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Drop the drone during fire season
Published on April 23, 2019
Flying a drone can be a lot of fun—but it can be downright dangerous during a wildfire, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Be aware of bears this spring; DNR lists tips for avoiding conflicts
Published on April 22, 2019
Homeowners are reminded to be aware of bears this spring and check their property for food sources that could attract bears.
Commercial fisher captures invasive silver carp in St. Croix River
Published on April 15, 2019
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the capture of a silver carp on the St. Croix River. The invasive carp was caught by a commercial fisher near Prescott, Wisconsin, during routine spring netting.
Conservation officer posthumously named TIP officer of the year
Published on April 11, 2019
Minnesota Conservation Officer Ed Picht, who died last October, has been named the Turn in Poachers 2018 Joe Alexander Conservation Officer of the Year.
DNR announces comment period for off-highway vehicle access to Clint Converse and Greer Lake Forest campgrounds
Published on April 8, 2019
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking comments on a proposal to allow off-highway vehicle access to certain areas of the Clint Converse Forest Campground in the Land O’ Lakes State Forest and the Greer Lake Forest Campground in the Crow Wing State Forest.
Bear hunt applications available; deadline is May 3
Published on April 8, 2019
Applications for bear hunting licenses are being accepted now through Friday, May 3, wherever Minnesota hunting and fishing licenses are sold, online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense, and by telephone at 888-665-4236.
Stream trout fishing opens statewide on April 13
Published on April 8, 2019
Minnesota’s popular warm weather stream trout season opens Saturday, April 13, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state. Brook trout and splake fishing also opens on Lake Superior and its tributary streams that have no posted boundaries.
Volunteers add $7.8 million in value to DNR
Published on April 4, 2019
Last year over 20,000 Minnesotans volunteered their services to assist the Department of Natural Resources in accomplishing its conservation mission. According to the new 2018 Annual DNR Volunteer Report released today, these volunteer services in 2018 were valued at $7.8 million. In hours that equates to 136 full-time staff.
Lanesboro hatchery project helps to ensure trout fishing opportunities
Published on April 1, 2019
A $5 million construction project now underway at Minnesota’s flagship state-owned trout hatchery in Lanesboro will ensure a regular supply of trout can be stocked each year in streams and lakes throughout the state.
Upper Red Lake walleye regulation changes announced for open water season
Published on April 1, 2019
While anglers fishing Upper Red Lake this spring will again be able to keep four walleye, a change in the size regulation will allow them to take one fish over 20 inches – making potential keepers out of considerably more of the lake’s walleye population.
Landowners sought for 2019 Minnesota Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener
Published on March 29, 2019
Minnesota landowners with grassland or wetlands within 20 miles of Austin are being sought to participate in the 2019 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener (GPHO) in October.
Bat population decline continues as expected
Published on March 28, 2019
Following the pattern observed in neighboring states, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reporting a substantial but expected decline in the number of bats in Minnesota. The decline is due to the effects of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease that is harmful and usually fatal to hibernating bats.
Spring thaw affecting state recreational facilities
Published on March 25, 2019
As the heavy snowpack across Minnesota melts under warming temperatures, some state parks, trails and other outdoor recreational facilities may be closed to protect public safety and infrastructure. Users should check current conditions before visiting, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
For Fosston woman, firearms safety is a way of life
Published on March 21, 2019
Ask Bridget Landsverk, of Fosston, when she started volunteering as a firearms safety instructor and there’s a brief pause. She starts to count the years, then remembers: Last year she received a plaque for 10 years of service, which means 2019 marks the beginning of her second decade of instruction.
Take an overnight canoe camping trip with new 'I Can!' program
Published on March 21, 2019
A new “I Can!” program offers participants the chance to learn the outdoor skills necessary to take an overnight canoe camping trip. The overnight adventure trip is one of many summer programs Minnesota state parks and trails has available for beginners of all ages who want to learn to camp, paddle, mountain bike and fish.
Walleye harvest will be allowed in May on Mille Lacs Lake
Published on March 12, 2019
Anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will be able to keep walleye during open water fishing for the first time since 2015. An improving walleye population has been protected by conservative fishing regulations in recent years, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Zebra mussel larvae confirmed in Red Lake in Beltrami County
Published on March 11, 2019
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussel larvae in Red Lake in Beltrami County after studying samples gathered last summer by biologists from the Red Lake Nation.
Northeastern Minnesota moose population remains low but stable
Published on March 11, 2019
Results of the 2019 moose survey indicate northeastern Minnesota’s moose population remains stable but relatively low for the eighth year in a row, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
DNR announces CWD response efforts in Crow Wing County
Published on February 25, 2019
Following the discovery of chronic wasting disease in a wild deer in Crow Wing County, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering landowner shooting permits and will be working with willing landowners to allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove additional deer on their properties.
DNR certifies huge lake sturgeon as new catch-and-release state record
Published on February 25, 2019
Minnesota has a new state record lake sturgeon so large that anglers had to drill five holes to fit the 6 1/2 foot long fish through the St. Croix River ice. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has certified the fish as a state catch-and-release record.
New CWD-positive deer in Crow Wing County and southeastern Minnesota require additional disease monitoring and management
Published on February 15, 2019
The Department of Natural Resources has confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild deer in Crow Wing County. This test result marks the first time in Minnesota the fatal neurological disease has been found in a wild deer outside of the southeastern part of the state.
DNR considers drawdown of Swan Lake after discovery of common carp
Published on February 14, 2019
Discovery of common carp in Nicollet County’s Swan Lake is prompting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to consider a temporary lowering of the lake’s water level.
Lake Mille Lacs open-water walleye harvest proposed for 2019
Published on February 14, 2019
Anglers on Lake Mille Lacs will have an opportunity to keep some walleye during the open-water fishing season this year. This follows several seasons of catch-and-release fishing on the lake.
For longtime instructor, firearms safety runs in the family
Published on February 11, 2019
Dave Olson wasn’t much different from other farm kids whose introduction to firearms occurred early in life. Despite his familiarity with guns, when his mom first heard about an organized firearms safety program in the 1950s, she insisted he and his brother complete it.
DNR invites public input on proposed forest trails in Huntersville and Lyons state forests
Published on February 5, 2019
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites anyone with an interest in recreational trail systems and motorized use in the Huntersville and Lyons state forests in Wadena County to attend a public meeting on Feb. 20 to review a set of proposals that include changes to the trail systems. The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Menahga Public School, 216 Aspen Ave SE, Menahga, MN 56464.