In this episode of NDO Podcast we’re onsite at Lake Sakakawea’s Douglas Bay for walleye spawning. Ron Wilson, Department North Dakota Outdoors editor, steps in as co-host to learn more about the significance of collecting walleye eggs from Russ Kinzler, Department Missouri River System fisheries management supervisor, a 33-year veteran of this annual spring operation.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, in celebration of American Wetlands Month, we visit with Josh Vest, Prairie Pothole Joint Venture science coordinator, about what joint ventures do and the importance of wetlands, not just to ducks, but everybody.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Jerry Weigel, Department fisheries production and development supervisor, about raising, stocking and transporting fish, how the demand for fish has changed over time and why his job is so rewarding.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Aaron Slominski and Paul Bailey, Department fisheries district supervisors, all about paddlefish. We talk evolutionary history, adaptations, current populations, management strategies and even how they taste.

In this episode of NDO Podcast Casey and Cayla take a historical walk through a Game and Fish Department timeline – from the agency’s inception to the price of the first fishing license, closed seasons and impactful legislation – to get a feel for where we’ve come from and maybe some insight into where we’re headed.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Sandra Johnson, Department conservation biologist, about bald eagles, their recovery from the endangered species list and how they’re faring today.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Patrick Isakson, Department conservation section supervisor, about the newly approved 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan and changes since the last iteration including more public-facing resources and involvement from citizens.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we’re hole hopping around Jamestown Reservoir in pursuit of crappies. Bruce Kreft, Department conservation and communications division chief, steps in as co-host to visit with BJ Kratz, southeast fisheries district supervisor, about this renowned crappie fishery.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Kevin Sedivec and Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University researchers and professors in the School of Natural Resource Sciences, about using virtual fencing for grazing management. We discuss their economic and biological findings, challenges and promising future applications.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Joe Lucas, Department game warden supervisor, about the top hunting and fishing violations in 2025, the process to becoming a game warden, and some interesting stories from the field this fall, one of which involves an emu.