BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's paddlefish season is being closed early to protect the resource.

The season runs through the month of May, but it's not unusual for state wildlife officials to close it early if it appears too many fish will be caught.

The State Game and Fish Department says the season will close at 9 p.m. Central time Monday. Fisheries Chief Greg Power says anglers have been "extremely successful" and that a high proportion of this year's harvest has been females, further necessitating an early closure.

Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in northwestern North Dakota, and in most of the Missouri River west of the U.S. Highway 85 bridge to the Montana border.

An additional four-day snag-and-release season will begin Tuesday and run through Friday.

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