outdoors

This last week we had many anglers remove fish houses from area lakes, especially the lakes south of highways 10 and 34. This Monday, March 3, all houses south have to be off. The lakes north will have two more weeks before shelters need to be removed. The melt we had a couple...

I recently enjoyed a savory meal of ruffed grouse and sharp-tailed grouse breasts, legs, and thighs served alongside mounds of mouth-watering wild rice. The two species of grouse, as well as the wild rice, were all harvested from Clearwater and Hubbard counties by yours truly. As...

If you’re planning to go fishing in Minnesota this weekend, make sure you buy a new fishing license first. The old licenses expire today. If my experience is any indication, there’s going to be some confusion about this. Like pretty much everyone else, I’d been under...

Snow, cold and a slow bite has some ice anglers removing permanent fish houses from Minnesota waterways earlier than normal, report conservation officers (CO) with the Department of Natural Resources. Dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off the ice of inland waters...

America’s national bird, the bald eagle, is about to become a regular visitor in homes, offices and classrooms across the state, thanks to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ nongame wildlife program and the citizens who donate to it, either directly or when filing...

I know we are still weeks away from the end of the ice fishing season, but it is not too early to pay attention to what is in store for us for this upcoming open water season. The ice bite can be a good lake indicator for the potential bite for the open water season. The good bite...

People interested in applying for the commercial fishing license that allows the removal of rough fish from lakes and streams in northwestern Otter Tail County should contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources by Friday, Jan. 31. An application to transfer the license...

BAUDETTE, Minn. – Holes for Poles is back. After a one-year hiatus, the popular Holes for Poles ice fishing fundraiser is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, Feb. 21-23, on Lake of the Woods. The event will help fund scholarships for students in Minnesota State Community and...

BUFFALO, Minn. — The Minnesota Trapshooting Association recently named the 2013 All-State Trapshooting Teams. Mark Ceynowa, of Perham, was honored for his shooting ability by placement on the 2013 Minnesota All-State Veteran’s second team. To qualify for this prestigious...

According to Minnesota DNR Area Fisheries Supervisor Jim Wolters, the spearing bans on Beers and West Battle Lakes will be rescinded effective Dec. 2. However, the special protected slot length regulation for northern pike (no harvest of pike from 24-36”, one over 36” in possession)...

Wolf Lake Shooting Club Sight-in-Days Nov 2 1:00pm -Dark Nov 3 1:00pm -Dark Nov 6 3:00pm -Dark Nov 7 3:00pm -Dark Nov 8 1:00pm -Dark Cost is $5 a gun this includes: covered range, targets and use of spotting scope and to replace backstops as needed. Range will...

ON BIG RICE LAKE, NEAR VIRGINIA, Minn. — Morning is just breaking over Big Rice Lake, and John Backman is right where he loves to be. He’s semi-reclined in his layout boat, surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of golden wild rice and three dozen bobbing decoys. His Winchester...