Outdoor Activities

Nothing is more important in the hunt for rainbows, cutthroats and brookies than the right gear. So what items do trout masters make sure to carry with them to the banks of rivers and streams?

By William Harris

At maturity, catfish come in a wide range of sizes. Some little guys can be as tiny as 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. And some can grow to mammoth sizes. But none have anything on the Mekong giant catfish.

By Jessika Toothman

The wilderness is known for its lack of grocery stores and restaurants, so if you accidentally wander off into the woods without a trusty tool like a fishing pole, knife or gun -- are you out of luck? Or is there a way to keep your belly full?

By Jessika Toothman

While playing in the backyard, you notice Fido suddenly lower his head, raise his front paw in the air and stare intently at a flittering, oblivious bird. You then realize he's just doing what comes naturally -- hunting.

By Jennifer Horton & Chris Opfer

One of the most interesting times to find walleye is during the spawn. Temperature plays an important role in determining when the spawn occurs so warming trends are important. Once you've found the walleye, a slow pace will help you land the catch.

By Andrew Aguecheek

When it's time to spawn, bass waste little time. In fact, the entire spawning process can occur in as little as three weeks. The male bass is responsible for most of the spawning duties, such as building a nest and attracting a mate.

By Vivien Bullen

Looking to catch a really big bass? Instead of ordinary lures, try fishing with swimbaits. They're lures that look like a fish, smell like a fish and move like a fish, and they're becoming extremely popular among experienced bass fishers.

By Sam Tyler

In some cases, you're not doing the fish population a favor when you release a fish back into the water. How do you know which fish to keep and which to return?

By Charles W. Bryant

Saltwater accounts for 97 percent of all the water in the world. That means only 3 percent of all water is freshwater. Who's to blame for the contamination of this scarce yet vital resource?

By Debra Ronca

Every species has its own pick-up line. If you're a female pike fish and an agile male pike manages to nudge you in the abdomen with his tail, it's a sure sign that he's interested in a long-term relationship.

By Simon Shadow

Ah, a day in the life of a trout: water, relaxation, food brought close enough that you'd barely have to move. The same qualities that make them easier for you to catch during a day of river trout fishing. But you have to be able to read the signs.

By Vivien Bullen

Many fishermen release the fish they catch. But those fish don't always survive their battle wounds. It takes special skill to help a fish back into the water. How do you do it?

By Charles W. Bryant

Most fish only make two big trips in their lifetimes -- one shortly after birth and one when it's time to breed. But what's a fish to do when a dam's in the way?

By Molly Edmonds

You may want to fill your pond to the brim with bass, but you can't just go throwing fish into the water whenever you darn well please. To keep those fish alive, you need to do a little research first.

By Molly Edmonds

People once fished to their hearts' content in the United States, due to the abundance of fish and relative lack of fisherman. Unfortunately, population growth and decreased supply led the government to require a license to fish.

By Josh Clark

In your heart, you know you'd be an avid angler -- if it weren't for the pesky sun. Don't let sunburn keep you from fishing, just wait until the sun goes down. Nighttime bass fishing is the perfect summer fishing experience.

By Chris Marlowe

You know the feeling. It's raining out and the change of air pressure has you moving slow and fighting fatigue. Well, humans aren't alone in feeling this change in equilibrium -- bass might feel it, too.

By Vivien Bullen

Spot tail, puppy drum, bull red, channel bass, or redfish -- call them what you will, these trophy fish are making waves in the Gulf of Mexico and along the southern Atlantic coast. What makes these copper-colored fish so alluring to anglers?

By Chris Marlowe

Though you might think he's ugly, to a female catfish, he's the best fish in the sea, so to speak. He makes the house, he guards the kids -- maybe this guy is a catch after all!

By Chris Marlowe

Many anglers find redfish (also called red drum) appealing, not just because of their flavor but also because of their size and their eagerness to fight. Fishing for redfish is bound to be exciting and memorable.

By Sarah Siddons

To get a fish to bite, you need to know how, where, when and what it eats. So, what exactly is the how, where, when and what of a walleye's eating habits? Find out.

By Sarah Siddons

You've been squeamish. You've been tentative. You've never caught a catfish before. Or maybe you have, but you've never taken the fish off the hook. Where do you even hold the thing?

By Sarah Siddons

Whether holding a pike to remove the hook or take a picture -- or whatever reason has you holding a live fish, there is one tried and true grip among avid anglers.

By Vivien Bullen

You've reeled in a big, beautiful walleye. This fine catch deserves a picture, but it's putting up quite the fight, and that jaw full of teeth is less than inviting. If only you knew the best way to hold a walleye.

By Vivien Bullen

You'll be trout fishing at a company retreat next week. Unfortunately, the last time you went fishing, you were eleven years old and attempting to catch tadpoles in the nearby creek. Learn the lingo that goes along with lures and live bait.

By Rosalind Jackson