Minot Daily News SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019 MinotDailyNews.com • Facebook • Twitter
Tourism/Recreation
BIG WATER, BIG ATTRACTION Lake Sakakawea a preferred destination
Fishing attracts thousands of visitors to Lake Sakakawea every year. Here fishermen gather for the annual Governor’s Cup Walleye Derby at Fort Stevenson State Park. Kim Fundingsland/MDN
By KIM FUNDINGSLAND
Staff Writer • kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com
There is no question about it. Lake Sakakawea is a marvelous and well-used attraction for both local and out-of-state residents. Pick a day of the week, any summer day, and you’ll find hundreds of boats on the water at Lake Sakakawea. It is common to see parking lots at boat ramps filled with tow vehicles and boat trailers, and not just on weekends. You’ll see license plates from several states, even Canadian provinces, on tow vehicles too. Yes, Lake Sakakawea is a preferred destination for water lovers of all sorts for a wide variety of reasons. Fantastic fishing is a one of the big draws. People come from near and far, generally targeting the abundant walleye population in the state’s largest impoundment. But there’s other fish too – northern pike, salmon and smallmouth bass among them, waiting to thrill fishermen of all ages.
“Obviously here in North Dakota we have one of the highest percentage of the population that fishes. That’s fundamental,” said Dave Fryda. Fryda is the North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries supervisor for Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River. “Year in and year out Sakakawea is the number one fishery, except during drought.” The economic impact of Lake Sakakawea is immense. In addition to thousands of fishermen the big water is a destination for countless pleasure boaters and water enthusiasts. Campgrounds adjacent to Lake Sakakawea are in high demand, genSee LAKE — Page 2
Destination Devils Lake
Records show that 25 percent of the out-of-state fishing licenses sold in North Dakota are purchased in the Devils Lake region. Devils Lake is a natural lake that has expanded from approximately 40,000 to 160,000 acres in the past 30 years. Rising water has provided a terrific boost for the fishery, which attracts walleye, northern pike, perch and white bass anglers from throughout the United States.
Preparing for zoo’s centennial New tigers, lions habitats to be completed this year By ELOISE OGDEN
Regional Editor • eogden@minotdailynews.com Minot’s Roosevelt Park zoo’s Amur tigers and African lions will have new homes at the zoo later this summer when buildings for the cats are completed. A ground opening for the new cat habitats is also being planned, said Jennifer Kleen, exThe new larger ecutive director of the Minot and more Crew. natural habitats ZooThe zoo’s centennial for the tigers capital campaign to fiand lions is nance the new habitats for the tigers and lions is part of a threewell on its way to its $6 phase project million goal. to also include Launched in Decemthe leopards ber 2017, the Centennial Capital Campaign, as of April 10, had $4,688,152, Kleen said. “It is the first large-scale capital campaign leading up to the zoo’s centennial year in 2021,” said Becky Dewitz, zoo director, when the campaign was launched in December 2017. “There are not many zoos that have exhibits like what we are doing.” Originally the goal of the capital campaign was $5 million but later changed to $6 million due to higher projected costs. Numerous businesses, organizations and individuals have donated to the capital campaign over the past months. The tigers new area at the zoo is located near the zoo’s visitor center and the lions will be on the east loop See ZOO — Page 2
These photos taken April 10 shows the African lion habitat under construction at Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot. Rebar is being placed on the walls of the new lion building before kopje-style rock is added. The African lion habitat is part of a three-phase project to include the zoo’s lions, tigers and leopards. Submitted Photos