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…

Summer Sizzle.  A warm weekend is on tap as temps soar into the 90s by tomorrow.  We cover the last – and biggest – drawing in a regional raffle, look into Operation Dry Water and check out the value in real dollars of our national refuges in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Pbpbplt!  A buck…

By Nick Simonson   As my buddy John and I drifted over the transition area of mud, rock and gnarled tree roots that popped up and grabbed our bottom bouncers which surveyed the underwater scene for walleyes on the Missouri River impoundment, our eyes turned to a shore angler along the backside of the bay. …

KILLING IT!  After some rumbles this morning, the day will warm and conditions will settle into a summer pattern through the weekend.  We look ahead at the week leading into the holiday and catch up on what’s to come in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  A killdeer works through recently-mowed grass near Bismarck. Simonson Photo….

SOARING.  We continue our upward trend in the temperature department today as summer conditions take hold.  We cover the recent deer results, tips for walleyes and a cute little moose making the rounds on social media in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  A hawk soars in the breezes above Bismarck. Simonson Photo.   WEATHER (Bismarck…

NDG&F Dept. Release North Dakota’s deer gun lottery has been held and individual results are available online at the state Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. Chief of administrative services Kim Kary said moving to an online lottery has resulted in reducing the time between the application deadline and the lottery run date. “It’s a major benefit…

SAFETY CHECK.  With the busy Independence Holiday just around the corner, and water traffic picking up as the temperatures do, it’s important to take stock of safe procedures on the water and have all the gear needed in case of emergency.  We look at that and more in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Jack It. …

NDG&F Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 72nd annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of 3.4 million birds, up 20 percent from last year. Migratory game bird supervisor Mike Szymanski said the index was the 22nd highest on record and stands 40 percent above the long-term (1948-2018) average. “Breeding duck…

IN THE PAN.  Panfish provide fast summer fishing for anglers young and old.  We have some quick tips to maximize success and keep bobbers going up and down as part of our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo: Plentiful panfish.  Find fun with sunnies and bluegills this time of year from the boat, the shore or a…

UP & AWAY!  The first full week of summer looks to be a beauty with high temperatures climbing out of the 70s and up toward the 90s by next weekend.  We take a look at conditions ahead and get a feel for flowing water and growing antlers in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  A buck…

ALL DOWNHILL.   We’ve passed the summer solstice and are headed for a week of warming as we coast into the season.  We cover a long-billed bird, a long-snouted fish and our long awaited return to heat in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Summer Colors.  Get trolling with a few new rolls of spinners.  Simonson Photo….

By Nick Simonson   Summer fishing success often depends on finding those locations where walleyes are feeding, cruising and schooling.  Detecting those prime pieces of underwater real estate comes down to a matter of feel, and keeping contact with the bottom is a great way to identify those transition areas from sand or mud to…

HAPPY SUMMER!  Welcome to the first day of the warm weather season!  While it might not feel like it today, things will get going into the weekend and next week, just in time to fire it up for the Fourth.  We go around the horn in our Outdoors Roundup with solstice facts, a shooting range…

By Nick Simonson   Kids these days! There’s nothing they can’t destroy from any angle and they do it no matter the conditions: in the rain, in the wind, and in the sun, it just doesn’t seem to matter.  When they’re not actively smashing something, they’re talking in hushed tones among their little groups of…

BIG WEEKEND. We’re already in Friday mode as we look ahead to some big shooting and fishing events set for an exciting three-day stretch.  Those big shows along with some big spending for conservation fill up our Outdoors Roundup for the day. Featured Photo: Getting Bigger. A pair of growing goslings follow the lead of…

DUST DOWN.  It’ll be a stretch of damp days heading into the back half of the week, which will keep the flowers growing.  That’s good for our pollinator friends, which we cover in today’s Outdoors Roundup along with a love-drunk deer and some tips for keeping public lands clean. Featured Photo:  Fuzzy Buzzy.  A bumblebee…

LAST NICE ONE.  At least for a few days’ stretch.  Rain and unstable conditions move in after today to mix things up.  We cover that, a new ANS report and an odd hunting and fishing museum in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Zebra mussels like these from Detroit Lake in Minnesota, have been discovered in…

NDG&F Release North Dakota’s spring pheasant population index is up slightly from the same time last year, according to the state Game and Fish Department’s 2019 spring crowing count survey. R.J. Gross, upland game management biologist, said the number of roosters heard crowing this spring was up about 6 percent statewide. The primary regions holding…

CRUSH ON.  The ND State High School Clay Target League State Championship wrapped with some more great shooting in windy conditions that tested the best of participants.  We’ve got it covered in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Call Her Champ. Legacy High School’s Cassidy Lipelt (right) claimed top honors, capturing the Varsity Ladies title at…

GOOD SHOOTING! Day three of the ND High School Clay Target League kicks off today as more than 500 shooters cap off the event at the Horace Shooting Park.  The recap of the first two days’ action is in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  100.  Kordell Kraft (right) ran 100 straight to win the overall…