By Doug Leier Every few years the question of whether North Dakota should offer a bounty on coyotes surfaces again. It usually follows a tough fall deer season, a hard, cold, snowy start to winter, or a combination of it all. It's been asked for years. But from a wildlife management standpoint, a bounty system simply d...

Anglers can now fish for bass before the traditional May fishing opener The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' fishing regulations for 2026 include a new catch-and-release season that makes fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass open all year on inland waters. These changes for bass fishing and a variety of...

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) spent the weekend patrolling snowmobile trails and lakes. A few snowmobilers were out, but trail conditions haven't recovered from the heat wave, despite recent snow. Anglers have shifted to targeting panfish, with decent success. A few fish houses were observed that haven't been moved recent...

The next guide and outfitter written examination is March 28, 2026 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than March 20 by calling the Department's enforcement office at 701-328-6604. In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becom...

An egg has been laid in the nest featured on the DNR EagleCam. An adult has been consistently sitting in the nest, a sign that incubation has begun. Bald eagles begin incubating the first egg as soon as it is laid. Based on the eagles' behaviors, the DNR believes the first egg was laid Sunday afternoon. Watch the egg-c...

Hunters can help reduce the population of light geese through a federally authorized spring conservation harvest from Feb. 18 through April 30. Light geese are a group of overabundant migratory waterfowl that include snow geese, blue-phased snow geese and the smaller Ross's geese. This conservation action aims to reduc...

District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2026-02-17 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods. Fishing has been slow during this past week of warm weather. Violations were mostly anglers using extra lines, shelters without licenses, and one possession overlimit. Tullibees and whitefish are starting to...

North Dakota's spring light goose conservation order opens Feb. 21 and continues through May 10. Residents must have a 2025-26 (valid through March 31) or 2026-27 (required April 1) combination license; or a small game, and general game and habitat license. Resident youth under age 16 only need the general game and hab...

The 2026 spring wild turkey lottery and more than 1,600 licenses remain in 12 units. Remaining licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Feb. 25 at 8 a.m. Central time. Hunters are allowed two licenses for the spring season. Licenses remain in unit 04, portions of Billings and Golden Valley coun...

By Doug Leier Almost 40 years ago, legislators heard from folks who wanted to do a little more for the critters most of us don't see every day. While game species often get the headlines, it's the nongame wildlife - the bulk of North Dakota's fish and wildlife - that quietly fills the prairies, coulees and river bottom...

The deadline to remove fish houses from the ice on inland waters in the southern two-thirds of the state is quickly approaching, and the DNR reminds anglers to start planning for their removal. The statutory shelter removal deadline for inland waters in the southern two-thirds of the state is 11:59 p.m. on March 2. The...

The daily and possession limit for yellow perch on Mille Lacs Lake was reduced from 10 to five, effective Feb. 9. This regulation will be in place through Nov. 30, 2026. The Minnesota DNR adjusted the limit to help maintain a healthy perch population for the future and to stay within the state's share of the harvestabl...

"Walleye release" courtesy of Tyler Bromeland Minnesota anglers would be able to keep four walleyes instead of six in a proposal by the DNR to update a statewide inland water walleye fishing regulation that's been in place since 1956. Why propose the change? The DNR is taking proactive steps to help ensure fu...

Bobcat hunting and trapping in Zone 2 is closed. The zone's predetermined harvest limit of eight has been reached. Zone 2 is land east of U.S Highway 83. The bobcat season in Zone 1 has no harvest limit and is open through March 15.

By Doug Leier In North Dakota, more than 93% of the landscape is privately owned, making private land essential to the future of wildlife, habitat and public hunting access. Recognizing this reality, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department Private Land Initiative continues with a framework for collaborating with land...

Landowners interested in posting private land electronically for the 2026-27 hunting season can log into My Account on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. New this year, landowners have the option to electronically post their land from Aug. 1-July 31 (entire season); Aug. 1-Nov. 22 (through de...

District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2026-02-09 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and the Roseau River. Area snowmobile traffic was monitored in the Roseau/Warroad areas. Fishing remains spotty. Enforcement contacts for angling with extra lines and angling without a license. CO Nick Bruese...

Funding Available for Local Communities to Enhance Public Outdoor Recreation Opportunities Pierre, S.D. - South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) announced today that the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Recreation Trails Program (RTP) grant applications for 2026 are now open. Recreational Trails Program The...

The EagleCam pair has been spending more time at the nest, enhancing it by adding grasses and new sticks. This is a sign that they are preparing the nest for egg-laying. Over the coming weeks, you will likely see more courtship displays between the pair and increasing activity at the nest. In past seasons, EagleCam pai...

Starting Monday, Feb. 9, the daily and possession limit for yellow perch on Mille Lacs Lake will be reduced from 10 to five. This regulation will be in place through Nov. 30, 2026. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is adjusting the limit to help maintain a healthy perch population for the future and to stay...