Sports

Okoboji hosts 33rd annual PIGLIFT (9/21/21)

By Steve Weisman - Outdoors Editor

The 33rd annual Pocahontas Iowa Great Lakes Invitational Fishing Tournament (PIGLIFT) was held on the Iowa Great Lakes chain Sept. 11-12, and I, along with partners John Amick and Bill Elling, fished the tournament for the 31st consecutive year. A total of 32 three-person teams had the choice of fishing walleye and panfish (perch, bluegill, crappies). A team could only win one category for the weekend...
Fall for trophy walleyes (9/21/21)

By Bob Jensen - Fishing the Midwest

I’ve had the opportunity to fish in many areas across North America, from Ontario and Manitoba in the north to Florida in the south. I’ve been able to participate in lots of memorable bites, for big fish and for numbers of fish. But when I think about it, and I think about it a lot, if the remainder of my fishing trips could take place in only one geographic area, it would be in the Midwest, not only for numbers, but also for size and variety...
Iowa’s youth-only waterfowl season starts Sept. 25 in north zone (9/21/21)

The first of Iowa’s two-day youth waterfowl seasons begin Sept. 25 in the north zone, allowing the kids to experience the fun of the hunt, without the pressure of keeping up with the adults, or fighting lousy weather. “The young hunters get to spend some time outdoors and learn from an experienced waterfowl hunter in a one on one situation, and that’s priceless,” said Orrin Jones, state waterfowl biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources...
Iowa’s youth deer season now underway (9/21/21)

The Iowa deer hunting tradition will be passed on to about 10,000 young hunters who are participating in the youth deer season, which opened last Saturday, Sept. 18. This season is designed as a mentor-styled hunt, matching young hunters with a licensed adult to teach proper deer hunting techniques, wildlife behavior, and safe hunting practices without the added pressure of other hunters in the field...
Public can comment on new lifetime trout fishing license (9/21/21)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting comments on the proposed fee for the new lifetime trout fishing license, through Oct. 26. During the 89th General Assembly, House File 234 was passed and signed into law on June 8, 2021. House File 234 establishes a new lifetime trout fishing license for Iowa residents who are at least 65 years of age. House file 234 also initiated the process to set the fee for the new lifetime trout fishing license. ...
Enjoying the fall migrations (9/15/21)

By Steve Weisman - Outdoors Editor

There are so many reasons to love the fall season — the changing colors, the mild days and cool nights, harvesting all the garden produce and the combines across Iowa collecting corn and soybeans from the fields. There’s just something magical about fall...
Big fish in the fall (9/15/21)

By Bob Jensen - Fishing the Midwest

It feels like the autumn season has arrived. It’s been a warm, dry summer in many areas across the Midwest, and some people who predict weather are predicting a cold, snowy winter. I don’t know what the winter will bring, but I do know that past autumns have brought some outstanding fishing. Outstanding fishing: That’s what I’m looking forward to...
East Okoboji Shoreline Project goal achieved (9/15/21)

By Steve Weisman - Outdoors Editor

Awesome! That word best describes my feeling of elation at the recent news that the East Okoboji Shoreline Project has been achieved. The $8.2 million project to protect 2,020 feet of the last privately owned, undeveloped piece of shoreline on East Okoboji. The cool part is it happened before the Monday deadline...
Show what drives you (9/15/21)

Show off your outdoorsy side and support conservation with a natural resources license plate. Every penny of the $45 initial fee and $25 renewal feel (automatically included in your annual vehicle registration) goes toward trails, habitat, parks, wildlife and more...