GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 21, 2024 - The next Prairie Sportsman features a Minnesota DNR crappie barotrauma study and explores the problems with dumping baitfish. “Hooks and Hazards” airs Sunday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. Check local listings and our showtimes landing page for air dates and times on other PBS stations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Wyoming. Starting on Sunday, March 31, the episode will also be available online at www.pioneer.org/prairiesportsman and www.youtube.com/@PrairieSportsman.
Prairie Sportsman visits northern Minnesota where the DNR studied crappie populations, examining the impact of deepwater angling on barotrauma. Methods included holding fish in pens, using descending devices, and quick releases. Initial findings suggest many released fish struggled to maintain depth, resulting in some mortality.
Then, “Little Fish, Big Problems” reveals that about 20 percent of Minnesota anglers who use live baitfish dump unused bait in the water. Surveys by the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center also found that most anglers who dump baitfish don’t realize it’s illegal or harmful to the environment. Researchers suggest positive messaging, social media and stickers on baitfish bags could help decrease dumping.
Finally, Nicole Zempel shows off the low-profile ground cherry plant. Known for its "tiny lantern" leaves, it is toxic except for its ripe, yellow fruit.
People in Pioneer PBS’s viewing area are able to livestream this episode at www.pioneer.org/live. This episode will rebroadcast the following Monday at 12:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Prairie Sportsman can be viewed online at www.pioneer.org/prairiesportsman, video.pioneer.org/show/prairie-sportsman/, and at www.youtube.com/@PrairieSportsman.
About Prairie Sportsman
Produced by Pioneer PBS, Prairie Sportsman is an Emmy-awarded series that celebrates love of the outdoors by featuring topics on hunting, fishing and recreation, while promoting environmental stewardship. Prairie Sportsman’s team is Dylan Curfman, producer, videographer and editor; Bret Amundson, host and editor; Cindy Dorn, writer and producer; Cera Cordova, videographer and editor; and Dan Amundson, videographer and editor. The 2024 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Shalom Hill Farm, Live Wide Open, Western Minnesota Prairie Waters and members of Pioneer PBS.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing stories from rural Minnesota with the world. Pioneer PBS is headquartered in Granite Falls, Minnesota, with towers in Appleton, Worthington and Fergus Falls. Pioneer PBS reaches more than a million people in rural areas and small towns in western Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas and northern Iowa. Pioneer PBS is honored to be your television station—the only station in western Minnesota telling your stories and raising your voices into the media landscape. For more information visit pioneer.org or call 800-726-3178.