UPWARD!  We climb out of our snowy set of days and should see some serious melting through Tuesday as conditions improve.  This provides yet another stretch to get out and recreate in the wild world around you. Tips from the G&F, a moving Marathon and a look at the week ahead comprise our Outdoors Roundup…

By Nick Simonson   In the crystal-clear bays after the last of the gray ice has disappeared, they lurk on the edge of visibility.  In the running creeks, channels and coulees they swarm in the relative warmth of muddy spring runoff.   They are northern pike, and at this time of year, with spring just beginning,…

FEELING BETTER.  Temperatures rise this week to melt off a fresh blanket of snow and help you get back out there, but some bleak news from the spring fishing front as paddlefish harvest season is canceled. We’ve got more on that and other hot topics in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Spin It!  Tie up…

By Nick Simonson   In the last two weeks I have become a fulltime teacher, cook, gym instructor and referee in addition to my normal professions, which admittedly were wide and varied to begin with.  Having been something of a jack-of-all-trades and an angler of all species thus far in life has helped prepare me…

GRINDING YOUR TEETH?  Just staring out the window at the slightly late April Fool’s joke yesterday was enough to get the jaw clicking.  We cover the totals along with teeth and a fishing preview in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  A young doe pauses for a photo in front of the trail camera.  Simonson WEATHER…

THINKING BOATS.  While the weather may not be what it once was (is it ever?), we look at some ideas for making the loading and docking of boats more successful and safe in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo: ON IT. Good outings start and end with a secure watercraft. Simonson Photo. WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast): Today: Thu…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. The history of bighorn sheep in the southern badlands of North Dakota is a roller coaster tale. And unfortunately, it’s been mostly down of late. That’s how editor Ron Wilson described the situation in a feature article in the February 2020 issue of the State Game and Fish Department’s magazine,…

HAHA!  The weather takes a serious turn overnight following Tuesday’s front and the joke’s on us all as things feel quite a bit chillier.  Don’t lose your sense of humor though as spring snow settles in for tomorrow.  In the meantime, we’ve got muley updates from NDG&F, forest management plans from RGS, and just how…

RUMBLY?  We may see some storms sweep across the landscape this evening ahead of a cold front which is going to set us back into the low 30s and colder for a while (think NEXT Tuesday).  Get your outings in accordingly.  In the meantime, we’ve got updates from local deer numbers to national issues in…

LAST GOOD ONE!  While the breezes will kick up today, so will the temperatures and highs in the low 60s will be a reality here at the end of March.  An April Fool’s joke causes the bottom to fall out and colder conditions to take hold through the rest of the week.  We’ve got more…

By Nick Simonson   Growing up a wrestling fan, there was no better time to be watching WWF (now WWE) than when Triple H and Degeneration X were the featured heels.  Challenging Vince McMahon and the establishment each week, after a win the various members would slap their crotch and yell out their trademark “Suck…

BEST OF THE YEAR.  The back half of your weekend will be the best day of 2020 thus far in terms of conditions (we joke it’s because they’ve postponed the start of the high school clay target league, and this Sunday would’ve been opening day!)  At any rate, get out there and enjoy it!  We’ve…

By Nick Simonson   With the impact of the coronavirus obvious across many layers of society, the North Dakota Game & Fish Department (NDG&F) has not been immune to changes in day-to-day life.  Under guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and orders from the Governor, all NDG&F offices and facilities have been…

OUT LIKE A LAMB!  Superb spring conditions take hold with temperatures near 60 today and tomorrow, allowing folks to get outdoors for spring snow goose hunting and the first openwater options of the year.  We cover what’s new for angling in North Dakota along with a helpful hand tool as we wave goodbye to the…

By Nick Simonson   Water is freedom, no more so than in spring.  Casting off the icy bonds of winter, breaking them into pieces and then absorbing them is the completion of a flow’s self-fulfilling and seasonal prophecy.  So too for the angler, flowing water represents the possibilities to not only move with life’s direction,…

WHAT A WEEKEND!  We’ve got great conditions setting up for all your fishing and hunting adventures as temperatures warm, winds remain moderate and rivers open up around the region as light geese move through – it’s a perfect storm of awesomeness!  We share that info and more to help you get the most out of…

POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS.  We’re not talking test results either!  Rather, the weather looks to be improving for this weekend to help with your social distancing.  We’ve got more on that, circling some good fishing and tying projects in today’s Outdoors Roundup! Featured Photo:   Hooked.  A sturgeon from the Rainy River caught on the staple 5/0 circle…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. Every two years, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department produces a new set of fishing regulations.  Each new proclamation brings with it a few changes that are publicized and discussed at public advisory meetings and in other forums.   One of the changes this year is a modification to…

COOLING OUT.  We’ll take a bit of a dip before we climb back up into more temperate settings this weekend as highs get stuck in the mid-30s.  Make it through Thursday and you’ll be set for that first really springy weekend of the season.  We’ve got the info you need, including cool resources from the…

TERRIFIC!  We’ll jump into the high fifties today as warmth takes over the region.  More of the same is headed our way for the weekend and we have the details on that, getting your tacklebox stocked and a final call for your applications for ND’s “Big 3” lottery in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  OLD…

ROUNDING THE CURVE.  We make the turn toward spring as temperatures spike today and Tuesday, providing welcome warm-ups to help get you back into the outdoors.  We take a look at the trickle-down of federal funds, some easy outdoor discussions to have and what the week will bring as part of our Outdoors Roundup. Featured…

SUNDAY FUNDAY!  Get out there and enjoy light winds, the start of our warm-up and the power of the nearly new moon to help with your fishing adventures!  Watch that late ice and consider walking on rather than driving, where possible and prudent. Featured Photo:  The sun rises over a treeline.  Simonson Photo. WEATHER (Bismarck…

By Nick Simonson   Whether fishing for trout making their spring sprint up tiny coldwater streams or going after those species that get stocked in any number of rivers and lakes around the region, having some sort of spawn imitator in a fly box is important. Here are three simple recipes that make for some…

GUSTY ONE.  Saturday’s winds will fade into evening setting up a nice second half of the weekend and a great day to get outside.  We’ve got news on G&F closures, the long range look from NOAA for your late March fishing and some animal info for kids schooling from home in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured…

By Nick Simonson   In that gap between the last snow melting and the sure signs of spring like budding trees and greening grass, the tom turkey is king of the corridor throughout the rills and rivers of the region.  For those starting  in turkey hunting or looking to increase their success in harvesting a…

FULL FRIDAY!  It’s the first full day of spring as you kick off your weekend with a wintry feeling day, but don’t worry things will get better into the weekend and next week!  We’ve got an eye to the forecast and some news and notes from around the wild world in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured…

By Nick Simonson   Except in those instances where the steelhead were running hard and fast up the tributaries of Lake Superior, or the walleyes were so thick one could nearly walk across them on Devils Lake’s famed Channel A in the spring, I’ve rarely fished in a scenario that would cause my line to…

THE FIRST.  Happy first day of spring!  Well, effective 10:50pm today (Thu. 3/19) anyhow!  We’ve got great views, great reads and a look at your weekend fishing conditions in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  DAMP. A rooster pheasant hangs out under the canopy on a damp Wednesday morning near Bismarck. Simonson Photo. WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. You won’t find a U.S. Census taker out on the ice knocking on fish house doors looking to ask a few questions. But it is possible that anglers at Stump Lake this winter, and Lake Audubon last year, did get a tap on the door from a clipboard-carrying surveyor. These…

LAST DAY!  You’ve reached the last full day of winter, congratulations!  Shake off your green beer hangover and get caught up on moving light geese, more CWD concerns to the east and whether or not to add a drop or spray of attractant to your lure as waters open up.  All that and more in…