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BISMARCK — In a wide-ranging interview with host Mike Anderson of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Jeb Williams, director of the NDGF, recaps 2022 and talks about the rebound and health of the state's lakes and wildife.
A major blizzard in April provided much needed moisture and ended drought conditions in most areas of the state. Williams says that helped keep lakes at a productive level.
Williams also touches on increasing and improving lake access, especially since some bodies of water have returned to pre-drought levels. More than 12 million walleye fingerlings were stocked throughout the season in various lakes.
"I think for across the board, whether, you know, northeast North Dakota, southeast North Dakota or anywhere in the state, we've never had better fishing opportunities and especially from a walleye perspective," Williams says, "and we know people are always really excited about walleyes and our Fisheries Division has heard that and they've delivered on it, and there's no better opportunity than right now."
North Dakota did not have a new aquatic nuisance species listing in 2022.
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"People need to care about the issue to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species and I think so far we have we have really good buy-in from folks on that aspect," Williams says.
Williams discusses managing wildlife, the Conservation PLOTS program, the outreach of the NDGF, game warden interaction with the public, hunter education programs and more.
