Paddlefish Season Ends Early in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Wildlife officials are closing North Dakota's paddlefish snagging season early on the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers, in order to protect the fish population.

The state Game and Fish director is allowed to close the snagging season if it appears more than 1,000 paddlefish will be harvested. Officials say there's also a record high proportion of female fish this season, necessitating an early closure.

The season will end at 10 p.m. Monday.

An additional four-day snag-and-release season will begin Tuesday and run through Friday. Paddlefish snaggers with an unused tag can continue snagging during the extra season, but must release all fish immediately.

Anglers who already used their tag on a harvested paddlefish are not allowed to participate in the additional snag-and-release period.