April 18, 2023



header


*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

April 18, 2023




*For more information:*
Contact the DNR Information Center
by?email <[email protected]>?or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* DNR volunteers celebrated during National Volunteer Week [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* DNR shares top 10 tips for planning a camping trip in state parks, recreation areas and forest campgrounds [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Upper Red Lake walleye regulations announced for open water season [ #link_1491412003165 ]
* DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac [ #link_1491412104175 ]
* DNR accepting comments on environmental review of Mile Post 7 West Ridge Railroad relocation, dam extensions and stream mitigation project [ #link_1 ]
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DNR volunteers celebrated during National Volunteer Week

More than 13,000 volunteers helped the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources do everything from monitoring rainfall levels to clearing trails, according to the 2022 annual DNR volunteer report.

?Minnesotans benefit in countless ways because of DNR?s thousands of volunteers,? DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. ?I am so grateful they give their time in service to our natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities.?

According to the?report? [ [link removed] ](files.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/AnnualReport.pdf), the estimated value of volunteer services in 2022 totaled $6.3 million. The annual report is out just in time for National Volunteer Week, when organizations across the country honor volunteers and recognize the impact of their time and talents.

*What do DNR volunteers do?*

Volunteers help the DNR with a wide variety of activities, including teaching firearms safety, improving wildlife habitat, hosting a state park or forest campground, planting trees, tagging fish, and monitoring rainfall levels.

Dave and Sabra Horn are volunteer campground hosts at Sand Dunes State Forest campground. Their host duties include checking guests in, cleaning fire rings, picking up trash, being the eyes and ears for the campground and helping with anything asked of them.

An example of the Horn?s willingness to help was a day recycling cans hadn?t been picked up in the campground. Working with staff, they were able to clean up the smelly mess. Today they laugh about it and call it a bonding experience. Luckily this type of thing doesn?t happen often, and the Horns much prefer interacting with campers.

The DNR established a department-wide volunteer program in 1988. Over the last 35 years, Minnesotans have contributed more than 12.7 million hours of volunteer service to help manage our state?s natural resources. The value of this service is estimated at more than $244 million. The DNR?s volunteer program is one of the largest among Minnesota state agencies.

To become a volunteer or for more information, visit the?volunteer page of the?DNR website [ [link removed] ]?(mndnr.gov/Volunteering).?

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DNR shares top 10 tips for planning a camping trip in state parks, recreation areas and forest campgrounds

As Minnesotans prepare for the summer camping season, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shares tips to help in planning an outdoor adventure.

?We know Minnesotans love being outdoors, and getting outside after a long winter is exciting,? said Ann Pierce, Parks and Trails Division director. ?We also know time and knowledge can be barriers in planning a camping trip. We?re working to alleviate this for folks by providing information to help them prepare for a fun experience.?

*Book campsites early, and be flexible if you can?t book early*

Reservations for campsites in state parks and recreation areas can be made up to 120 days in advance. Reservations are in high demand for holiday weekends and at the most popular parks, like those on the North Shore.

If reservations are full, the DNR has three suggestions. First, sign up for the ?notify me? function on the reservation website to get notified by email if there?s a cancellation. Second, consider a camping trip on weekdays instead of the busy weekends if your schedule allows. Third, look for open reservations at less busy parks. Our list of quiet state park getaways on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/state_parks/starter_kit/quiet) provides suggestions for locations more likely to have open reservations.

*Looking for flexible camping options? Try camping in a state forest. *

If spontaneity is your style, try camping in a state forest where all campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and dispersed camping is allowed. Learn more on the DNR?s state forest camping web page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/state_forests/camping).

*Buy a vehicle permit *

A permit is required for each vehicle entering state parks and recreation areas. Permits can be purchased online or at park offices during open hours. The cost is $7 per day or $35 per year. If you?re camping just one night, a one-day permit will be valid until check-out time. Find details on the Minnesota state park vehicle permit web page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/permit). State forests do not require a vehicle permit.

*Pack smart
*Sometimes it can be hard to figure out what to pack for a camping trip, especially for those who are new to camping. For a good starting point, the DNR has a camping supply checklist [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/state_parks/stay_overnight/packing101).

*Check equipment before you leave home
*Broken tent poles or a leaky air mattress might ruin a camping trip or make it less comfortable. If your camping gear hasn?t been used in a while or is new, test it at home before the trip to make sure it works.

*Research events to enhance your trip
*Events and programs are scheduled at state parks throughout the year, offering a wide range of activities from fishing and birding, to interpretive hikes, to crafting. Visitors of all ages are welcome, and no prior experience is needed. Find event listings on the state parks and trails event calendar [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ptcalendar).

*Check visitor alerts before leaving home
*State park and recreation area websites post visitor alerts to communicate important information related to safety, closures, construction projects and other helpful details. Find visitor alerts by choosing a park from the state parks map [ [link removed] ] (www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/map.html).

*Don?t get lost, navigate with a smartphone
*The Avenza Maps app uses GPS location tracking so visitors can stay found, even off the grid. After you download the app and a GeoPDF map, no internet or cell service is needed. DNR maps can be downloaded for free. Get details on the DNR?s GeoPDF web page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/geopdf).

*Watch the weather
*Stay in the know by enabling severe weather notifications on your smartphone. Because cell service is not available in all locations within state parks, recreation areas and forests, visitors may want to bring a weather radio to get information about severe weather warnings, watches and advisories.

*Document your trip and share your photos
*Make sure to bring a camera to document the great memories made on the camping trip, and we?d love for you to share your photos with us. Images submitted may be featured on the Parks and Trails social media accounts. Share photos on the DNR photo sharing web page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/sharephotos).

For more information about any of these camping tips, visit www.mndnr.gov [ [link removed] ] or contact the DNR Information Center at [email protected] or 888-646-6367?
(8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday).

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Upper Red Lake walleye regulations announced for open water season

Anglers fishing on Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota during the 2023 open-water season that starts May 13 will have a five-walleye possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

?This summer we are able to have a more generous bag limit as the 2019 class is super abundant. These fish are around 15 inches and are now becoming mature,? said Edie Evarts, Bemidji area fisheries supervisor. ?We hope anglers will enjoy this extra opportunity, which will also meet our goal of managing spawning walleye stock at a level that produces future strong year classes.?

The 2022 open water season had a four-walleye possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 20 inches allowed.

?More spawning stock is not always better on Upper Red Lake. Our management has shown that too many spawners in the lake can result in smaller year classes,? Evarts said.

The Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR manage walleye harvest on Red Lake under a joint harvest plan that the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee revised in 2015. The 2023-2024 winter harvest regulations will be determined after the summer fishing season and the completion of fall assessment netting.

An Upper Red Lake Citizen Advisory Committee reviews walleye harvest totals and regulation options and provides recommendations for the state waters of Upper Red Lake. Upper Red Lake fishing regulations are available on the?Minnesota DNR fishing regulations page [ [link removed] ]?(mndnr.gov/fishing/upper-red-lake-regulations.html).

Anglers are reminded to protect Upper Red Lake from aquatic invasive species by cleaning and draining watercraft and equipment and disposing of unwanted bait in the trash. A permanent decontamination station is coming soon to the Tamarac River Big Bog Public Water Access, referred to locally as Homestead Park.

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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management that can be used in full, as separate short stories, or to jump-start a longer article.

*Get your fishing questions answered on DNR fishing webpage*

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a fishing page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fishing) to help answer angler questions. The page answers questions like: What species can I fish for? What kind of bait is legal? What kind of fish can I keep?

The page is a mobile-friendly destination for information on when, where and how to fish. Users will find links to LakeFinder, which provides maps and detailed information on lakes throughout the state, and the new StreamFinder tool that provides a description, species list, regulations, and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota.

The DNR fishing page also includes the 2023 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet in English, Hmong, Karen, Somali, and Spanish, plus an online version of the regulations in English that lets users browse the regulations by choosing topics. People can request that a free copy of the regulation booklet in all the available languages be mailed to them by calling the DNR?s Information Center at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 or by [email protected], and print versions in English are available where DNR licenses are sold.

*DNR announces temporary, seasonal fishing closures
*

To protect spawning fish, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has begun to close certain portions of some Minnesota waters. The closings are routine and based on local conditions.

Closings occur each year as ice-out begins and waters begin to warm. The DNR closes the spawning locations? [ [link removed] ](mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing/fishing-seasonal-closures.html) to fishing only where habitat is limited and fish are very concentrated in one location, such as a river or the bay of a lake where fish are congregated during spawning.?

Portions of waters closed to fishing also are posted at access sites and in other visible areas. Anglers may fish in areas that are not posted.

*DNR webinars cover peregrine falcons, coldwater fish hatcheries*

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune in to upcoming webinars that feature discussions about peregrine falcons and coldwater fish hatcheries.

The first webinar is Wednesday, April 19. Jackie Fallon, a wildlife biologist, master falconer, and educator for more than 30 years, will discuss what is being done in Minnesota to help peregrine falcons and what we have discovered about them after 40 years of research.

The second is Wednesday, April 26. Minnesota has a large system of coldwater hatcheries that provide 1.7 million trout each year for stocking into 200 lakes and 100 streams throughout the state. Meredith Warmuth, DNR fish hatchery specialist, will share information on the components of the hatchery system, how the hatcheries benefit trout fishing in Minnesota, and how you can tour these facilities.

The webinars are part of the DNR?s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series. The webinars are free, but registration is required. More information is available on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the _DNR website_ [ [link removed] ](mndnr.gov/discover).

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DNR accepting comments on environmental review of Mile Post 7 West Ridge Railroad relocation, dam extensions and stream mitigation project

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments through? May 18 on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed project at Northshore Mining?s Mile Post 7 tailings basin.

The project would relocate the West Ridge Railroad, extend Dam 1 and Dam 2, construct a new rail switchback, develop a clay borrow site, and conduct stream mitigation at six sites near the town of Beaver Bay in Lake County.

The stream mitigation would be required because of impacts from the proposed dam construction and railway relocation. The mitigation would stabilize stream channels, restore floodplain connectivity, and improve aquatic habitat for approximately 20,665 linear feet of stream.

A copy of the EAW is available on the project page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ].

A hard copy may be requested by calling 651-259-5126. Hard copies of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet are available for public review at Silver Bay Public Library, 9 Davis Drive, Silver Bay, MN 55614. The EAW notice was published in the April 18 Environmental Quality Board Monitor.

Comments on the EAW must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. Mailed comments should be sent to the attention of Bill Johnson, EAW Project Manager, DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division, Box 25, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025. Electronic or email comments may be sent to [email protected] with ?Mile Post 7 Stream EAW? in the subject line.

People who submit comments will receive a copy of the decision document, which includes responses to comments. Because all comments and related information are part of the public record for this environmental review, commenters? names and email or postal addresses will be published and publicly available as they appear in the materials they submit.?

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