April 8, 2024



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

April 8, 2024




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





In This Issue

* DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* DNR offers tips for staying safe this off-highway vehicle season [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Minnesota Twins offer free hats and discounted tickets [ #link_1491412003165 ]
* Glendalough State Park to host annual ?Walk? [ #link_1 ]

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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

"A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management."

Stream trout fishing opens in streams statewide April 13

Minnesota?s popular stream trout season opens Saturday, April 13, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state. Brook trout and splake fishing also open April 13 on Lake Superior and its tributary streams.

Trout anglers can find information on Minnesota?s trout streams and lakes on Minnesota DNR?s website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fishing/trout). Anglers will find helpful learning guides and fishing tips tailored to each of Minnesota?s six trout fishing regions. Anglers can also access StreamFinder [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fishing/trout/map.html), which provides anglers with a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota, and is modeled after the DNR?s popular LakeFinder tool.

Minnesota has roughly 3,800 miles of designated trout streams. Anglers 18-64 years old fishing on designated trout waters must have a trout stamp validation in addition to an angling license and a trout stamp is required for anglers 18-64 years old to possess trout or salmon they catch on any Minnesota water. Complete trout season details are available at the Minnesota DNR?s fishing page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fishing).

Spring turkey hunting begins April 17

Minnesota turkey hunting begins this month, with opportunities available from Wednesday, April 17, through Friday, May 31. The season is divided into six hunt periods, A-F.

Wild turkey hunting is popular in Minnesota and turkey hunting ? including setting decoys, listening for gobbles and calling to birds ? can make for an active and unforgettable experience. For anyone new to the experience, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has how-to guides and videos on a learn-to-hunt webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/gohunting/wild-turkey-hunting.html).?

More information and important season and regulation details about turkey hunting in Minnesota can be found on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey). Hunters concerned about avian influenza and wild turkeys can find more information about safe handling practices from USDA [ [link removed] ] (aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf) and the response to the disease in Minnesota on the DNR avian influenza webpage [ [link removed] ]?(mndnr.gov/ai).

2024 spring turkey season dates:


* Youth season - April 17-May 31
* Archery season - April 17-May 31
* A - April 17-23
* B - April 24-30
* C - May 1-7
* D - May 8-14
* E - May 15-21
* F - May 22-31

Renew watercraft registration early, use online renewal

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages boat owners to renew expired watercraft registrations before this year?s boating season.

Boater owners are encouraged to renew registrations online [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/licenses/online-sales.html) or at a local deputy registrar?s office rather than by mail. People renewing online can print out the confirmation page to use as their temporary permit. Boaters also may write down their temporary authorization number from the confirmation page. The registration card and expiration decals will then be mailed to the boat owner.

The Minnesota Legislature approved a watercraft license fee increase in May 2023. Watercraft registrations had not increased since 2006. Watercraft registrations are good for three years and the resulting revenue is used exclusively for boating and lake or river related expenditures such as boating enforcement, search and rescue, maintaining public water access sites, monitoring of water quality and stream-flow data, and acting on public water work permit applications.

To renew a watercraft registration online, visit the DNR's online license sales page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/licenses/online-sales.html), click on ?Get Started? and follow the prompts. To renew in person, visit a deputy registrar.?Deputy registrar locations are available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website [ [link removed] ] (dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/locations/pages/find-office-locations.aspx#search=registrar). People can also renew in person at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul.

Minnesota DNR webinars focus on coldwater fisheries and brook trout conservation? ?

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to check out the spring program schedule for the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series.

In a webinar on Wednesday, April 10, Derek Bahr, DNR fisheries research scientist, and Heather Baird, DNR forest fisheries landscape coordinator, will discuss how climate and landscape changes are affecting coldwater fish communities in Minnesota lakes, how the DNR is working with partners to mitigate those effects and what each of us can do to help.

In a webinar on Wednesday, April 17, Melissa Wagner, Lanesboro DNR fisheries supervisor, will discuss the Minnesota Driftless strain of brook trout that the Minnesota DNR is using to reintroduce brook trout to streams where they are no longer found, enhance streams lacking brook trout reproduction and increase fishing opportunities to catch brook trout. Brook trout conservation is important, as they are the only species of trout native to southeast Minnesota. Wagner will share the history of this conservation project and what it means for future stream management and anglers.

The Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series webinars are free and offered year-round, though registration is required. Visit the Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webpage of the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.

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DNR offers tips for staying safe this off-highway vehicle season

Off-highway vehicles have been common sights across the state for weeks now, and they?ll become more prevalent going forward, as trails open for use as conditions allow.

With what could be an unusually long riding season on tap and the continued surge in the number of all-terrain vehicles registered in the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources urges all riders to make safety their top priority. During the past decade, an average of 19 people each year have been involved in fatal OHV crashes. In that same period, the number of registered machines has risen from about 377,000 to more than 520,500. While even one fatality is too many, the number of fatalities per registered ATV has been trending downward in recent years.

DNR safety officials said actively supervising young riders and making sure they properly fit the machine they?re riding, wearing a DOT-approved helmet, using the seatbelt on machines equipped with them, and completing a safety education course are among the top ways to ensure a safe ride.

?More and more people are figuring out what others have known a long time ? riding an OHV is a good way to connect with the outdoors and enjoy our state?s natural resources,? said Capt. Jon Paurus, safety training education manager for the DNR Enforcement Division. ?Whatever their experience level, we encourage all riders to take some time to refresh themselves on safety and help ensure they keep making positive memories for years to come.?

Minnesota law requires anyone born after July 1, 1987, and who is 12 years or older, to complete safety certification before operating ATVs on public lands or waters, public road rights-of-way, and state or grant-in-aid trails. However, safety officials encourage all riders to complete safety training, as people who do so are less likely to be involved in serious crash.

Other ways riders can help ensure a safe ride include:


* Wear a DOT-approved helmet. While only those under 18 are required to do so, it?s recommended for all riders.
* Ride only on designated trails. Stay to the right and travel at a safe speed.
* Ride sober.
* Remember riders under age 15 are not allowed to operate Class 2 ATVs, except on private property. The DNR advises against riders under 15 operating Class 2 ATVs in any location.
* Wear a seatbelt if the machine is equipped.
* Wear protective gear including goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, gloves and a DOT-approved helmet when riding all types of OHVs.
* Avoid riding on paved roads except to cross. Do it safely and ensure it?s permitted by law.
* Actively supervise young riders. OHVs aren?t toys.
* Complete a safety education course.

For more tips on safe riding, head to the?DNR?s ATV safety webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ohv/atv-safety.html) For a list of currently available ATV safety classes, check out the?DNR?s ATV safety training requirements webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/vehicle/atv).

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Minnesota Twins offer free hats and discounted tickets

Anyone with a 2024 Minnesota fishing or hunting license can access a special ticket package with the Minnesota Twins this season. The special ticket package includes a free blaze orange wool-blend Twins cap and a ticket discount.

The Minnesota DNR Days are back at Twins games this season, through a partnership between the Twins and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The Minnesota DNR Days partnership includes seven games this year:


* Sunday, April 21 vs. Detroit Tigers, 1:10 p.m.
* Friday, May 3 vs. Boston Red Sox, 7:10 p.m.
* Friday, May 24 vs. Texas Rangers, 7:10 p.m.
* Saturday, June 15 vs. Oakland Athletics, 1:10 p.m.
* Saturday, July 20 vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 6:10 p.m.
* Sunday, Aug. 4 vs. Chicago White Sox, 1:10 p.m.
* Tuesday, Sept. 10 vs. Los Angeles Angels, 6:40 p.m.

Important: License holders must purchase their tickets ahead of time at the Twins? special DNR Days webpage [ [link removed] ] (twins.com/dnr) in order to receive the hat and discounted tickets. Ticket prices vary by game. The person who purchases the tickets must show their hunting or fishing license, or a photo of it, at the game when they pick up the hats. This is a high-demand promotion with a limited quantity of hats. Additional instructions for purchasing tickets are on the Minnesota DNR Days webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/twins).

People can buy fishing and hunting licenses at any Minnesota DNR license agent, online with a mobile or desktop device [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/buyalicense), or by phone at 888-665-4236. Mobile license buyers receive a text or email that serves as proof of a valid fish or game license to state conservation officers.

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Glendalough State Park to host annual ?Walk?

Glendalough State Park, in west-central Minnesota, will host its 28th annual Walk for Glendalough on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for new park amenities and is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Parks and Trails Council and Glendalough Park Partners.?

Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the historic Glendalough Lodge, which will be open for tours.

Visitors can enjoy donuts and beverages in the dining hall before heading out for a morning stroll or bike ride. Participants can also explore a nature cart full of unique animal artifacts provided by the park naturalist. Free native plants donated by Lake Country Gardens will be available for participants to take home and enjoy in their garden.

A bratwurst lunch will be awaiting walkers and bikers when they return to the lodge. After lunch, the Park Partners will host a short program updating progress on the new trail center, bike trail extension and proposed improvements to the Annie Battle Lake carry-in boat access.

?This annual fundraising event has raised over $500,000 for projects at Glendalough State Park,? said Jeff Wiersma, Glendalough State Park manager. ?Many of the amenities that park visitors enjoy today would not have been possible without these funds.?

A portion of this year?s proceeds will go for tree planting, interior furnishings and outdoor benches at the new trail center. Past projects funded or partially funded by the walk include the Glendalough bike trail, year-round restrooms at the trail center, Molly Stark Lake picnic shelter, Annie Battle Lake hiking trail bridge, an outdoor seating area, wildlife viewing blinds, restoration of the historic Glendalough Lodge and prairie restoration.

April 27 is one of four free park days this year at Minnesota state parks, so there is no fee to enter the park for the fundraiser event. Donations are encouraged. Bring the family for some exercise, fun and food. Visitors can extend their day with an overnight stay in the cart-in campground, a camper cabin or a yurt.

For more information, call the park at 218-261-6900 or visit the Glendalough State Park webpage of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/glendalough).

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minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

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