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New education requirements in effect July 1 for some boaters in Minnesota
Published on June 5, 2025
Beginning July 1, 2025, more people who operate motorboats or personal watercrafts on Minnesota waters must obtain a valid watercraft operator’s permit. The updated requirements, passed into law during 2023, are intended to make boating safer by ensuring people operating motorized watercraft know the rules and are properly trained.
ATV riders can explore Minnesota riding opportunities for free June 14-15
Published on June 5, 2025
Minnesotans with an all-terrain vehicles registered for private or agricultural use won’t need to pay the additional registration fee ($60 for three years) to ride the state’s public ATV trails on June 14-15. Out-of-state riders can explore Minnesota’s ATV trails this weekend as well without the need for a nonresident ATV trail pass ($31 for one year).
June is Great Outdoors Month in Minnesota
Published on June 4, 2025
Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed June 2025 as Great Outdoors Month in Minnesota, encouraging Minnesotans to explore the state’s natural treasures and take part in the wide array of outdoor activities available across public lands and waters. The proclamation highlights the vital role outdoor recreation plays in the state’s identity, economy, and quality of life, and celebrates key initiatives like Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences).
Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is this Friday through Sunday
Published on June 4, 2025
During Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (Friday, June 6, to Sunday, June 8), Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger fishing. Casting a line is one way among many to enjoy Great Outdoors Month, in June.
Volunteers needed for DNR loon survey
Published on June 2, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking volunteers to help monitor the loon population in Aitkin, Becker, Cook, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Lake, and Otter Tail counties. Volunteers are needed for a minimum of one morning during the July 4 through July 14 monitoring period, to count the number of adult and juvenile loons on pre-selected lakes.
Celebrate the grand opening of the Glendalough State Park trail center on June 14
Published on June 2, 2025
On Saturday, June 14, Glendalough State Park will celebrate the completion of its new trail center and the trail extension past Sunset Lake. Visitors can enjoy an open house at the new building from 10 a.m. until noon with cake and lemonade served by the Glendalough Park Partners. A program begins at 11 a.m. with appearances from State Senator Jordan Rasmusson, Battle Lake Mayor Richard Bullard, and senior DNR officials.
Piers added with Get Out MORE funding
Published on June 2, 2025
New fishing piers at Leech Lake in the city of Walker, and Lake Francis in the city of Elysian, are the newest of many fishing infrastructure improvements made possible by the Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) one-time funding approved by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023.
Minnesota DNR seeks applicants for Lake Winnibigoshish, Rainy Lake input groups
Published on May 27, 2025
The DNR is seeking people with a range of perspectives and experiences, including local fishing guides, local anglers, anglers from across Minnesota, local businesses and local resorts, and water-based businesses, to serve on two fisheries input groups, one for Lake Winnibigoshish and the other for Rainy Lake.
Minnesota DNR webinar series offers ways to learn about the outdoors this summer
Published on May 27, 2025
Webinars on walleye genetics, buckthorn management, and fish dubbed “living fossils” like gar and paddlefish will be among the outdoors topics covered in the summer series of the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Minnesota DNR accepting comments on environmental review documents for proposed 3M Oakdale surface water diversion project
Published on May 27, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments until 4:30 p.m. June 26 on an environmental assessment worksheet related to the 3M Oakdale surface water diversion project, located in Washington County.
Devil’s Kettle Trail at Judge C.R. Magney State Park wins first place in national readers’ choice award for best hiking trail
Published on May 23, 2025
Voters nationwide chose Devil’s Kettle Trail as the best among 19 hiking trail nominees in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
As recreational boating season kicks off, a reminder to make safety the top priority
Published on May 23, 2025
Anglers have been common sights on waterways across Minnesota, but lakes and rivers are about to become much busier with the arrival of Memorial Day weekend.
Red Flag Warning issued for extreme fire risk
Published on May 20, 2025
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for several counties in northern Minnesota from noon until 9 p.m. today, May 20, due to extreme fire risk conditions.
DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac, May 19
Published on May 19, 2025
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife and habitat management.
Be BearWise this summer while recreating outdoors
Published on May 19, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds hikers, campers and others recreating outdoors to be aware of bears and learn how to prevent conflicts with bears.
Open House: Moccasin Point Public Water Access on Lake Vermillion to receive extensive upgrades
Published on May 19, 2025
The DNR invites the public to an open house to share and gather information about extensive upgrades planned for Moccasin Point Public Water Access on Lake Vermilion near Tower, Minn. Construction is slated to begin after the 2025 boating season.
Chicks have hatched on the DNR FalconCam
Published on May 15, 2025
Four newly hatched chicks are now visible on the Minnesota DNR’s popular FalconCam. The Nongame Wildlife Program’s camera is in a nesting box in downtown St. Paul and will once again provide an intimate look at peregrine falcons raising their young.
State parks, recreation areas and trails offer abundance of recreation opportunities Memorial Day weekend
Published on May 15, 2025
In preparation for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is highlighting recreation opportunities across the state park, recreation area and trail system.
Red Flag Warning issued for 65 counties due to extreme fire risk
Published on May 13, 2025
Due to extreme fire risk conditions, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 65 counties in Minnesota effective Tuesday, May 13.
Minnesota DNR invites public comment on muskie plan update
Published on May 12, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting people to share their thoughts on a draft update of the state’s long-range plan for muskellunge.
DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac, May 12
Published on May 12, 2025
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife and habitat management.
Extreme fire danger continues
Published on May 12, 2025
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 80 counties in Minnesota effective today, May 12, due to extreme fire risk conditions.
Red Flag Warning issued for 77 counties in Minnesota
Published on May 11, 2025
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 77 counties in Minnesota effective today, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. due to extreme fire danger.
Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch issued
Published on May 10, 2025
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for several counties in northwest Minnesota from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today, May 10, due to extreme fire danger.
Don’t let a wildfire become a life‐altering event
Published on May 8, 2025
As Minnesota experiences an active spring wildfire season, with 475 wildfires reported since April 1, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging the public to take wildfire dangers seriously. If you see a wildfire, do not attempt to fight it yourself -- call 911 immediately from a safe location.