May 19, 2025



header


*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

May 19, 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 ]
* Be BearWise this summer while recreating outdoors [ #link_1491411977526 ]

________________________________________________________________________



DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

"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 [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing) opens Saturday, May 25. 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 [ [link removed] ] (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 destroys 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 [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/shorelandmgmt/apg/regulations.html). To apply for an aquatic plant management permit, visit the Minnesota DNR’s permitting and reporting system [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/mpars).

###

________________________________________________________________________



Be BearWise this summer while recreating outdoors

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. People can peacefully share the outdoors with bears by paying attention to where and when they are most likely to be encountered. 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 actions anyone can take,” said Andrew Tri, bear project leader. “The actions boil down to not surprising bears and making sure to secure things that bears will seek out as food.”

When recreating in bear country, people should follow these six outdoor BearWise Basics:


* Stay alert and stay together when hiking. Pay attention to your surroundings and keep kids within sight or close by.
* Leave no trash or food scraps. Double bag your food when hiking and pack out all food and trash. Don’t burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill.
* Keep dogs leashed. Letting dogs chase or bark at bears is asking for trouble.
* Camp safely. Do not store food, trash, or toiletries in your tent. Store these items in a bear-resistant container or locked out of sight in a hard sided vehicle.
* If you encounter a black bear:
* If you see a bear before it notices you, don’t approach. Stand still, enjoy, then quietly move away.
* If a bear sees you, back away slowly. Never run; running may trigger a chase response.
* If a bear approaches, hold your ground, wave your arms and yell “Hey Bear” until it leaves. Always stay with your group. If it keeps approaching, use bear spray.

* Carry bear spray and know how to use it. It is not a bear repellent so don’t spray your belongings with it.

Learn more about how to safely recreate in Minnesota on the DNR bear safety webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/bearsafety) and at BearWise [ [link removed] ] (bearwise.org).

###





________________________________________________________________________

minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

*Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  |  mndnr.gov [ [link removed] ] *

Email us: [email protected]  |  Call 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367

Follow us on Facebook [ [link removed] ]   Follow us on Twitter [ [link removed] ]   Follow us on Instagram [ [link removed] ]   Find us on LinkedIn [ [link removed] ]   Follow us on YouTube [ [link removed] ]

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:

Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ] | Help [ [link removed] ]  |  Sign-up for DNR e-mail lists [ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;}