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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac, Aug. 4
Published on August 4, 2025
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife and habitat management.
Minnesota DNR invites conversation about wildlife
Published on August 4, 2025
Anyone interested in wildlife is invited to chat with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildlife managers in local DNR offices across the state from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, or by phone during these same hours.
Deer season details available now and hunting licenses on sale Aug. 1
Published on July 29, 2025
Hunters can now review the 2025 Minnesota deer hunting regulations, and deer hunting licenses will be available to purchase starting Friday, Aug. 1.
DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac, July 29
Published on July 29, 2025
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife and habitat management.
Water control structure project slated for East Park Wildlife Management Area in Marshall County
Published on July 24, 2025
During the first week of August, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will begin a drawdown on the Nelson Slough Impoundment at East Park Wildlife Management Area in Marshall County. The drawdown is in preparation for construction of a new water control structure and embankment improvements slated to begin in late fall 2025.
Public comment period open for the environmental assessment for Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area
Published on July 24, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has opened a 30-day public comment period on the Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area Environmental Assessment. This is a federally required assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act that evaluates the environmental impacts of the potential federal action of applying a Land and Water Conservation Fund encumbrance to 455.55 acres of the WMA.
DNR has released a new aggregate resource map of Yellow Medicine County
Published on July 22, 2025
Geologists in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Aggregate Resource Mapping Program have completed a new map showing the potential for sand, gravel and crushed stone resources in Yellow Medicine County. These natural materials, known as construction aggregates, are crucial to the construction of roads, bridges, trails and buildings.
Zebra mussel larvae confirmed in Washington County lakes
Published on July 21, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussel larvae in Long Lake, DeMontreville Lake and Olson Lake, a connected chain of lakes near Pine Springs in Washington County.
Ruffed grouse counts lower this year after a strong peak last year
Published on July 21, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ latest ruffed grouse counts found Minnesota’s spring 2025 population is lower statewide than last year. Ruffed grouse drums per stop were 1.8 statewide, down from 2.3 drums per stop last year, an expected drop considering spring 2024 was the highest 10-year cycle population peak for ruffed grouse since 1972.
DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac, July 21
Published on July 21, 2025
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife and habitat management.
Cambridge man is DNR’s 2024 volunteer firearms safety instructor of the year
Published on July 17, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently named Jim Fridstrom, of Cambridge, as 2024 volunteer firearms safety instructor of the year.
New segment of the Minnesota Valley State Trail now open in Bloomington
Published on July 17, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has completed a 1.8-mile extension of the Minnesota Valley State Trail’s eastern segment in Bloomington, Minn., adding to a 1.7-mile segment completed in 2021.
Zebra mussels confirmed in Beltrami Lake in Beltrami County
Published on July 17, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Beltrami Lake, near Bemidji in Beltrami County.
Wildlife Drive closed to vehicles at Roseau River Wildlife Management Area
Published on July 14, 2025
The 27-mile Wildlife Drive within the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area will not open as planned this July. The opening has been canceled due to the discovery of damages to a key dike on the route. The Wildlife Drive is closed to vehicles, but bicycle and foot traffic is welcome and encouraged.
Apply for special youth deer hunts through Aug. 15
Published on July 14, 2025
Once again in 2025, young people will be able to hunt deer with an adult in a number of state parks during several application-only special youth deer hunts. These hunts offer more individualized experiences in unique places, and often on different dates than the statewide youth deer season.
Zebra mussels confirmed in Ethel Lake in Otter Tail County
Published on July 14, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Ethel Lake, near the town of Ottertail in Otter Tail County.
DNR accepting applications for $9 million in flood hazard mitigation grants
Published on July 10, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting new and updated grant applications for the Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Assistance Program. Under this program, the state provides cost-share grants to local governments for capital improvement projects designed to address long-term flood concerns.
Dealing with storm-damaged trees
Published on July 10, 2025
Recent storms throughout the state have caused major tree damage, and cleanup following a storm can be overwhelming. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has some tips on dealing with storm-damaged trees. Many communities also have resources and guidelines, especially after major storm events. Consider reaching out to your city, county or township to learn more.
Minnesota DNR invites people to share pheasant and turkey observations
Published on July 7, 2025
Minnesotans are encouraged to report observations of ring-necked pheasants and wild turkeys in a citizen science effort by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. People can report any pheasant and turkeys they see in the wild now through Sunday, Aug. 31. Information from the reports will help the DNR monitor pheasant and turkey population trends, evaluate conservation efforts and make decisions about harvest regulations.
Minnesota DNR expands library pass program to provide more access to state parks and recreation areas
Published on July 7, 2025
In partnership with over 200 libraries and bookmobiles across the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is expanding the popular library park pass program, which provides access to state parks and recreation areas at no cost to library patrons. Piloted in 2018 and launched statewide in 2021, the program offers seven-day state park passes that can be checked out from participating public libraries. In an exciting expansion of this successful program, effective July 1, the number of participating libraries and the number of park passes available to check out has more than doubled.
As part of Operation Dry Water, DNR increases patrols for impaired boaters over holiday weekend
Published on July 2, 2025
During this upcoming long Fourth of July weekend, lakes and rivers across Minnesota likely will be at their busiest. Among those planning to join those on the water: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and public safety partners, whose aim is to ensure everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day. Officers will be out as part of Operation Dry Water, an annual nationwide campaign which runs from July 4-7. The campaign highlights the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs and calls attention to the heavy penalties associated with boating while intoxicated. The goal is to make the water safer for everyone by removing anyone operating under the influence.
Tagged fish lead biologists to school of invasive carp in Mississippi River Pool 8
Published on July 1, 2025
Invasive carp previously fitted with acoustic tags have led the Minnesota DNR and its state and federal partners to a school of invasive carp in Pool 8 of the Mississippi River at the confluence of the Root River in Minnesota, near La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Public input sought on reducing statewide walleye limit from six to four
Published on June 30, 2025
Changes in lake habitat, ecology and conditions coupled with technological advances in fishing gear and methods are prompting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to seek public input on a possible reduction in the statewide walleye possession limit from six to four fish.
Minnesota DNR seeks input on proposed special fishing regulations
Published on June 30, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for input on several special fishing regulation proposals. Each year, the Minnesota DNR reviews all existing fishing regulations, proposes new special regulations that apply to individual waters and asks the public for input about the proposals. All new special regulations are reviewed on a regular basis to evaluate effectiveness.
Minnesota state parks, recreation areas and trails offer Fourth of July fun; camping reservations still available
Published on June 26, 2025
Minnesota state parks, recreation areas and trails are great places to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. There is an abundance of recreational opportunities for individuals, friends and families to enjoy for an hour, a day, or a full weekend.