By Bob Jensen — Fishing the Midwest

Fishing Rule No. 1 — If you want to make wonderful memories, take advantage of the fish that are most likely to get caught on the day that you’re fishing.

Fishing Rule No. 2 — Remember Rule No. 1.

In Iowa, land in public ownership is very limited. Public areas can only serve as islands of wildlife habitat in a landscape dominated by row crops and urban sprawl. As a result, fulfilling the habitat needs of the state's diverse wildlife species requires natural resources and wildlife habitat be reestablished and/or protected on private lands.

It’s spring. That time of year when temperatures warm, mushrooms pop up and the outdoors beckons.

So run. Hike or bike. Hunt for mushrooms. Take photos. Visit our parks. And count on better air quality. Over the last 18 years, Iowa industries have significantly reduced six major air pollutants, along with total hazardous air pollutants, while growing our economy.

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

The Spirit Lake Park-Okoboji boys soccer team earned its third straight victory to celebrate senior night in style Monday night in Milford. The squad topped Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 1-0 at Okoboji High School to improve to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

Senior Austin Harms scored SLP-O’s lone goal early in the first half off of an assist from Mario Castillo.

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

The Spirit Lake Park-Okoboji girls soccer team surrendered three first-half goals that proved to be the difference Thursday night in a 3-0 home loss to West Sioux.

Hailey Triplet connected on all three goals, securing a hat trick for the Falcons in Spirit Lake.

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

The Spirit Lake-Okoboji boys tennis team suffered a Lakes Conference home sweet Thursday, April 28, as Spencer put on a dominant performance, winning 9-0 at Speier Park in Okoboji.

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

The Spirit Lake-Okoboji boys tennis team earned a Lakes Conference home win over Storm Lake Monday, May 2. SL-O topped the Tornadoes 8-1 at Speier Park in Okoboji.

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

Spirit Lake’s girls golf team earned a fourth-place finish at a tournament hosted by Sibley-Ocheyedan on Monday, May 2.

West Lyon won the team title with a combined score of 197.

The Wildcats were followed by Central Lyon (203), Okoboji (207), Spirit Lake (221), Western Christian (235), Boyden-Hull (242), Sibley-Ocheyedan 243) and Cherokee (244).

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

The Spirit Lake Park-Okoboji girls soccer team bounced back from a disappointing home loss to West Sioux with a convincing road win over Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley Monday. SLP-O topped the Nighthawks 3-0 in Rock Valley.

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

Okoboji’s boys track team earned a first-place team finish at a track meet hosted by Sibley-Ocheyedan on Monday, May 2. The Pioneers collected 10 top-three finishes, crowned three champions, and totaled 99 points to edge runner-up Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley by a single point.

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

Okoboji’s girls track team earned a fifth-place finish at a meet hosted by Sibley-Ocheyedan on Monday, May 2. The Pioneers collected seven top-three finishes, including two championships, and totaled 67 points in Sibley.

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

Okoboji’s boys golf team earned a sixth-place finish at a Siouxland Conference boys golf meet played Monday, May 2 at Otter Valley Country Club in George. The Pioneers carded combined round of 187 on the day.

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

Harris-Lake Park’s boys golf team dropped a War Eagle Conference home meet to Unity Christian on Monday, May 2. The Knights topped the Wolves 183-200 at Silver Lake Country Club in Lake Park.

Lucas Ahrenstorff led the Wolves with his third-place round of 45.

Braydan Perkins (48), Carter Hibma (51) and Landon Greve (56) rounded out Harris-Lake Park’s scoring. Chayce Forbes carded a 61 on the day.

By Matt Heinrichs — Sports Editor

Harris-Lake Park and Unity Christian ended Monday’s round knotted at 225, but the Knights won the tiebreaker to take a War Eagle Conference girls golf victory in Lake Park.

Tessa Gunderson led the Wolves with her runner-up medalist score of 52. Rylie Wittrock carded a 53 to place third. Zella Ingham carded a 56 and Madeline Greve carded a 64.