Prospective bear hunters have until Friday, May 1, to apply for a bear hunting license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Hunters can submit applications for the 2026 season online, at any license agent or by phone at 888-665-4236. People can purchase preference only, which will increase preference lev...

By Doug Leier By the time you're a high school senior, you've probably heard it all if you've mentioned an interest in wildlife, fisheries, or the outdoors as a career. "That'd be a fun job ... but you better have a backup plan." I've worked in the natural resource field long enough to know there's truth mixe...

District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2026-04-27 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked area turkey hunting and trapping activity. He also investigated a trespass. A felon was arrested for possessing a firearm. CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) reports checking turkey hunters and monitoring trapping activity throughout the week...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resource invites anyone interested in fisheries management of Mille Lacs Lake to an informational meeting on the Thursday evening before fishing opener. The in-person meeting is scheduled to discuss the status of the fishery, background on the creel survey program and 2026 results, s...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is sponsoring professional development for educator workshops this summer in Bismarck and Dickinson. Using the Visual Arts to Teach Life Science - June 9-10, Game and Fish office, Bismarck. This fun and fast-paced workshop will emphasize North Dakota resources, environment and...

By Doug Leier By design, electronic posting continues to evolve. This program was the first ever in the nation and the Game and Fish Department continues to work with all stakeholders to adjust, improve, adapt and methodically roll out changes. New this year, landowners have the option to electronically post their land...

Anglers looking for local fishing information before the Saturday, May 9 fishing opener can check the regional fishing outlooks from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The outlooks provide details about fishing opportunities and conditions in different parts of the state, including for specific lakes, river...

Weekly CO report District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2026-04-20 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked turkey hunters and monitored trapping throughout the week. Cold temps kept most of the turkey hunters indoors, but some ventured out and harvested birds. CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week checking Turkey hunte...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has finalized its multi-year effort to update the state's long-range plan for muskellunge. The plan is available on the DNR muskie webpage (mndnr.gov/muskie) and will be used to guide muskie management in Minnesota through 2040. The plan uses information from recently compl...

To protect spawning fish, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has begun to close certain portions of some Minnesota waters. The closings are routine and based on local conditions. Closings happen each year as ice melts and waters begin to warm. The DNR closes spawning locations to fishing only where habitat i...

Volunteer instructors for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department were recently recognized at the annual banquet in Bismarck. Bruce Baer, Belfield, was recognized as Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, while the Hunter Education Team of the Year honor went to Johnathan Bahm, Michael Bahm, Kevin Lech and Leah Van...

By Doug Leier North Dakota has a year-round fishing season, and every spring conversations pop up at gas stations, watering holes, cafe's and online. It often starts when anglers see photos of big, egg-laden walleyes or northern pike taken before spawning. That leads to questions: Should we have a closed season? Should...

Learn more at April 30 webinar; provide feedback by May 7 Anglers, hunters and trappers are invited to attend an informational webinar on Thursday, April 30 from noon-1 p.m., and share their thoughts with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about the state's annual hunting, trapping, and fishing regulations b...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages moms who live in Minnesota to join a free virtual fishing challenge during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend Saturday, May 9, through Sunday, May 10, when Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license. "Fishing has always been one of my favorite trad...

District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2026-04-13 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) assisted with getting an injured sharp-shinned hawk to the Raptor Center, assisted recovering a sick moose, which was then transported to state wildlife veterinarians, and responded to a nuisance-bear report, assisting an elderly female with cle...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announces the 2026 winners of the Earth Day Patch Contest. Over 1,600 students from 61 schools entered this year's contest. Winners in four age categories are Ainsley Wolsky, Carrington (K-3); Carson Moon, Stanley (4-6); Jace Heinrich, Velva (7-9); and Eve Eaton, Hazelton (10-1...

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 online at the Game and Fish website, gf...

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission held their April meeting in Pierre at the Matthews Training Center on April 9-10. Petitions The Commission accepted a petition to align dates for both cow elk and bull elk tags in Unit 4 of the Black Hills elk season. The petition requested to open c...

Despite recent snowfalls across the state, outdoor enthusiasts should remain aware of ground conditions and wildfire risks. Spring is a high-risk period for wildfires due to increased human activity outdoors, dead ground vegetation, and high wind potential. North Dakota experiences a distinct spring fire season each ye...

The ice is gone from most lakes in the southern part of Minnesota and ice on many northern lakes is melting quickly. It's already common to see anglers and paddlers on open water, but with water temperatures dangerously low, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds anyone who's around lakes, rivers and pon...