In This Issue
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management.
Deer harvest numbers available online
People who are interested in deer harvest numbers can find current harvest data and past harvest reports on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ deer reports and statistics webpage (mndnr.gov/mammals/deer/management/statistics.html). The page also features an interactive map and graph that visualize the data.
In Minnesota, archery deer season began Sept. 14 and continues through Tuesday, Dec. 31. Firearms “A” deer season began Saturday, Nov. 9, with various closing dates depending on a hunter’s Deer Permit Area. Muzzleloader season begins Saturday, Nov. 30, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 15.
Minnesota DNR webinars focus on fall birding and photography, accessible hunting and fishing opportunities
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to check out the fall program schedule for the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webinar series.
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, Monica Bryand, executive director of the Urban Bird Collective, will share tips on photographing birds. Bryand will also talk about some of her favorite birding spots for the fall migration and the work of the Urban Bird Collective.
Then, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, Mike Hanson, Evan Newton, Jennifer Skiff and Dale Tribby with Capable Partners will discuss accessible hunting and fishing in Minnesota. Hear stories of hunts and fishing trips, and about opportunities for people who have a disability to find support to hunt and fish in Minnesota.
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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Apply until 2 p.m. Dec. 17 for funding aimed at increasing outdoor experiences, education and stewardship
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce another phase of the No Child Left Inside grants. These grants help more children cast a line, study animal tracks, hike or bike, or engage in other activities to learn more about nature.
“This has been a successful outreach grant program that helps schools and organizations get children outdoors,” said Jeff Ledermann, DNR education and skills team supervisor. “These grants boost outdoor programs and initiatives across Minnesota, especially in communities with limited opportunities to connect with nature.”
Public entities and nonprofit organizations serving youth younger than 18, including Tribal Nations, schools or governments, can apply for No Child Left Inside grants. A special category of grants in this phase is held for organizations working in metropolitan environmental justice areas and serving youth from nonnative English speaking communities.
This grant program contributes to realizing the vision of the Minnesota Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (mn.gov/children-outdoors) for each and every Minnesota child to experience outdoor recreational activities and discover the natural environment regardless of where they live, learn, or play
As of Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Minnesota DNR is accepting applications for both mini grants ($5,000 or less) and larger grants ($5,001 to $25,000). The request for proposals is available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/no-child-grants). Applications will be accepted until 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Mini grant awards will be determined by lottery from among qualifying applications. Larger grants will be awarded using a competitive review process. Funding can be used for outdoor recreation equipment, transportation and related natural resource education expenses. Past mini grant awardees are ineligible for another mini grant and are encouraged to apply for a larger grant during this phase. Organizations that previously received a larger grant may apply for another grant this round, but they must demonstrate new programming or an expansion in scope or audience.
For more information about the grant program, instructions for how to apply, and a link to the application, visit the No Child Left Inside grants webpage of the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/no-child-grants). Questions about these grants or the application process should be emailed to [email protected] with “Grant Questions” in the subject line. People can also call 888-646-6367.
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State-licensed ice anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will be able to keep two walleye 18-20 inches long, or one walleye 18-20 inches and one walleye longer than 28 inches, from Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, to Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
“Mille Lacs’ walleye population is trending in a good direction for both adult and juvenile fish,” said Brad Parsons, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries section manager. “Juvenile perch and tullibee, important forage species for walleye, also are abundant.”
The winter season regulation marks a continuation of the more liberal limit the DNR implemented this fall. The DNR based its decision on this fall’s Mille Lacs netting assessment, which showed higher walleye abundance than in 2023, along with strong numbers of juvenile fish that are expected to contribute to the fishery in the future.
State-licensed anglers share the harvest on Mille Lacs with Ojibwe tribes that retain treaty fishing rights. The total harvest for the fishing year is set through discussion and agreements between the state and the tribes, with each party setting regulations to stay within their share of the harvest.
As of Sept. 30, state-licensed anglers had harvested 29,891 of the 91,550 pounds of walleye they were allocated for the 2024 fishing season.
Complete winter fishing regulations for Mille Lacs Lake are available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/millelacslake).
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Due to excellent results in the fall netting assessment of walleye on Upper Red Lake, the winter season walleye limit on Upper Red will continue to be a four fish possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed.
“Our fall assessment placed us in a surplus condition, which allows us to set a more liberal target harvest,” said Brad Parsons, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries section manager. “The state waters of Upper Red Lake have a high number of spawning aged female walleye. We’re also seeing abundant numbers of young walleye, which bodes well for the future.”
The fall gill net catch on state of Minnesota waters was 41.5 walleye per net. Net catches have been in this range for the past several years. Netting results showed the lake is full of young fish, with half the catch shorter than 14 inches. There were also good numbers of fish in the 17- to 20-inch range.
Walleye management on Red Lake is a collaborative effort between the Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR, governed by a joint harvest plan agreed upon by the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee. The Upper Red Lake Citizen Advisory Committee reviews walleye harvest totals, regulation options and provides recommendations for the state waters of Upper Red Lake.
Complete Upper Red Lake fishing regulations are available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/fishing/upper-red-lake-regulations.html).
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering grants to lake associations and other groups for projects to manage invasive aquatic plants.
Applications will be accepted starting at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Entities receiving a grant will apply for an invasive aquatic plant management permit after receiving their award as a step in their grant work plan. This is a change from prior years, when grant applicants were required to have their management permit at the time of their grant application.
Application materials and details about the grant program are available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/grants/aquatic_invasive/control-projects.html).
Invasive aquatic plants are nonnative plants that can potentially reduce native plant diversity and create recreational nuisances in lakes. The DNR’s invasive plant management goal is to minimize harmful effects caused by invasive aquatic plants while also protecting lake habitats and their use.
Questions can be directed to DNR Aquatic Invasive Species Research and Grants Coordinator Angelique Dahlberg, [email protected] or to DNR regional invasive species specialists (mndnr.gov/Invasives/AIS/Contacts.html).
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Meeting planned for Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Cleveland American Legion
A public information meeting is scheduled to discuss options for managing water levels using a recently replaced water control structure on Lake Henry in Le Sueur County.
The public can ask questions and provide input at the meeting to help guide Le Sueur County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as they explore management options for the lake, including a temporary water level drawdown. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Cleveland American Legion, 319 Broadway St., Cleveland, MN 56017.
Lake Henry is a 360-acre shallow lake in Le Sueur County, located just south of the town of Cleveland. The outlet structure on Lake Henry is part of Le Sueur County Ditch 58 and was recently replaced by Le Sueur County to help manage and maintain water levels.
The Minnesota DNR is interested in working with Le Sueur County and area residents to designate Lake Henry under Minnesota Statute 97A.101 to manage wildlife habitat and water quality within the lake.
Interested parties can contact Tim Koppelman, assistant area wildlife manager, 507-386-3923 or by email at [email protected]. Questions can also be directed to Josh Kavanagh, DNR shallow lakes specialist, 320-347-7634 or by email at [email protected].
Mail correspondence can be sent to New London DNR Wildlife Office, 398 Sibley Park Road NE, New London, MN 56273.
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