Monday, February 10th, 2025

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Monday, February 10th, 2025

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Steve Weisman

Steve Weisman: Getting you ready for what should (hopefully) be a better ice-fishing season than last year in Iowa

While late fall fishing and various hunting seasons are taking place across the country, there’s something else taking place. Yes, plans for ice fishing have been going on at ice fishing manufacturers and retail outlets since, well, the 2023 ice fishing season came to a close.
We all know how short and frustrating the 2023 ice season was. Across the ice belt, the ice came late, and it left way too early. That’s in the past, and ice anglers are looking for and hoping for a much longer ice season in 2024-25.

Steve Weisman: Getting you ready for what should (hopefully) be a better ice-fishing season than last year in Iowa Read More »

Steve Weisman: Work underway to renovate Iowa’s Turtle Lake, and you can help

When I first moved to Estherville, Iowa, in 1978 one of the obvious draws as an outdoor person was the Iowa Great Lakes. There were so many sloughs, ponds and lakes to explore and to fish.
Many of these required boats, but there were many areas to fish from shore. As I explored West Lake Okoboji, I quickly learned how great a fishery it was, and one of the coolest areas for me was Turtle Lake.

Steve Weisman: Work underway to renovate Iowa’s Turtle Lake, and you can help Read More »

After more than a century, American paddlefish are swimming again in Iowa’s West Lake Okoboji

After more than 100 years, they’re back! The much anticipated re-stocking of the American paddlefish into Iowa’s West Lake Okoboji began Tuesday, Oct. 8 with a release at the Emerson Bay Boat Ramp in Emerson Bay.
“Our hatchery staff did a great job of dialing in the hauling densities and handling techniques,” said Mike Hawkins, Iowa DNR Fisheries Biologist.
A total of 1,900 paddlefish, which had been raised at the Lake Rathbun Hatchery and transported to Spirit Lake, were then placed in tanks at the Spirit Lake Hatchery and after stress relief, they were then stocked in West Lake Okoboji over a period of several days.

After more than a century, American paddlefish are swimming again in Iowa’s West Lake Okoboji Read More »

How will spring flooding impact Iowa’s pheasant season? A look around the state ahead of opener

Habitat and weather are the two factors often tied to the pheasant population, and each year the Iowa DNR’s August Roadside Count data reflects those two variables.
Since 1962, the Iowa DNR has conducted the August Roadside Survey, generating data from approximately 225, 30-mile routes on Iowa’s upland game: ring-necked pheasants, bobwhite quail, gray partridge, cottontail rabbits and white-tailed jackrabbits. After a relatively mild winter with below average snowfall, the pheasant population seemed to be heading toward another bird increase in 2024. That changed with the intense flooding that occurred during the nesting season.

How will spring flooding impact Iowa’s pheasant season? A look around the state ahead of opener Read More »

Longtime fishing educator, Bob Jensen, steps back from full-time outdoors career

Outdoor communicator and educator Bob Jensen built a storied career in the outdoors over the course of more than 45 years on the water. Now Jensen is going to take a step back as he announced he is ending his full-time outdoor career.
“I won’t be writing articles on a regular basis anymore,” Jensen said. “If/when I find a topic that might be of interest, I will submit it. I don’t go fishing as much as I used to, and I’m running low on fresh ideas for fishing articles. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to produce hundreds of television and radio shows, articles, and seminars about fishing.”

Longtime fishing educator, Bob Jensen, steps back from full-time outdoors career Read More »

Big fish coming to West Lake Okoboji with paddlefish reintroduction

While he was speaking at the Okoboji Blue Water Festival on Aug. 10, Iowa DNR fisheries biologist Mike Hawkins gave an update on lake bank erosion and restoration that is needed after flooding in Iowa earlier this summer.
In addition, Hawkins’ announcement toward the end of his presentation also included information on the reintroduction of a native species.
“We’ve talked with a few groups in the area about the reintroduction of paddlefish to the Iowa Great Lakes,” Hawkins said.

Big fish coming to West Lake Okoboji with paddlefish reintroduction Read More »

Iowa’s largest clean water event, Okoboji Blue Water Festival, draws huge crowds

The 9th annual Okoboji Blue Water Festival (OBWF) held Aug. 10 in Arnolds Park, Iowa, drew one of the largest crowds ever for this event.
Starting at 8 a.m., Preservation Plaza came alive with residents and visitors enjoying the many activities offered at the largest clean water festival in Iowa set along the shores of West Lake Okoboji. Festival goers meandered through the winding sidewalk lined with over 30 clean water organizations, stopping to visit with different organizations, gathering clean water information and in some cases joining organizations to help join with their clean water efforts.

Iowa’s largest clean water event, Okoboji Blue Water Festival, draws huge crowds Read More »

Tips for dove, teal hunters as Sept. 1 openers near in Iowa

Early fall hunting seasons often sneak up on us faster every year. One thing, though, these early seasons are a good way to get out in the marsh or fields and get a little dog training in at the same time. Both the early teal season and the dove season open on Sept. 1 in Iowa.
Let’s take a look at these two openers that give many hunters their first shot of each season.

Tips for dove, teal hunters as Sept. 1 openers near in Iowa Read More »

Steve Weisman: Iowa rebuilds after terrible flooding with need to learn from the situation

As a former high school language arts instructor, one of the units I taught in 9th grade English was Greek mythology.
One of the legends surrounded the Phoenix, a mythical bird that would live for several hundred years before it would die by setting itself on fire. However, from those ashes, a new life would then start. Symbolically, it stands for immortality and renewal, and it is often associated with tragedies in our lives. With our strongest efforts, we can take dire situations and out of those ashes, growth can come. Hopefully, humanity will be better and stronger.

Steve Weisman: Iowa rebuilds after terrible flooding with need to learn from the situation Read More »

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