USA: State Fair Pond Closed for Dredging

The State Fair Pond in Minot is closed due to construction projects prompted by last year’s Souris River flood. Located on the north end of the fairgrounds in the State Game and Fish Department’s Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park, the pond will reopen July 20 on opening day of the North Dakota State Fair.

Greg Gullickson, Game and Fish outreach biologist in Minot, said the dock is currently undergoing repairs and improvements, making the shoreline the only fishable area. “The shore slope of the pond is steep and not the best place to fish,” Gullickson said. “We will be reseeding all of the grass in the area, dredging the pond, moving buildings and dirt and repaving walkways.

Contractors will be in and out of the area until early July, Gullickson said, and much of this work involves large machinery and equipment remaining on the site.

In addition to upgrading the existing area, the Game and Fish Conservation Park will double in size,” he added. “Additional acreage and buildings are available to us, so we will have much more room to concentrate on specific programs.

Anglers looking for alternate urban fisheries in Minot during the next few months should try the Souris River, Gullickson said, with several areas available to fish from shore.

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Dredging Today Staff, April 16, 2012;