New Fishing Regulations In North Dakota You Need To Know

New Regs For North Dakota Fishermen

It won't be long, and open water fishing will be here in North Dakota. The river should be opening up here in Bismarck in the next couple of weeks, and our lakes will soon follow in April. It's time to get that boat ready for another season, and don't forget that you will need a new fishing license beginning April 1st, and make sure your boat registration is updated.

The North Dakota Game and Fish only changes its regulations every couple of years, and only in even years. They try to make it as simple as possible for anglers.

2026 Changes in Regulations for Anglers

According to a video released by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, fishermen will now be able to use suckers as live bait starting April 1st on the biggest bodies of water in North Dakota. These waters include:

Devils Lake

Lake Sakakawea

Lake Oahe

Lake Audubon

Stump Lake

Missouri River

Suckers are already legal on the Red River system in North Dakota. Why the change? Mainly to give walleye anglers another option to catch BIG fish. Something I love to do. Currently, another big minnow bait, creek chubs, are legal to use across the state, but are hard to come by and expensive. This will give you another option.

Suckers are legal bait in South Dakota, where I have a lake cabin, and I can tell you firsthand how big walleye, pike, and bass love them. This will be a game-changer for North Dakota fishermen who like to target big fish like me.

Salmon Snagging

You will now be allowed to snag salmon for the first time in several decades in the state. The season will run from September 20th to the end of October. This will be from sunrise to sunset, and the same limits apply as with traditional hook and line. You will also be allowed to spear or use archery on Salmon as well.

Darkhouse Spearfishing

You will no longer need to register online for darkhouse spearfishing.

White Bass Limit Increase

The limit for white bass will go from 20 fish daily and 40 in possession to 30 fish daily and 60 fish in possession.

Overall, the North Dakota Game and Fish says our fisheries in North Dakota are in good shape, especially the walleye populations. All of these regulations are meant to offer more opportunities in the state.