Paul Bunyan Country Outdoors

Erik Osberg of The Outdoor Report checks in with Kev to talk Otter Tail Country as we put the spotlight on the County of A Thousand Lakes. (1,048 to be exact). Like most people we've talked with this spring, the water was still frozen on most of the lakes when we talked but that's clearly not the case now. He discusses the state of the fisheries of Otter Tail Country as we close in on the Opener....

Dick Beardsley of Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service previews the opener and while the weekend and wind took care of a lot of ice, there was still some out there when we talked Friday. Plus, Dick survives a Fast Five and we put the spotlight on Park Rapids as the countdown continues to opener. We hear from the new Park Rapids Area Fisheries Supervisor Wade Massure. See Privacy Policy at https://...

Large Lake Specialist Carl Pedersen has all the details on another one of Paul Bunyan Country's gems...Leech Lake. Leech is a lake where you can catch practically anything (except maybe sturgeon). How's it looking for 2022? Plus, Steve Scepaniak is ice free down his way and he's ready to go. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#...

Baudette Area Fisheries Supervisor Phil Talmage discusses the fishing factory known as Lake of the Woods. Walleyes, sturgeon, bass, muskies, northern, panfish...Lake of the Woods has it all in spades. Plus, Nate Blasing of the Walleye Alliance is back to discuss legislative goals, most notably the quest for a statewide four walleye limit. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor...

DNR Large Lake Specialist Tony Kennedy helps put the limelight on Cass Lake and the Cass chain. An amazing fishery with a completely natural population of walleyes and muskies, Cass Lake just keeps crankin' them out. Plus Andrusia, Wolf, Kitchi, Big and Pike Bay are just a few of the other tasty options on the chain. Tony covers it all. Plus, part one of a conversation with Nate Blasing of S &...

For a couple of years, Winni anglers have been telling us they've been seeing and catching tons of small walleyes, and that the future was going to be very bright. It appears the future is now. Grand Rapids Area Fisheries Supervisor Dave Weitzel has all the details, plus we head to the backyard and ask the DNR's Non-Game Wildlife Spokesperson Lori Naumann whether or not we can feed the birds. See...

As we get ready for the (hopefully) soft water opener, we drill down on Paul Bunyan Country's "gems". First up, legendary Mille Lacs. Tom Heinrich, Milles Lacs Area Fisheries Supervisor has all the details. Plus Nicole Lalum of Explore Minnesota on the Governor's Opener coming to the heart of Paul Bunyan Country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at http...

Moose populations in Minnesota aren't exploding, but they've turned around a bit in the latest population survey in northeast Minnesota. The DNR's Glenn DelGiudice joined Kev Jackson to share the latest, discuss the concerns and outline the possibilities of moose populations. When you live in a state where one of your most famous (fictional) residents is Bullwinkle J. Moose, the moose definitely i...

Dr. Debbie Guelda is an Aquatic Biologist at Bemidji State University. Her specialty is rivers. And though Paul Bunyan Country is all about the lakes, it's also the headwaters of the Mississippi. Debbie discusses the importance of rivers in PBC and the world and discusses how the 2021 drought effected rivers in the state. Debbie takes us to the river on the latest PBCO Podcast. See Privacy Policy...

We check in with Leisure Outdoor Adventures' Jason Freed. He's also part of the Walleye Alliance and will be working hard at their annual spring banquet Thursday night. He talks about the Alliance and its goals, what's happening Thursday night, and the upcoming (alleged) soft water season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do...

As the snow eventually melts, many of us will be raking, mowing and cleaning up around the yard. We'll also be camping and enjoying evenings outdoors. All of these activities often involve fire. DNR Forester Ben Lang talks fire safety, restrictions and concerns, particularly coming off a very dry year. He's got suggestions and reminders for us. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and C...

Mandy Uhrich is never bored. She's been traveling around Paul Bunyan Country and beyond and even had a few minutes to catch an eelpout. We get the details on her adventures and preview softwater too. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Spring break for Paul Bunyan Country anglers means early season walleyes and big sturgeon on the Rainy River. Bruce Jean of Rainy Lakes Guide Service talks about a favorite fishing spot for early April on the northern edge of Paul Bunyan Country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Turkey hunting is the newest version of spring fever. As turkey populations continue to grow ever larger in the north country, the popularity of spring turkey hunting has exploded. We preview the upcoming season and discuss how things look for turkey and other wildlife populations after a cold winter with a lot of snow. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...

For those of you who don't know, Matt Breuer is a Registered Sleep Technologist. With the possibility of staying on daylight saving time, inquiring minds (well, at least Kev) wanted to know how that would affect us humans. Plus, we talked burbot and the ice fishing season, the upcoming turkey season and we even talked a little edible hunting. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal...

Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer Jeff Johanson heads up the Training Office in Camp Ripley. He and the DNR are in the midst of a recruiting push aimed at talented people looking for a career change. The opportunity to sign up ends April 8th and he tells Kev Jackson how it all works, plus a look at DNR law enforcement in general and next steps if you're looking for a DNR Conservation career. See...

Garrett Haglin has braved the tough sledding and managed to get on the ice several times this winter in the Brainerd Lakes area. He's got the details, plus talks about his Florida fishing experience and the upcoming soft water season. Plus new products and he survives the Fast Five. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se...

Dick Beardsley of Dick Beardsley's Fishing Guide Service and Brady Laudon of Visit Bemidji join the show to talk about...shock!...fishing. Brady and Dick both guide on area lakes and both love the area. We talk about a tough winter of ice fishing, the approaching spring, social media and fishing and we grill them with a Fast Five. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv...

As we have discussed multiple times this winter, the mighty Eel Pout is getting some love. It has just been designated as a game fish this year. What does that mean exactly and what comes next? Nathan Olson, designated DNR Burbot Guru, lays it out on the latest PBCO Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-in...

Grand Rapids Area Fisheries Supervisor Dave Weitzel has the details on proposed management plans for a number of Grand Rapids area lakes. You can put your two cents in as well. We put the spotlight on the east side of Paul Bunyan Country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

A car crash, a blizzard, an illness, and a new ice house that would make Martha Stewart proud (minus the insider trading). Mandy Uhrich's got it going on...including a...shall we say...tense trip to her second appearance on "Meat Eaters". We've got all the details on today's podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-s...

Though the ice isn't perfect, once you deal with the slush and snow, the bite is pretty darn good. Garrett Svir of Slab Seeker Guide Service talks Otter Tail Country panfish and Nate Blasing of S&W Guide Service talks multi-species ice fishing throughout Paul Bunyan Country, the Walleye Alliance and much more! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at htt...

The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is this Saturday. It's not a typical day or a typical tournament. 10,000 people fishing the same area. How in the world do you differentiate yourself?? We talk with Tim Hanske of Leisure Outdoor Adventures about Gull Lake Hardwater Fishing and standing out in a crowd. Plus, Benji Thoennes of the Brainerd Jaycees with all the event details. See Privacy...

Erik Osberg joins the show to discuss hardwater fishing in Otter Tail Lakes Country. The ice ain't great, but the bite is solid. He covers it all, including his discussion of "suck factor". We also talk top lures, being mobile, and the positives of having a not completely decked out ice house. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privac...

There are been very few CWD positives in Crow Wing County. In fact, this was the final year of testing if there were no positives. Unfortunately, there was one. So, Christine Riecz discusses what that means going forward. Plus, a look at harvest in the Brainerd Lakes area and a discussion on the goals of the Area Wildlife Office when it comes to deer management. See Privacy Policy at https://art19...