FIRST!  It’s the first day of summer, as the solstice hits at 4:43pm today.  We celebrate the year’s astronomical midpoint and the height of daylight with a Double Edge Day for your morning and evening fishing trips.  Along with that we check out habitat with the NDG&F, get in-depth on the seasonal midpoint and check out some concerning conditions moving across the landscape.

Featured Photo:  The summer sun rises over Lake Sakakawea. Simonson Photo.
WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today: Sat 6/20 – Improving – Hi 78, Lo 55, Wind SW@10, G20
Tomorrow: Sun 6/21 – Good For Dad! – Hi 75, Lo 55, Wind NW@7

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
5:48AM        9:41PM

Moonrise         Moonset          Overhead                Underfoot
5:20AM           9:24PM           1:18PM            12:52AM
Moon Phase:  Waning Crescent (1% Full)

EDGE HOUR:   DOUBLE EDGE!  5:00-6:00AM & 9:00-10:00PM.  The rise and set of the sun and moon align as the moon nears its new phase, making for two great Edge Hours.

DAY RATING:

GREAT GRASS.  In this week’s installment of Outdoors Online, NDG&F takes a look at PLOTS and how habitat on these acres assists in the recruitment of the next generation of huntable game and watchable wildlife on the prairie.  From pheasants and grouse to deer, the grass provided helps get young ones off the ground and into the population.

SOLSTICE STUFF.  The summer solstice happens at 4:43pm today (Sat. 6/20).  This marks the astronomical midpoint of the year, as the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and daylight is at its apex as well.  Learn more on the celestial event and its yearly variability at the Farmer’s Almanac

DRAGGING DROUGHT.  Dry conditions continue to creep across the state, making headway even into the eastern third where a wet fall and snowy winter left a landscape saturated going into spring.  Nearly two-thirds of North Dakota is abnormally dry or in a moderate drought, with the western third of the state primarily in the latter category.