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Garrison Project ice access policy released

Published Dec. 11, 2015
A vehicle breaks through the ice on the Missouri River in North Dakota. The driver escaped safely however driving on the ice must fall within Title 36 Regulations. The practice of "ice driving" or "ice racing" is prohibited and extremely dangerous.

A vehicle breaks through the ice on the Missouri River in North Dakota. The driver escaped safely however driving on the ice must fall within Title 36 Regulations. The practice of "ice driving" or "ice racing" is prohibited and extremely dangerous.

A vehicle breaks through the ice on the Missouri River in North Dakota. The driver escaped safely however driving on the ice must fall within Title 36 Regulations. The practice of "ice driving" or "ice racing" is prohibited and extremely dangerous.

A vehicle breaks through the ice on the Missouri River in North Dakota. The driver escaped safely however driving on the ice must fall within Title 36 Regulations. The practice of "ice driving" or "ice racing" is prohibited and extremely dangerous.

A Northern Pike caught in March 2013 while ice fishing on Lake Sakakawea/Garrison Dam Project on the Northeast side of the lake in Steinke Bay, which is near Sportsmen's Centennial Park access and Steinke WMA access. Ice Fishing is a popular outdoor winter activity for may North Dakotans.

A Northern Pike caught in March 2013 while ice fishing on Lake Sakakawea/Garrison Dam Project on the Northeast side of the lake in Steinke Bay, which is near Sportsmen's Centennial Park access and Steinke WMA access. Ice Fishing is a popular outdoor winter activity for may North Dakotans.

RIVERDALE, N.D. - The 2015-2016 winter access policy released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Garrison Project identifies 55 points of entry to Lake Sakakawea.

Entry points defined in the policy are available for the period of the calendar year in which Lake Sakakawea freezes over until April 1 of each calendar year or thaw, whichever occurs first.

The Corps of Engineers doesn’t encourage or recommend driving on the ice at anytime.  For those that do recreate on the ice, the Omaha District urges extreme caution as any winter activity performed on the ice can be hazardous.  For instance, thin ice or open water may exist near springs and pressure ridges throughout the winter.

Fishermen are encouraged to use only licensed, motorized vehicles and existing authorized public roads for entering and leaving ice fishing access areas. Some public roads often drift closed with snow and will not be plowed open. In these instances, operating a motor vehicle off-road to obtain access is not allowed. Additionally, the public is reminded that access is for ice fishing purposes only.  Restrictions are in place to preclude using the ice to cross the reservoir, which has occurred in some areas in the past few years.

All Title 36 Regulations apply to the Ice Fishing Access Sites. North Dakota Game and Fish WMA Regulations apply within all Wildlife Management Areas located on Corps lands around the reservoir. Additionally, North Dakota Game and Fish has specific regulations pertaining to the use of ice/fish/spearing houses within the State of North Dakota.

Have fun this winter and be safe; “ALWAYS, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO”. Check in with someone who is near the particular body of water where you are accessing. Bait shops, outfitters, game wardens, and public land managers are all valuable sources for ice condition updates.

The policy indicating the designated areas on Lake Sakakawea is available here.

For additional information contact: the Corps of Engineers Office in Riverdale (701-654-7411) or Williston (701-572-6494) or North Dakota Game & Fish Office in Riverdale (701-654-7475) or Williston (701-774-4320).


Contact
Nathan Busche
701-654-7757
or
Eileen Williamson
402-995-2417
eileen.l.williamson@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20151210-001