Fish Hunt Forever

This week we’re in the fishing and hunting abyss. The guys are joined by Paul Johnson from River Bend Resort and Joe Henry and talk about a new ruling regarding a popular ice fishing lure, jaw jacker strategies, what’s working at Lake of the Woods right now and more. Bret quizzes everyone with some trivia, the guys get excited about spring Rainy River fishing already, and Dan gets irate about school lunches. Bret has info regarding a strange crappie fillet floating around the internet.

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This week we’re talking about perch stocking happening at Devils Lake. Todd Caspers from North Dakota Game and Fish joins the show to talk about what perch populations are looking like on Devils Lake, why they’re at where they are, and why they decided to stock older perch into the lake. He tells us where these perch are coming from and how it’ll all work. Bret, Dan and David talk about a few of their favorite moments from 2025, Bret as some news about the Remote Area Border Crossing Permit, and Joe Henry is back with Ethan Peters...

This week we’re talking late season pheasant hunting and habitat management, Christmas presents for outdoorsmen and women, and some ice fishing history and a current report from Lake of the Woods. Jared Wiklund from Pheasants Forever is back and talks about some seeding and tree management they’ve done lately to create better habitat for pheasants. The guys talk about where they’ve shot pheasants lately and what this winter weather is doing for them. Steve and JP Sweet join the show and give us a recent Lake of the Woods report and talk about how fishing as change...

This week we’re talking about ice fishing getting into full swing and how we’re on the back end of the deer hunting season here in Minnesota. Lucas Mertens from Haybale Heights joins us from his Snobear on Devils Lake to tell us how things are going up there. Robbie Johnson from Johnson’s Walleye Retreat and Joe Henry talk about current ice fishing conditions on Lake of the Woods. Robbie has some pretty neat information on his strategies for spearing big Northern Pike. Bret has some new ice fishing gear he’s excited about, David had an epic wee...

This week we’re talking about the muzzleloader deer hunting season and how it’s gone for the guys. Both Bret Amundson and David have been hunting hard this year, and they have some stories to share about some big whitetails. Bret tells the story about the wild deer tracking job him and Dan had to do the other day, and they talk about some of the things they learned along the way and share what you can do to help the next time you need to track a deer. David had an unfortunate situation with a deer he harv...

This week we’re talking about what happens when your deer tests positive for CWD. Travis Tuthill, the guy behind TUT Outdoors, talks about what happened when the deer he harvested on opening day came back with a positive test for Chronic Wasting Disease. He also talks about the St Paul Ice Show. Joe Henry and Gregg Hennum talk about the latest ice report from Lake of the Woods and how snowmobile conditions are up north. Bret and Dan talk about what their December hunting and fishing plans are.

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This week we’re talking deer. We break down some of the Minnesota harvest numbers and legendary outdoor communicator in Wisconsin, Dan Small, joins the show to talk about his 35th Deer Hunt Wisconsin tv special. Joe Henry talks about the St Paul Ice show and Lake of the Woods. We also welcome Space Trailers from Red Wing as a new sponsor on the show.

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This week we’re talking about the new things from onX that just dropped with Ben Brettingen. He also talks about the hunting trips he’s taken so far including a sweet out-of-state deer hunt he went on. Bret talks about the giant buck he missed last weekend, David Eckhardt is back and talks about his South Dakota whitetail and waterfowl trip, and Dan has some scary news stories of hunters and anglers getting themselves in trouble on thin ice. The guys also weigh in on some of the latest wolf management talks. Joe Henry talks about a new stor...

On this week’s podcast, we’re talking about some deer baiting controversy in Minnesota. We’re joined by two MN Conservation Officers to clear up what’s legal as far as food plots go, mowing lanes, damaged and mowed ag fields, mineral blocks and more. Lt. Dustin Miller and Lt. Wayne Hatlestad join us and answer our deer baiting and waterfowl baiting questions, along with some trespass and road-right-of-way questions. Dan talks about his killer method of cooking duck, Bret talks about their latest duck hunt, and Joe Henry talks about his opening weekend of deer hunting, Rainy River fi...

On this week’s show, we’re talking hunting health tips, wild game nutrition, first birds, new hunting dogs and more with Dr Jacob Bermudez and his friend Joe Ellis. They’re up here duck hunting and pheasant hunting in western Minnesota and sit down with us to talk hunting and more. Jake talks about his unique path of getting involved in hunting and now his venture with a guide business, along with what you can do as far as your diet and exercise to keep you safe and successful in the field and why you should eat more wild g...

On this week’s podcast, we’re duck hunting with John Kriesel. John has such an amazing story, and it reminds us how much bigger life is than duck hunting or fishing. John is a combat-wounded veteran, former MN politician, motivational speaker, and weekly guest on one of the biggest morning shows in the country. He tells us his story, why hunting is important, and more. All we can say is wow, and thank you. Joe Henry is back previewing early ice fishing at Lake of the Woods. Bret and Dan start the show recapping their week of hunting and...

On this week’s show, we learn about a crazy duck band found in Minnesota by Cooper Kangas of Thief River Falls. He tells us how he got the duck band, what the bird was, and how old it was. We’ve heard of similar stories, but it’s still so hard to believe. Cooper also talks about how duck hunting is going in Minnesota’s northern zone and what he thinks of the idea of a later waterfowl hunting season. Bret tells us about a strange encounter he had pheasant hunting the other day, and Joe Henry talks about a...

On this week’s show, we’re talking pheasant hunting successes and scares with Jared Wiklund from Pheasants Forever. He talks about pheasant numbers across the Midwest and how hunters did on opening weekend, but also about how a TON of CRP land is in peril if a new Farm Bill doesn’t happen soon. Joe Henry talks about fish pictures and AI, and Bret & Dan start the show recapping another week of waterfowl hunting in Canada.

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On this week’s show, we’re getting primed for the 2025 Minnesota Pheasant Season with avid pheasant hunter Keng Yang. Keng talks about his plans for opening weekend, what he’s looking forward to this season and more. Keng also has a unique background on how he got into hunting, so he shares a bit about his story. Bret and Dan start the show recapping an epic week of snow goose hunting, and Joe Henry is back in awe of the guys’ footage from the week, and has a Walleye Capital of the World report.

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On this week’s show, we’re bouncing all over the continent covering a bunch of different topics! Bret and Dan are in Saskatchewan and talk about their first couple of waterfowl hunts up here. Joe Henry tells us about the makeover the walleye statue in Baudette could get, Dan Donovan talks muskies and fly fishing, and Mari Bodensteiner tells us about some cool trailers being made in Minnesota for outdoorsmen and women with smaller vehicles.

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On this week’s show, we’re hanging out with hunting and fishing professionals at the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers annual conference. Trent Marsh from Riton Optics talks deer hunting and has some tips for people with their rifle scopes. Jeremy Mallette from Recover Tactical tells us about some cool accessories for handguns to make them more accurate and user-friendly. Joe Henry is also here and talks about why he loves AGLOW and how fishing is going at Lake of the Woods. Bret and Dan start the show talking about their morning of fishing in Eau Claire and...

On this week’s show, we’re talking moose hunting, gold mining, and Alaska with Cory Loeffler. He checks in from his home in Alaska and tells us about what cool adventures he’s been on, what his daughters are getting to learn while being homeschooled and more. We ask Cory his opinion on the Minnesota Duck season dates, find out what’s new with DRC Calls and more. Joe Henry is back with a Northwest Angle report, and Bret, David, and Dan talk about what a 30 day duck season in Minnesota would look like.

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On this week’s show, Drake Herd joins the show and talks about some frustrations with the National Walleye Tour, including the shocking way his 2025 walleye tournament fishing season ended. He also talks duck hunting with the guys, tells us what’s new with Fin Gear and more. Dan unleashes on the National Walleye Tour, Bret teases a new film we created, David talks deer hunting, and Joe Henry wraps things up talking Lake of the Woods duck hunting.

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On this week’s show, 2x Bassmaster Elite Champion Pat Schlapper is back talking about his season on the highest level of fishing. He talks about his two victories, how he made an epic comeback in the Angler of the Year race and what he did to battle back and have a great season. Pat also reacts to the new Bassmaster Forward-Facing Sonar rules for the 2026 season. Bret Amundson, David Eckhardt, and Dan Amundson discuss duck and goose numbers and season dates again, and Joe Henry has some stories from the latest veterans event at Lake of the Woods.

On this week’s show, we’re talking about the state of waterfowl hunting in Minnesota with MN DNR Migratory Game Bird Specialist Nate Huck. We talk about why the Blue-Winged Teal numbers are so low, if we’ll ever get an expanded Sandhill Crane or Trumpeter Swan hunting season, and if we’re on track for a shorter duck hunting season. We also answer some Early Teal Hunting season FAQ’s, get a dove hunting outlook and more. Joe Henry checks in with Will Hangman from their Pay it Forward event at Lake of the Woods.

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On this week’s show, Luke Cramlet and Ben Brettingen join the show to talk about some new decoys, gear, and tools to help your waterfowl season. They recap Game Fair and talk about Ben’s trip to Lake of the Woods. David Eckhardt is back, Dan almost pees his pants, and Bret has a MASSIVE announcement regarding the future of the show.

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On this week’s podcast, we’re up at the Leech Lake Bassmaster Open. Anglers Joe Titus and Matt Kennedy join us once again to talk about how prefishing has been and why this tournament at Leech Lake is more fun than others. We also just catch up with the guys since the last time we talked to them in Kentucky Lake to see how their fishing seasons have been. Bret talks about Game Fair and about some rumors he’s hearing in the duck hunting world.

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On this week’s podcast, we learn about the North Dakota duck hunting changes for non-residents that start in 2025. Bill Haase from North Dakota Game & Fish tells us why they did away with the statewide waterfowl hunting license, what this means for hunters, and what changes to duck hunting North Dakota residents need to be aware of as well. Dan gets mad at people who don’t understand teasers, Ben Brettingen gets caught up in the airport and can’t make it, but Joe Henry joins us to talk about the new wave buoys at the Walleye Capital of the Wo...

On this week’s podcast, Brandon Cerecke has some breaking news from Boss Shotshells. He tells us what the future of Boss ammunition will be and what metal the new Boss shotgun shells will be made of. Brandon tells us why they’re making the switch, when he hopes to have them, and all of the challenges that non-toxic hunting ammunition faces. Joe Henry has the latest from Lake of the Woods and tells us how his fishing tournament on Lake Erie went last week. Bret and Dan have some deer and duck hunting updates from the Minnesota DNR and...

On this week’s podcast, Bret Amundson, David Eckhardt, and Dan Amundson talk about how we’re almost in the transition from fishing to hunting season already. They talk about Game Fair coming up, the current corn sweats, and something the US Fish & Wildlife Service asked Bret to do. We also head back up to Tazin Lake Lodge to hear from owners Trevor Montgomery and Barry Prall about how they’ve done this season. Joe Henry is back and talks about how Lake of the Woods shines for mid-summer walleyes.

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On this week’s podcast, we’re recapping our fishing trip to Tazin Lake Lodge. This is a bucket list lake trout and northern pike destination for a lot of anglers, and Bret Amundson talks to one of those anglers. Blake Johnnie from Alaska joins us to talk about why his group chose Tazin, how the fishing was, and what it’s like fighting a giant lake trout. Tazin Lake Lodge guide Jeremy Hancock also joins us and tells us why he loves guiding at Tazin and some of the highlights of the year. Joe Henry checks in after return...

On this week’s podcast, we’re learning about a surprising twist to hunting and fishing license fee increase proposals and the negative effects that it will bring. Richard Simms joins us from Tennessee and gives us the rundown on what’s happening with their hunting and fishing licenses and how it’s putting the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency in a bind. We also learn about some changes to Game Warden’s jurisdictions. Joe Henry gives us an update from Lake of the Woods.

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On this week’s podcast, we talk to Aaron Templin from Acme Tackle and Elliot Rods to get the lowdown on how the fishing community in Bemidji is doing after the massive storm that ripped through recently. He tells us how the storm affected the town, how his place held up and more. A summer of fishing and storm cleanup in Northern Minnesota! He also gives us an update on what’s going on at Elliot Rods and Acme. Joe Henry talks about why anglers should head up to Lake of the Woods for 4th of July weekend. Hint: No w...

On this week’s podcast, we’re talking about how our public lands are in trouble. Sam Soholt from Public Land Tees joins the show to give us the latest on the potential sale of public lands. Senator Mike Lee continues to try to introduce legislation attempting to sell off public lands across the United States. Sam tells us where we’re at and what we can do to fight against these potential public land sales. Joe Henry joins us from the cabin after fishing Lake of the Woods, and John Thelen from Lindy Tackle and Destination Fish makes a surp...

On this week’s Sporting Journal Radio podcast, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Bemidji State Grad student Baylor Short joins the show to give us the inside scoop on the two Leech Lake Muskie Studies being conducted over the next few years. Baylor is spearheading this project, so he tells us what they’ve found so far, what they need from anglers, and what we can expect in the future. Joe Henry previews the musky opener at Lake of the Woods this weekend. Bret Amundson says goodbye to his beloved bird dog, Mika.

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On this week’s podcast, Great Lakes Fisherman’s Digest’s John Bergsma is our guest. He tells us about his history of tournament walleye fishing and how he’d never caught a walleye in his life before fishing a derby. He also talks about his start in hosting a fishing TV show, and he has a couple of wild stories from his dad and other family members who were involved in D-Day. He’s currently at Lake of the Woods with Joe Henry, so we get a fishing report as well. Bret Amundson and Dan Amundson start the show break...

On this week’s podcast Bret Amundson, David Eckhardt, and Dan Amundson talk about some headlines across the fishing and hunting world, including some new musky research that puts anglers at the forefront of the data collection, Minnesota boating laws, South Dakota pheasant harvest numbers, Minnesota turkey hunting harvest numbers, and the (pending) removal of the shotgun zone for deer hunting. The guys go through all of these stories and share their thoughts on anglers doing some fin clipping for this new musky research. Joe Henry is back and tells us about the incredible walleye bite happening at Lake of...

On this week’s podcast Bret Amundson and Dan Amundson are back in studio, but play back a few more conversations from last week’s trip to Devils Lake. Bret talks to Steve “Zippy” Dahl and Aaron McQuoid (yes, he’s part of THAT McQuoid family – Quite the fishing blood they have!) about the historic flooding Devils Lake once experienced and how that’s made it a unique fishery, including being able to go fishing on the 50 yard line of a football field in a boat. Literally. Then we join Garrett Bonham from Bry’s Guide Service and Ed’s Bait Shop in the...

On this week’s podcast Bret Amundson and Dan Amundson are at Devils Lake for an Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers media camp. They’re joined by a couple of Devils Lake local anglers and guides to learn more about the fishery and the history of the lake. Johnnie Candle tells us why he loves the area and why he’s done with fishing tournaments. Jared Pokrzywinski talks about his strategies for fishing the lake and where to start. Kevin Paulson talks about why these trips are good for AGLOW, and Joe Henry checks in from the Northwest Angle...

On this week’s podcast Bret Amundson, David Eckhardt and Dan Amundson learn about Wheelchairs and Walleyes, a program helping all anglers get in the boat and go walleye fishing. Suzie Kenner from Devils Lake, ND joins the show to talk about a new apparatus installed at Devils Lake that’s part of this program. She also gives us a brief fishing report and previews next week’s AGLOW Media Camp up there. Joe Henry tells us how and where people caught walleye last weekend, and Bret, David and Dan talk about the back end of Minnesota’s turkey hunting...

On this week’s podcast Bret Amundson and Dan Amundson are back from Punta Gorda, Florida, and they recap their amazing fishing trip. They talk about the giant bucket list fish they got to chase, where they stayed and more. They even check in with Pat Kalmerton while he’s in the boat on the Niagara River so he can give his two cents about the Florida fishing trip. The guys also preview the Minnesota fishing opener happening this weekend. Joe Henry and Mark Armstrong give us the rundown on how things will be looking at the Walleye Capital of t...

On this week’s podcast Bret Amundson and Dan Amundson are joined by Colin West from Clean Up the Lake. He’s based out by Lake Tahoe, but he recently came over to Minnesota to do a clean-up project on Mille Lacs. He talks about where this idea to clean up our lakes came from, what weird things he’s found while diving and cleaning up lakes, and how the project on Mille Lacs went. Joe Henry previews the Minnesota Fishing Opener at Lake of the Woods, and we meet Ben Kline, the winner of our Guardian Eagle Resort fishin...

On this week’s podcast Bret Amundson and Dan Amundson talk to Paul Wait from Delta Waterfowl about the potential for a new Sandhill Crane Hunting Season. Paul tells us where crane populations are at, the amount of money one state is paying for Crane depredation and more. Will Wisconsin finally get to hunt Sandhill Cranes? Bret and Paul also discuss ways the Minnesota duck and goose hunting seasons could be changed, the impact the early teal hunting season has and more. This is a good podcast for duck hunters!! We FINALLY announce the winner of our Guardian Eagle Re...

On this week’s podcast Bret Amundson and Dan Amundson learn about a new discovery of Brook Trout spawning in Lake Superior. Cory Goldsworthy, the Lake Superior Area Fisheries Manager, joins the show to tell us what this discovery of spawning “Coasters” means. He also talks about lake trout and how people have found lakers spawning in the spring. Bret and Cory have a good conversation about fishing that big lake in Northeast Minnesota. Joe Henry gives us a Rainy River fishing report and learns what he missed out on at last week’s SJR 500.

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This week is one of our favorite shows to record every year. It’s the 4th Annual SJR 500 presented by WavePro! Bret Amundson, David Eckhardt and Dan Amundson are coming to you right from Miles Lab Bar and Grill at River Bend Resort on the shores of the Rainy River recapping our sturgeon and walleye fishing tournament. It’s a cast of thousands on the show, including the contestants who took home the top prizes, including an epic story on the biggest sturgeon that’s ever been caught in our tournament. We also hold the first ever SJR 500 Mustache contes...

On this week’s show, Bret, Dan, and David are talking about the polarizing topics in the Minnesota Fishing World. Forward Facing Sonar/Livescope, muskies and a potential statewide Minnesota walleye harvest limit reduction are all talked about, as they were the hot topics last week at the MN-FISH Summit and the MN DNR Fisheries Summit. Nate Blasing from the Walleye Alliance and Nisswa Guides League joins the show to talk about why he believes the walleye limit should be lowered from 4 fish per day to 6 fish per day. Joe Henry also joins the show, and he weighs in on...

On this week’s show, Bret, Dan, and David get hyped up for the exciting news of the Rainy River opening up. They preview the upcoming SJR 500 Rainy River Sturgeon and Walleye fishing tournament on April 8-9th. Some new big prizes are unveiled for the Rainy River tournament are announced as well. The Royal Dutchman himself Kevin Heinrichs joins us to tell us what he’s seeing at all of the landings and he gives his prediction on where he thinks the open water will be come tournament time. Bret talks about how terrible the internet has been afte...

On this week’s show, Bret, Dan, and David ponder some potential MN Fishing changes that could be coming after the MN-FISH summit next week in Grand Rapids, including a statewide 4 fish walleye limit, year-round bass fishing, and some livescope discussions. Bret and Dan share some bird dogs and barbed wire stories while hunting. Joe Henry has the latest from the ice on Lake of the Woods and open water on the Rainy River, and Lee Ledford and Nick Negrini tell us about a new organization getting kids into conservation and building a better future for hunting.

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On this week’s show, Ben Brettingen from OnX Hunt joins the show to give us a Pheasant Fest recap and shares a big announcement that happened at the show that will affect your public land hunting. Bret had a scary moment with a tick in a bad place and also has headlines including new perch limits on Mille Lacs. Dan tells us how he hacked the McDonald’s menu on their last fishing trip and then disappears for half the show and forces David to figure out how to produce the podcast on the fly.

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On this week’s show, we’re down at the Bassmaster Open stop at Kentucky Lake! Opens anglers Joey Titus and Matt Kennedy join Bret and Dan to talk about how practice went and what they’re expecting for the tournament. We talk about why they like tournament fishing and how they got into it all. We learn what’s happening at the MN Deer Classic from Eric Meyer, and check back in with Joe Henry about the latest at Lake of the Woods.

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On this week’s show, there’s some changes to Minnesota fishing regulations that anglers need to be aware of. It’s time to get a new fishing license, and there are some new regulations everyone needs to know. We tell you what we know with the information we have. We also bring on Kevin Michalowski from USCCA to break down the info on the US Supreme Court ruling that vehicles on public roadways are public spaces, and what it means for firearm owners. Joe Henry gets excited for the SJR 500 with Bret, Dan and David, and tells us how th...

On this week’s show, we’re talking about the late season ice fishing opportunities in the Midwest now that the Minnesota inland walleye season is closing. We talk about some border water opportunities as well as other nearby ice fishing trips to take now. We also talk about some new hats we got, some tragedies that happened to some outdoorsmen this week and more. Dan tries to gamble, David tries to sell something, and Bret picks a “winner” for the first Bassmaster Elite Series event of the year.

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On this week’s show, we’re digging into Chronic Wasting Disease. Dusty Backer joins the show and talks about the research he’s done and why he believes money is being wasted on CWD testing and how he thinks what we’ve been told about Chronic Wasting Disease isn’t true. Dan tries to figure out what plans David’s wife made for David’s birthday, and Bret and Joe Henry get excited about some new additions to the SJR Rainy River 500 Fishing Tournament. 

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On this week’s show, Bret, Dan and David talk about what they’ve been up to this week in the outdoor world including some waterfowl hunting drama that’s heating up. They also talk about the hot perch bite happening across Minnesota and what they’ve experienced on the ice. A new duck and pheasant habitat plan in MN is discussed. Joe Henry talks about a SnoBear tournament that happened at Lake of the Woods. Dan’s still mad about the McRib, Bret gets distracted from the show easily, and Joe tries to play matchmaker in Chicago for Dan.

On this week’s show, Bret Amundson and Dan Amundson learn about a land transfer amendment. Minnesota Representative Matt Bliss joins the show to tell us about his proposed constitutional amendment to change how large tracts of land can be sold below market value in this state. Bret and Dan also have some CWD news, and Joe Henry has a Lake of the Woods ice fishing report.

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