In This Issue
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management.
DNR webinars cover reconnecting fish habitat and populations, catch and release fishing
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in fish, wildlife and outdoor skills to check out the summer program schedule for the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series. Live webinar presentations at noon on Wednesdays the next two weeks feature discussions about reconnecting fish populations and catch and release fishing.
The first webinar is Wednesday, June 28. Over thousands of years, fish populations in Minnesota?s rivers have established annual migrations to spawn, feed and overwinter in critical habitats. Since the mid-1800s, people have impacted watersheds and changed river systems using dams, culverts and other barriers, leading to fragmented habitat, restricted fish movements and loss of some species in parts of the state. Jon Lore, DNR natural resource specialist, will talk about the impact of these barriers and how efforts to remove or change them has led to great success in restoring Minnesota?s native fish populations.
The second webinar is Wednesday, July 5. Catch and release is a great way to enjoy fishing while minimizing the impact on fish populations. Tony Sindt, Minnesota River specialist with DNR Fisheries, will discuss how to prepare to safely handle, photograph and release fish. The webinar will focus on large trophy fish and how to avoid mortality from deep water fishing and summer heat.
The Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series webinars are offered year-round and are free, though registration is required. Visit the Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webpage of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has removed deer feeding or feeding and attractant bans in 24 counties to focus restrictions on areas where risk of chronic wasting disease spread is of greatest concern.
?The DNR uses feeding and attractant bans as a tool to reduce unnatural crowding of deer and reduce the risk of exposure to CWD,? said Todd Froberg, big game program coordinator. ?We are using these tools where we think they will provide the greatest potential to benefit the health of Minnesota?s white-tailed deer. This approach limits CWD risk and helps reinforce the connection feeding and using attractants have on the risk of spreading disease.?
Deer feeding, or feeding and attractant bans, will remain in place for 23 counties. A summary of the changes:
- Feeding or feeding and attractant bans have been removed from the following counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Chisago, Clearwater, Douglas, Freeborn, Isanti, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pennington, Pine, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Roseau, Stearns, Steele, Todd and Wadena counties.
- Feeding and attractant bans are in effect for the following counties: Beltrami (new), Carver (new), Cass, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca (new), Le Sueur (new), Mower, Norman, Olmsted, Polk, Rice, Scott, Sibley (new), Wabasha, Washington and Winona counties.
For a list and map of counties affected by feeding and attractant bans, visit the DNR website (mndnr.gov/cwd/feedban.html).
The changes to counties affected by feeding bans reflect DNR?s commitment to an adaptive CWD management strategy.
The DNR does not encourage the public to feed deer. Residents interested in helping deer, especially during severe winter conditions, should focus efforts on improving habitat during the growing season to provide long-term food resources and shelter that deer can reliably find year-after-year.
For more information on how to improve private land for the benefit of deer and other wildlife, visit the DNR website (mndnr.gov/privatelandhabitat).
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The 27-mile Wildlife Drive within the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area will be open from Saturday, July 15, through Sunday, July 23, and on Saturdays and Sundays thereafter through Sunday, Aug. 6. The self-guided tour traverses wetland, woodland, brushland, grassland and farmland habitats, providing visitors ample opportunity for wildlife viewing.
Roseau River WMA (mndnr.gov/wmas/detail_report.html?id=WMA0900600) managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and located 20 miles northwest of Roseau, is part of the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, which consists of 45 sites spanning a 223-mile corridor in the northwestern part of the state. These sites offer some of the most spectacular birding in the state, along with scenic beauty and friendly communities.
Approximately 149 bird species breed within the Roseau River WMA. Yellow rails and horned grebes are a few of the rare breeding species found within the area?s vast wetlands. Along the drive, visitors might also encounter trumpeter swans, loons, white pelicans, sandhill cranes, great blue herons, eagles, a variety of ducks and other water birds, sedge wrens, yellow warblers, Nelson?s sharp-tailed sparrows, black bears, deer, beaver, otter, mink, red fox, wolf and an occasional moose.
Aside from excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, the WMA?s ?pools? offer year-round northern pike fishing opportunities. Visitors typically fish along the dike roads or near the water control structures. When the dike roads are closed to motorists, visitors can bike to Pool 1 West or Pool 2 from the parking areas. During the waterfowl hunting season only, motorboats of 10 horsepower or less may be used on Roseau River WMA pools.
The Wildlife Drive can be easily accessed from the main dike road, which is about 2 miles south of the WMA headquarters on Roseau County Road 3. Only motor vehicles licensed for use on public highways are legally permitted to operate on this road. Motorists are urged to use caution due to narrow roads, soft shoulders, deep ditches and two-way traffic. The Wildlife Drive may temporarily close as a result of inclement weather or road construction, so please call before venturing out.
For current road conditions, a bird list, maps, fishing regulations and additional information, call 218-452-7610, email ([email protected]) or stop by the Roseau River WMA office, 27952 400th St., Roseau, MN 56751. Maps are available in a brochure case on the outside of the wildlife office. Online maps and more information about the Roseau River WMA are available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/wmas/detail_report.html?id=WMA0900600).
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Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are great places to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. Not only is there an abundance of recreational opportunities, state parks and recreation areas offer a quiet location to celebrate Independence Day away from loud fireworks displays. Minnesota rules prohibit the use of fireworks in state parks.
?Not everyone enjoys the light and sound associated with fireworks,? said Ann Pierce, Parks and Trails Division director. ?Minnesota state parks and recreation areas offer a fireworks-free environment for those who want to celebrate Independence Day in a more peaceful place.?
Most Minnesotans live within 30 miles of a state park or recreation area. The ParkFinder tool ?(mndnr.gov/parkfinder) can help visitors in finding a park location that meets their needs.
The DNR encourages all visitors to state parks and recreation areas to keep safety in mind as they celebrate the holiday outdoors with family and friends:
- Pack smart. Be sure to bring sunscreen, insect repellant, a first aid kit and plenty of water for all the people and pets in your group.
- Be BearWise. See the DNR?s bear safety webpage (mndnr.gov/bearsafety) for tips on avoiding an unwanted bear encounter.
- Fun boating is safe boating. Always wear a lifejacket, and make sure children wear theirs. For more boating safety tips, check out the DNR?s boat and water safety webpage (mndnr.gov/boatingsafety).
- Be weather aware. Check the weather forecast before heading out.
For more information about visiting state parks and recreation areas, 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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