GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, May 14, 2026 —Marking our tenth year of this show and looking at cyanobacteria on the next episode of Prairie Sportsman, which airs Sunday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. on Pioneer PBS.
Host Bret Amundson reflects on 10 years of hosting Prairie Sportsman and recalls some of his favorite moments in front of the show’s camera, and researchers are investigating cyanobacteria blooms where they least expect them, Minnesota’s pristine northern lakes.
In our first segment, “Ten Year Retrospective” Bret Amundson looks back at a decade of sharing the best of Minnesota’s outdoors as the host of Prairie Sportsman. Over the years Bret has taken viewers on fantastic fishing trips, epic hunts, and has highlighted the important research and conservation efforts that make our enjoyment of the outdoors possible.
In our second segment, “Pristine to Green” we join a research team from the St. Croix Watershed Research Station as they look into potential causes of toxic cyanobacteria blooms in Minnesota’s remote northern lakes. The team is extracting sediment core samples from the lakebeds to understand how these lakes have changed over time and potentially reveal the culprit causing these harmful blooms.
“The investigation led by the St. Croix Watershed Research Station is a great example of the scientific method in action. Researchers initially focused on one potential trigger of these toxic blooms, but as they gathered data they discovered another culprit entirely,” producer Tom Desch said.
Prairie Sportsman rebroadcasts Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. following the initial airing on Pioneer PBS.
How to Watch
Viewers within the viewing area can watch the live program on 10-1, 20-1, 8-1, Dish, DirecTV and Mediacom.
In addition to station broadcasts, viewers in Pioneer PBS’s viewing area can also stream the premiere live at pioneer.org/live, on YouTube TV, Prime Video, Hulu Live or via the “Live TV” button on the PBS app and pbs.org.
Full episodes can also be streamed at pioneer.org/prairiesportsman, the PBS app, the Prairie Sportsman YouTube channel and pbs.org/show/prairie-sportsman/.
Support
Due to recent funding cuts to Pioneer PBS and other PBS stations across the nation, shows, particularly local programming like Prairie Sportsman, that you love are in jeopardy. Consider becoming a member of Pioneer PBS or Friend of Prairie Sportsman to support the programs you love. For more information, including how to support Pioneer PBS, visit pioneer.org.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman is an award-winning series produced by Pioneer PBS that celebrates the love of the outdoors by featuring topics on hunting, fishing and recreation while promoting environmental stewardship. The team of Prairie Sportsman consists of series producer Tom Desch, with producer, videographer and editor Bret Amundson returning as host. Additional videography and editing is provided by Dan Amundson, Jaryd Smith and Jacob Nubern. The 2026 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Shalom Hill Farm, Big Stone County, Yellow Medicine County, Lac Qui Parle County, Swift County, Meeker County and members of Pioneer PBS. If you enjoy Prairie Sportsman, become a friend of Prairie Sportsman by filling out a Google Form.
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. For more than 60 years, Pioneer PBS has amplified local voices and reflected the people, places and issues that matter most to our region.
Headquartered in Granite Falls, Minnesota, with towers in Appleton, Worthington and Fergus Falls, Pioneer PBS reaches more than one million viewers across western Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas and northern Iowa. We are honored to be your television station—the only station in western Minnesota telling your stories. As we celebrate 60 years of storytelling, we invite you to help ensure these stories continue for the next 60 years and beyond.
Learn more at pioneer.org or call 800-726-3178.
