Northern Continental Russell Lake Project Exploration Update

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - April 1, 2008) - Northern Continental Resources Inc. ("Northern Continental") (TSX VENTURE: NCR.V) announced today that initial results have been received from a diamond drilling program on the Russell Lake Uranium Project ("Russell Lake", or the "Project") located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Six holes totaling 2,408.5 metres have been completed at the Taylor Bay target area. Two diamond drills are still deployed on other target areas throughout the Project and completion of up to 15 more holes is anticipated for the duration of the 2008 exploration program. Ground geophysical programs are ongoing on several other target areas to better define future drilling targets (see Northern Continental's news release dated January 22, 2008 for details of the 2008 exploration program).

Preliminary observations of Taylor Bay target area drill core include:

- Favourable structure, alteration and basement rocks

- Confirmation of graphitic conductor

- Elevated radioactivity and anomalous uranium values near the unconformity

Russell Lake is a joint venture between Northern Continental and Hathor Exploration Ltd. ("Hathor") with Northern Continental holding a 60% participating interest, and Hathor holding a 40% participating interest. The 2008 exploration program, operated by Northern Continental, is budgeted at CDN$3.5 million and is planned to include approximately 10,500 metres of diamond drilling in 21 holes, and geophysical programs consisting of ground resistivity and electromagnetic surveys.

Preliminary 2008 Diamond Drilling Results - Taylor Bay

The drilling targets chosen at Taylor Bay for the 2008 program are located on the lake and can only be drilled during times of optimal ice thickness. Northern Continental had initially planned at least three holes on the ice in Taylor Bay to test three historical electromagnetic ("EM") conductors, namely TB-1, TB-2 and TB-3, that had received recent follow-up ground geophysical surveys (see Taylor Bay 2008 exploration map on Northern Continental's website at www.northerncontinental.ca).

The most favourable results were found in holes TB-08-04, TB-08-05 and TB-08-07, each vertical holes drilled along the TB-1 conductor. Hole TB-08-04 confirmed the presence of an EM conductor by intersecting graphitic metasediment basement rocks within a reactivated slip fault. Alteration was noted within the Athabasca Group sandstones and conglomerates. The basement package consisted of a series of graphitic and non-graphitic metasediments and granitic intrusives. Numerous zones of shearing and alteration were observed throughout the basement sequence. Although no significant mineralization was encountered in TB-08-04, just below the unconformity a narrow interval of elevated radioactivity was detected from downhole gamma probe readings, with a maximum peak of 315.7 counts per second ("cps") at 325.2 metres compared to a background value in the basement rocks of approximately 60 cps.

A portable NITON(C) x-ray fluorescence ("XRF") analyzer is utilized at Russell Lake to provide preliminary geochemical information from the drill core, prior to the formal receipt of geochemical analyses (NOTE: The results obtained from a portable XRF analyzer may not be entirely conclusive, but simply provide important preliminary information in the field). The XRF analyzer confirmed the presence of anomalous uranium within the interval of elevated radioactivity in hole TB-08-04, and a follow-up hole was recommended to the southwest along the conductor axis.

Hole TB-08-05, collared approximately 300 metres from hole TB-08-04, intersected a narrow interval of elevated radioactivity just below the unconformity. Within the anomalous interval the downhole gamma probe measured a maximum peak of 616.6 cps at 321.69 metres, which the XRF analyzer attributed to the presence of uranium, compared to a background value in the basement rocks of approximately 50 cps. The hole encountered graphitic basement rocks within an overall package of metasediments and granites, and further follow-up holes were planned.

Hole TB-08-07 was spotted approximately 100 metres southwest of TB-08-04. The sandstone and conglomerate succession overlying the unconformity showed prospective fault structures and alteration. The basement sequence of metasediments and granitic intrusive in hole TB-08-07 encountered the most significant structures, visible alteration, and the strongest development of graphite observed in all of the 2008 Taylor Bay holes. No significant radioactivity was encountered in the drill hole, but the preliminary results suggest follow-up work is warranted.

Two holes drilled on conductors TB-2 and TB-3 encountered some alteration and fracturing but did not intersect graphitic basement rocks to explain the historical EM response, and no significant radioactivity attributed to uranium mineralization was detected. Hole TB-08-06 was drilled to test the southwestern extent of conductor TB-1 but did not intersect the same favourable geological setting found in holes TB-08-04, TB-08-05 and TB-08-07. Two holes were attempted and abandoned in the area of hole TB-08-05 due to overburden conditions and technical difficulties.

The 2008 exploration work completed so far has significantly upgraded the Taylor Bay target area, which had received only limited drilling from the shoreline in the 1980's. Northern Continental believes follow-up drilling is warranted due to the presence of a geological setting considered highly-prospective for the formation of an Athabasca Basin unconformity-type uranium deposit.

Geophysical Surveys

Approximately 70.0 line kilometers of moving loop and fixed loop EM surveying have been completed on the Powerline, Morrison Lake and Big Bend target areas to verify and better detail conductors outlined by historical ground and airborne surveys. Resistivity surveys are planned later in the winter season on prospective conductors, including the TB-1 conductor, to detect areas of potential sandstone alteration associated with conductors outlined during the program.

The 2008 exploration program is expected to continue until April 30, 2008, and to resume after break-up. Permit applications have been recently been filed with the Government of Saskatchewan for summer/fall exploration, with a proposed start date of June 1, 2008. Aurora Geosciences of Yellowknife, NT, is managing exploration activities at the Project. Diamond drilling services are provided by Cyr Drilling International Ltd. of Winnipeg, MB.

Russell Lake drill holes are probed with a Mount Sopris 2GHF-1000 Triple-Gamma probe, which was calibrated at the Saskatchewan Research Council test pit in Saskatoon, SK, prior to commencement of the drilling program. Drill core sampling and geochemical analysis is in progress, and analytical results will be reported when available. Analytical services are provided by the Saskatchewan Research Council of Saskatoon, SK.

The technical information in this news release regarding Russell Lake has been reviewed by Don Simmons, P.Geol., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

For further information on Northern Continental and Russell Lake Project, visit our website at www.northerncontinental.ca.

About Northern Continental

Northern Continental acquired Russell Lake in 1999, and staked additional claims contiguous to the Project in 2000. In 2004, Northern Continental optioned up to a 40% interest in the Project to Roughrider Uranium Corporation, a private company that was subsequently acquired in August 2006 by Hathor Exploration Ltd. ("Hathor"). Hathor vested its 40% interest in Russell Lake in December 2006 by incurring a total of $2.0 million of exploration expenditures on the Project, and a joint venture was formed with Northern Continental holding a 60% participating interest, and Hathor holding a 40% participating interest.

About Russell Lake

Russell Lake consists of 15 claims totaling 45,742 hectares (113,031 acres) and is located in the southeastern Athabasca Basin area of northern Saskatchewan between Key Lake and McArthur River, two of the richest high-grade uranium mines in world. The Project has strong potential to host an unconformity-style uranium deposit and lies within a classic setting of favourable basement geology within interpreted magnetic lows. Historical diamond drilling by previous operators has discovered significant occurrences of uranium mineralization. For example, drilling in the 1980's at the Grayling Zone encountered mineralization grading 3.45% U3O8 over 0.3 metres in hole RL-85-7, and 0.40% U3O8 over 3.75 metres in hole RL-87-16. Subsequent drilling did not extend these two particular showings - however, sandstone alteration and some basement mineralization was observed in several other historical drill holes. Diamond drilling is planned within the Grayling Zone in 2008, and on other highly-prospective target areas within the Project that have never been drilled, or have received only limited drilling. Depth to the Athabasca unconformity throughout the Project averages approximately 350 metres.

To view the map accompanying this press release please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/ncr0401.jpg

NORTHERN CONTINENTAL RESOURCES INC.

Alan Crawford, President

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on Northern Continental's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding Northern Continental's outlook for our future operations, plans and timing for the commencement or advancement of exploration activities on our properties, and other expectations, intention and plans that are not historical fact. The words "estimates", "projects", "expects", "intends", "believes", "plans", or their negatives or other comparable words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Northern Continental. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by this cautionary statement and there can be no assurance that actual results or developments anticipated by Northern Continental will be realized. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Northern Continental disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release.

Contacts

Alan Crawford
Northern Continental Resources Inc.
President
(604) 685-9255 or Toll Free: 1-800-449-4435
Website: www.northerncontinental.ca