WEST FARGO – Unfortunately, my old hometown of LaMoure, North Dakota, stakes the claim to being home to the first documented bighead carp identified in the James River about five years ago and also a couple of the only zebra mussel-infested lakes – Twin Lake and Lake LaMoure. When I visit LaMoure, I still drive past the old house, the school and enjoy stopping at the Big Cone. I also check the lakes, beaches, landings and docks for zebra mussels. Just to observe the changes serves as a reminder to stay vigilant, with early spring allowing open water boating. Ben Holen, aquatic nuisance spec ..read more

BISMARCK – North Dakota’s 2024 deer season is set, with 50,100 licenses available to hunters, down 3,300 from last year, the Game and Fish Department said Monday, May 6. In addition, muzzleloader licenses decreased by 66, and restricted youth antlered mule deer licenses remained the same. Population, harvest and survey data indicate the state’s deer population is stable to decreasing in the southeastern part of the state, said Casey Anderson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife division chief. “The 2023-24 winter was one of the mildest on record. However, fawn production was r ..read more

Here are some fishy nuggets from the Department of Natural Resource in advance of the 2024 Minnesota Fishing opener, which is Saturday, May 11. Some information is from the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and others. A report summarizing the survey results for Minnesota is available on the Minnesota DNR license dollars at work webpage at mndnr.gov/licensedollarsatwork. Anglers and waters 1.7 million anglers fished in Minnesota in 2022. Of these, 1.2 million were Minnesota residents while 508,000 w ..read more

When it comes to the Minnesota Fishing Opener, no two years are the same, and that is certainly the case again this year. Minnesota’s 2024 Fishing Opener is Saturday, May 11. After a weird winter with above-average temperatures and very little snowfall, spring has been equally strange, proceeding in fits and starts with an abundance of wind and persistent cool temperatures. That’s despite earlier-than-normal ice-out dates on most lakes across the state that teased anglers into thinking an early spring was on tap. Still, hope springs eternal – as the old saying goes – when it comes to the ..read more

I’ve been around long enough to remember when North Dakota didn’t have a year-round fishing season. The last time the state actually had an opening day was more than three decades ago. North Dakota established a statewide year-round fishing season in 1993, with a license year that runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. So, if you fish in North Dakota, you needed a new fishing license April 1. In my experience, at least, the fishing opener in North Dakota wasn’t the marketing event it is in Minnesota. And year-round fishing hasn’t had an impact on fish populations. Walleye f ..read more

bdokken@gfherald.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesdays. Events May 4: First annual Ramsey County 4-H and Lake Region Sportsmen's Club 3D Archery Match, Grahams Island sTate Park. On-site registrationat Sivert Thompson Building; 25 targets; prizes for top places; and Novelty Shoot with prizes. Entry fee 7 and younger, free; youth 8-11, $10; young adults 12-17, $15; adults 18 and older, $20. Info: Marcus, (701) 230-7193. May 11: Roseau Lake of the Woods Sportsman Club Fish Fry and Membership Drive, 4 to 8 p.m., arena in Williams, Minnesota. Raffles, games, door prizes; $20 per person, $12 age 12 an ..read more

ALEXANDRIA — For many anglers, the first fishing trip of the open water season is for crappies. In some areas, fishing season for walleyes and bass and such is not yet open, but regulations permit us to chase crappies. In other areas, crappies are just accessible early in the fishing season. They can be caught from boats, but they can also be caught from docks or the shoreline. Crappies can be easy to catch this time of year, they’re abundant in many areas across North America, and they’re great on a plate. For many reasons, you should be chasing crappies right now. Here’s how. First, just ..read more

BISMARCK – Registration is now open for North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) off-highway vehicle (OHV) youth safety courses across the state. NDPRD offers the hands-on courses in an effort to increase OHV safety awareness and prevent accidents. Youth ages 12 to 15 are eligible for the free, in-person OHV certification courses that occur from June 4 through July 27. Class enrollment is limited, so interested participants are encouraged to register soon online at parkrec.nd.gov. Youth-sized ATVs will be provided for the course, but students must wear long sleeves, long pants, o ..read more

As we go into the first weekend of May, we see a return fo the warm spring temperatures by Sunday. The last of the late week rain showers move out Friday night and early Saturday morning. Any remaining showers in eastern Minnesota and sprinkles in the Red River Valley will clear out by the afternoon. Saturday will still be on the cool side with 50s up north and 60s farther south. Winds will be light as will only around 5-15 mph. Sunday brings with it mostly sunny skies and warmer temperatures. Highs get back to the warm spring weather we saw a couple days throughout April in the 70s ..read more

This is the time of year fisheries crews for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department are spawning walleyes on Lake Sakakawea to ensure the incredible walleye fishing in our state’s waters continues for future generations. The walleye fingerlings will be stocked in about 160 lakes by early July. Mike Anderson gives us all the details in this week’s segment of “North Dakota Outdoors.” Joining him is Russ Kinzler, Missouri River System fisheries supervisor for Game and Fish in Riverdale, North Dakota. ]]> ..read more