Paddlefish – US Fish & Wildlife Service

Two North Dakota fishing seasons open this week. The state Game and Fish Department says paddlefish snagging season and bowfishing season both open Tuesday.

The paddlefish season is scheduled to run through the end of the May, though wildlife officials can close it early to protect the population if it appears too many fish will be caught. Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and in part of the Missouri River in the northwestern part of the state.

The bowfishing season is open through Sept. 30. Game and Fish enforcement chief Robert Timian is reminding anglers to properly dispose of their fish. He says it’s illegal to leave the fish in the water or on the shore. Violators could be fined up to $1,000.