Perhaps woody debris and deeper water are important for staging and over-wintering of some fish species of concern. Or, perhaps several unique fish depend on frequent flooding of the old river channel and associated floodplain backwaters. Since the Missouri River from the Confluence downstream to near Highway 85 at Williston receives only limited seasonal angling or boating use, one of the area's assets is its remoteness. Woody debris provides critical natural habitat for many fish species. Game and Fish netting results in the Erickson Island area document adult paddlefish catches are higher than any other area in the upper Missouri and Yellowstone rivers.
Concentrations are, at times, like no place else in their range.
Until more is known about why the Erickson Island area appears so valuable for pallid sturgeon, paddlefish and other native fish, it is imperative to protect it from projects that might change it. In recent years, the Corps of Engineers has funded considerable bank stabilization work just upstream of the area. A large irrigation project, which would withdraw water from the Missouri River just downstream of the area, is currently in the final planning stages. Lake Sakakawea at full pool backs water upstream nearly to Erickson Island. Since many native species of concern, especially the endangered pallid sturgeon, show a distinct preference for riverine habitats, maintaining the level of Lake Sakakawea at lower than full pool preserves more river habitat in this area.