Fishing can be like the weather in mid-summer: Both can be very hot. To take part in this potentially fast action, you’ll need to do things a little differently than you would at other times of the year. Following are some of those things.

In the summer when the fish want to bite it works well to use faster moving baits and fish through areas quickly. If the fish are going to bite, they’ll let you know right away.

Tucked in to the rolling hills of southern Iowa’s Decatur County is Sand Creek Wildlife Area, a 3,700-acre destination for deer hunters and bird watchers. Here, cell service disappears and nature’s sounds take over – this isn’t a white noise machine – it’s the real thing.

The popular “Trees for Kids” grant program is accepting applications through Aug. 26.

Grantees can be awarded up to $2,500 to purchase trees and mulch. All trees for this program must be planted on public community grounds (park, community center, public school, etc.)  Youth are required to be engaged in the process, most often helping to plant the trees on site.

Editor’s note: The North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) is a nationwide organization with a mission to forge partnerships among citizens, scientists, and professionals to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs for today and tomorrow.

The North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) and its partners have designated the month of July as “Lakes Appreciation Month.” (((END ITALICS)))

Harris-Lake Park earned a come-from-behind victory over MMCRU on Wednesday, June 26. The Wolves, trailing 2-1, scored two runs in the bottom half of the fifth to defeat the Royals 3-2 on senior night in Lake Park.

Spirit Lake’s baseball team earned a pair of wins over Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson in doubleheader action Wednesday, June 26. The Indians defeated the Yellow Jackets 8-7 and 15-5 in Spirit Lake.

Okoboji’s baseball team earned a Siouxland Conference home win over Unity Christian on Friday, June 28. The Pioneers pounded the Knights 4-2 at Okoboji High School in Milford.

After two and a half scoreless innings, Okoboji scored all four of its runs in the bottom half of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. The Knights scored a run in the fifth and another in the sixth to cut the deficit in half, but Okoboji held the visitors scoreless in the final frame to seal the victory.

Harris-Lake Park’s softball team attempted to rally late, but the Wolves couldn’t claw their way back into contention in a home loss to MMCRU on Wednesday, June 26. The Royals held on for a 5-3 victory over the Wolves in Lake Park.

Harris-Lake Park’s baseball team extended its win streak to four games with a one-run home win over George-Little Rock on Saturday, June 29. The Wolves scored a run in the sixth inning and shutout the Mustangs 1-0 in Lake Park.

Javen Baumgarn got the complete game shutout victory. The senior allowed two runs, four walks and a hit batter and struck out 11 in seven innings.

Harris-Lake Park scored a run on three hits.

Harris-Lake Park’s softball team earned a dominant home win over War Eagle Conference foe George-Little Rock on Saturday, June 28. The Wolves mauled the Mustangs 16-3 in Lake Park.

George-Little Rock opened with an early 3-0 lead after scoring a run in the first and two more in the second. Harris-Lake Park caught fire in the third frame, however, as the Wolves scored six in the third and 10 in the fourth to end the contest early.

Okoboji’s softball team fell to Siouxland Conference foe Unity Christian in a home game on Friday, June 28. The Knights defeated the Pioneers 14-0 at Okoboji High School in Milford.

Unity Christian scored a run in the first, another in the second, five in the third and seven in the fourth to end the night early.

Spirit Lake’s baseball team earned a nonconference road win over Alta-Aurelia on Friday, June 28. The Indians whooped the Warriors 9-5 in Alta.

The hosts scored five runs in the opening frame to take an early lead before Spirit Lake trimmed the deficit to one with a four-run second inning.

That score remained until the seventh inning, when Spirit Lake pushed five runs across to take a 9-5 lead that the Indians would not relinquish.

Harris-Lake Park’s baseball team earned a dominant home win over War Eagle Conference foe West Sioux on Thursday, June 27. The Wolves defeated the Falcons 13-3 in Lake Park.

Both teams scored a run in the first and third innings to tie the contest at 2-2 through three. After holding the Falcons scoreless in the top of the fourth, Harris-Lake Park exploded for seven runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a commanding 9-2 lead through four.

Harris-Lake Park’s softball team suffered a loss to War Eagle Conference foe West Sioux on Thursday, June 27. The Falcons defeated the Wolves 7-2 in Lake Park.

West Sioux scored a run in the opening frame and maintained a 1-0 advantage until the fourth inning when the Falcons stretched their lead to 7-0 with three runs in both the fourth and fifth frames. Harris-Lake Park scored both of its runs in the sixth inning.

Okoboji’s baseball team struggled to score in a shutout loss to Siouxland Conference foe MOC-Floyd Valley on Thursday, June 27. The Dutchmen defeated the Pioneers 17-0 in Orange City.

MOC-Floyd Valley score two runs in the first inning, five in the second, two in the third and eight in the fourth to end the night early.