Game and Fish Provides Ice Safety Tips 121003
Outdoor recreationists are venturing out onto the ice to enjoy many of the state's winter opportunities. Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, reminds trappers and ice anglers to be cognizant of ice safety.

"Before going out onto a frozen lake, pond or river, it's important to take safety precautions to reduce the risk of falling through the ice," Boldt said. "Knowing how to judge ice conditions will also help in making a more informed decision."

Boldt cautions recreationists to be aware of snow-covered ice. Snow insulates ice, inhibiting solid ice formation, and makes it difficult to check thickness. Snow also hides cracked, weak and open water areas. "Stay away from cracks, pressure ridges, slushy or darker areas that signify thinner ice, and ice that forms around partially submerged objects, such as trees, brush, embankments or structures," Boldt said.

Ice thickness is not consistent, Boldt mentioned, and can change drastically within a few inches. "Ice shouldn't be judged strictly by appearance," she added. "It is always a good idea for anglers to drill test holes as one progresses out onto a lake."

Daily changes in temperature cause ice to expand and contract, Boldt said, which affects its strength. "It is always good to talk to people at local bait shops, or other anglers, if you are not familiar with a lake."

Boldt recommends the following minimums as safe for clear blue lake ice formed under ideal conditions. However, early in the winter she advises doubling these figures to be safe: four inches will support a group of people walking single file; five and one half to six inches are necessary for a snowmobile or all terrain vehicle; eight to 12 inches will support an automobile; and 12-15 inches will support a pickup/truck.

Always wear a personal flotation device and carry a cell phone while on the ice. If someone falls through the ice, act quickly by calling 911. "Do not go out onto the ice," Boldt said. "Many times would-be rescuers become victims themselves."

Northern Pike Receiving Interest from Ice Anglers 121003
North Dakota's state fish, the northern pike, is receiving considerable attention from anglers this winter, according to Greg Power, fisheries management and research supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Yellow perch are still the primary choice of anglers during winter, Power said, but northern pike attract their share of interest as well. "North Dakota's pike populations experienced excellent reproduction, perhaps record reproduction, during the 1990s," Power said. "This has translated into great fishable populations throughout much of the state."

Low water levels on some lakes have biologists encouraging anglers to get out early in the season. "Lower water levels won't necessarily hurt ice fishing, especially early," Power said. "But when oxygen levels drop, as they can do in shallower lakes, the fish become stressed and don't bite. We also run the increased risk of winterkill in the shallow lakes, as the snowpack often increases during the course of winter."

Anglers might want to take a look at the department's North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine's November issue, Power said. The magazine contains an article on winter northern pike fishing, which lists 57 pike lakes in the state, with details on location and size.

"The list does not include all North Dakota waters where pike are found," Power said, "but it does include waters where generally good pike fishing could be expected this winter and hopefully into next year."

In addition, stocking records can be accessed by logging onto the department's website at discovernd.com/gnf. Click on the fishing tab and scroll down to "fish stocking lists" in the left column.

When referring to stocking records, Power suggests looking at records from two or three years ago. "The majority of fish stocked in the spring of 2003 won't be of catchable size for another two years," Power said. "Records from two or more years ago will give a better indication of what fishing might be like in a particular lake."

To order a copy of the November issue, send $2 to North Dakota OUTDOORS, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095. The article is also available on the department's website at discovernd.com/gnf/ndoutdoors/.

Congress Gives Boost to North Dakota's Wildlife Programs 120103
North Dakota will receive a federal apportionment of $615,000 as its 2004 share of state wildlife grants, the nation's core program for preventing wildlife from becoming endangered. The funding is within the Interior Appropriations Bill, signed by President Bush on Nov. 10, 2003.

"We're grateful for the efforts of our Congressional delegation and our many supporters in securing a victory for wildlife during these difficult budget times," said Steve Dyke, conservation supervisor for the State Game and Fish Department. "Putting these dollars to work now will save taxpayers money in the future. It's much cheaper and more successful to keep wildlife off the Endangered Species List."

Congress awarded $70 million to state wildlife grants, a $10 million increase above the President's budget request and $5 million above the 2003 allocation.

Seventy-three members of the House of Representatives and 33 Senators, including North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan, signed letters seeking a substantial increase in funding. Senator Dorgan, as the ranking Democrat on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, played a significant role in assuring this year's increase.

"I'm very happy that in these times of fiscal constraint we were able to continue funding the very important work done by the State Game and Fish Department," Dorgan said. "Keeping an eye on our wildlife before they become endangered is one of the most important things we can do to maintain a healthy ecosystem for years to come."

The primary goal of the program is to identify at-risk species, Dyke said, and to implement management practices that will assist in their recovery. "The funding provided by this program will significantly help conserve declining wildlife on a national level," he said.

This is the fourth year North Dakota has received federal money under this program. Funding has been used for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to, conducting a black-tailed prairie dog survey of existing prairie dog towns and their size; partnering in a grassland bird modeling study that will provide important information on nesting birds in the region; and funding two temporary nongame wildlife positions within the department for the primary purpose of developing a comprehensive strategy for species at-risk within the state.

G&F Meets Goal of Collecting 1,500 Deer Samples for CWD Testing 120103
North Dakota hunters donated more than 1,500 deer heads that are currently in the process of being tested for chronic wasting disease, according to Jacquie Ermer, wildlife disease biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Riverdale.

The 2003 Hunter-Harvested Surveillance program established a goal of sampling 1,500 deer in the southern half of the state for CWD. Hunters were asked to assist by stopping at collection sites during the hunting season and provide samples from their deer.

"We need to express our gratitude to hunters and meat processors who cooperated in this effort," Ermer said. "They really stepped up and showed their concern in wanting to maintain a healthy deer population."

Samples for CWD testing were sent to the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab. Results should be available within three months, and hunters will be notified only if a sample tests positive.

The state is divided into eight CWD surveillance units. Samples from hunter-harvested deer were taken from animals this fall in five of those areas.

The goal is to obtain 458 samples from animals in each surveillance unit within a two year period, Ermer said. Two units have already filled that obligation. "We were fortunate enough to have collected the necessary samples in two surveillance units in the southeast," she added. "Since we won't need samples from those two units next year, we will be able to cover two new areas in the northern half of the state."

Even though this year's Hunter-Harvested Surveillance goal has been met, game and fish will continue to monitor and collect suspect deer and elk (Targeted Surveillance), including road-killed animals, Ermer said.

During the 2002 hunting season, samples were taken from 470 deer and 25 elk - all tested negative for CWD. To date, CWD has not been diagnosed in wild or farmed deer or elk in North Dakota.

Chronic wasting disease affects the nervous system of white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk and is always fatal. Scientists have found no evidence that CWD can be transmitted naturally to humans or livestock.

Anglers Reminded of Winter Regulations 120103
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds winter anglers that leaving unwanted fish, including bait, on the ice is not only unsightly, but also illegal.

According to the fishing proclamation, anglers must either release unwanted fish back into the water, unharmed, as soon as they are caught, or take them home. "Some anglers think it is okay to leave unwanted fish on the ice," said Jeff Hendrickson, fisheries biologist, Riverdale. "If people don't want the fish they catch, we urge them to return the fish to the water."

This is particularly true on upper Lake Sakakawea, Hendrickson mentioned, where it is not uncommon to find hundreds of discarded burbot and goldeye later in the ice fishing season. "These two species of fish are abundant in this area and are considered by many anglers to be a nuisance."

The needless waste of burbot is especially concerning, Hendrickson said, due to their population. "Burbot were once very common throughout much of the Missouri River system," he added. "In some parts of their historic range, they're no longer present or considered to be rare."

Although burbot are still fairly abundant in Lake Sakakawea, there is simply no valid justification for wasting the resource, Hendrickson said. "Fisheries managers and anglers have a responsibility to maintain a viable burbot population," he said. "They are good table fare, and are actively sought by many anglers."