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Steve Weisman

The journey back for the bald eagle, and where to find them in Iowa

Featured, Iowa, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Winter into the early days of March are a great time for Iowans throughout the state to enjoy witnessing bald eagles, the national symbol of our country.
During this time, many eagles from northern states and Canada migrate south to find food. Traditionally, the highest concentration of eagles in the Midwest is along the Mississippi River with anywhere from 4,000 to 7,000 bald eagles wintering along the Mississippi, from the Twin Cities in Minnesota to 50 miles south of St. Louis.

The journey back for the bald eagle, and where to find them in Iowa Read More »

Wetlands to be established on Iowa’s Okoboji View Wetland Complex

Featured, Iowa, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

The final touches on Iowa’s Okoboji View Wetland Complex, a major clean water project near the Okoboji View Golf Course west of West Lake Okoboji, are scheduled for this spring with completion by the end of this June.
The Natural Resources Commission approved the project at its January meeting. The project involves a 78-acre waterfowl protection area, the George Wylie Phelps Wildlife Area, on which two separate wetland pools will be restored.

Wetlands to be established on Iowa’s Okoboji View Wetland Complex Read More »

Iowa DNR shares hunting and trapping results from 2023 during public meetings

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Iowa, National Hunting, National News, News /

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources hosted a total of 18 town hall style meetings on Feb. 20-21 across the state to recap hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible rule changes and to address comments from those who attended the meetings.
“Feedback from all the meetings was positive with all of them lasting at least two hours, which meant they were having good discussions,” said Todd Bishop, Wildlife bureau Chief for the state of Iowa.

Iowa DNR shares hunting and trapping results from 2023 during public meetings Read More »

Iowa’s Ice Hole Festival on West Okoboji leads to Recreational Ice Diving Certification

Featured, Iowa, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

The weekend of Feb. 9-11, as the ice fishing season was pretty much drawing to an end on the Iowa Great Lakes, my son, who was fishing off Triboji on the north end of West Okoboji, told me about a bunch of people off Pike’s Point.
My first thought was maybe a late perch bite, because my son said they appeared to be out in pretty deep water. However, he told me, “But, dad, they didn’t act like ice fishermen. They were all kind of bunched up in a group.”
After a little research, I found the answer, and it was certainly an interesting one.

Iowa’s Ice Hole Festival on West Okoboji leads to Recreational Ice Diving Certification Read More »

Here’s what it takes to get a Master Angler Award in Iowa

Featured, Fishing, Iowa, National Fishing /

I am often asked what size of fish it takes to get a Master Angler Award in the state of Iowa.
So, I did some digging on the Iowa DNR website, and this is what I found for nearly 40 fish species.
Holly Luft, who has administered both the Mast Angler Award and the First Fish Award, notes the awards are popular.
“Between the two, we will process between 5,000-6,000 applications each year,” Luft said.

Here’s what it takes to get a Master Angler Award in Iowa Read More »

National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic ready to welcome upland bird enthusiasts in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Featured, Featured, Hunting, Hunting, Iowa, Minnesota, National Hunting, News, News /

The National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic (PF/QC) is less than a month away. The 2024 event will take place at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. on March 1-3. Hours will be noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The PF/QC is billed as the nation’s largest upland trade show and convention with something for everyone including hunters, landowners and bird dog enthusiasts.

National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic ready to welcome upland bird enthusiasts in Sioux Falls, S.D. Read More »

Fight continues against yellow bass in some of Iowa’s lakes

Featured, Fishing, Iowa, National Fishing, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Want to start an argument? Ask a group of people what their thoughts are concerning yellow bass in Iowa lakes.
Some people are huge proponents and enjoy their fight, their willingness to bite and their table fare. Others believe they can ruin a fishery, become overpopulated and stunted, while at the same time squeezing out other game fish by outcompeting native fish for food sources. 

Fight continues against yellow bass in some of Iowa’s lakes Read More »

Iowa’s Spirit Lake Protective Association receives major conservation award from Pheasants Forever

Featured, Iowa, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

The Spirit Lake Protective Association (SLPA) received a major award at Pheasants Forever’s Minnesota State Chapter Leadership Convention held in Willmar, Minn., Jan. 19-20.
The award, which is the Minnesota Pheasants Forever (PF) “Partnership of the Year Award” for 2023, was presented to the SPLA for its efforts in working with conservationists and clean water groups in both Minnesota and Iowa, along with national conservation organizations, to secure a 195.5-acre parcel of farmland just north of Shore Acres on the north shore of Big Spirit Lake.

Iowa’s Spirit Lake Protective Association receives major conservation award from Pheasants Forever Read More »

Steve Weisman: Longtime baitshops leave their mark on fishing in Iowa Great Lakes region

Featured, Fishing, Iowa, National Fishing, Opinion /

When I moved to northwest Iowa in 1978, I was amazed at the incredible fishing history surrounding the Iowa Great Lakes and the many fishing legends that had made the lakes one of the go-to places in the Midwest.
My son, Curt was only two years old at the time of our move, but he already had a passion for anything having to do with the outdoors and loved to tag along. Although I grew up fishing in South Dakota, these lakes were an entirely different deal. So, where do you go to learn? The local baitshops.

Steve Weisman: Longtime baitshops leave their mark on fishing in Iowa Great Lakes region Read More »

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