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Steve Weisman

Recent weather conditions in Iowa conducive to blue-green algae on multiple waters

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

In late July, Northwest Iowa Fisheries Biologist, Mike Hawkins, said he has been getting many calls about really bad looking water on Big Spirit, East Okoboji and Lake Minnewashta along with some of the other area lakes. 

Often called blue-green algae, the correct name for this organism is cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria gets its common name from the vivid cyan, blue-green colors it turns when it dies. However, the bloom can include many different shades.

Recent weather conditions in Iowa conducive to blue-green algae on multiple waters Read More »

Iowa’s early teal season offers waterfowlers first chance of the fall

Featured, Hunting, Iowa, National Hunting, News /

Iowa’s early teal hunting season begins on Sept. 1, offering the state’s waterfowl hunters their first chance of the fall to get back into the marshes. 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes the September teal season available when the teal population is above certain levels. This early season runs for 16 days statewide (September 1-16).
“The early season is timed to take advantage of the peak migration of teal through Iowa,” said Orrin Jones, waterfowl research biologist headquartered out of Clear Lake.

Iowa’s early teal season offers waterfowlers first chance of the fall Read More »

Iowa’s 2023 dove season opens Sept. 1: Here’s what to know

Featured, Hunting, Iowa, National Hunting, News /

Iowa’s first early hunting seasons begin on Sept. 1 with the dove season and the teal season.
Dove season is Sept. 1 to Nov. 29, with a daily bag limit of 15 doves, and possession limit of 45.
You don’t need a lot of equipment to have success dove hunting. Here are some tips on where to find them in Iowa and how to get started.

Iowa’s 2023 dove season opens Sept. 1: Here’s what to know Read More »

Iowa’s West Okoboji’s big bass: Here’s how to catch them

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

West Okoboji is truly a world class largemouth and smallmouth fishery. That became apparent this past spring with the results of the Okoboji Open held in early May, where 21 teams weighed in five-fish weights of over 20 pounds, with the winning team topping the scale at 30.44 pounds. That’s averaging over six pounds per fish. Big fish? How about an 8.16-pound largemouth with another three bass over seven pounds.

Iowa’s West Okoboji’s big bass: Here’s how to catch them Read More »

Clean water panel added as Okoboji Blue Water Festival nears in Arnolds Park, Iowa

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

On Aug. 12, the eighth annual Okoboji Blue Water Festival (OBWF) will take place at Preservation Plaza on the shores of West Lake Okoboji.
“We have finalized the day-long activities and added a truly exciting educational clean water opportunity with a state/local clean water panel discussion that will run from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. under the Big Tent,” said co-organizer Greg Drees.
Here is a look at the four panelists who will help lead the discussion.

Clean water panel added as Okoboji Blue Water Festival nears in Arnolds Park, Iowa Read More »

Joy of Life Foundation in Iowa helps those in need, demonstrates how serious melanoma can be

Featured, Iowa, News, Opinion /

Melanoma struck home for John Walz, a longtime educator in the Spirit Lake schools in Iowa, when his wife Joy died of melanoma on Feb. 16, 2015 at the age of 48. Out of the grief over her loss, John and his children, Morgan, JP and Wesley, took it upon themselves to remember Joy and to help others fight melanoma through the Joy of Life Foundation.
The Joy of Life Foundation was founded in 2017 with the goal of giving back and showing the same benevolence and goodwill to those who are seeking help or are experiencing a time of need. A second goal is to help inform the community of just how serious melanoma can be to a person and family.

Joy of Life Foundation in Iowa helps those in need, demonstrates how serious melanoma can be Read More »

Family offers Brenton Slough to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation as new public-land opportunity near Des Moines

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

Over the past decade, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) has worked with individuals and businesses in the Iowa Great Lakes area to help purchase and protect important parcels of land that by doing so help protect the Iowa Great Lakes. Now there is another important project in the works that would open up more than 1,000 acres to the public once it is complete.

Family offers Brenton Slough to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation as new public-land opportunity near Des Moines Read More »

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory provides research on the wonderful world of diatoms

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

Tucked in along the shores of Little Millers Bay on West Lake Okoboji is the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, one of the most respected science laboratories in the world.
It is located on a 147-acre campus that includes buildings (11 on the National Register of Historic Places) and a diverse environment of restored prairie, wetland and forest along the west shore of West Okoboji Lake. Teaching and research facilities include eight laboratory buildings, a library, and a lecture hall. Living accommodations include cottages, motel-style units and a large mess hall.

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory provides research on the wonderful world of diatoms Read More »

Professional walleye angler Chase Parsons hosting seminar at Iowa’s Okoboji Blue Water Festival

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

The final piece of the puzzle for the Okoboji Blue Water Festival (OBWF) has been finalized with professional walleye tournament angler Chase Parsons agreeing to host the 9 a.m. fishing seminar on Aug. 12.
“Chase is a nationally-renowned professional walleye fisherman who has worked with Dan Spengler at Pure Fishing designing some of the top walleye lures currently being used,” OBWF co-chair Greg Drees said about the addition of Parsons to the speaker lineup. “I know he will share a variety of techniques that will help anglers catch more walleyes wherever they fish.”

Professional walleye angler Chase Parsons hosting seminar at Iowa’s Okoboji Blue Water Festival Read More »

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