WHAT WAS & WHAT IS.  The receding snow on the prairie hillsides is down to just a few deeper stretches after this span of above-freezing highs.  While today may be the last trip above freezing for a while, no significant snow is forecast – but winds will be back, so watch out for those flying…

NDG&F Press Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds ice anglers that caution is always advised when traveling on frozen waters, even though recent ice conditions may appear safe. Education coordinator Brian Schaffer said extreme cold temperatures have created much better ice conditions in most of the state, but driving or fishing near…

By Nick Simonson With a click and plop, the gray splitshot tugged at the payload of three mousies on the tiny red hook which spun haphazardly on its way down into the clear waters of the impoundment.  In the moment it took to put the bail back in position and watch the yellow foam bobber…

CALM & COOL.  Overnight temps will be in single-digit territory, but the warm-up comes on quickly after daybreak as light southerlies keep the above-average temperatures flowing into the region.   We talk about archery excitement in ND, on ice safety and a rare find in today’s Three Things. (Photo: Cool start.  Watch for cold temps to…

NDG&F Press Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is offering 5,655 wild turkey licenses for the spring hunting season, 30 fewer than last year. Four of the 22 hunting units have more spring licenses than in 2017, eight have fewer and nine remain the same. Unit 21 (Hettinger and Adams counties) is again…

THINKING SPRING ALREADY?  It sure seems like it these days as above-average temps dominate the forecast.  With the warm up continuing today and tomorrow you might already be thinking about getting out the big rods, and there may be some opportunities across the area to explore stretches of open water on smaller rivers, where dams…

STAY FROSTY.  Dense fog and cooler temps set up an amazing display of hoarfrost across the region, as trees, bushes, fences and nearly everything stationary was covered in a tracing of white up to a quarter-inch thick in some places. Temps near freezing, clearing skies and growing breezes will take that coating off today. We…

WHAT’S THAT WORM?  While nightcrawlers are the dominant summer worm bait for fish from sunnies to walleyes, they’re tough to find in the winter and not nearly as effective because the cold water restricts their wiggly action.  We talk about three of our on-ice favorites that can be subbed in for the same species in…

By Nick Simonson This stretch of year is game time.  Not only with the teams to square off in the Super Bowl yet to be decided, but also due to a stock of harvested birds and big game from the field in the freezer ready to hit the table in many tasty dishes to warm…

ROLLING!  The back half of the weekend is nearly ideal, with low winds and highs right around 30, providing yet another great opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy winter.  No face-ripping cold spells are forecast in the near future, so these chances seem to be on the increase as we enter the last 10 days…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. Historically, winter feeding of wildlife – big game animals, game birds and songbirds – was once embraced by many wildlife professionals across the country. Today, the components needed to sustain wildlife through a harsh Midwest winter haven’t changed. Food, water, shelter and space are all still required. For concerned humans,…

EYE IT UP.  Warm conditions, light winds and a developing bite on area lakes from this stable stretch might make THIS weekend January’s best.  Get out there, bait up your rod, flag-down your tip-up and get in on the action!  We talk sage brush habitat and more in today’s Three Things. (Photo: Friend of the…

By Nick Simonson Fish, and trout in particular, can be very picky about what they eat.  Whether it is wild brown trout in a stream in the driftless area of Minnesota, or stocked rainbow trout in the lakes of North Dakota, this selectivity is due in part to what’s going on in the world around…

CAUGHT…AND RELEASED.  That’s right, if you aren’t starting your weekend early, you’re thinking about it…and we caught you! But don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.  Heck, we’ll cover for you!  Get out there today and tomorrow, as above average temps and calm winds will make this a weekend to remember on the ice!  We’ve got…

ANYTHING BUT CRAPPY.  The warm up is underway, and light winds will make today and tomorrow perfect days to call in sick with cabin fever and hit the ice!  When you do, you know there’s an opportunity for crappies nearby.  We talk about three of our favorite tiny flutterspoons for serious slab angling in today’s…

TURKEY TROT IN A TEE?  Okay, maybe your outdoors run would require some sleeves with this afternoon’s wind, but by tomorrow it could be a reality! The five-day forecast shows a welcome warm-up for the region helping wildlife (and people) shake off the doldrums of mid-winter.  If you’re looking for something to do, we’ve got…

MR CTL Press Release Registration for Bismarck, Century, Legacy and Mandan High Schools’ Clay Target League Teams competing in the 2018 Spring North Dakota State High School Clay Target League (ND CTL) will begin on Jan. 22 and run through Mar. 1. The spring season consists of eight weeks; two practice weeks, a reserve week,…

TOMORROW’S GOLDEN.  Make it through today’s single temps, which will feel nice compared to yesterday (it’s all relative) and you’ll be in the midst of a real January thaw!  While you wait out the cold we’re talking trout in today’s Three Things, because time at the vise just isn’t enough! (Featured Photo: GOLDIE. Golden trout…

ROLLERCOASTER.  It’ll be a 60-degree swing from today to Thursday, as a quick arctic swipe is followed by a bubble of warmth. Start thinking about your weekend activities now and planning your on-ice attack for when things get above freezing. We get you ready for that and more in today’s Three Things. (Featured Photo: VEXED….

By Nick Simonson Through the offering of two hunter’s education courses open only to women on Feb. 12 in Bismarck and Feb. 13 in Beulah, the North Dakota Game & Fish Department (NDG&F) is looking to a growing demographic of new participants to help carry on the state’s rich hunting traditions. A Growing Share “Fifteen…

OUT OF THE FREEZER. Temps will rise today and through the night as light south winds and cloud cover help things stabilize.  We may even see 20 degrees tomorrow! (and 35 by Thursday?!?)  It’s a newsworthy weekend with information from around the state and country on hunting, habitat helping a unique creature and more in…

BULLY!  While you might not feel like roughing it in the badlands today with the chill that has settled in, we’ve got some of our favorite Teddy Roosevelt quotes to stoke your fire for action in today’s Three Things. (Featured Photo: a young bull moose loafs near a small slough outside of Sibley, ND. Simonson…

By Nick Simonson The dust from an autumn’s worth of traveled gravel roads coated the inside of the bed of my F-150, despite the topper with the loose passenger-side screen providing ample coverage for the mix of dog gear, field kits, gallon jugs of water and an assortment of bungee cords and ratchet straps.  As…

GOING DOWN.  The blast of snow and wind tapers today, as anywhere from two to five inches fell across the western part of the state.  Things settle down giving you a chance to dig out, but dress warm as our daytime highs fall below zero again.  Even your “unfreezable” bobber might face some challenges today…

GILLY GILLY!  Those fun and easy panfish of summertime can make for finicky targets beneath the ice subject to the whims of a water, the conditions of the day and sometimes the colors offered up to them.  We talk more about on-ice panfish pursuits in today’s Three Things while keeping an eye on the squall…

NDG&F Press Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has scheduled an examination to select candidates for the position of a full-time temporary district game warden in Bismarck. The test is at 10 a.m., Feb. 23, at the department’s main office in Bismarck. Applicants must register to take the exam no later than Feb….

NDG&F Press Release North Dakota citizens with an interest in supporting wildlife conservation programs are reminded to look for the Watchable Wildlife checkoff on the state tax form. The state income tax form gives wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to support nongame wildlife like songbirds and birds of prey, while at the same time contributing to…

NIGHT & DAY.  We hope you’ve enjoyed this reprieve from January’s usual bone-chilling temps, because inside conditions will be sweeping through the area shortly, making for a difference you can feel.  Today is your best bet for a hot bite as the front approaches this evening, so get on the ice if you can and…