“All things considered, the 2019 snagging season has gone well with good numbers of both females and males taken,” said Greg Power, fisheries chief. “Perhaps most importantly, a number of small paddlefish have been harvested which may bode well for the future.”

An additional four-day snag-and-release season will begin Sunday, May 12 and run through Wednesday, May 15. Paddlefish snaggers with an unused paddlefish tag can continue snagging during the additional snag-and-release season, but must release all fish immediately.

Snag-and-release is legal only in that area of the Missouri River starting on the north shore from the Confluence boat ramp then east (downstream) one-half mile, and that area of the Missouri River starting on the south shore from the Confluence with the Yellowstone River then east (downstream) one-half mile (both areas will have boundary signs).

Paddlefish snagging is allowed only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time during each day of the additional four-day season. The use or possession of a gaff on snag-and-release days is illegal.