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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A record number of anglers were buying fishing licenses in North Dakota and have established a new record for the third consecutive year.

According to Greg Freeman with the Game and Fish Department, statistics show that more than 222,000 fishing licenses were sold last year. That’s an increase of roughly 3,000 from last year. Resident license sales were down slightly from last year’s record, but nonresident licenses issued grew by nearly 5,000.

More than 201,000 anglers participated and ice fishing accounted for 25% of all fishing activity. Lake Sakakawea, Devils Lake and Lake Oahe/Missouri River remain the top three fisheries in the state.