April 15, 2024



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

April 15, 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 ]
* Peregrine falcon eggs visible on DNR FalconCam [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Free entrance to Minnesota state parks on April 27 [ #link_1491412003165 ]

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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

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

*Get fishing questions answered on DNR fishing webpage*

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a fishing webpage [ [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 StreamFinder tool that provides a description, species list, regulations, and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota.

*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 happen each year as ice-out begins and waters begin to warm. The DNR closes the spawning locations 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.

Areas closed to fishing are listed and updated on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ]_ _(mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing/fishing-seasonal-closures.html). 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.

Minnesota DNR webinars focus on brook trout conservation and spring warbler migration

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 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.

In a webinar on Wednesday, April 24, Amy Simso Dean, an expert Minnesota birder, will share some basic tips on how to identify and where to find warblers this spring. She will also share some suggestions on how to introduce kids to birding. Dozens of species of warblers and millions of individual birds will be winging their way north through Minnesota over the next few weeks as part of their travels from tropical locales to their breeding grounds in Minnesota and points north. Spring is a great time of the year to see some of these original ?snowbirds? up close and personal.

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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Peregrine falcon eggs visible on DNR FalconCam

Falcon pair prepared nest for brood?
Peregrine falcon chicks and eggs

Peregrine falcon chicks from a previous season in the St. Paul nest. Photo credit: Minnesota DNR

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said a pair of peregrine falcons has an active nest and is tending eggs on the popular DNR FalconCam [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov).?

This spring, the webcam has captured this pair of falcons demonstrating courtship displays and creating a nest in the gravel. Their first egg could be seen April 11 and the second egg April 13. ?Falcons typically lay eggs in 48-72 hour intervals.??

A peregrine falcon clutch can contain anywhere from two to five eggs, with four being more common in the midwestern U.S. While the number of incubation days can vary, eggs in this nest could start to hatch mid-May. Baby falcons, called eyasses, are lightly covered in whitish down. Eyasses initially have their eyes closed and are relatively helpless. Both male and female adults help incubate the eggs and provide food for their young.??

The FalconCam, located inside a nest box in downtown St. Paul, became the DNR?s first live webcam 13 years ago. Building tenants at Sentinal Properties provide funding for the live camera stream and the building managers oversee the nest box, camera and birds. The webcam provides an intimate view into the life of nesting peregrine falcons each year.?

The two adult falcons using this nest box have been identified by the Midwest Peregrine Society as an 11-year-old female and a 15-year-old male. This female falcon has nested in this box since 2016. The male, banded as a chick in 2009 in Indiana, is a new partner for the female. ?

?We hope the FalconCam generates appreciation of this fascinating species of special concern and helps connect Minnesotans to the incredible wildlife around them,? DNR Wildlife Engagement Supervisor Jessica Ruthenberg said.??

The peregrine falcon story is a Minnesota success. In the 1970s, they were on the brink of extinction in North America. Populations were restored with the help of Minnesota falconers, the Midwest Peregrine Society and the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program. Donations from generous Minnesotans on income tax forms helped to fund the peregrine falcon restoration project and the DNR FalconCam.

Since 1987, Minnesotans can choose to ?look for the loon? on state tax forms to fund projects like the peregrine and eagle web cameras. Anyone can make a donation (mndnr.gov/nongame/donate) for the future of Minnesota?s rare and vulnerable wildlife any time during the year. ?

Watch the DNR FalconCam [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/falconcam) to see the falcons tending their eggs in the nest box and preparing for them to hatch. The FalconCam webpage also has a link to sign up for updates. More about peregrine falcons and the Minnesota restoration project is available on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/eco/nongame/projects/peregrine.html).?

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Free entrance to Minnesota state parks on April 27

Minnesotans are encouraged to explore outdoors with friends and family

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle permit fees at all 74 state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, April 27.

This ?Free Park Day? is one of four days each year on which the DNR waives the requirement for a vehicle permit at state parks and recreation areas. The four fee-free days are spread out over the year, giving folks an opportunity to visit a state park for free in each season of the year.

?Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are great places to make memories with loved ones,? said Ann Pierce, director of the DNR Parks and Trails Division. ?Spring is an ideal time to reconnect with the natural world and enjoy the beauty of Minnesota?s state parks and recreation areas. I encourage visitors to look for signs of spring like early-blooming wildflowers, migrating birds, and the opening of green leaves on trees. Our goal is for those who visit on Free Park Day to be inspired to come back again soon.?

Each spring, Free Park Day is held on the Saturday after Earth Day. Earth Day is a great time to remind visitors to always recreate responsibly to protect natural resources. For example:


* Spring is a time of increased wildlife activity; respect wildlife by observing from a distance.
* Please stay on trails when hiking or biking to avoid erosion and damage to sensitive plants and wildlife habitat.
* Love the blooming spring wildflowers? Resist the urge to pick ? take a photo instead. Leave flowers, rocks and other natural objects as they were found.

Interpretive naturalists at some park locations have planned programming for the Free Park Day. There is no cost to participate in these events. Find more details about these highlighted events or see the full state park events calendar online [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ptcalendar).


* EarthFest 2024 [ [link removed] ]: Wild River State Park, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Join in a day of nature walks, speakers, live music and service projects centered around the theme of prairies and why we care about them. The event will highlight the almost 500 acres of restored prairie at Wild River State Park. A variety of experts will lead sessions, including naturalists, cultural teachers and musicians. All ages are welcome, though this event is geared toward ages eight and up. Pick and choose from activities or come for the full day.

* Invasive Naturalist Tent [ [link removed] ]: Fort Snelling State Park, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
* Visit a park naturalist at the tent to see non-native species of plants and animals in the park and learn how these invasive species are changing native landscapes and habitats. Drop by for a few minutes or stay for the hour.

* Signs of Spring Hike [ [link removed] ]: Itasca State Park, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
* Explore signs of spring. Put on walking shoes and head down the trail with a naturalist looking for interesting plants and animals that are starting to make their spring appearance. The hike will be 1 to 2 miles in length.

* Spring Awakening: Ephemeral Wildflower Hike [ [link removed] ]: Minneopa State Park, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* Join a park naturalist to explore the exciting wildflowers that are some of the first signs of spring and how they reveal a landscape that awakens with life each year. The hike will be approximately 2.7 miles long and follow the Minnesota River Bluff Trail, which consists of mostly flat gravel trails.

Visitors looking for specific recreational opportunities or amenities can use the ParkFinder tool [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/parkfinder) to find the best parks for them.

The DNR recommends visitors wear clothing appropriate for the weather and bring water and snacks. Spring brings a variety of weather conditions, and trails could be muddy. Check for updates in the visitor alerts on park websites [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/parks).

While a vehicle permit is not needed for park admission on Free Park Days, additional fees for things like camping reservations and equipment rentals still apply.

For more information, visit the DNR?s Free Park Days webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/freeparkdays).

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