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.

WOODSMANSHIP

Game & Fish Midwest

TRENDING NOW AT GAME & FISH ONLINE • GET TIPS, SEE GEAR AND CELEBRATE THE LIFESTYLE AT GAFMAG.COM

MOON TIMES

LOADED FOR BLACK BEAR • TO DOWN BRUINS ETHICALLY, EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY, ENSURE YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT GUN AND AMMUNITION COMBINATION.

SPIN TO WIN • SPINNING GEAR IS IDEAL WHEN TARGETING TROUT.

LESSONS LEARNED • TIPS AND TRICKS FROM EXPERTS IMPROVE YOUR EFFICIENCY IN THE OUTDOORS.

ACCESSING PRIVATE HUNTING LAND • FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR LANDOWNERS ARE KEY TO ENSURING MORE HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES.

LOOMING LARGE • THE WILD WOODLANDS AROUND HIGH LEVEL, ALBERTA, ARE HOME TO BLACK BEARS OF INCREDIBLE SIZE, STEALTH AND, AT TIMES, SPUNK.

BEAR NECESSITIES • Take good gear for Alberta bruins.

BACKWOODS BASECAMP • Ample creature comforts may come as a surprise at these remote quarters for bear hunters.

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

COUNTING DOWN • CALIBRATE LINE-COUNTER REELS BY HAND TO ENSURE ACCURACYNO MATTER WHAT LINE YOU USE.

NO FLUKE ABOUT IT • WITH MANY DIFFERENT RIGGING OPTIONS,THE SOFT PLASTIC JERKBAIT IS A PROVEN PATTERN FOR BASS AT ANY STAGE OF THE SPAWN.

THE AFTERNOON SHIFT • TURKEY HUNTERS LOVE THE IDEA OF THE PERFECT MORNING HUNT, BUT THOSE WHO NEVER STEP FOOT IN THE WOODS AFTER LUNCH ARE MISSING OUT.

PRIMO PICKS • Add these items to your toolbox to maximize success during an afternoon sit.

ROUGHING IT • HIT THE SHALLOWS IN SPRING AND SUMMER FOR ACTION-PACKED MIDWEST BOWFISHING.

RECOMMENDED RIGS • Three bowfishing setups for any budget—whether you’re a beginner just getting started or a veteran looking to upgrade your equipment

TAKE IT TO THE BANK • PUT YOURSELF IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME WITH THE RIGHT PRESENTATION TO MAXIMIZE CATFISH CATCHES FROM SHORE.

LAST-DITCH TOMS • THREE PRIME PUBLIC-LAND SPOTS WHERE YOU CAN CLOSE OUT TURKEY SEASON WITH A BANG

IF YOU GO • Places to stay and things to do while chasing late-season turkeys

HONORABLE MENTIONS • Four more public-land hot spots to try in May

STRIKING GOLD • AT LA ZONA ON THE URUGUAY RIVER, MENACING DORADO WITH MONSTER MAWS TEST THE STRENGTH OF BOTH TACKLE AND ANGLERS.

TRIP PLANNER • La Zona Fishing Lodge is just 5 minutes from dorado.

BEYOND THE BEATEN WATER • A CREATIVE KAYAK LAUNCH IS OFTEN A BIG PART OF PLUCKING BASS FROM HARD-TO-ACCESS PONDS AND LAKES.

SAFE TRANSPORT • Kayaks ride easy on this trailer from Yakima.

FIT FOR FISHING • WHETHER YOU FOCUS ON LAKES OR RIVERS, FRESHWATER OR THE SALT, THERE ARE KAYAK MODELS DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS.

ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES • Make your ’yak more fishable with these add-ons.

FEAR, PRIDE AND NAPS • SOMETIMES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH TAKING A SNOOZE.