Because of high water across the state, access to
some of North Dakota’s fisheries is difficult, forcing more anglers and pleasure boaters to converge on those ramps and workers offering easier access.
With that in mind, boaters are reminded to plan
ahead for crowded ramp conditions and exercise patience once there.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department receives
a number of complaints every year about overly
aggressive behavior at boat ramps. A few simple reminders
will help ensure a fluent transition when launching and loading a boat.
Launching
a. Don’t pull onto ramp until your boat is ready to launch.
b. Prepare for launching in the parking area. Remove
covers, load equipment, remove tie downs, attach
lines and put in drain plug, before backing onto the ramp.
c. When ready, pull into line to launch. Wait your turn.
Be courteous.
d. It takes at least two people to efficiently and courteously launch a boat: one to handle the boat and one to take care of the tow vehicle.
Loading
a. Don’t block the loading area with your boat until
your tow vehicle is ready to load. Wait until you are clear
of the launch area to unload gear.
b. As soon as your trailer is in the water, load and
secure your boat to the trailer.
c. Remove boat and trailer from the water as quickly
as possible.
d. Get clear of the ramp. Pull into the parking area to
finish securing your boat and unload gear.
e. All water must be drained from watercraft prior to
leaving a water body, including livewells. This means fish,
including bait, cannot be transported in a livewell containing water.
f. No aquatic vegetation, or parts thereof, shall be in
or on watercraft, motors, trailers and recreational equipment when out of water. Time out of the water needed to
remove aquatic vegetation at the immediate water access
area (boat ramp) is allowed.
g. All built-in structures to boats, including livewells
and bait compartments, and containers (bait buckets)
used to transport legal live bait, must also be free of
aquatic vegetation.
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