ALEXANDRIA — In the next couple of weeks, anglers across the Midwest will be going on their first open-water walleye trip of the year. The first trip of the year is always greatly anticipated. Early season weather can often be unstable, so the bite can be hit or miss. Here are some ideas that will increase your odds of getting bit on your maiden walleye voyage of the year. Several techniques can be effective early in the fishing season, but many of the most accomplished walleye chasers, if limited to one presentation, will select a jig. Selecting the proper jig and jig presentation can determ ..read more

MANDAN, N.D. – Recognizing the growing significance of outdoor activities as an economic driver, North Dakota is joining 20 other states and Washington, D.C., in establishing an office dedicated to outdoor recreation. Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order creating the new Office of Outdoor Recreation on Thursday afternoon during a news conference along the banks of the Missouri River at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, south of Mandan. Joining him were North Dakota Parks and Recreation Director Cody Schulz, North Dakota Game and Fish Department Director Jeb Williams and state Tourism and ..read more

ST. PAUL — As a star hockey player from a town without a hockey program, and a standout skater in a family of dribblers, perhaps it is fitting that Lake City hero Taylor Heise does not participate in the two activities that her hometown is most famous for: fishing and water skiing. Still, with the 2024 Governor’s FIshing Opener coming to Lake City this weekend, Heise — the biggest name for PWHL Minnesota and a former Minnesota Ms. Hockey winner — admitted some excitement about showing off her hometown to the masses, even if her pro hockey schedule will make wetting a line on Lake Pepin imposs ..read more

CROSSLAKE, Minn. — Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle has become the first major U.S. fishing tackle manufacturer to pledge to get the lead out of its products within three years, signing an agreement with the National Loon Center to become lead-free and loon-friendly. As the first tackle company to sign the Loon Center’s “Loons & Lakes Legacy Pledge,” Lindy is launching a new line of products under the name "Lindy-Lead Free," providing four styles of lead-free fishing jigs available in 144 variations. Under the pledge, Lindy commits to making its entire product line lead-free and loon-frie ..read more

May is American Wetlands Month. The Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota is the country’s most important area for breeding waterfowl, and one of the country’s last remaining areas of abundant wetlands and native grasslands. Even so, approximately 60% of North Dakota’s natural wetlands have been converted to other uses. Learn more in this week’s “North Dakota Outdoors” webcast. ]]> ..read more

We are looking at a great weekend for the upcoming fishing opener in Minnesota. The wind from Friday will die down and be much lighter as we head into the night. Waking up early Saturday morning the winds will be light, and lows will be in the 40s and 50s throughout the region. The good weather keeps on rolling as we head into the afternoon. Winds will generally be coming out from the west around 5-15 mph. Temperatures will be very comfortable with highs in the 60s and 70s. Conditions will also be generally sunny with a few clouds throughout the day. Any rain chance would be a very brief ..read more

DULUTH — The U.S. Forest Service is cracking down on how people store their food while camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, requiring very specific food hanging requirements or certified bear-proof lockers and threatening to impose stiff fines and even jail time on violators. The rules now demand what had been longstanding advice from the Forest Service on keeping bears away from campers' food. The new rules, in effect from March 1 to Nov. 30 each year, require across the entire BWCAW that “except while being prepared, consumed, or under on-site visual observance, all food ..read more

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