Odd Weather Makes Hunting & Fishing Unpredictable

In Central Minnesota, the unseasonably warm and dry weather has been doing some strange things to hunting this fall. According to a bird and fishing expert, Glen from Outdoor News, ducks just aren't moving much. Blame it on the lack of cold fronts that usually nudge birds southward. He mentioned that wood ducks are still around, and diving ducks can be found on bigger lakes north of St. Cloud, but we need those north or northwest winds to get the duck action started. Pheasant hunters aren't having the best time either. The heat and lack of rain are hard on both the dogs and the hunters. But there's a silver lining—crops are coming out of the fields, and pheasants are there. Grouse hunting is picking up with leaves covering the ground. Up north, hunters are finding bird clusters near water, which makes sense since that's where food and cover are.

The expert expects the hunting seasons for pheasants, ducks, and grouse to get better. He believes there's plenty of time left for a good pheasant hunt, and conditions should improve. For ducks, he's looking at a 4-6 day window of ideal conditions to hit the lakes in Central Minnesota. While hunting is a mixed bag, fishing is in prime time. Fish are active and feeding in the lake's mid to lower 50-degree waters. Walleye can be caught with a jig and minnow or a Lindy rig and minnow. Crappies are found suspended about 12 feet down. Don't forget that bass and northern pike are also super active. But heads up, if you're planning to fish, the docks at water access points are gone now. So, plan ahead!

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