07-26-2004, 04:20 AM
[black][size 1]The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's OWLS Pond in Bismarck and Pathway Pond in Minot are set to become catch-and-release only fisheries, according to Terry Steinwand, department fisheries chief.[/size][/black]
[black][size 1]The new restriction takes place immediately at the OWLS Pond, which is located directly west of the department's main office. Pathway Pond, located at the north end of the state fairgrounds, becomes catch-and-release only immediately after conclusion of the state fair on July 31. Signs will be posted at both entrances.[/size][/black]
[black][size 1]"Since they are such small ponds they can't withstand the substantial harvest," Steinwand said. "And because natural reproduction of fish species stocked in the ponds doesn't occur, they essentially are stock-and-take lakes."[/size][/black]
[black][size 1]When the ponds were first built they were catch-and-release only, because the intent was to provide a fishing opportunity for everyone to enjoy, Steinwand said. "About four years ago we lifted the catch-and-release restriction because we felt the pressure and harvest wasn't substantial enough to warrant such a restriction," he added. "Additionally, some of the fish weren't making it through the hard winters. So rather than let the resource be wasted we felt we should let anglers harvest and use them."[/size][/black]
[black][size 1]In the past few years, department officials noticed a change in harvest by anglers using the ponds. "We don't have the resources to stock the lakes on a daily or even monthly basis. So in order to provide a quality fishing experience for all who fish these lakes, we decided to make them catch-and-release only," Steinwand said. "This will mandate the return to the water of any fish caught, making it available for the next angler that comes along."[/size][/black]
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[black][size 1]The new restriction takes place immediately at the OWLS Pond, which is located directly west of the department's main office. Pathway Pond, located at the north end of the state fairgrounds, becomes catch-and-release only immediately after conclusion of the state fair on July 31. Signs will be posted at both entrances.[/size][/black]
[black][size 1]"Since they are such small ponds they can't withstand the substantial harvest," Steinwand said. "And because natural reproduction of fish species stocked in the ponds doesn't occur, they essentially are stock-and-take lakes."[/size][/black]
[black][size 1]When the ponds were first built they were catch-and-release only, because the intent was to provide a fishing opportunity for everyone to enjoy, Steinwand said. "About four years ago we lifted the catch-and-release restriction because we felt the pressure and harvest wasn't substantial enough to warrant such a restriction," he added. "Additionally, some of the fish weren't making it through the hard winters. So rather than let the resource be wasted we felt we should let anglers harvest and use them."[/size][/black]
[black][size 1]In the past few years, department officials noticed a change in harvest by anglers using the ponds. "We don't have the resources to stock the lakes on a daily or even monthly basis. So in order to provide a quality fishing experience for all who fish these lakes, we decided to make them catch-and-release only," Steinwand said. "This will mandate the return to the water of any fish caught, making it available for the next angler that comes along."[/size][/black]
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