General Information North Dakota, the Peace Garden State, comprises 70,665 square miles of land with diverse topography. In the eastern section of the state lies the Red River Valley, consisting of a narrow band of grassland and fertile soil. In the central region are drift prairie and rolling plains, home to a large percentage of the waterfowl in the United States. The north-central region of North Dakota contains the Pembina and Turtle mountains and Devil's Lake. South-central North Dakota features the hills of Coteau des Prairies and the Sheyenne and Missouri rivers. The western region consists of the Missouri Slope along the western border and south of the Missouri River. Slow rising elevations of buttes and mesas make up the Badlands of North Dakota. Capital City: Bismarck Largest City: Fargo National Parks and Forests: Theodore Roosevelt National Park Sport Fishing There are many natural lakes in North Dakota, which have been experiencing a decline in spring run off and are now dangerously close to being unable to sustain fish life, due to winter oxygen depletion. Man-made reservoirs save the day for anglers, providing 300,000 surface acres of quality fishing. Prominent species in North Dakota are northern pike, walleye, sauger, white bass, largemouth bass, and trout. There are over 100 major fishing areas in the state, listed in the North Dakota Fishing Guide available from the state office in Bismarck. Two of the better fishing areas include the Missouri River and the Garrison Reservoir. Hunting Pelicans, geese, swans, prairie chickens, and ring-necked pheasant inhabit the prairie land of south-central North Dakota, making the region known for waterfowling. The Theodore Roosevelt National Park's 110 acres are home to species such as elk, antelope, and bison, as well as some prairie dogs. For information on licensing, seasons, limits, rules and regulations, please contact the North Dakota Department of Game and Fish website.