Friday, May 8th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Search
Friday, May 8th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Tim Bunton

Splake remain the top target for Golden Lake anglers in Michigan’s Iron County

More than 7,000 splake were stocked into Golden Lake in 2025, continuing DNR’s efforts to solidify the species in the Iron County water also known for smallmouth bass and lake trout.
The 285-acre lake has a healthy splake population due to past work. Anglers still target bass, but, as local angler Bob Helmer says, “attention is getting spread around.”

Splake remain the top target for Golden Lake anglers in Michigan’s Iron County Read More »

Changes to Michigan’s elk season in play, including fewer tags

Several key changes to Michigan’s elk hunt are in play as the 2026-27 season application period moves forward.
DNR began accepting those applications May 1, just three weeks after the Michigan Natural Resources Commission voted to establish elk hunting regulations for the fall campaign.

Changes to Michigan’s elk season in play, including fewer tags Read More »

State-threatened tiny fish reintroduced in Illinois for first time

The first project of its kind to take place in Illinois – and only the second in the country – placed 71 threatened freshwater fish in a small McHenry County stream.
It’s a huge deal for a tiny fish that has become rare in the state. Work on the project resulted in the first mottled sculpin release in Illinois history.

State-threatened tiny fish reintroduced in Illinois for first time Read More »

Annual effort to protect spawning lake sturgeon looking for help on Michigan’s Black River

Help Wanted: Michigan resident to stand guard over lake sturgeon.
The Black Lake Chapter of “Sturgeon For Tomorrow” is partnering with Michigan DNR and tribal governments to protect lake sturgeon from illegal harvest during the fish’s six-week spawning season. On April 1, the organization began seeking volunteers to help through early June to stand guard as mature fish head upstream to their spawning sites along the Black River in Cheboygan County.

Annual effort to protect spawning lake sturgeon looking for help on Michigan’s Black River Read More »

Project aims for better data on Michigan’s turkeys

No fewer than 10 dozen female wild turkeys will be fitted with GPS transmitters as part of a “first of its kind” project aimed at helping Michigan DNR better understand the bird.
Movements and habitat choices will be closely monitored by a research team, and additional banding of more turkeys will help produce information badly needed by biologists in the state.

Project aims for better data on Michigan’s turkeys Read More »

‘Habitual offender’ gets jail time, 7-year fishing ban in Michigan

Labeled by Michigan DNR as a “habitual offender,” a Macomb County man with a history of skirting the state’s wildlife laws will do jail time for the most recent offense of fishing without a license – and also fishing while his license was revoked.
Derek Dermyer also will have his Michigan fishing privileges revoked for seven years.

‘Habitual offender’ gets jail time, 7-year fishing ban in Michigan Read More »

Iowa angler breaks a world record – along with his sturdy fishing rod

An Iowa angler is now a world record holder after international officials confirmed the 71-pound, 8-ounce grass carp he caught last summer.
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) announced that Jakob Mackey’s fish broke the world record in the 30-pound line class, far exceeding the previous record, a 55-pound, 1-ounce grass carp caught in Japan in 2019.

Iowa angler breaks a world record – along with his sturdy fishing rod Read More »

Illinois Urban Fishing Program seeking instructors for summer

DNR’s annual call looking for instructors to teach fishing at summer clinics in Illinois tends to underestimate the impact of the 40-year-old Urban Fishing Program.
To wit: The program held or sponsored 1,254 programs for 90,433 participants in 2024. The program’s 2025 annual report is not yet available, but the 2024 numbers paint a good picture.

Illinois Urban Fishing Program seeking instructors for summer Read More »

Michigan fish smaller today? Study says yes, but not all anglers have noticed

Two separate pieces of news from late 2025 have Michigan angler Todd Hutton eager to take notes on the fish he catches in early 2026.
The first news item: Michigan DNR stocked 19.5 million fish last year at nearly 800 sites.
The second: A study led by the University of Michigan showed that fish in the state are smaller today than they were in 1945.

Michigan fish smaller today? Study says yes, but not all anglers have noticed 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!

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.

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.

Introducing The Outdoor News Foundation

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!

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.