Expect changes with federal duck stamp this year
By Doug Leier In the coming weeks when thousands of North Dakota hunters will go through the annual ritual of buying a federal duck stamp, most people will notice a change or two. One of those changes is a price increase from $15 to $25 passed by Congress and signed into law late last year. It was the first duck stamp price increase since 1991. Unlike a lot of price increases, this one was widely supported by waterfowl hunters and conservation groups across the country, as duck stamp revenues are invested directly into programs that preserve wetland and waterfowl habitat. The other change ...
Get ready for fall fishing
By Bob Jensen It seems like summer just started, but it’s already time to think about fall fishing. Nature has started providing us with the signs that remind us that autumn is closer than we think. Just like summer fishing is different in some ways than spring fishing, fishing in the fall can be different than fishing in the summer. Some small changes in our presentation and location will help us catch more fish in the fall. Following are some ideas for catching more fish this autumn. [caption id="attachment_28602" align="alignright" width="300"] Big fish and lots of fish can be taken in the fall. ...
How to get in more fishing this summer
By Doug Leier Usually in August comes the inevitable “I didn’t...” syndrome. You know, “I didn’t fish enough,” or “I didn't spend enough time on the water.” [caption id="attachment_28554" align="alignright" width="287"] Take the time now, so when fall arrives you won't feel like summer fishing passed you by.[/caption] Before you spend the last precious days/weeks of summer moping around, grousing about time slipping through your fingers, here's a few tips to help people with even the most harried schedules squeeze in a few more casts or other outdoor activities as August rolls on. Pencil in a day off – This sounds easy, but the reality ...
Catch the Hungry Fish
By Bob Jensen It may sound obvious, but when we go fishing, we want to catch a fish. Lots of fish are even better. Yes, it’s fun to be on the water and watching ducks and deer and eagles and spending time with family and friends, but we don’t need to buy a bunch of fishing equipment and travel sometimes quite a distance to do those things. We’re out there to feel something pull on the end of our line. While we’re probably not going to always catch lots of fish, there are some things that anglers can do to increase ...
Latest Hunting & Fishing Articles
Expect changes with federal duck stamp this year
By Doug Leier In the coming weeks when thousands of North Dakota hunters will go through the annual ritual of buying a federal duck stamp, most people will notice a change or two. One of those changes is a price increase from $15 to $25 passed by Congress and signed into law late...
Get ready for fall fishing
By Bob Jensen It seems like summer just started, but it’s already time to think about fall fishing. Nature has started providing us with the signs that remind us that autumn is closer than we think. Just like summer fishing is different in some ways than spring fishing, fishing...
How to get in more fishing this summer
By Doug Leier Usually in August comes the inevitable “I didn’t…” syndrome. You know, “I didn’t fish enough,” or “I didn’t spend enough time on the water.” Take the time now, so when fall arrives you won’t feel like summer fishing passed you by. Before...
Catch the Hungry Fish
By Bob Jensen It may sound obvious, but when we go fishing, we want to catch a fish. Lots of fish are even better. Yes, it’s fun to be on the water and watching ducks and deer and eagles and spending time with family and friends, but we don’t need to buy a bunch of fishing equipment...
Our Outdoors with Nick Simonson
The Best Laid Plans
By Nick Simonson What was planned out to be a two week course in fly tying, jig making and lure crafting was extended into a month-long lesson in how to dodge the weather and cope...
Read More From Nick SimonsonValley Outdoors with Doug Leier
Shorefishing is a Surefire Good Time
by Doug Leier Greg Power is the Fisheries Division Chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, so when he speaks of fish or fishing, I stop and listen. A boat isn’t required for someone...
Read More from Doug LeierFrom the Hunting & Fishing Article Archives
2013 midwinter bald eagle survey
Doug Leier Penning an outdoors column each week may seem daunting to some, but even with 52 opportunities in a given calendar year to generate topics and information to pass along, at times I actually wish I had more time and room. Here’s a few items of recent interest. North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists conducted the 2013 midwinter...
Make Custom Crappie Jigs
Our Outdoors – By Nick Simonson As winter blankets, and blankets, and blankets the region with snow, it is becoming more apparent that it will be a long season indeed. That’s not a bad thing if you need some time to get your tacklebox ready for one of open water’s early quarries – prespawn slab crappies! If you remember the excitement...
Lindy Rigs – Everything You Need to Know
Lindy Fishing Tackle Lindy Rigging revolutionized live bait fishing in the 1960’s and is still one of the most popular and productive methods for taking walleyes throughout the country. Lindy Rigs can take panfish, walleyes, bass, northern pike, trout and any bottom feeding fish wherever they are–in natural lakes, man-made reservoirs, rivers...
Fishing Rod Building Tips
By Taylor Fitterer Making your own custom fishing rods can be a fun experience. Each rod normally takes about 2-3 hours to manufacture, and the finish drying time can take from a few hours to a few days depending on the type of finish, temperature and humidity. We have learned through trial and error and I hope this will save you a few errors while...
