North Dakota residents who want to give fishing a try can fish for free June 7-8. That is the state's free fishing weekend, when all residents 16 and older can fish any North Dakota water without a license. Residents 15 and younger do not need a fishing license at any time of year. The weekend provides a great opportun...

Weekly CO report District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2025-05-27 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) talked to Warroad Elementary students at the School Forest and Norris Camp. Officer Huener spent the busy Memorial Weekend on Lake of the Woods, seeing mostly good reports from anglers. Violations for the weekend included no reg...

By Doug Leier I was compelled to jot down some interesting numbers that pertain to North Dakota's outdoors as Jeb Williams, Game and Fish Department director, recently addressed the joint Senate and House Legislative Natural Resource committees. Did you know the Game and Fish Department manages 439 fishable waters whic...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department removed the open fire ban on Oahe Wildlife Management Area. However, this area still falls under county burn restrictions. More information, including restrictions, on current fire danger indexes is available at NDResponse.gov. Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along the M...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department encourages public comment on the revision of its 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan. The SWAP is North Dakota's guiding document for the conservation and restoration of at-risk species and their habitats, with a focus on preventing species from becoming endangered. It identifies s...

Why not just makg your own food? A new report from the National Restaurant Association found that 75 percent of restaurant traffic is now takeout orders - that is, delivery, pickup, and where relevant drive-thru - a fundamental realignment of the dining industry. Many restaurants have essentially had to change their en...

By Doug Leier Before you apply for your 2025 North Dakota deer license, with an application deadline of June 4, we should review the 2024 numbers. First let me remind you these are numbers, statistics. What you can't read in deer "success" are hunters who chose not to squeeze the trigger waiting for a bigger ...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department offers a simple message to the well-intentioned who want to rescue what appear to be orphaned baby animals this time of year: don't touch them. Whether it is a young fawn, duckling, cottontail rabbit or a songbird, it is better to leave them alone. Often, young animals are not ...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds hikers, campers and others recreating outdoors to be aware of bears and learn how to prevent conflicts with bears. Minnesota is bear country. People can peacefully share the outdoors with bears by paying attention to where and when they are most likely to be encount...

Weekly CO report District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2025-05-19 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked a turkey hunter in Roseau County and many anglers on Lake of the Woods. The bite has been decent, but there are fewer big fish being caught than around the opener. Violations for the week included possession of an overli...

by Doug Leier What to Do (and Not Do) if You Find a Baby Bird, Rabbit, Fawn or Duckling Springtime into early summer is when we start seeing baby birds, bunnies, fawn deer, ducklings and goslings making their way into the world. While it's heartwarming to spot these tiny creatures, many people don't know what to do whe...

Firearms turkey hunters who have an unused tag from an earlier hunt period can participate in the final hunt period from Wednesday, May 21, through Saturday, May 31. Hunters can also purchase a license for this period. Archery-only and youth ages 17 and younger are allowed to hunt during any period, including the final...

A week-long national safe boating public awareness campaign is May 17-23, an annual event that serves to educate boaters and water users heading into summer. A boat should have enough U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jackets on board for all passengers. North Dakota law requires all children ages 10 and younger ...

Weekly CO report District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2025-05-12 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked turkey hunters during the week and anglers on Lake of the Woods for the opening weekend of fishing season. Fishing on Lake of the Woods was good for the first two days, with lots of large fish being reported and some lim...

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) held their May Commission meeting at the Custer State Park Events Barn. The Commission had several proposals and finalizations for upcoming seasons and regulations. WILDLIFE PROPOSALS Closed Area on Lake Francis Case The Commission continued discussions on a proposal to elimi...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced today that the state's 2025 paddlefish snagging season will close May 9 at 7 p.m. Central time to any additional harvest to provide long-term protection of the paddlefish population. An additional snag-and-release extended season will begin May 10 and run through May ...

North Dakota's 2025 deer season is set, with 42,300 licenses available to hunters, down 7,800 from last year. In addition, muzzleloader licenses decreased by 150 and restricted youth antlered mule deer licenses remained the same. Casey Anderson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife division chief, said popula...

Outlook by areas Baudette Area The Baudette fisheries area, located in the far northwestern portion of Minnesota, offers a variety of fishing opportunities for anglers for a variety of species and waterbody types. Generally, it is looking like we are going to have another excellent season of fishing. Lake of the Woods ...

Weekly CO report District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2025-05-06 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked turkey hunters and trappers in Roseau and Marshall counties, and sturgeon anglers on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. A nuisance-bear complaint was taken near St. Hilaire. Violations for the week includes hunting t...

By Doug Leier Revering walleye, pheasants, or bucks is about as Midwestern as loving summertime baseball, hot dogs and mom. In an honest conversation you'll hear an underscoring appreciation for pike, meadowlarks and monarchs. Who doesn't love the fight of a northern, the sound a meadowlark makes perched on a fence pos...