What special fishing regulations apply at Garrison Dam Tailwater?

Garrison Dam Tailwater carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override North Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Chinook salmon (king salmon). One of them reads: "Walleye + sauger spring spawning run + chinook salmon spawning migration April – May; trout (rainbow + brown) stocked by ND G&F + USFWS at Garrison Dam Hatchery; one of premier ND walleye + chinook salmon spawning tailwaters; areas posted by the US Army Corps of Engineers near the Garrison Dam Tailrace are closed to fishing." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Garrison Dam Tailwater?

Yes. Garrison Dam Tailwater is in North Dakota, so a valid North Dakota fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by North Dakota Game & Fish Department (ND G&F). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Garrison Dam Tailwater; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide North Dakota rules.

Do Garrison Dam Tailwater's special rules replace North Dakota's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. North Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Garrison Dam Tailwater by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Garrison Dam Tailwater?

Chinook salmon (king salmon) has a water-body-specific rule on Garrison Dam Tailwater, each linking to its full North Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide North Dakota limits.

2026 regulation year

Garrison Dam Tailwater 2026 — North Dakota Fishing Regulations

North Dakota statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Garrison Dam Tailwater carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of North Dakota's 2026 fishing rules — covering Chinook salmon (king salmon). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Walleye + sauger spring spawning run + chinook salmon spawning migration April – May; trout (rainbow + brown) stocked by ND G&F + USFWS at Garrison Dam Hatchery; one of premier ND walleye + chinook salmon spawning tailwaters; areas posted by the US Army Corps of Engineers near the Garrison Dam Tailrace are closed to fishing
Source: North Dakota special-water list

Per-species rules on Garrison Dam Tailwater

Chinook salmon (king salmon) regulations →
Chinook salmon spring spawning migration April – May (no harvest above marker buoys at the dam); ND G&F + USFWS Garrison Dam Hatchery facility

Official source

North Dakota Game & Fish Department (ND G&F) publishes the authoritative 2026 North Dakota fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official North Dakota fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to North Dakota Game & Fish Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any North Dakota trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in North Dakota

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Garrison Dam Tailwater?: Garrison Dam Tailwater carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override North Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Chinook salmon (king salmon). One of them reads: "Walleye + sauger spring spawning run + chinook salmon spawning migration April – May; trout (rainbow + brown) stocked by ND G&F + USFWS at Garrison Dam Hatchery; one of premier ND walleye + chinook salmon spawning tailwaters; areas posted by the US Army Corps of Engineers near the Garrison Dam Tailrace are closed to fishing." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Garrison Dam Tailwater?: Yes. Garrison Dam Tailwater is in North Dakota, so a valid North Dakota fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by North Dakota Game & Fish Department (ND G&F). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Garrison Dam Tailwater; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide North Dakota rules.
Do Garrison Dam Tailwater's special rules replace North Dakota's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. North Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Garrison Dam Tailwater by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Garrison Dam Tailwater?: Chinook salmon (king salmon) has a water-body-specific rule on Garrison Dam Tailwater, each linking to its full North Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide North Dakota limits.

← Back to North Dakota regulations overview