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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota Game & Fish Department has implemented two new emergency rules regarding the spread of zebra mussels outside the Red River.

According to the department, the rules are effective immediately and may affect anglers, boaters and other users of Red River Water. The rules address the recent discoveries of young zebra mussels throughout the length of the Red River between Minnesota and North Dakota. An adult zebra mussel was also discovered at the Fargo water treatment plant.

The emergency rules are as follows:

1. Anglers may no longer transport live bait in water away from the Red River. That means all water must be drained from bait buckets as anglers leave the shore, or remove their boat from the water. Anglers must properly dispose of unused bait away from the river, as dumping bait in the water or on shore is illegal. In the rest of the state, anglers can transport live bait in water in containers of 5 gallons or less in volume.

2. All boats and other watercraft must have their plugs pulled when exiting the river, and plugs must remain pulled when the watercraft leaves the access area. In addition, all boats entering North Dakota must have their plugs pulled. This rule would also apply on any other waters where Class I ANS, including zebra mussels, are discovered in the future.

Violators of the new rules are subject to citation and fines and the Game and Fish Department will continue to monitor angler and boater activity to ensure compliance.