Fish and Wildlife Almanac

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

DNR webinars cover state parks and northern pike,
registration open for winter topics

The DNR invites people interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune in to upcoming webinars that will discuss outdoor opportunities at Minnesota state parks and fishing for northern pike.

The first webinar is at noon Wednesday, Nov. 23. Sara Joy Berhow from the DNR?s Parks and Trails Division will share all the great things happening at Minnesota state parks, including on Free Park Day on Friday, Nov. 25.

The second webinar is at noon Wednesday, Nov. 30. Bethany Bethke, DNR fisheries research scientist and coordinator of the Northern Pike Technical Committee, will talk about one of the top predators in Minnesota lakes. Bethke also will discuss recent northern pike research and harvest regulations that are improving northern pike fishing in Minnesota. The webinar will wrap up with simple tips people can use to catch northern pike through the ice this winter.

Additionally, people can now register for a winter lineup of webinars that continues through February. Winter webinars will cover rabbit hunting, training a puppy to be a hunting dog, snowmobiling, sturgeon fishing, camp planning and cooking, ice fishing for trout, shed antler hunting, dog sledding, Minnesota mussels, burbot fishing, bald eagles, and fire-starting.

The webinars are part of the DNR?s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series. They are free but registration is required. More information is available on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/Discover).

Apply by Dec. 7 for DNR grants that help children get outside

Public entities and nonprofit organizations serving people younger than 18 can apply for No Child Left Inside grants through 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering the grants to help more children cast a line, study animal tracks, hike, bike, or simply learn more about nature.

The DNR is accepting applications for both mini grants (less than $5,000) or larger grants ($5,000-$25,000). The request for proposals and more information about how to apply are available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/No-Child-Grants).

Mini grants will be awarded by lottery, while larger grants will be awarded using a competitive review process. Funding can be used for outdoor recreation equipment, transportation, and natural resource education expenses.

The DNR hosted an informational webinar recently that reviewed grant requirements, discussed the application process and answered questions. This session was recorded and is available on the ?Who should apply for No Child Left Inside grants? page?of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/No-Child-Grants/Who-Should-Apply.html).

Give the gift of outdoor opportunities

For those hunting for holiday gift ideas, consider giving someone the opportunity for a lifetime of outdoor adventures. People can purchase a lifetime hunting or fishing license for themselves or as a gift for someone else. More information is available on the DNR website about licenses for Minnesota residents (mndnr.gov/Licenses/Lifetime/Residents) and non-residents. (mndnr.gov/Licenses/Lifetime/NonResidents).

CWD test results available online

Hunters can check the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/CWDCheck) for chronic wasting disease test results for the deer they?ve harvested. The site also shows statewide CWD test results, including locations where deer have tested positive previously, and any additional positive CWD results for deer harvested during the current and upcoming Minnesota deer seasons. The DNR also directly notifies any hunter who harvested a deer that subsequently tests positive. The DNR appreciates hunters? participation in providing samples to help with disease surveillance.

Reminder about Mille Lacs, Upper Red lake winter season
walleye regulations

Ice anglers can harvest walleye on both Mille Lacs and Upper Red lakes this winter season.

On Upper Red Lake, a three-walleye bag limit, with one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed in possession, went into effect Nov. 1.

On Mille Lacs Lake, a one-walleye bag limit, with one walleye between 21-23 inches or one walleye longer than 28 inches allowed in possession, will go into effect Thursday, Dec. 1.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources? website offers regulation information for both Upper Red Lake (mndnr.gov/LakeFind/Lake.html?id=04003501) and Mille Lacs Lake (mndnr.gov/MilleLacsLake).

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