May 12, 2025



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

May 12, 2025




*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 ]
* Minnesota DNR invites public comment on muskie plan update [ #link_1491411977526 ]

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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

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

*Spring turkey hunting season continues through May 31*

Firearms turkey hunters who have an unused tag from an earlier hunt period can participate in the final hunt period from Wednesday, May 21, through Saturday, May 31. Hunters can also purchase a license for this period. Archery-only and youth ages 17 and younger are allowed to hunt during any period, including the final one. Hunters cannot purchase both a firearms and archery-only license.

So far harvest in the turkey season is on pace with 2024. Through the C season we have had 13,444 birds harvested compared to 13,369 at the same point in 2024. The total for the B alone was 3,949, good for the highest B season harvest all time.

Weather again looks favorable for the D season. Some toms have been observed staying close to hens while others are roaming looking for hens, while the majority of the hens they had with them have transitioned to incubating nests.

Turkey licenses can be purchased online [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/buyalicense), by phone at 888-665-4236, or in person from a license agent. More information about turkey hunting in Minnesota can be found on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey).

*Minnesota Twins offer special edition hats with DNR ticket package*

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Twins are once partnering to offer Minnesota DNR Days at select games in 2025. Anyone with a 2025 Minnesota fishing or hunting license can access a ticket package that includes a special edition Twins fishing cap with a ticket purchase.

The 2025 Minnesota DNR Days partnership includes seven games:


* Saturday, May 24: Kansas City Royals  
* Friday, June 20: Milwaukee Brewers  
* Friday, July 11: Pittsburgh Pirates  
* Tuesday, July 29: Boston Red Sox   
* Saturday, Aug. 16: Detroit Tigers  
* Sunday, Aug. 31: San Diego Padres  
* Tuesday, Sept. 16: New York Yankees

Find game times and instructions for purchasing tickets on the Minnesota DNR Days webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/twins).

*Minnesota DNR hosts webinar on BearWise, agates*

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 14, Andrew Tri, DNR bear researcher and Franklin Whittaker, BearWise coordinator, will discuss how to be BearWise, keep 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.

Then, on Wednesday, May 21, Craig Prudhomme, a retired naturalist and college instructor, will discuss the fascinating geologic processes that led to the formation of the agates that make Minnesota and the area southwest of Lake Superior such a hot-spot for collecting. Hear about how agates are formed, some different types of agates, places to explore, special agate events, and what to do with them when you find them.

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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Minnesota DNR invites public comment on muskie plan update

"Online webinar planned and online comment will be available"

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting people to share their thoughts on a draft update of the state’s long-range plan for muskellunge.

“Public input, stakeholder discussions and conversations with our Tribal partners have been critical in shaping the draft plan,” said Leslie George, northeast region fisheries manager. “Before finalizing the plan for muskie management moving forward, we want to ensure that we consider the perspectives and opportunities desired by our constituents.”

The draft plan will be used to guide muskie management in Minnesota for the next 15 years. It includes management goals, objectives and strategies centered on improving existing muskie populations, shifting approaches in the production of muskies to be stocked, continuing hybrid (tiger) muskellunge management in the metro area, and broadening research and education efforts. Although there was interest in adding new waters to the statewide muskie stocking program, public input focused on first improving existing lakes, especially the key muskie fisheries of Mille Lacs Lake, Lake Vermilion and Lake Minnetonka.

*Public review and comment opportunities*

Anyone can obtain a digital copy of the draft plan on the Minnesota DNR’s muskie page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/muskie). Minnesota DNR staff will host an evening online webinar to provide an overview of the plan and its purpose, answer questions, and collect public input. The online webinar is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, and a link to the webinar is available on the Minnesota DNR’s muskie page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/muskie). Registration is not required for the event.

Comments may also be submitted by:


* Emailing [email protected]
* Using the online survey available on the Minnesota DNR’s muskie page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/muskie)
* Writing to Kelly Wilder, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – FAW, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155

The DNR is accepting comments on the draft plan update through Thursday, June 12.

*Muskie background*

Muskies are a large, popular predator fish native to Minnesota. The Minnesota DNR manages muskies by protecting critical habitat on native muskie waters, stocking them into select other waters, setting harvest and season regulations, population monitoring and research, and outreach and education about muskies.

Minnesota has 101 waters managed for muskies, comprising 2% of the state’s fishable lakes and rivers and 22% of the total surface area that is fishable. Muskies have been introduced in 48 lakes and are maintained in these lakes through stocking. The state record muskie for catch-and-release length is 58.25 inches, caught on Mille Lacs Lake in 2022.

Recent Minnesota DNR research on muskie diets show that, on a population level, pike and bass consume much more food than muskies in the lakes where they are present. The research also found that muskies consumed a wide range of prey, but the primary makeup of muskie diets are yellow perch, white sucker, bullheads, invertebrates and northern pike. Cisco can also be important in those lakes where their populations are abundant. Walleye were not an important component of muskie diets. The DNR will continue to manage muske populations in a way that maintains fish community balance.

More information about the species is available on the Minnesota DNR’s muskie page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/muskie).

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minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

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