In This Issue
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management.
Bass fishing a highlight of spring
The bass fishing catch-and-keep season (mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing) opens Saturday, May 25, and spring is a great time to cast a line for these fun-to-catch fish. Largemouth and smallmouth bass can be easier to catch in spring and early summer when they spend more time in shallow water. Later, as water temperatures rise, many bass move to deeper water in search of sunken points, rocky humps and aquatic plant edges that offer protection from larger fish and hiding places for prey. Learn more about how to fish for bass and other species at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource?s learn to fish webpage (mndnr.gov/gofishing/how-catch-fish.html).
DNR cautions lake and river property owners about improper use of hydraulic jets
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources frequently receives questions about devices that generate water current to blast muck and aquatic plants away. They have various trade names, but the DNR refers to these devices generically as hydraulic jets. Even though they can be purchased in Minnesota, they cannot be used in any way that disturbs the bottom of a waterbody or uproots plants.
A person may legally operate a hydraulic jet if it is placed at the surface of the water in such a way that it does not disturb the bottom or destroy rooted aquatic plants. It should be directed slightly upward toward the water?s surface. This can prevent dead vegetation and duckweed from collecting around docks and boat lifts.
?We want people to know why it?s important to protect aquatic plants,? said Shane McBride, DNR aquatic plant management consultant. ?Plants are important to lakes and rivers because they help maintain water clarity, prevent erosion, stabilize the bottom of the waterbody, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Aquatic plants are protected under state law.?
Specific regulations govern aquatic plant removal and prescribe the situations that require permits from the DNR. Regulations and a guide to aquatic plants can be found on the?Minnesota DNR website?(mndnr.gov/shorelandmgmt/apg/regulations.html). To apply for an aquatic plant management permit, visit the Minnesota DNR?s?permitting and reporting system?(mndnr.gov/mpars).
Minnesota Twins offer special edition hats with DNR ticket package
Anyone with a 2024 Minnesota fishing or hunting license can access a ticket package with the Minnesota Twins this season that includes a special edition blaze orange wool-blend Twins cap with a ticket purchase.
The Minnesota DNR Days partnership includes seven games this year, with the next one coming up Friday, May 24 vs. Texas Rangers. Find more game times and instructions for purchasing tickets on the Minnesota DNR Days webpage (mndnr.gov/twins).
Minnesota DNR webinars focus on invasive earthworms, hiking the Superior Hiking Trail
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 22, Laura Van Riper, DNR terrestrial invasive species program coordinator, will discuss effects of invasive earthworms and provide more detail on jumping worms, including how to identify them, known current distribution, and research and regulatory updates. Also, participants will learn about actions people can take to prevent and report jumping worms and other invasive earthworm species.
In a webinar on Wednesday, May 22, join Lisa Luokkala, Superior Hiking Trail Association?s executive director, to learn the best first steps in planning a visit to Minnesota?s premier footpath. Luokkala will cover guides and maps that are available, basic information about features such as campsites and trailheads, trail history and other guidance to help plan a trail adventure.
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 (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.
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Moon Valley WMA is now open to the public and provides 420 acres of public recreation space 15 minutes from Rochester
 Photo credit: Jennifer Busch
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced today that it received a 420-acre land donation near Byron in Olmsted County from The Nature Conservancy and Trust for Public Land. Named Moon Valley Wildlife Management Area, the property is now open to the public, providing a variety of public outdoor recreation opportunities 15 minutes north of downtown Rochester.
?This new WMA offers Minnesotans new opportunities to get outside and allows for the restoration and management of important habitat,? said Dave Olfelt, director of DNR?s Fish and Wildlife Division. ?We?re grateful to The Nature Conservancy and Trust for Public Land for their partnership and dedication to preserving this land for future generations.?
With support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, TNC and TPL acquired the property from the Moon family, who operated a family farm there for nearly a century. The family wanted to see the property preserved as a natural area.
?With urban spread there are fewer and fewer wild and open spaces for people and wildlife to roam,? Linda Moon said. ?The Moon family hopes this can be a small refuge for our neighbors and for our family to come home to as well. It was our beautiful farm, and now it will return to its natural state open to everyone.?
?We are grateful to the Moon family for entrusting us with the future of this land,? said Ann Mulholland, who directs TNC?s work in Minnesota. ?The DNR will ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy not only its natural beauty, but also maximize the many benefits it provides to people and nature, including clean water and carbon storage.?
Located in the Driftless Area, the new WMA includes forest bluffs, springs and shoreline along the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River; 200 acres of former cropland will be restored to wetlands, prairie and floodplain forest. In addition to conserving key habitat, the property offers plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation like hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.
?There is a growing need for publicly accessible outdoor spaces in southeastern Minnesota, and this nearly three miles of the Zumbro River will help connect thousands of residents and visitors with nature,? said Sophie Vorhoff, Minnesota State Director for TPL. ?TPL is proud of our partnership with TNC and DNR to ensure important ecological and recreational landscapes like Moon Valley are protected for all to enjoy.?
For more information on Moon Valley WMA, visit the DNR website (bit.ly/moonvalleywma).
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds hikers, campers and others recreating outdoors to be aware of bears and learn how to prevent conflicts with bears.
Minnesota is bear country, but people can peacefully share the outdoors with bears by paying attention to where and when they are most likely to encounter them. Black bears are naturally cautious animals that typically avoid human contact for their own safety; however, it?s important to be proactive to prevent human-bear conflicts.
?Coexistence with bears is completely doable with a few easy steps that anyone can follow,? said Andrew Tri, bear project leader. ?The key things to remember are to not surprise them and to secure things bears view as food.?
When moving about in bear country, people should be aware of their surroundings, make noise periodically so bears know they?re there, and always keep dogs leashed. Letting dogs chase or bark at bears is asking for trouble. Don?t force a bear to defend itself. Keep your dogs leashed at all times or leave them at home.
To keep food away from bears, people should keep a clean camp by practicing leave no trace principles (lnt.org). People should:
- Store coolers in a locked vehicle or store food in a certified bear-resistant container.
- Take food waste with them rather than piling it outside the receptable if the trash container or dumpster is full. Don?t leave trash or food scraps in camp and don?t burn scraps in the fire ring.
- Not leave food, trash or pet food outdoors and unsupervised ? all it takes is a few seconds for a hungry bear to swipe it.
- Do not store food, trash, clothes worn when cooking, or toiletries in tents or camping hammocks.
Learn more about how to safely recreate in Minnesota on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/bearsafety) and at BearWise (bearwise.org).
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting anglers to share their favorite Minnesota fish recipes through the Wild Minnesota Recipe Exchange (mndnr.gov/recipe).
People can submit recipes through June 30 for the chance to be featured on DNR website and social media platforms.
?The recipe exchange is a fun way to inspire and be inspired when it comes to delicious recipes for fish caught in Minnesota,? said Cara Hanson, DNR marketing coordinator. ?It?s easy to share recipes online, and we?ll be posting some of these for everyone to see later this summer.??
Recipes carry special meaning. Whether passed down generations, emblematic of culture or newly created, wild game recipes give anglers a chance to fully appreciate their harvest, share with friends and family and connect with the outdoors on a deeper level.
The recipe exchanges allow for sharing the recipe in an online form where people can submit the recipe, a photo of the meal and even a background story.
The DNR also reminds anglers that they can find fish consumption guidance (health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/fish) on the Minnesota Department of Health website. Anglers should check for site-specific consumption guidance that pertains to the water they?re fishing, when that is available. If it is not, anglers should follow the statewide guidelines.
Fishing season dates and regulations are available on the Minnesota DNR fishing webpage (mndnr.gov/fishing). Go to the Minnesota DNR learn to fish webpage (mndnr.gov/gofishing) to find out how and where to fish, learn about fishing equipment, read about ways to catch different kinds of fish, and get acquainted with fishing ethics and being stewards of Minnesota?s natural resources.
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