May 6, 2024



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

May 6, 2024




*For more information:* <[email protected]>

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





In This Issue

* DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Plant and care for trees, grow resilient communities this Arbor Month [ #link_1491411977526 ]

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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

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

Mille Lacs walleye catch-and-release reminder

Mille Lacs Lake walleye fishing will be catch-and-release during the spring and summer with the opportunity to harvest a walleye starting on Friday, Aug. 16.

During the open water harvest opportunity beginning on Aug. 16, anglers will be able to keep one walleye that is 21-23 inches in length or that is greater than 28 inches. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources designed the regulation to keep the state?s walleye take within the limit agreed upon with tribal nations.

Anglers are reminded to protect Mille Lacs Lake and all Minnesota waters from aquatic invasive species by cleaning and draining watercraft and equipment and disposing of unwanted bait in the trash. A decontamination station is available 24/7 at the Shaw-Bosh-Kung Bay public access on the west side of Mille Lacs Lake about 8 miles south of Garrison.

Complete Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations and regularly updated surveys showing ongoing state-licensed angler catches of walleye, northern pike and yellow perch are available on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/millelacslake/index.html).

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 also is a mobile-friendly destination for information on when, where and how to fish. Users can find links to LakeFinder [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/lakefind), which provides maps and detailed information on lakes throughout the state, and the new StreamFinder [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/streamfind/index.html) tool that provides a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota. The DNR fishing page also includes an online version of Minnesota fishing regulations [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing), plus online versions of the 2024 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet [ [link removed] ] available in English (files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing_regs.pdf?v=2024.04.25-09.48.12), Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish.

Fishing regulations available online in Hmong, Karen, Somali, Spanish

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has translated the state?s 2024 fishing regulations into Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish, the four most commonly spoken languages, apart from English, in Minnesota.

The translated regulations are available in digital format on the?Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ]?(mndnr.gov/fishing) and in print at locations in late May where they are most likely to be in demand, including at select DNR offices, license vendors and some Minnesota state parks.

People can request a copy of the English, Hmong, Karen, Somali or Spanish regulation booklets be mailed to them by calling the DNR?s Information Center at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 or by [email protected]. Translated regulation booklets will be mailed once available in late May.

The Minnesota DNR Information Center also offers interpretation in more than 200 languages and provides information in alternative formats for individuals with disabilities. For TTY/TDD communication contact us through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 or 800-627-3529.?

Minnesota moms: Join the Mother?s Day weekend fishing challenge

Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 11, through Sunday, May 12, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the Student Angler Organization and Women Anglers of Minnesota to host the challenge.

To participate in the Mother?s Day weekend fishing challenge, moms simply need to join the Facebook group called ?Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge 2024? and post one photo of each fish they catch ? we want to see how many fish Minnesota moms catch!

All participants who submit one or more fish photos will have their name entered in a random drawing for prizes provided by the Student Angler Organization and their partners, including gift cards for SCHEELS and Lund. Additionally, participants are invited to tune in for a pre-challenge virtual Fishing 101 class, hosted by Women Anglers of Minnesota in the challenge Facebook group [ [link removed] ] (facebook.com/groups/967975514717550) on May 7. Challenge details are available on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fishing/take-mom-fishing.html).

DNR urges people to leave deer fawns alone

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources asks that people avoid disturbing or touching deer fawns, which are born around this time of year.

Most fawns are born in mid-May to mid-June, and fawns do not attempt to evade predators during their first few weeks of life. Instead, they remain still to avoid being seen. During these times, fawns are learning critical survival skills from their mothers but are often left on their own while their mothers forage watchfully nearby.

Be assured deer fawns are likely fine even if they look abandoned or fragile. Even if the fawn is known to be wounded or abandoned due to car strike or animal attack, do not transport it without talking to a wildlife rehabilitator. Moving a fawn can be detrimental to the animal and increase the risk of disease spread. For more information about what to do when people find fawns or other species of young wild animals, visit the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/eco/nongame/rehabilitation/orphaned-wildlife.html).

Minnesota DNR webinars focus on fishing opener and alternative lawns

*"Contact:?"*"Benji Kohn" <[email protected]>", volunteer mentor program coordinator, 651-259-5178."

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, May 8, join DNR staff as they go live while shore fishing to talk about the upcoming fishing opener and Take a Mom Fishing Weekend on May 11-12. The webinar will focus on the upcoming fishing season, DNR fishing updates, favorite lures, and how to be more successful fishing. People might also hear about a great fishing spot or two!

In a webinar on Wednesday, May 15, join members of Altlawns of Richfield and Bloomington, a community group of residents, who will discuss creating lawns with biodiverse native plant species, offer tips, and answer questions on managing and maintaining a native lawn landscape.

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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Plant and care for trees, grow resilient communities this Arbor Month
A person showing kids how to care for trees in their communities

This May, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites community members to celebrate Arbor Month by embracing the theme, ?Plant and Care for Trees, Grow Resilient Communities.? May is the perfect month to focus attention on tree care.

?Choosing and planting the right tree for your yard is the first step,? DNR Forestry Outreach Specialist Nikki Henger said. ?The second is to properly care for your trees to help them grow strong so they can provide shade to relax under, energy savings, and environmental benefits for years to come.?

Below are tips on how to plant and care for trees:

*Getting started ? *start by selecting the right tree [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/treecare/righttree-shrub.html) for the yard, with an eye towards adding to the diversity of the neighborhood tree canopy. Before planting, visit Gopher State One Call [ [link removed] ] (gopherstateonecall.org) or dial 811 to check for utility lines to figure out the best spot for planting.

*Planting* [ [link removed] ] (youtube.com/watch?source_ve_path=MTY0OTksMjg2NjQsMTY0NTAz&feature=emb_share&v=fRCLJVR8exk) ? take the tree out of the container and break up or remove any circling or girdling roots. Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball and as deep as the root ball height. The top of the root ball should be level with the ground. Fill the hole with soil and remove air pockets by stepping around the tree. Finish by watering and mulching.??

*Caring for newly-planted trees* ? newly planted trees need some extra care to establish their roots and thrive in their new environment. The DNR recommends:


* Watering [ [link removed] ] (youtube.com/watch?v=a4hNIJxPxbg) ? newly-planted trees generally require 15-25 gallons of water per week for the first three to five years. Watering should happen whenever your area receives less than 1 inch of rain a week.
* Mulching [ [link removed] ] (youtube.com/watch?v=Le05ExdzSlA&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY&feature=emb_logo) ? proper mulching is crucial for protecting roots and soil health. A layer of mulch around the tree's base should be 3 inches deep, extend 3 feet from the trunk, and start 3 inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup against the bark that can cause rot and girdling roots.

*Caring for mature trees *? even mature trees need attention. Water mature trees once a week during drought conditions, ideally in the early morning or late evenings. Use a soaker hose to drip water slowly around your trees to ensure the water soaks into the top 6 inches of soil, which might take a few hours.

?This Arbor Month, help our neighborhood trees thrive by caring for the trees you planted!? Henger said.

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