04-19-2004, 03:49 AM
North Dakota's 2004 paddlefish snagging season is set to open May 1. Regulations for the upcoming season are identical to last year, according to Fred Ryckman, fisheries biologist for the State Game and Fish Department, Williston.
The snagging season is scheduled to run through May 31, with legal snagging hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. One tag per snagger will be issued. A harvest cap of 1,000 fish, implemented in 2003, will be used again this year.
"As a result, the snagging season may be closed prior to May 31, upon issuance of a 60-hour notice by the game and fish director, if it appears the annual harvest cap may be exceeded," Ryckman said.
Snag-and-release of all paddlefish will be required on Mondays and Tuesdays. Those planning to participate during the snag-and-release-only days will need to have in their possession a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag. Since all fish on the two catch-and-release days must be released, Ryckman noted, the use or possession of gaffs is prohibited on Mondays and Tuesdays.
During the other five days of the week, mandatory harvest of all snagged paddlefish is required. The use or possession of a gaff within one half mile in either direction of the Highway 200 bridge on the Yellowstone River is illegal at any time during the snagging season.
Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and in that area of the Missouri River lying 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 Wildlife Management Area (river mile 1,565).
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The snagging season is scheduled to run through May 31, with legal snagging hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. One tag per snagger will be issued. A harvest cap of 1,000 fish, implemented in 2003, will be used again this year.
"As a result, the snagging season may be closed prior to May 31, upon issuance of a 60-hour notice by the game and fish director, if it appears the annual harvest cap may be exceeded," Ryckman said.
Snag-and-release of all paddlefish will be required on Mondays and Tuesdays. Those planning to participate during the snag-and-release-only days will need to have in their possession a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag. Since all fish on the two catch-and-release days must be released, Ryckman noted, the use or possession of gaffs is prohibited on Mondays and Tuesdays.
During the other five days of the week, mandatory harvest of all snagged paddlefish is required. The use or possession of a gaff within one half mile in either direction of the Highway 200 bridge on the Yellowstone River is illegal at any time during the snagging season.
Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and in that area of the Missouri River lying 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 Wildlife Management Area (river mile 1,565).
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