Bluegills for Kids
June 2, 2010 by admin
By Doug Leier
Late in the 1980s my family moved from LaMoure to Valley City. I’d fished the Jim River and Lake LaMoure prior to the move, and enjoyed an array of fish, from pike to perch and even the lowly carp.
In Barnes County around Valley City, I spent a good chunk of time fishing Lake [...]
Horizontal Jigging
April 19, 2010 by admin
By Nick Simonson
Have you ever watched the way minnows move? When I was in Grand Forks, N.D. attending “The School that Shall Not Be Named” I had multiple chances to jump the Red River into East Grand Forks, Minn., and watch as trout, bass and pike preyed upon minnows that the staff had dumped [...]
Ultralight Fishing Tackle
The UltraLight Brigade
By Nick Simonson
There’s something special about taming a charging bull bluegill on line as thin as a spider web. Few fishing sensations are wilder than a white bass tearing up the sunset reflecting off of the evening water. Even a ten-inch trout brings a wondrous battle as it twists and turns [...]
ND Fishing Reg Changes
March 31, 2010 by admin
By Doug Leier
Rather than wholesale changes on a yearly basis, the bulk of North Dakota’s fishing rules and regulations are implemented every two years, and 2010 is one of the years when we get a new fishing proclamation. The new regulations begin April 1 and are in place until March 31, 2012.
By no means does [...]
Fishing Diary
March 30, 2010 by admin
By Nick Simonson
There have been a lot of changes in my life over the past five years. I’ve lived in two states and three towns and have had six different jobs, with this one being the most consistent. In that time I’ve fished over 60 lakes and rivers, gaining some level of familiarity [...]
President Obama Attacking Fishing Industry
March 22, 2010 by admin
Sport Anglers Alarmed by Proposed Obama Policy
A controversy has erupted in the sport fishing community over a new federal management plan for oceans and Great Lakes waters. Recent opinion pieces circulating on the internet and reported on numerous radio stations have stoked the flames through revelations that the policy, if implemented, would prohibit recreational fishing [...]
Fishing Buddies
March 15, 2010 by admin
By Nick Simonson
Of angling’s many positive elements, near the top of the list is that it is a great way to spend time with friends that are so close they might as well be family. My buddies and I try to make it a regular thing to meet up at the cabin, at someone’s [...]
Slip Bobbers for Crappies
March 9, 2010 by admin
The Deadly Drag
Dumbing-down to a crawl dupes springtime crappies for panfish pros
By Brian “Bro” Brosdahl with Tom Neustrom
“Slow and steady wins the race.” I’m a disciple of the philosophy. In real life, the examples are countless. Consider the marathoner. The guy who paces himself for 26.2 miles is sure to pass the jackrabbit before reaching [...]
Catch and Release Fishing
March 4, 2010 by admin
‘Swimming Pools’ for Fish
A Little Advice on Caring for Your Catch
By Tony Roach
Have you ever caught the same fish twice in a single day? How about the same fish two or three times inside a week? I’ll bet many of you have. Even on a massive fish factory like Mille Lacs in Central Minnesota, [...]
Fish House Spotters
February 8, 2010 by admin
By Nick Simonson
Shantytowns are generally a bad sign. Economic downturns, natural disasters and tribal wars all come to mind when such a place is shown on the evening news. However, in the ice belt and points north, it is the sign of something good – a hot bite on frozen waters. While [...]
Make Custom Crappie Jigs
January 11, 2010 by admin
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 [...]
Piggybacking Ice Spoons for Bull Bluegills
December 11, 2009 by admin
By Jason Durham
Bluegill fishing is about balance. Each trip is a constant trial and error to figure out if the fish want a tiny speck of an ice jig – the flash, vibration and, meaty profile of a jigging spoon, or any presentation that falls in between. Each presentation has its strengths and weaknesses so [...]
Praise for Polarized Sunglasses
February 9, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
As I pulled up the trolling motor and hoped for a clean glide over the small sandy delta leading into a back bay on my favorite lake for Minnesota’s Bass Season opener, I was disappointed to not immediately see signs of fish ahead of the Grumman.
My yellow lab, Gunnar, and my father’s new [...]
Pall Mall Payback
February 9, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
On a recent fishing trip to a small, virtually featureless lake, save for one giant point that separated the body of water into two halves, I began to wonder where to get started. It was a sunny day with unseasonably warm temperatures and a slight wind. My friend Adam and I began our [...]
Catch and Release 101
February 9, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
A dead-weight tug on the end of my line signaled that the largemouth bass under the dock was indeed hungry. I swept the rod back and the four-pound fish rocketed up out of the water. She battled every foot of the way to my hand.
I reached down, tweaked the hook and felt it [...]
Summer Presents Plentiful Panfish Fishing Options
February 9, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
Panfish – be they sunfish, crappies, perch or white bass – are present throughout the upper Midwest. They comprise the midsection of most lakes’ biomass and present a sure-fire fishing opportunity for anglers young and old. If you are new to fishing, or already a panfish aficionado these species are right up your [...]
Extra Hooks Bring the Sting
February 9, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
In one of the best Simpsons episodes, Moe uses a punch-absorbing Homer to relive his glory days as a boxer. But when Homer ends up having to fight the heavyweight champion, the all too Tyson-like Drederick Tatum, Moe searches through his bag of tricks to find the weapon that will help hapless Homer [...]
Freshen Up Your Skills
February 9, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
The season for big fish has come! The snow is rapidly melting, the ice is weakening, and the fish are preparing for the spawn. It is a picture perfect time for spring angling. If you plan to take some photos of your angling success this openwater season, here are some tips for ensuring [...]
The Fishing Preseason – Spring Crappie Fishing
February 9, 2009 by admin
By Eric Hustad
Another April is upon us and I can’t help but get excited! What a great month: the Twins play meaningful games, the NFL draft, snow melting, longer days, and the start of what I consider my preseason fishing. Giving normal ice out, in the middle of April, crappie fishing is my preseason of [...]
Crappie Recipe List
February 9, 2009 by admin
Here are some favorite crappie recipes of ours.
Stir Fry Crappie Recipe :
This is a very easy recipe to make, and is very delicious and healthy.
2 lbs of Crappie fillets
2 cups of broccoli
1 wide sliced onion
2 cups of sliced mushrooms
1 wide sliced green pepper
Add more vegetables if you desire
3 pinches of garlic powder
3 pinches of Old [...]
Scud: An Ugly Word for Freshwater Shrimp
February 9, 2009 by admin
By Brian Brosdahl
A system is only as good as the weakest link. That’s a profound statement and applies to everything from a football team to stereo systems. Think about it. Well, in fishing, it also pertains to the freshwater shrimp – or scud as they’re referred to on the ice.
They’ll never make it into a [...]
Ice Fishing for Panfish – The Right Ice Rods
February 9, 2009 by admin
By Jason Mitchell
More ice anglers are discovering that the tip of the rod we are using has as much influence on our presentation as the actual motion we put on the rod while fishing. A rod with a fast tip for example will give the lure a distinct flash and pound that is more abrupt, [...]
Approaching Late Ice
February 9, 2009 by admin
By Jason Mitchell
Late ice patterns can vary. People often preach about fishing shallow. Others stress the importance of finding moving water. Late ice is often hailed as the best fishing of the year. The fish are supposed to be biting as well as they have all winter. Anglers eagerly await the last hurrah. The reality, [...]
It’s Wrong to Think About Ice Fishing Right Now
February 9, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
It’s wrong to think about ice fishing right now. Especially since I reeled in two healthy, hard-fighting, late summer smallies from under one of my favorite bridges during lunch today. More so because I spent last night attempting to trace the flight patterns of mourning doves over a cattle pond. And additionally, the [...]
Ice Fishing Safety
February 9, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
I experienced a first last year, four times over. With the unstable cold-and-warm trend through late fall and winter, I managed to break through the ice four times; twice while upland hunting and twice while ice fishing. Early in the season, I was too close to shoreline vegetation, but even in February, near [...]
Ice Fishing – Fish it Through
February 9, 2009 by admin
By Noel Vick with Brian “Bro” Brosdahl
Believe it or not, mobility on the ice has its pitfalls. For more than a decade you’ve heard and read about the criticalness of mobility. To competently and effectively catch fish on the hardwater, an angler must be mercurial as a gypsy and stealthy as a fox.
These axioms are [...]
Fishing with Spring Bobbers
February 9, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
I cannot recall how many times I have watched fish rise up on the Vexilar as I work my lure in the water column only to have the fish pause at my offering then head back to the bottom. Be it a small jig with a wax worm or a spoon with a [...]
Ice Fishing at Night
February 9, 2009 by admin
By Mark Strand
During ice fishing season, the sun often sets before you can wrap up the workday. Because of this, an awful lot of people don’t even think about going fishing except during daylight hours on the weekends.
If you can miss the boat when lakes are frozen over, you are missing the boat if you’re [...]
Winter Crappie Tips and Tactics – Q & A Session
February 7, 2009 by admin
Crappies are one of the most frequently-chased winter fish. So it’s no surprise that the subject of crappies comes up constantly when the Power Sticks gather at sports shows. We put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) when it comes to crappie fishing, followed by solid answers, built from an informal poll of [...]
Crazy for Crappies – Crappie Ice Fishing Tips
February 5, 2009 by admin
By Chris Hustad
I really don’t care where you live in the upper Midwest, you’re in driving distance of a quality crappie fishery. I’ve caught crappies in small ponds, large lakes, rivers and variations of the three. But finding and catching crappies on these systems can vary, especially during the time of day. Here’s a few [...]
Gearing Up for Ice Fishing
Chris Hustad
It’s that time of year, ice fishing season is upon us. Cold weather has started the freezing process a little bit earlier this year. Consistent cold temperatures and no snow are the ingredients for some thick, sturdy ice; just when we need it. It’s going to be a good ice fishing season this year, [...]
Standard Fishing Knot – The Palomar
February 5, 2009 by admin
This is a common fishing knot around the world. It is very easy to tie.This fishing knot can be used many different ways and is one of the strongest knots known. Very common with tackle, and is also used for flying fishing when connecting the tippet. With the braided line brands of today, it’s one [...]
North Dakota Map
February 5, 2009 by admin
Click on North Dakota Map for a larger image.
North Dakota State Maps
North Dakota Lake Contour Maps
Extensive ND Game & Fish Map – NEW
North Dakota State Wildlife Management Areas Map
North Dakota PLOTS Map
North Dakota Road Condition Reports
North Dakota Road Construction Map
North Dakota County Map
Snow Line and Depth Maps
MapQuest
TerraServer
Prepping for an Ice Season
February 4, 2009 by admin
By the Ice Team
Here’s a toast to your best ice season ever.
To help you get off to a good start, here are a few key things you can do.
They’re all important, but in no particular order.
Keep Your Line Prime
One of the most important– and universally overlooked– things you can do: keep the line on all [...]
Fly Fishing Tying – Terrific Terrestrial
February 4, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
The Fourth is behind us, and summer is in full swing. If swarms of mosquitoes weren’t a sure sign, the vast numbers and array of other insects present during the day and at dusk is a definite reminder. The table is set for summer’s great binge, and every fly fisherman needs a few [...]
Fishing Laydowns
February 4, 2009 by admin
Joe Zentner
Bank sloping trees that have fallen into the water, known as lay-downs, attract fish throughout the Midwest. Long-time anglers are keenly aware of the value of immersed trees. The primary cover choice of freshwater fish is, in fact, submerged wood.
A lay-down is a tree that has fallen into the water and is somewhat if [...]
Arbor Vital – Fishing Flooded Trees
February 4, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
I think that I shall never see structure lovely as a tree. Pardon the take on Ms. Kilmer’s poem; let’s consider it the angler’s version. But timber – be it live on shore, a deadfall along a river or a man-made reef on a lake – is structure that all anglers should develop [...]
Bluegill Fishing
February 4, 2009 by admin
By Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson
Fresh, golden brown bluegill fillets are bound to bring a smile when you lay them on a plate beside baked beans and coleslaw at the summer cookout. Bluegills are a summertime favorite for a lot of good reasons.
They are abundant and nearly everywhere.
Their populations can stand good harvests, within reason [...]
The Old Crappie Fishing Hole
February 4, 2009 by admin
By PJ Maguire
In my day I have lost my share of fishing gear to the bottom of many lakes. Along the way I have heard many stories of family members and peers losing fishing equipment as well. I have often thought about how cool it would be to take an underwater adventure to the bottom [...]
The Legend of the Grumman Boat
February 2, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
The fisherman’s dictionary defines the word “boat” as a hole in the water into which money is thrown.
Similar to a hunting dog, the price paid for a boat is rarely reflected in the purchase. There’s winterizing, summerizing, trailer repairs, motor tune ups, depth finders, rod racks, lure holders and much more that are [...]
Fishing with Light Tackle
February 2, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
Lighten up! If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been told that I’d be a rich man. However, there is one time no one has to tell me to lighten up and that is when I am angling for panfish, trout and finicky bass.
The allure of light tackle angling is threefold: [...]
Free Fishing Log – Printable Fishing Log
February 1, 2009 by admin
Our Outdoors
Nick Simonson
“Putting together the fishing pieces of the puzzle”
Fishing, no matter how good a person gets at it, is still the grandest puzzle of all. There are so many elements that have to be put into place such as weather, season, bait, lures, and so on. When looked at in hindsight, these puzzle pieces [...]
Fast & Easy Fish Cleaning Tips for Walleye, Perch, and Panfish
January 31, 2009 by admin
By Chris Hustad
The fish cleaning techniques described here are nothing new, and is mainly intended for beginners. This process takes about a minute for each fish, depending on experience. The example shown is using a walleye, but can work all the same on perch, crappies and bluegills. On those crappies, you DO NOT need to scale [...]
