Summer is here, and as more boaters take to the water to fish or simply cool off South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) staff are reminding to practice Clean, Drain, Dry every time enjoying the water. "This is the time of year that zebra mussels can be microscopic and most easily transported from waterbody to wat...

GFP Commission Holds June Meeting PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission held their June meeting at Heartland Energy in Madison June 11-12. FINALIZATIONS Mentored, Youth Deer, and Apprentice Hunting Seasons The Commission closed nine counties in southeast South Dakota for mentored, youth,...

After several months of intensive training, two new dog/handler teams have earned their detection certification and joined the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' K9 Unit. The two teams - Conservation Officer Matt Brodin and K9 Molly (Brainerd) and CO Mitch Nowak and K9 Hank (St. Peter) - will increase the K9 Un...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's 79th annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.4 million birds, down 9.5% from 2.66 million birds in 2025 and 2.9 million in 2024. The 2026 breeding duck index dipped below the 1948-2025 average for the first time since 1993, according to ...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources today launched the first phase of its modernized electronic licensing system for anglers, hunters and trappers, replacing a system that has served the state for more than 25 years. "The Minnesota DNR is thrilled to bring this modern licensing system to Minnesotans toda...

By Doug Leier In North Dakota, summer's arrival has always been a bit of a tease. I was visiting with an old friend on the sidewalk the other evening and it didn't take long before the conversation turned the way it usually does this time of year - toward the weather and then getting back outside. "Feels like summ...

CO Nathan Garza (Duluth West) spent time on local lakes conducting boating safety enforcement and checking anglers. Reports from Island Lake indicate that fishing is good with many anglers seeing success. As a reminder starting July 1, 2026, operators 26 years and younger must possess a valid watercraft operator's perm...

GFP Commission to Hold Meeting at Heartland Energy in Madison The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission will hold their regular monthly meeting at Heartland Energy in Madison June 11-12. This meeting will be held via Zoom/conference call and livestream. Thursday's meeting will begin at 1 p.m. CDT. The publ...

North Dakota's free fishing weekend is June 6-7. 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 opportunity to try fishing for the first time or take someone new. Information on regula...

June is Great Outdoors Month, making it an ideal time to get outside and explore Minnesota's outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities. A perfect day to do so is Free Park Day on Saturday, June 13, which also coincides with National Get Outdoors Day. On this date, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will w...

The Minnesota Department of Resources recently launched more than 60 new state water trail maps. In addition to offering the most-accurate navigation to help paddlers explore everywhere from the Red River in the northwest to the Root River in the southeast, the new maps include recommended paddling sections across the ...

By Doug Leier On a chilly, rainy Friday night the police officer called and said a young girl had taken what she thought was an injured mother duck and rode off on her bike. The officer was unable to find the girl and the hen, while a dozen ducklings scurried around looking for mom. Maybe they'd survive? The next after...

Each year in early June, Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is an opportunity for adults to share the fun of fishing with kids. "This is a great time of year to take kids fishing. The weather is usually pleasant, and the fish are often found close to shores and piers," said Benji Kohn, Minnesota Department of Natural...

Featured Update CO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) assisted local partners with a water emergency reported early in the week. Several agencies assisted in the response including state, county, and local emergency service crews. He and CO Slatinski staffed a TIP trailer at an outdoor education day held for local s...

North Dakota's free fishing weekend is June 6-7. 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 opportunity to try fishing for the first time or take someone new. Information on regula...

he application deadline for the 2026 deer gun season is June 3. Applicants for regular deer gun, gratis, youth and muzzleloader can apply online through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's website at gf.nd.gov.

Weekly CO report Featured Update CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) had the solemn honor this past week to travel to Maine for the funeral of Maine Game Warden Pilot Joshua Tibbetts, who died May 12in the line of duty. She and two captains from the DNR represented the Enforcement Division to recognize the legacy of Warden Tibb...

By Doug Leier Every year about this time, questions start rolling in about the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's lottery system. Hunters wonder how bonus points work, whether they need to apply in the same unit each year, and how the drawing happens. The short answer is that the system rewards persistence while s...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds hikers, campers and anyone else enjoying outdoor recreation to learn how to prevent conflicts with bears. Black bears are naturally cautious animals that typically avoid human contact for their own safety; however, it's important to be proactive to prevent human-bea...

North Dakota's 2025 upland bird harvests were down for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse and gray partridge compared to 2024. "We were not surprised by a decrease in pheasant harvest in the fall of 2025 based on decreases of chicks in our late summer roadside counts. Chick production was negatively impacted by the coo...