Game & Fish Midwest

Every month in Game & Fish, you'll discover the best hotspots throughout your region for hunting and fishing. We'll also bring you your state's latest outdoor news, plus plenty of how-to tactics and special strategies designed to make you a more successful hunter and angler.

NEAR, FAR AND IN BETWEEN

Game & Fish Midwest

GAME & FISH ONLINE • TIPS, TACTICS, GEAR, NEWS AND MORE AT GAFMAG.COM

MOON TIMES

THE DOT DILEMMA • THINKING OF PUTTING A RED-DOT ON YOUR TURKEY GUN?FIRST, CONSIDER ALL THE PROS AND CONS.

QUICK REFLEXES • REACTION BAITS TRIGGER BIG BITES EVEN WHEN PRECISE PRESENTATIONS ARE IGNORED.

A POUND PREVENTION • PUT TOGETHER A BASIC KIT THAT WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE WITHOUT BEING A PAIN TO PACK.

TRAILER TIME • GET YOUR BOAT’S TRAILER (AND THE VEHICLE THAT PULLS IT) READY FOR SPRING WITH THESE 11 TIPS.

SUCKER SUPPORTERS • A NEW NONPROFIT ADVOCATES FOR UNDER-APPRECIATED NATIVE FISH.

GOOD OLD DAYS • A SOUL-SEARCHING TURKEY HUNTER RESURRECTS THREE TIME-WORN SHOTGUNS AND SPENDS A SEASON CHASING TOMS WITH THEM.

AROUND THE MIDWEST • A SAMPLING OF THE REGION’S BEST HUNTING AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES THIS MONTH

GET THE DROP ON GOBBLERS • SET YOURSELF UP FOR A SUCCESSFUL SPRING BY SCOUTING THOROUGHLY AHEAD OF OPENING DAY.

ROLLING ON THE RIVERS • WALLEYES RUN UP RIVERS AHEAD OF AND DURING THE SPAWN EACH SPRING. ANGLERS WILLING TO BRAVE UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER AND CROWDS MAY FIND FAST ACTION OR A NEW PERSONAL-BEST FISH.

’EYE ESCAPES • Five rivers that offer exceptional pre-spawn spring walleye fishing

BOW BIRDS • BOWHUNTING TURKEYS IS A CHALLENGE THAT OFTEN REQUIRES ADJUSTED STRATEGIES.

TOM TERRORS • Four broadheads that are deadly on spring gobblers

THE PANFISH CALENDAR • PERCH, CRAPPIES AND BLUEGILLS INVADE THE SHALLOWS EACH SPRING AS COVES AND BACK BAYS WARM. BE READY TO INTERCEPT THEM WHEN THEY DO.

PANFISH PARAPHERNALIA • Set yourself up for spring panfish success with the right rod, reel and line.

SEARCHING with SQUARES • ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO PIN DOWN WHERE EARLY-SPRING BASS SPEND THEIR TIME IS WITH A SQUAREBILL CRANKBAIT.

GET CRANKING • Try these five top squarebill crankbaits this spring.

Missouri River MONSTERS • THE STRETCH OF THE “BIG MUDDY” THAT FLOWS THROUGH THE SHOW-ME STATE PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR TROPHY-CLASS BLUE, FLATHEAD AND CHANNEL CATFISH—MAYBE EVEN A NEW STATE OR WORLD RECORD.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO • Helpful information for the traveling angler pursuing trophy catfish

Salad Bar BASS • THE THICK MATS OF VEGETATION THAT COVER NORTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA’S RODMAN RESERVOIR PROVIDE ABUNDANT HABITAT FOR LARGEMOUTHS WEIGHING IN THE DOUBLE DIGITS.

OFF THE WATER • Families will find numerous natural attractions in north-central Florida.

RODMAN TRIP PLANNER • Ramps are plentiful, but lodging ... not so much.

Retay GORDION TURKEY • THIS SEMI-AUTO SHOTGUN OFFERS EVERYTHING TURKEY HUNTERS NEED AT A MODERATE PRICE.

STEINER H6XI • A HOST OF PRACTICAL FEATURES MAKES THIS AMERICAN-MADE RIFLESCOPE STAND OUT.

COMING OF AGE • IT TAKES WORK TO FIT IN WITH THE GUYS.