Paul Bunyan Country Outdoors

Rick Bruesewitz is the Aitkin Area Fisheries Supervisor and he's here talk about one of the gems in Paul Bunyan Country, Big Sandy Lake. In particular, he's got the details on a walleye movement study being done on the lake. Plus, Will Pappenfus talks early season Bemidji area fishing and his attempt to claim the title at the Gary Newell Memorial Walleye Tournament on Bemidji last Saturday.

Chris Haley, Bemidji High School Fishing Coach, checks in to preview the upcoming year. They open it up this Sunday with a multi-species tourney on Lake Bemidji. Chris discusses the growth of the program and the two prong approach he has. Plus, Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cindy Wannarka is now a Fishing Tournament Director too, as the Chamber has taken over the HUGE Leech Lake Walleye Tournament after a two year Covid hiatus. Teams and Tourneys on today's podcast.

The Minnesota Fishing Challenge returns to Gull Lake Saturday, June 4th and Tourney Director Bernie Barringer has the details. This is a truly unique fishing event and a very important fundraiser for Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge. Bernie has the event details and discusses the Adult & Teen Challenge Program. Plus, our first Lake of the Week with Bemidji Area Fisheries Supervisor Edie Evarts. By the way, with the expansion of Paul Bunyan Country, we have many more lakes to discover, so as of this week, the Lake of the Week is a year round weekly feature!

Chuck Hasse of Leisure Outdoor Adventures joins the show to talk opening weekend and early season Leech Lake fishing and what we can expect in the next month or so. Plus, he blows Kev away with his Fast Five. Also Steve Scepaniak discusses opening weekend when you're NOT fishing for walleyes.

Bro Brosdahl has an opening weekend tradition. He & main squeeze Heather fish someplace they never have before. This year's adventure: Rainy Lake. Bro has the details plus everything he's heard from around Paul Bunyan Country. He also talks new toys, the state of the lakes and is grilled with his first Fast Five.

Opening weekend has come and gone, but fishing season has just begun. Carl Adams from Timberline Sports in Blackduck says it looks like a good one. The fish were biting on the opener, the number look good and the sizes look great. Red was stellar, Blackduck was producing as well. And those that made their way to the top of Minnesota were having a blast on Lake of the Woods. Plus, we put the spotlight on the Alexandria Lakes area with DNR Fisheries Specialist Chris Uphoff. Tons of lakes and tons of fish...another gem in Paul Bunyan Country.

The Governor's Fishing Opener came to the heart of Paul Bunyan Country. In a unique twist, the Chippewa National Forest & the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe are the hosts in the heart of the forest. We were in the heart of the forest at the Norway Beach Visitor's Center and had conversations with with DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Fisheries Head Brad Parsons, Governor Tim Walz, his guide Tom Neustrom and many more.

The opener is upon us and there will be more than a few boats on the water in the Brainerd Lakes area. DNR Area Supervisor Marc Bacigalupi joins Kev to take a look at the state of the fishery in Brainerd. Plus, Toby Kvalevog of Leisure Outdoor Adventures gives his take on the opener and answers the bell for a fast five.

Bemidji Area Large Lake Specialist Tony Kennedy is back, this time to talk about Red Lake. Tony discusses the new 4 walleye limit, the expected rebound from a tough year and even the status of big crappies and trophy pike. Plus, Scott Mackenthun the Hutchinson Area Supervisor and an outdoor writer, talks Central MInnesota fishing and his expectations for opener, and Aaron Schmitz of Northwoods Bait previews the Bemidji Eagles Gary Newell Memorial Tournament.

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.

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.

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.

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 & W Guide Service. He's also the President of the Walleye Alliance and we recap the banquet and preview the spring tournament.

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.

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.

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 is part of the culture.

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.

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.

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.