Early Winter Sends Birds Flying

The early arrival of winter likely had many North Dakota snowbirds questioning if they should have left before Thanksgiving. The following wave of snow and cold through Christmas and New Year’s may have sealed the deal for some of not returning until well after Easter.  As much as a cold, snowy and dark season can frustrate me, I still don’t see myself heading south for winter and I’m

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Hunter harvest surveys are an important tool for Game and Fish 

Do you feel like everywhere you turn there’s something trying to get your attention? Spam phone calls, robo calls, junk text messages. The other day I noted advertisements in the bathroom. It got me to stop and think. So, it worked. When it comes to email, my inbox gets filled up. Just like yours. At

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Q & A With ND Game & Fish Director Jeb Williams

 As Jeb Williams, North Dakota Game and Fish Department director, works into his second calendar year leading the agency, he takes a look in the rearview mirror and also offers insight on challenges and important topics for North Dakota’s outdoors.  How important was the spring precipitation of 2022?  Jeb: So, it was really positive for our local lakes and wildlife habitat conditions around the state. We’d been in tough

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Hunter Education Is Key to Enduring Hunting Heritage, Become An Instructor Today!

If you’ve ever wondered why a hunter education class isn’t offered in your town or why the dates and times weren’t to your preference, the answer and fix are straightforward. First, all hunter education classes in North Dakota are taught by volunteer instructors. These volunteers likely spend their time during the spring and summer fishing,

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Waterfowl Survey, Record Breaking Burbot, and Other Game & Fish News

North Dakota Game & Fish has a couple quick hit stories this week. Among them are the early results of the midwinter waterfowl survey. You can watch news on results below. And in other Game & Fish News: A Minot Fisherman Caught a State Record Burbot Shane Johnson’s 19-pound, 8-ounce burbot broke a state record

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The Game Outdoor Enthusiasts Should Be Watching in January are the Legislators

Late January is sometimes considered a time when not much is going on in North Dakota’s outdoors. But this year with new boat registrations coming in and the state legislature in session, it’s a busy time at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Here’s a recap of a few news items from recent weeks

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Waterfowl Numbers Lower, Difficult Early Winter Possible Cause

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual midwinter waterfowl survey in early January indicated about 29,000 Canada geese in the state. Andy Dinges, department migratory game bird biologist, said a low count was expected this year for wintering waterfowl given the substantial snowfall and cold temperatures in November and December leading up to the

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How old are the Walleye in Lake Sakakawea? And what can we learn from knowing?

Have you wondered how old the fish are in Lake Sakakwea? Would you like to know why it matters? If so, Mike Anderson with North Dakota Game & Fish has you covered. The video below gives you a quick primer on how biologists determine fish age and how the knowledge helps us manage our fisheries.

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Below Normal Missouri River Basin Runoff Projected

The mountains in Montana and Wyoming that feed the Missouri basin are dryer than normal — for this time of year. It’s the early-season forecast so there’s a lot of time for Mother Nature to change the outcome, but right now the snowpack is below average. Kim Fundingsland has the full story that annually impacts

Read & Share   sourced from: The Dakotan

Ice Fishing Impacts Creates Evolving Target for Fisheries Management

We’ve seen it before. A few ice shelters can turn into a city literally overnight. Winter anglers travel from every corner of the state – some from a few states away – at the report of a hot walleye, perch, or crappie bite. Anglers wonder if the fishery can withstand the pressure? I remind myself

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A big picture look at North Dakota winter fishing

When the first storm iced some parts of North Dakota, then followed with snow from inches to feet, a collective sigh could be heard from Williston to Wahpeton. After the snow was moved, those with a glass half-full attitude smiled with thoughts of ice fishing. There was more snow, more cold, but the hardy souls

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2023 Means It’s Time To Register Your Boat

North Dakota Game & Fish is the state agency that manages boat registrations, and they do so on a three-year cycle. 2023 is the first year of the next cycle which means it’s time to update your registration. Get the full news release from NDGF below. —- NEWS RELEASE, NDGF —– North Dakota watercraft owners

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NDGF Lake Sakakawea Ice Fishing Preview 2022 -2023

In the Western portion of Lake Sakakawea the ice is on, but East portions of the lake typically stay open until December/January.  For the rest of the NDGF ice fishing preview from Dave Fryda, Fisheries Supervisor catch the video below.

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NDGF: North Central District Lakes and Lake Audubon Ice Fishing Preview

North Dakota Game & Fish regional ice fishing previews are underway, and it’s our turn this week. Check out the conversation between Video Supervisor Mike Anderson and fisheries supervisor Jason Lee to get the early-season rundown on many of the Minot area lakes. If you’re looking for a place close by to cut a hole,

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RAWA Bill Dies Amid Crypto Tax Disagreement

It was known as the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, and it was the first major conservation bill that had traction since 1973. Its $1.7 billion annual funding was to be covered by closing a loophole that allowed crypto exchanges to escape taxes typically paid on other investments like stocks and bonds. Get the full story

Read & Share   sourced from: Quartz

What’s the best way to cook Walleye?

For the first hour of last week’s #GoodTalk Minot we were joined by Kellen Latendresse and Josh Kelly, both are local fishing guides. Out topics: the best way to cook the best-tasting fish and all the things that make the North Dakota outdoors something to be proud of. Watch and listen below.

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