By Hannah Hayes A big part of my job is encouraging folks to participate in outdoor recreation, particularly hunting. Whether that’s hunting for the first time, continuing the enjoyment of time spent afield, or diving back into a hobby left forgotten, my job is rewarding in so many ways. Something I enjoy the heck out…

By Brad Durick The low waters continue on the Red River and appear to have no end in sight. Fargo flow is now down to 133 cfs, Grand Forks is at 629 cfs and Drayton is at 746 cfs. For comparison, the lowest flow I have ever fished prior to this year on the Red…

By Nick Simonson The haze of a hundred wildfires dimmed the light of the mid-July sun overhead on the afternoon fishing trip as I drifted along the breaks of a favorite rocky lake.  The orb’s all day orange glow made me uncomfortable as the effects of yet another heatwave crashing on the west drifted slowly…

By Doug Leier By Doug Leier Every other year in North Dakota, elected officials gather at the state capital to propose, review, debate and ultimately vote on legislation that will set the course for the state and its citizens. Some of these bills are also related to how the North Dakota Game and Fish Department…

By Andrew Slette Warming midsummer water temperatures have the majority of muskies transitioning from open water basins to weed covered structure in Minnesota’s west central lakes country.  All our local lakes have water temperatures in the upper 70s or low 80s pushing the open water baitfish deeper and out of the muskies’ reach.  This puts…

By Mike Peluso We are going to experience another hot stretch of weather here in the Dakotas this week and one thing is for sure, the fishing on both Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake remain hot as well. One thing to note as the water temps continue to rise, the fish will begin to go…

By John Bradley Open any hunting magazine and next to the photo of a world class buck or bull you will see an ad for the latest, greatest, hunting gadget – guaranteeing that if you buy it, you’ll punch your tag next fall.  From cellular trail cameras that send photos to your phone instantly when…

By Nick Simonson It was a long trip to Lake Hartwell near Anderson, S.C. for brothers Brandon and Logan Bullinger of Century High School in Bismarck, N.D., but the time and effort put in competitively fishing bass in the Student Angler Federation’s High School Fishing league (highschoolfishing.org) and a North Dakota state title earned them…

By Nick Simonson It was 20 years ago this summer I took a job in between college and law school as a part time reporter for my hometown newspaper, the Valley City Times-Record.  In fact, it’s a publication for which I still proudly write today, and I am happy and sometimes amazed that they’ve kept…

By Doug Leier After nearly 40 years with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the last 15 years serving as director, Terry Steinwand has decided to retire at the end of July. Terry on his career path to becoming Director. I started out as a Garrison Diversion fisheries biologist. I managed the canal lakes…

By Brad Durick The water continues to fall on the northern Red River. Everywhere is now flowing lower than I have ever seen. The catfish are in search of any current they can find, which in above dam areas is getting more and more difficult to locate. When you do find it, you generally get…

By Mike Peluso We have had some changes in weather here in North Dakota and a cold front that also brought in much needed moisture. So, what did this do to the fishing this week? Except for a few slower moments, walleye angling has remained good to excellent! Lake Sakakawea remains strong with lots of…

By Nick Simonson There are many options when it comes to catching crappies, most involving a small minnow.  Whether under a slip float or on a jig, live bait is king when summer slabs are feeding, but on some lakes, baitfish are prohibited, and in many cases, light tackle anglers enjoy the challenge of fishing…

By Nick Simonson The first thing I look at when inspecting a young angler’s reel is the type of line coming off of the spool.  Over the holiday, I had the opportunity to connect with my wife’s cousin’s kids and introduce them to my style of bass fishing.  While we had angled together a number…

By Brad Durick Catfishing on the Red River remains very good as the post spawn fish continue to feed and bulk back up. It seems fish can be caught about anyway you want to angle for them at this point in the season, and mid-river holes are the best bet right now when it comes…

By Nick Simonson The rising sun heated the morning air like a fuse on the fireworks launched the night before and as it came up over the slightly rippled waters of the northern lake on Independence Day, the fishing exploded in the same fashion.  Along the inside turns of the reed beds, under the mats…

NDG&F Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Twin Lakes, LaMoure County, after a local cabin owner reported adult mussels attached to a floating log over the weekend. Aquatic nuisance species coordinator Ben Holen said subsequent follow-up sampling found a few other zebra mussels attached…

By Mike Peluso The fishing right now is just as hot as the temperatures! Some things have changed a little and some things have stayed the same. Lake Sakakawea is unreal right now! Tons of fish are being caught in that 15 to 18 inch range and some really nice sized fish are mixed in….

By Nick Simonson While drought conditions persist across much of North Dakota, with severe levels in the west-central portion of the state around Lake Sakakawea, much of the state has received some badly needed rain which is not only good for foliage and farming, but hopefully this year’s crop of pheasant chicks as well.  While…

By Kellen Latendresse As this fishing report finds you, I hope you are enjoying time with your friends and family. Personally, I am torn. I’m torn between driving across the country to visit my wife’s family or staying behind to partake in some of the best fishing of the summer. As I have recently finished…

By Nick Simonson I can’t help it.  My mindset has already shifted toward hunting, despite only being a week removed from the summer solstice, the July Fourth holiday not here yet and there being nearly a full three months of the season remaining. It happens every year about this time. I know it shouldn’t but…

By Brad Durick It’s safe to say the spawn is done and the catfish are feeding. There are many fish being caught all up and down the Red River. It appears the fish are moving to holes and more summer areas to take  up residence. Fish the top, middle and outer edges of holes. Wood…

By Doug Leier A reader emailed recently to suggest that I should focus less in my columns on safety, as “it takes the fun away from being outdoors.” I do always consider that “too much” factor when I write or talk about safety, but I’ve also seen enough injuries and dead bodies, especially early in…

By Andrew Slette Stable weather and water temps have the muskies very active and transitioning into their late spring patterns. The bite out on local lakes following the cold front a week ago has been phenomenal. This provided us with multiple fish most days and six muskies this past Friday. Casting and trolling have both…

NDG&F Release North Dakota’s spring pheasant population index is about the same as last year, according to the state Game and Fish Department’s 2021 spring crowing count survey. R.J. Gross, upland game management biologist, said the number of roosters heard crowing this spring was up about 3% statewide. “The statewide number might be a bit…

By Mike Peluso Well, I’m pretty sure I completely jinxed myself with my last report talking about my boat puller “Old Blue.” Unfortunately, Old Blue is no longer with us today and I’m looking for a replacement. Thank goodness for my dad letting me borrow his vehicle until I can figure something out. What I…

By Nick Simonson While much of the hustle and bustle of spring is wrapping up at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Valley City Fish Hatchery, after a season full of rearing northern pike and walleye eggs to stockable sized fish to be distributed throughout the upper Midwest, an expanding project is underway to see…

By Nick Simonson Summertime means an uptick in fish activity, and it also means fish are looking up for food.  Frogs, small mammals, insects and even ducklings find themselves on the surface this time of year along with growing young of the year fish, providing easy targets for both largemouth and smallmouth bass.  The warmth…

By Hannah Hayes Recruit, Retain, Reactivate, or R3, is a nationwide effort aiming to increase participation in various outdoor recreation activities like hunting, fishing, nature photography, hiking, and many more. Focusing on hunting, R3 efforts aim to increase accessibility, education, and support to facilitate new hunters to dive into the world of hunting, ensure current…

NDG&F Release North Dakota’s deer gun lottery has been held and more than 7,900 deer gun licenses remain. Only resident applicants who were unsuccessful in the lottery can apply for remaining licenses.More than 79,000 individuals applied for a deer gun lottery license, in addition to over 12,400 gratis applicants. The 2021 deer gun proclamation allows…