NDGF Newsletter for July 6th

[Swany]

Vegetation Important to a Fishery
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is fielding a number of inquiries from lakefront property owners on how to eliminate shoreline weeds.
Scott Elstad, aquatic habitat supervisor, said he understands why lot owners would want to clear vegetation, but he also stresses how important it is to the fishery.
“We discourage controlling vegetation on a mass scale because it hurts the food chain,” Elstad said. “Vegetation provides cover and conceals invertebrates, which in turn provide food for small fish species. If you knock out the base of the food chain, the big fish will disappear.”
When attempting to eliminate aquatic vegetation, Elstad recommends removal of a smaller portion, just enough to get a boat in or out, or clearing out a small area to swim.
A mechanical approach, such as raking out the weeds or using equipment to till down the area, is suggested. However, if chemical herbicides are pursued by the cabin owner, permission must first be garnered from the North Dakota Department of Health, and that requires a 28-day notice.
“Several chemicals are available for control, but that can get expensive,” Elstad said. “The area will have to be chemically treated 2-3 times a year every year, because plants will invade again. You also have to be aware of other issues with chemicals, such as consequences with farming practices or recreational activities.”
 
Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest Changes
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest is getting a facelift.
The department will no longer produce a Watchable Wildlife promotional poster, but instead feature more participant photographs in North Dakota OUTDOORS.
The contest has categories for nongame and game species, as well as plants/insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries.
Contest entries are limited to 5x7-inch or larger color prints, or digital files submitted on disk or via e-mail. Contestants are limited to no more than five entries. Photos must have been taken in North Dakota. Submission deadline is Sept. 30.
By submitting an entry, photographers grant permission to the Game and Fish Department to publish winning photographs in North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine, and as part of the magazine on the department’s website, gf.nd.gov.
Prints or photo disks should be sent to Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest, C/O Patrick T. Isakson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, N.D. 58501-5095.
Send e-mailed digital photos to pisakson@nd.gov, with “Photo Contest” noted in the subject line. Digital submissions can be either original digital photographs, or scans made from prints or slides/transparencies. Photographers will need to supply the original image if needed for publication.
Prints will be returned if requested following judging. Photo disks will not be returned. All entries must be accompanied by the photographer’s name, address, phone number and e-mail address if available. Other information such as photo site location and month taken are also useful.
Although care will be taken with submitted material, the Game and Fish Department assumes no financial responsibility for lost or damaged materials.