In This Issue
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife and habitat management.
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. 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 (mndnr.gov/eco/nongame/rehabilitation/orphaned-wildlife.html).
Minnesota DNR hosts webinar on the role of state fish hatcheries, BearWise
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 webinar series.
On Wednesday, May 7, join Genevieve Furtner, DNR St. Paul fish hatchery supervisor, for a talk about fish production and a virtual tour of the DNR St. Paul fish hatchery that will show more about the important role hatcheries play in fisheries management.
Then, on Wednesday, May 14, Andrew Tri, DNR bear researcher and Franklin Whittaker, BearWise coordinator, will discuss how to be BearWise, keep your property safe, and keep bears wild. As we move into late spring, hibernation is over, and bears are out and about. Hear some simple tips on how to coexist with bears and keep property secure.
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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The 27-mile Wildlife Drive within the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area will be open to the public on Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18. The self-guided tour traverses wetland, woodland, brushland, grassland and farmland habitats, providing visitors wildlife viewing and photography opportunities during the spring bird migration, as well as additional fishing access to the WMA pools.
Roseau River WMA is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and located 20 miles northwest of Roseau. The Wildlife Drive can be easily accessed at the main dike road, located one and three-quarter miles south of the WMA headquarters on Roseau County Road 3. Only motor vehicles licensed for use on public highways are permitted on WMA roads. The gate will be opened prior to sunrise on May 17 and closed at sunset on May 18.
The dike roads are graveled and can become slippery when wet. Roads may be closed on short notice if hazardous conditions occur. Visitors can call the Roseau River WMA headquarters, 218-452-7610, for information on road conditions and closures. Ask for Tom Enright, wildlife manager, or Evangelin Von Boeckman, assistant wildlife manager. For a visitor’s map or more information, visit Roseau River WMA page (mndnr.gov/wmas/detail_report.html?id=WMA0900600).
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Drawdown will address issues with fish, degraded habitat and water quality
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has begun a drawdown on Teal Lake in Jackson County, located south of Wilder. The temporary lowering of water levels on this 91-acre shallow lake is taking place to improve wildlife habitat and water quality.
Teal Lake is a designated wildlife lake. This designation allows DNR managers to improve water quality and aquatic habitat with tools that include temporary drawdowns. More information about designated wildlife lakes is available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/wildlife/shallowlakes/designation.html).
It has been 13 years since the last drawdown on Teal Lake, and habitat conditions have started to decline in the basin. Average water clarity during the 2024 wildlife lake survey was less than six inches and aquatic vegetation was sparse. Fathead minnows and bullhead fry also have been observed in Teal Lake. All these factors indicate poor in-lake habitat conditions.
“Teal Lake has attracted many migrating birds in recent years,” said Maggie Gross, DNR shallow lakes specialist. “However, the current turbid water conditions don’t support the habitat and food needs for migratory waterfowl, so the birds are starting to go elsewhere.”
Drawdowns act as a natural “reset” to shallow lake ecosystems by mimicking drought conditions. Low water levels consolidate lake sediments and allow emergent vegetation to germinate. Drawdowns also help reduce populations of undesirable fish, which degrade water quality through their feeding behavior.
Plans call for the lowering of water levels by about four feet over the course of the next couple months. Teal Lake will remain in drawdown through the spring of 2026, depending on weather conditions. There is a possibility the drawdown could be extended into the summer of 2026 if needed to achieve the intended aquatic vegetation benefits.
Anyone with questions about the Teal Lake drawdown or shallow lake management can contact Maggie Gross, Windom shallow lakes specialist, [email protected] or 507-832-6016.
Questions about Teal Lake also can be directed Brian Nyborg, Windom area wildlife manager, [email protected] or 507-832-6017.
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