Independence Day weekend is one of the busiest times of the year on the water, with millions of boaters across the United States taking to lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. This increased activity often leads to a rise in boating incidents and fatalities. To address this issue, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), ...

By Doug Leier You don't have to be a biologist or range scientist to see how the land use of grasslands of North Dakota has changed. Ashlyn Herron, a University of North Dakota master's in biology student, is using technology to determine if high-quality grassland habitat restoration through the Meadowlark Initiative i...

Changes in lake habitat, ecology and conditions coupled with technological advances in fishing gear and methods are prompting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to seek public input on a possible reduction in the statewide walleye possession limit from six to four fish. If enacted via a rulemaking process, t...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for input on several special fishing regulation proposals. Each year, the Minnesota DNR reviews all existing fishing regulations, proposes new special regulations that apply to individual waters and asks the public for input about the proposals. All new special re...

District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2025-06-30 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on the Roseau River and followed up on a couple of fishing cases from the previous weekend on Lake of the Woods. Assistance was given to the Greenbush ATV Safety Class. CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area an...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will participate in Operation Dry Water as part of a nationally coordinated effort to increase knowledge about the dangers of boating under the influence. The goal is to reduce the number of accidents and deaths associated with alcohol and drug use on state waterways. ODW weeke...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds boaters and anglers that Canada requires watercraft and equipment to meet Canadian aquatic invasive species regulations before crossing into Canada. Canada Border Services Agency's Memorandum D19-8-5 () says travelers towing or transporting boats, trailers and water...

Pierre, S.D.-The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) today announced the 2024 grouse season harvest numbers. Nearly 99,000 grouse were harvested throughout the 2024 season. The 2024 season was also the first time the grouse season was open throughout the month of January, which provided an extended opportunity for ...

The number of roosters heard during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's 2025 spring pheasant crowing count survey was up 6% statewide from last year. "We basically have had two really easy winters, especially as North Dakota standards, with not much snow and really nice temperatures," said RJ Gross, D...

Outdoor enthusiasts should note that possession or use of fireworks on state wildlife management areas is prohibited. The primary objective of a wildlife management area is to enhance wildlife production, provide hunting and fishing opportunities, and offer other outdoor recreational and educational uses compatible wit...

The next guide and outfitter written examination is Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than Aug. 8 by calling the Department's enforcement office at 701-328-6604. In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a gui...

Pierre, S.D.(SDGFP)-Summer is officially here in South Dakota, and boat ramps across the state are filling with boats looking to beat the summer heat. This means as more boats hit the water, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) reminds boaters to always remember to Clean, Drain, and Dry their boats to slow the sprea...

North Dakota's deer gun lottery has been held and more than 2,900 licenses remain. Only resident applicants who were unsuccessful in the lottery can apply for remaining licenses. Successful applicants will have their payment processed, with licenses mailed in early August. More than 70,000 individuals applied for a dee...

District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2025-06-24 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers across Lake of the Woods during the week. Multiple overlimits were encountered, as well as anglers using extra lines and possessing illegal length walleyes. Boats were stopped after sunset without navigation lights and minor boat...

By Doug Leier Summer means folks across North Dakota are flocking to lakes and rivers with fishing poles in hand, coolers packed, and boats in tow. It's a seasonal rhythm as familiar as the flick of a fishing line or the call of a meadowlark across the prairie. But amid all the excitement, there's one item that too oft...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's annual aerial pronghorn survey will begin June 28 and is scheduled to be completed within two weeks. During the survey period, small airplanes will sometimes fly low over parts of western North Dakota. The survey determines pronghorn abundance, herd demographics and fawn prod...

Join us for our July Monthly Volunteer Series: Storm Drain Marking in West Fargo! Date: Thursday, July 10 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm Volunteers are needed to help us mark storm drains with markers that say, "No Dumping, Drains to River" and hand out door hangers to nearby residents. This outreach and education help...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's 78th annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66 million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023. The 2025 breeding duck index was the 33rd highest on record and exceeded the long-term (1948-2024) average by 7%, accor...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has added eight counties to a deer feeding and attractant ban to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease spread, after CWD was detected in wild deer in new areas of the state last year. "The feeding and attractant ban is one tool to reduce unnatural congregating of ...

By Doug Leier I'm comfortable considering myself "old." I remember when North Dakota had a closed fishing season, I bought my fishing license at a gas station, with a trout stamp, and signed my name on the side so as not to mark the stamp's beautiful artwork. With that I reference the point of view of Greg Po...