By Doug Leier, NDG&F Outreach Biologist   As much as North Dakotans enjoy their home-grown local fisheries, the statistics show the big waters of Devils Lake, Sakakawea, Oahe and the Missouri River outweigh the others when it comes to number of anglers, fishing trips and hours of angling.   But the importance of these big…

HOOKED ON SUMMER.  After last night’s rains move out, things will warm up into yet another ideal summer day with light winds and temps in the mid-80s.  Take advantage of those conditions by getting on the water and using today’s tips in our Outdoors Roundup.   Featured Photo: UP TOP. The placement of a knot matters…

UNSTEADY.  Some instability builds in today and tomorrow as a chance for rain lingers with the heat and humidity which have settled in.  The July full moon will keep the bite going into the weekend, and the weather should still be nice. We check out where the wind is blowing, along with tips for bass…

NDG&F Dept. Release North Dakota Game and Fish Department upland game biologists have summarized the spring survey results for sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse and sage grouse. Statistics from the spring sharp-tailed grouse census indicate a 9 percent increase in the number of male grouse counted compared to last year. Statewide, 2,267 sharptails were observed on…

LIGHTNING.  After a few rumbles of thunder in the evening and overnight, generated by yesterday’s heat, we jump back up for more warmth today. While we do, we lay out some summer time tips for better fish, better fishing and some natural lights (not the beer) in our Outdoors Roundup.   Featured Photo: Light’s Out.  A…

By Nick Simonson Everything moves faster in summer.  Kids on bikes zip down the hill in front of my house with lightning speed.  The days, despite being longer, disappear into the blur of humidity and haze of a hot day, filled with activity that barely allows a second to catch a deep breath of sweet…

SOME LIKE IT HOT.  The temperatures stay high today as things plateau into a great week for those in the outdoors.  From fishing to hunting prep you’ve got conditions to keep you outdoors.  We take on those topics and more in our Outdoors Roundup to wrap the weekend.   Featured Photo: Dog Days.  A kayaker paddles…

CALM BEFORE THE…CALM?  Things are looking great this Super Saturday as a gorgeous day rolls out on the water, and the next week looks to put summer in full swing with almost ideal conditions every day, save for a chance at some storms due to the heat.  We cover that, a big shooting sports event…

By Nick Simonson   If a tree falls in the water, and no one is around to hear it, it really doesn’t matter if it makes a sound, because it’s likely you’ll find crappies near it.  Fallen trees, those that wash downstream, or those that pile up make great summertime crappie haunts and exploring them…

OH WOW!  A great weekend is on tap, starting today.  If there were ever a three-day stretch reserved for perfect summer fishing, this would be it. As we get ready, we sift through the shoreline sand of the internet to find some legendary pike stories, pics and videos in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  DEO’s…

By Nick Simonson   There was nothing subtle about the take that came along the stand of watershield leaves which partially covered the surface of the clear shallows.  A solid bump elicited the hyperspastic reel-down on my baitcaster and the sweeping hookset which followed.  Where most of the one-to-two-pound fish had been rocketed out of…

ON THE WATER.  Temperatures jump today, starting off a stretch that will run through the weekend and well into next week, so get ready for a great stretch to make your summer fishing magical. With that, we cover those groups around ND working to make the waters and their surrounding environments great in our Outdoors…

TURN DOWN THE A/C.  Winds diminish throughout the day as a more summerlike setting takes hold for the end of the week and the weekend.  We look ahead to fishing tourneys, the weekend forecast and a little introduced species perspective in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Humming Along.  A hummingbird pauses at a feeder. Simonson…

Mass Movement.  A mix of storms and heavier rain will continue to roll through the region today dropping significant precipitation. We get through this wet stretch by looking around the state for opportunities to make things better and explore new places in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Moving Forward.  Geese and their goslings of various…

WASHING.  Solid rain starts tonight and runs into tomorrow, cleaning up all the remnants of a fun Fourth of July holiday weekend.  We look ahead to the warm up after along with getting ready for hunting seasons in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  A pumpkinseed with bright teal vermiform markings falls for a hunk of…

By Nick Simonson   The slashing surface swirls of a school of white bass are tough to miss in the summer on any lake where a population of these fish are present.  Equally tough to miss are the jarring strikes these panfish deliver when they’re on a baitfish bender.  Connecting with white bass, or “silvers”…

ON RECORD.  A nice final day caps off the holiday weekend as southern winds blow in high temperatures in the eighties once again.  It’ll feel like Monday tomorrow as thunderstorms build in throughout the day.  In the meantime, we cover the recording of important catches, observations and collecting them all through journals, maps and more…

SAT ON IT.  Nice conditions will help you finish out a long holiday weekend and get a start on the second half of summer with a super Saturday.  We go around the horn talking listings, getting set for deer season and rough looking lures in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Flutterby.  A fiery skipper butterfly…

By Nick Simonson   While yellow perch are most notably pursued through the ice and are a primary target of many anglers throughout the region during the cold weather months, these fish can provide fast summertime action and a stockpile of delicious fillets that can rival the stash that winter anglers accumulate.  Connecting with roaming…

BE BEST. We’re working our way back to warm and in the meantime we check out some of the best bass lakes in the country (and name a couple of our own in ND), check out what’s coming up at the State Fair for outdoors activity and share a tip for post-rain fishing in our…

By Nick Simonson   Topwater fishing is synonymous with the start of summer.  While the tactics and lures vary, an explosive take of a bait off the surface of the water is about as thrilling as the culmination of a July firework show.  While topwater fishing may not be the best way to catch bass,…

DRYING TIMES?  Rain chances are backing off some for the Fireworks today, as only a slight chance remains after a half inch fell over the last two days. We take a look at totals thus far through the upland rearing season, talk about some smaller birds and fire safety in our Outdoors Roundup for this…

SUNSHINE & ROSES.  Think positive when it comes to the outdoors (despite a rainy forecast).  Knowing that there are challenges to be overcome and things to be learned will make you a better sportsman. We address three of those challenges many new hunters and anglers face, and go around the web to find ways to…

MAKE IT MAGIC!  The last of the warm, dry days is before you – make it a good one as the forecast into the weekend turns wet. Keep the punks lit and those fuses going in between showers as we head into the Fourth and squeeze in some fishing when you can.  We talk controversial…

NDG&F Press Release North Dakota’s 2018 pheasant and sharp-tailed grouse harvests were similar to 2017, while the number of Hungarian partridge taken last year was down from the year before, according to statistics compiled by the state Game and Fish Department. Upland game management supervisor Jesse Kolar said the decline in partridge during the summer…

MASTERFUL MONDAY.  The month of exploding colors kicks off today with calm conditions and warm temperatures.  We take a look at what’s to come, tips for safe boating and the new Duck Stamp in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Ground Color.  Wildflowers bloom alongside a boat launch. Simonson Photo.   WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast): Today:  Mon…

WONDERFUL! The second half of the weekend is setting up well, with slightly cooler temps (we love saying that about the 80s) and light winds.  Get out and make the most of it.  Today we talk tips for fishing vegetation in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Bustin’ Cover.  A largemouth explodes out of the water…

By Nick Simonson For many fly anglers, especially those in the upper Midwest, the first fish they often encounter in their early endeavors with the long rod is the bluegill.  They’re frequently found stocked in farm ponds or naturally occurring in lakes and they provide the perfect target for any surface fishing action this time…

ON THE RISE.  Temperatures spike today as an awesome summer Saturday rolls out.  Break out the hot dogs and the lawn sprinklers and get ready for a great one!  We cover the shifts in the weather, upcoming archery events and duck dogs, in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Out of the Woods. The waning crescent…

By Nick Simonson   With the completion of this year’s North Dakota deer firearms license lottery, hunters in several units will need to be aware of regulations in place regarding hunting practices and transport of harvested animals after Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was detected in deer from unit 3A1 last fall and from a deceased…