Friday, June 5th, 2026
My Account

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Main Menu
Menu
Search
My Account
Friday, June 5th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Main Menu
Menu
Subscribe to Outdoor News

Steve Weisman

Early and late ice are great times to target pike on Iowa’s Great Lakes

Featured, Features, Fishing, Home Page News, Iowa, National Fishing /

When Chad Loreth moved to the Iowa Great Lakes area in 2005, he knew he was coming to a great year-round fishery.
Loreth has enjoyed helping anglers, both veteran and novice, young and old, enjoy the fishery through his guide service, Iowa Great Lakes Outdoors, Inc. As much as he likes open water fishing, it’s chasing fish on the ice that he relishes the most. What Loreth has found is that the Iowa Great Lakes fishery has an untapped resource when it comes to fishing northern pike through the ice.

Early and late ice are great times to target pike on Iowa’s Great Lakes Read More »

Iowa high school students partner with Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club to create a “Fishing Utopia” through No Boundaries program

Featured, Fishing, Iowa, National Fishing, News /

Through a program called No Boundaries, students at Graettinger-Terril-Ruthven Ayrshire (GTRA), Okoboji and Spencer High School in northwest Iowa are gaining real-world experience as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives. 
For one group of students, the program is giving them a chance to help renovate a local fishery.

Iowa high school students partner with Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club to create a “Fishing Utopia” through No Boundaries program Read More »

A look at Iowa’s timber industry — a small but valuable resource in the state

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

Mention the state of Iowa and many people think about its rich, fertile land that grows fields of corn and beans. Iowa is also known for being the top hog producing state in the country.
Most land in Iowa is cultivated. A recent update by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) based on field data from the USDA Forest Service shows that about 8% of the state is forested (2,851,077 acres), yet timber is a viable natural resource.

A look at Iowa’s timber industry — a small but valuable resource in the state Read More »

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation secures 132 acres on east side of Big Spirit Lake

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

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) recently completed the purchase of 132 acres on the east side of Big Spirit Lake (to the east side of 270th Avenue) from the Gruhn family. The property will eventually be sold and transferred to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and opened to the public.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation secures 132 acres on east side of Big Spirit Lake Read More »

Steve Weisman: Don’t ever give up in fight to protect Iowa’s lakes and rivers

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

As a former teacher and coach, I’ve always liked motivational speakers and quotes that challenge us to do better and to “reach for the stars.” There are a lot of great ones out there, but there is one that still gives me goose bumps. This one belongs to the inspirational message by the late Jim Valvano.

Steve Weisman: Don’t ever give up in fight to protect Iowa’s lakes and rivers Read More »

Iowa club’s Fall DNR Night offers insight into the state’s fisheries

Featured, Fishing, Iowa, National Fishing, National News, News /

Each November, the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club (IGLFC) hosts its annual fall Department of Natural Resources night at Oak Hill Outdoor on the north side of Milford, Iowa. With over 350 members, the goal is to get as many people as possible there to learn more about the efforts of the law enforcement and fisheries biologists across northwest Iowa.

Iowa club’s Fall DNR Night offers insight into the state’s fisheries Read More »

Wetlands offer environmental benefits and can increase bottom line for Iowa landowners

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

Looking at research provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, prior to European settlement, prairies were dominant as far as the eye could see. They covered over 70% of Iowa’s landscape, while wetlands and forest covered approximately 30% of the rest of Iowa’s surface area.
Wetlands were part of every watershed in the state, but today nearly 95% of them have been drained.

Wetlands offer environmental benefits and can increase bottom line for Iowa landowners Read More »

Looking back on the evolution of ice fishing augers: “You really did that?”

Featured, Features, Fishing, Iowa, National Fishing /

As I wait impatiently for first ice here in northwest Iowa, I think back to the changes that have taken place over the past 65-plus years that I have ice fished. So many upgrades, but ones that make the sport of ice fishing that much more pleasurable. One area that has really changed is the way we approach cutting an ice hole.
Those of you who are my age (75) will probably remember these different stages, while younger anglers will probably just shake their head and ask, “You really did that?”

Looking back on the evolution of ice fishing augers: “You really did that?” Read More »

Chasing early-season bluegills in clear water of West Lake Okoboji a challenge worth pursuing

Featured, Features, Fishing, Home Page News, Iowa, National Fishing /

For years, ice fishermen from across the Midwest have traveled to northwest Iowa’s West Lake Okoboji to sight fish the finicky bluegills for which West Okoboji is so famous. Late ice toward the end of February and into March can be incredible, and that’s what out-of-staters love.
I also find early season with a minimum of 4 inches of ice to be even better. This year, Mother Nature has been pretty stubborn and good safe ice is not yet a reality. Good, solid ice will come sooner or later. When it does, it’s going to be lights out. The bluegills have had no pressure for several weeks, and they will be ready biters!

Chasing early-season bluegills in clear water of West Lake Okoboji a challenge worth pursuing Read More »

GET THE OUTDOOR NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Sign up for the Outdoor News Weekly Newsletter and get 2 months of FREE access to OutdoorNews.com – packed with hunting, fishing, and conservation news. No Catch.

This offer includes digital access only (not the printed edition)

Email Address(Required)
Password(Required)
Name
What outdoor activities interest you?(Required)

PLEASE READ

Accessing Your Full Subscription Just Got Easier. Introducing Single Sign On.

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Click Continue below.
  2. You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.
  3. Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!
  4. After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue.
  5. You’ll either:
    1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
    2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

One login. Every edition. Easy.

Let’s get you reading!

Continue...

PLEASE READ

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

• Click Continue below.

• You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.

• Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!

• After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue. You’ll either:

  1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
  2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

Continue...

Help Shape the Future of OutdoorNews.com!

We know you love the outdoors—now we want to make OutdoorNews.com the ultimate destination for all things hunting, fishing, and conservation.

Take our brief 3 minute survey to share your thoughts, and help us build the best outdoor website on the planet. As a thank you, we’ll send you a special offer!

Together, we can make OutdoorNews.com even better.

Take the Survey

Introducing The Outdoor News Foundation

Donate Today

For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!

Sign Up Now

Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.

Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.