipment is also permitted during that timeframe. This change provides additional opportunity with minimal negative consequences.
White bass anglers will also notice a change. The daily limit has increased to 30, with a possession limit of 60. White bass are abundant in many systems, and this increase reflects strong population levels while offering expanded harvest opportunity.
On the administrative side, darkhouse spearfishing registration has been eliminated. While all other applicable regulations remain in place, removing the registration requirement simplifies the process for those who participate.
Another practical update affects ice anglers. It is now legal to transport live aquatic baitfish in water away from a Class I aquatic nuisance species infested water while ice fishing — something previously prohibited. This adjustment recognizes the unique circumstances of ice fishing while continuing to prioritize aquatic nuisance species prevention measures overall.
Even with these changes, the core principles remain the same. Rescue the potential spread and introduction of aquatic nuisance species.
Transportation Rules
Fish must be kept in a condition that allows for species identification while in transit, which means leaving a patch of skin attached to fillets until you reach your permanent residence. And while some bait transport rules have been adjusted for ice fishing, anglers must still drain boats and equipment and follow all aquatic nuisance species protocols during open water season.
Residency Requirements
Who is eligible for a North Dakota resident license?
A person who has actually lived in, or maintained his or her legal residence, in North Dakota for the past six months, may qualify for resident licenses, providing he or she does not continue to claim residency in another state.
Note: When applying for a resident license applicants, those18 years or older must submit a valid North Dakota driver’s license number or valid North Dakota nondriver photo identification number. Exceptions: A waiver of residency allows an individual with a bona fide intention of becoming a resident, even though they have not resided in North Dakota for the required 6 months, to purchase nonlottery licenses such as fishing, small game, and furbearer at resident prices.
Military Exception. Military personnel in the state on duty or leave are eligible for a similar waiver to the one listed above. Nonresident full-time state or tribal college students living in North Dakota and attending a North Dakota institution of higher learning under the jurisdiction of the Board of Higher Education, a private institution, or a tribal college may qualify to purchase resident licenses. Contact the department licensing section at 701.328.6300 for details.
If you haven’t reviewed the 2026 fishing proclamation yet, now is a good time. A few minutes of preparation helps ensure a season that’s both successful and sustainable.
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