John Pollmann News Today

State officials in South Dakota are optimistic about the upcoming fishing season, citing desirable water conditions and high fish abundance in those waters most popular with anglers.

Mild weather conditions contributed to the large number of waterfowl remaining in North Dakota into early January.

The impact of this winter season is just one of the story lines being followed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department as 2024 gets under way.

Eventually the boom years of waterfowl production in the Prairie Pothole Region will come to an end. Will 2024 be the year when it happens?

“It’s been an OK season, but not what it could be, that’s for sure,” said South Dakota hunter Phil Kahnke.

The sound of cackling roosters erupted from the rows of corn throughout the afternoon, explaining why we weren’t seeing any pheasants.

Hunters in both states are reporting new flocks of gadwall, wigeon, green-winged teal, mallards, white-fronted geese, snow geese, smaller Canada geese, and swans.

I had a blast. More importantly, I think he did, too. What follows are three general observations from our experience.

Pheasant numbers in the southwestern region continue to rebound after severe drought decimated the bird population in this region.

The good news, according to the conversation with Solem on the GF&P podcast, is that, in spite of the harsh weather that socked much of South Dakota during the winter months, there is reason to be optimistic heading into fall.