50 Pheasant Flies: Pheasant Retort

By Nick Simonson Welcome to our first installment of “50 Pheasant Flies” where we’ll get you some of the greatest patterns made from North Dakota’s favorite upland bird.  Now, we recognize that trout fishing opportunities are limited in the Peace Garden State, and because of that, you’ll find a lot of super patterns in this…

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Daily Edge for Sun. July 16

NICE RECOVERY.  Conditions were idyllic on Saturday, and while today may have a bit more breeze, it’s still a great back half of the weekend that’s setting up following Friday night’s thunderstorms.  Look for a hot bite to go with the hot weather and quarter moon this afternoon, and check out a few fun fishing…

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McKeehen Hired as N.D. PF Regional Rep.

Pheasants Forever Press Release Pheasants Forever has appointed Renee McKeehen as the organization’s North Dakota Regional Representative. In her new role, McKeehen will work with 26 local chapters and more than 4,000 members throughout the state to expend funds for wildlife habitat and conservation education on behalf of Pheasants Forever with local, state, and federal…

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Daily Edge for Sat. July 15

SWEET SUMMER RAIN!  A line of storms brought gully washers across much of central and eastern North Dakota as totals for the hour-long storm topped half an inch in some places, enough to keep the dust down, hopefully green the grass and put a dent in the drought monitor next week.  In the meantime, hatch…

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Milkweed is Key for Monarchs

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. It’s the middle of July and all over North Dakota, milkweed plants are working toward full bloom. While not everyone appreciates the bright pinkish-purple flower pods everywhere they grow, for the monarch butterfly, one of the more well-known representatives of the insect world, this is prime time for continuation of…

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Daily Edge for Fri. July 14

GO FRY AN EGG!  It might be that hot today to fry an egg on the sidewalk.  Warm conditions fire up again, with a chance for a few thunderstorms later today.  Plan for a fun August with a great regional event, and for later this fall with your duck stamp.  In the meantime – cute…

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Our Outdoors: Christmas in July

By Nick Simonson I grabbed the pink-and-purple deep running crankbait off the floor, almost as an afterthought.  It had sat, stashed away for years in the miscellanea that most anglers have – lures, baits and other items of tackle that don’t quite make the cut, aren’t of any sort of confidence color, or just don’t…

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Daily Edge for Thu. July 13

SHOW OFF!  One more cool(ish) day before we turn up the heat, as Friday’s temps will approach triple digits. The weekend looks hot, and fire danger will rise again with gusty winds on Saturday.  If you’re out there, be safe with sparks – campfires, matches, even left-over bottle rockets. (Featured Photo: Showy milkweed is a…

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Dakota Uplander: Ruffies Remain an Option

By Nick Simonson Recently, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released its annual spring drumming count survey for Ruffed Grouse, indicating a 57 percent increase in male birds observed on survey routes.  With this significant spike, agents predict that state’s population of its most popular upland bird is nearing its 10-year peak in the decadal…

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Blue-Green Algae Harmful to Pets

NDG&F Press Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department advises outdoor enthusiasts to be cautious with their dogs around water this time of year, due to potential health hazards associated with blue-green algae. Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Dan Grove said it only takes a few hot days for blue-green algae to bloom. “We have experienced many…

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Daily Edge for Wed. July 12

MAKING THE MOST OF IT.  Despite losing two minutes of sunlight a day as we hurtle into the back half of July, after today’s dip into the 80s, we’ll rebound into the upper 90s and low 100s into the weekend.  So even with the shorter days, the sun’s rays remain powerful this time of year. …

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Conditions Right for Aquatic Vegetation

NDG&F Press Release Extensive vegetation growth along docks and boat ramps serves as a good reminder for anglers and boaters to follow aquatic nuisance species regulations. North Dakota Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator Jessica Howell said the Department has received reports of increased vegetation in local waters. “Aquatic plants can be the most abundant in…

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Daily Edge for Tue. July 11

FISHIN’ FUN!  There’s a lot of great news and facts in today’s Three Things as another warm day heats up the summer bite across the Peace Garden State.  A shot of relief may come early this morning as thunderstorms roll across the northern prairie, but heat will return for one more day before a brief…

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Record Number of Walleyes Stocked in N.D.

NDG&F Press Release North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries personnel are wrapping up a record year for stocking of walleye fingerlings in more than 130 waters across the state. Jerry Weigel, fisheries production and development supervisor, said more than 12 million fingerlings were stocked, besting the previous high by more than 1 million fish….

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Daily Edge for Mon. July 10

MAKE SOME NOISE!  Some folks get excited about warm weather.  For anglers who like a steady bite, these warm days are setting one up.  Use active baits to trigger aggressive fish, whose bodies are adapting to warmer water, allowing them to chase, slash and strike at those baits that kick out the vibration. In today’s…

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Daily Edge for Sun. July 9

WINNER WINNER, NOW MAKE A SPINNER.  You’re already a winner if you’re on the water enjoying this great day.  Warm conditions, light winds, and a strong full moon influence will finish off one of the most well-timed weekends of the year.  In today’s Three Things we offer up explanations and tips for in-line spinners for…

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Daily Edge for Sat. July 8

AWOOOOO!  Tonight will be one to howl as you sweep that spinner into the corner of ol’ Mrs. Marbleyes’ mouth.  Summer is back, as weekend temperatures soar into the 90s, there won’t be much relief brought by the light and variable winds either.  Tap into a moderating evening with a full moon rising to get…

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Daily Edge for Fri. July 7

SET THE HOOK INTO A GREAT WEEKEND! Warm temps, steadying conditions and low winds will have anglers out in abundance taking advantage of a full moon – known as the “Full Buck Moon” by some. Remember as you jump from lake to lake this season to inspect, clean, drain and dry your boat to prevent…

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Our Outdoors: Intersections

By Nick Simonson A few years back during the Great Recession, my buddy Marty and I met the same fate as I was laid off from my job in the steel industry, and he from his work on a Kentucky horse farm.  We reconnected that summer after a few years of not seeing one another,…

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Daily Edge for Thu. July 6

THRICE BITTEN! It’s a cooldown of sorts after a couple of scorching days tacked on for a long weekend.  Here’s hoping you didn’t burn all your vacation up this week, because this weekend is going to be epic as well. With warm days, and long full moon nights, the fishing should be as hot as…

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Summer Roundup

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. Down time doesn’t exist for hunting, fishing and outdoors news and notes, so this week I’ll feature some important news and reminders from the last month or so. Waterfowl hunters should note the 70th annual North Dakota Game and Fish Department spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an…

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Daily Edge for Wed. July 5

HIGH FIVE.  Here’s hoping you survived the Fourth, and had a chance to get outside in the warmth of the season.  We look ahead to the rest of summer and fish strapping on the feedbag. Remember to like Dakota Edge on Facebook and follow on Twitter to get the best of ND hunting and fishing…

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Spring Crowing Counts Dip

NDG&F Dept. Press Release North Dakota’s spring pheasant population index is down 14 percent from last year, according to the State Game and Fish Department’s 2017 spring crowing count survey. R.J. Gross, upland game management biologist, said the number of roosters heard crowing this spring was down statewide, with decreases ranging from 6 to 10…

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Daily Edge for Tue. July 4

EYE – AYE! The weather’s hot, and the fishing is heating up too!  It’s going to be a legendary Fourth of July, no matter where you are in the upper Midwest, as conditions combine for a hot and steamy one.  Get every moment out of this great holiday with friends and family, and sneak a…

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Daily Edge for Mon. July 3

THE HEAT IS ON (AND ON)!  A warm stretch is settling in over the Peace Garden State, with the near-term hot streak to start on the Fourth.  It’ll be an Independence Day to remember – like those scorchers when you were a kid, and popsicles melted in an instant, bluegills put a beatdown on your…

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Daily Edge for Sun. July 2

FEELING FOURTHY. The July warm up continues, and like a rising firework, is building up to a bang in just a little bit.  Enjoy the light south breezes and summerlike conditions as we get into the heart of the season – and hopefully resume a summery fishing trend. In the Three Things for this Sunday,…

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Daily Edge for Sat. July 1

Warm weather settles in for the weekend after a cooler stretch.  This week looks hot – and not just because of all the exploding fireworks! Celebrate this country by blowing up a small portion of it with a pack of Black Cat firecrackers.  In the meantime, we’re focused on another fine specimen of ND megafauna…

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Daily Edge for Fri. June 30

CUE WILSON PHILLIPS…I uhh…mean, where’s my Metallica-Pantera-Megadeth mixtape?  Hold on for one more unseasonable day, and things will start hitting their stride, just in time for the Independence Day Holiday!  Get the NDG&F’s take on stocking in the state, and bring your fishing to life with the Slow Death rig in today’s Three Things, along…

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Our Outdoors: On New Waters

By Nick Simonson The near silent whir of the trolling motor pulled me away from the metal dock under the gray skies which spit tiny raindrops that made half-dollar-sized circles which rippled into one another and disappeared into the mirror-like surface of the lake.  It was a water I had never been to before, and…

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Daily Edge for Thu. June 29

SOUNDS LIKE GOOD FISHING!  We’ve got the tips on where the walleyes are biting throughout the state in this week’s installment of the Dakota Edge Outdoors Show and we share more information below on keeping WMA’s firework (and wildfire) free in today’s Three Things. (Featured Photo: A ruddy duck patrols the cattail shoreline of a…

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