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…

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…