North Dakota Game and Fish outreach biologist Doug Leier gives the latest news from the great outdoors. Fishing, hunting, gun safety, photography and whatever you want outdoors.
Open water means checking for aquatic nuisance species
By Doug Leier Unfortunately, my old hometown of LaMoure stakes the claim to being home to the first documented bighead carp identified in the James River about five years ago and also a couple of the only zebra mussel infested lakes - Twin Lake and Lake LaMoure. When I visit LaMoure I still drive past the old house, th...
May 07, 2024
Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports-May 6, 2024
District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2024-05-06 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) monitored area ATV, turkey hunting, angling, beaver-trapping, and minnow-trapping activities throughout the area. An investigation was conducted regarding big-game license issues, and citations were also issued for turkey hunting license infract...
May 06, 2024
Deer Season Set, Apply Online
North Dakota's 2024 deer season is set, with 50,100 licenses available to hunters, down 3,300 from last year. In addition, muzzleloader licenses decreased by 66 and restricted youth antlered mule deer licenses remained the same. Casey Anderson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife division chief, said populat...
May 06, 2024
South Dakota GFP Holds May Commission Meeting
GFP Holds May Commission Meeting The South Dakota Game, Fish and Park (GFP) Commission held their May meeting May 2-3 at the Event Barn in Custer State Park. Wildlife Proposals Landowner Own Land Prairie Antlerless Elk Hunting License During the 2024 South Dakota Legislative session, the Legislature passed Senate Bill ...
May 06, 2024
DNR urges people to leave deer fawns alone
DNR urges people to leave deer fawns alone The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources asks that people avoid disturbing or touching deer fawns, which are born around this time of year. Most fawns are born in mid-May to mid-June, and fawns do not attempt to evade predators during their first few weeks of life. Instea...
May 06, 2024
Minnesota moms: Join the Mother's Day weekend fishing challenge
Minnesota moms: Join the Mother's Day weekend fishing challenge Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 11, through Sunday, May 12, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license. The Minnesota Department of ...
May 06, 2024
Mille Lacs walleye catch-and-release reminder
Mille Lacs walleye catch-and-release reminder Mille Lacs Lake walleye fishing will be catch-and-release during the spring and summer with the opportunity to harvest a walleye starting on Friday, Aug. 16. During the open water harvest opportunity beginning on Aug. 16, anglers will be able to keep one walleye that is 21-...
May 06, 2024
Minnesota moms: Join the Mother's Day weekend fishing challenge
Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 11, through Sunday, May 12, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the Student Angler Organiza...
Apr 30, 2024
Minnesota #bear hunt applications due Friday, May 3
Prospective bear hunters have until Friday, May 3 to apply for a bear hunting license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Applications for the 2024 season can be submitted online, at any license agent or by telephone at 888-665-4236. A total of 4,030 licenses are available in 15 quota areas where licens...
Apr 30, 2024
A Fishing License From The Tap Of An App? Yes
By Doug Leier When it comes to phone apps, I'll be the first to admit I'm not the next generation. I'm at best the past generation and hopefully not the lost generation. While I admit I do enjoy having access to all the Game and Fish Department information on my mobile device, I'm much more comfortable on my desktop an...
Apr 30, 2024
Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports- April 29, 2024
District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2024-04-22 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked sturgeon anglers on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. Turkey hunting activity was checked in Roseau and Marshall counties, and enforcement action was taken regarding two different parties for hunting turkeys without a license, with ...
Apr 29, 2024
2024 North Dakota Paddlefish Preview
By Doug Leier A highlight of my early years with the Game and Fish Department as a district game warden was the variety of field-training opportunities. New wardens learn different required skills from seasoned wardens at stations literally in every corner of North Dakota. My primary training warden was Kurt Aufforth, ...
Apr 25, 2024
Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports
District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2024-04-22 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked sturgeon anglers on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. Turkey hunting activity was checked in Roseau and Marshall counties, and enforcement action was taken regarding two different parties for hunting turkeys without a license, with ...
Apr 25, 2024
Report fish die-offs to help DNR, others respond as needed
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages Minnesotans to contact the state duty officer if they see evidence of a fish die-off in a lake or stream. Fish die-offs can result from a variety of natural and human causes. To report fish die-offs, people should call the Minnesota duty officer at 651‐649‐54...
Apr 25, 2024
Collaborative Conservation Efforts Keep Lake Sturgeon Off the Endangered Species List
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - After conducting a thorough species status assessment using the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined lake sturgeon do not require listing under the Endangered Species Act. The Service's 12-month finding shows ongoing management efforts, such as fish stocking, have c...
Apr 25, 2024
#NDGF Tagging Studies Offer Insight into Fisheries
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will be conducting numerous tagging studies on walleye populations across the state over the next several years to gain a better understanding of how anglers are utilizing these fisheries. This year, walleye tagging efforts will occur at Coal, Twin, Coe and West Napoleon lakes....
Apr 17, 2024
Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1
Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1 North Dakota's paddlefish season opens May 1, and is scheduled to continue through May 21. However, depending on the overall harvest, an early in-season closure may occur with a 24-hour notice issued by the state Game and Fish Department. Paddlefish tags are available for purchase...
Apr 16, 2024
Explaining the deer lottery
by Doug Leier There's just something to be said for consistency. Not just because I'm an old man and don't like change, either. Changing fishing regulations year to year and lake to lake can maximize management at the expense of confusion leading to angler frustration. Same with hunting. Case in point: In my years with...
Apr 16, 2024
Peregrine falcon eggs visible on DNR FalconCam
Falcon pair prepared nest for brood Peregrine falcon chicks from a previous season in the St. Paul nest. Photo credit: Minnesota DNR The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said a pair of peregrine falcons has an active nest and is tending eggs on the popular DNR FalconCam (mndnr.gov). This spring, the webcam has...
Apr 15, 2024
2024 North Dakota Earth Day Patch Contest Winners
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced the winners of the 2024 Earth Day Patch Contest. Over 2,000 students from 100 schools entered this year's contest. Winners in three age categories are Ella Haagenson, Leeds (K-4); Isla Anderson, St. Johns Academy, Jamestown (5-8); and Deegan Kierschemann, Barnes Count...
Apr 15, 2024