The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is extending fishing closures on six streams in Beltrami and Clearwater counties from May 10 through May 16 to protect concentrations of spawning walleye. Major access points will be posted during the period of closure.

Friday, June 27
7:30-9 PM
Lake Shetek in Nicollet’s time
Join ecologist and landscape historian Nancy Sather for a short nature hike followed by an indoor program that highlights the natural resources of the Lake Shetek area as they were described by the Nicollet and Allen expeditions in 1838 and 1844. This hike and program are a prelude to the Nicollet Tour from Lake Shetek to Pipestone on June 28

Two public meetings about a draft forest classification and motor vehicle route designation plan for northern St. Louis County will be hosted in early July by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The draft plan includes suggested forest classification and route designations for state and county forest lands located within the Bear Island, Burntside, Kabetogama and Lake Jeanette state forests. Scattered DNR forest lands located outside of state forest boundaries are also addressed. (Sturgeon River and Cloquet Valley State Forests are not included.)

Spring is an exciting time to see wildlife in Minnesota. Birds are returning from their winter homes, but this winter has been too long for many species, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Many bird species are back to Minnesota to nest, but they’re dying of starvation. Insect-eating birds are not finding enough food and the late snowfalls have had a harsh effect on many species. Over the last week, DNR managers and officers have received reports throughout the state of dead swallows, bluebirds, kinglets, sparrows, robins and warblers. All of these species are insect eaters, according to Carrol Henderson, DNR Nongame Wildlife Program supervisor.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Trails and Waterways crews are working feverishly to prepare nearly 2,000 DNR public water accesses for the May10 fishing opener. However, due to excessive winter ice damage and the late ice out in the northern half of the state, it is unlikely they will fully meet their goal.

Ice-out is about 10 days behind last year but frozen lakes in the southern two-thirds of Minnesota should do little to hamper anglers heading out for the statewide walleye opener on Saturday, May 10. “Frozen lakes, particularly the bigger and deeper ones in the northern third of the state, remain a question,” said Ron Payer, fisheries section chief for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “But spring weather should take care of lakes in the central and southern parts of the state.” Temperatures in the northern third of the state are expected to hover between 40 and 50 degrees most of the week. Fisheries managers expect some of the bigger and deeper lakes to retain at least some ice. Regardless of the weather, Payer said, anglers heading up north should call ahead to find if lakes are open and boat ramps are accessible. Late, heavy snowfalls and later ice-outs may have prevented work on public accesses and some roads still may be excessively muddy.

It’s been a long winter, but now birds are singing, trees are budding, and Blanding’s turtles are hungry and on the move after winter hibernation. People who spot a Blanding’s turtle are asked to contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Nongame Wildlife Program.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources aims to lure folks back into fishing this season through a combination of direct mail, digital billboard and radio advertising, and other outreach efforts.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds early-season anglers about the danger of cold-water shock and the importance of wearing a life jacket, especially in May and early June.

Due to the late ice cover and early walleye opener, concentrations of walleye remain near the egg-collection operation at Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake. To protect the walleye, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will close the area extending from Williams Narrows upstream through the First River Flowage through Egg Lake. The closure will be in place from May 10 through May 16. No fishing will be allowed during this time in the specified area. Signs will be posted at the narrows and other access points within the closed area.

For those who love playing with new gadgets, searching for treasure and exploring the great outdoors, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has combined all three in a new event they are calling the Minnesota State Parks Geocaching History Challenge.

This spring 237 youth were introduced to turkey hunting as part of a unique partnership among the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and families. Ninety-four of the participants bagged a bird. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s turkey population continues to expand, creating opportunities for hunters of all ages.

Minnesota boaters will find a variety of conditions at public water accesses for the May 10 fishing opener, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The DNR Division of Trails and Waterways is making a special effort to ensure all DNR boat launches are ready by the opener, said Nancy Steward, the Public Water Access Program coordinator. She noted, however, that repairs to access sites depend on the weather and ice-out, which has been running two weeks behind normal.

In my early 20's, I lived in Duluth and had a job that required I work a split shift. I would go to work at 7 am and work 'til 11 am, then my second shift would start at 6 pm. That was a seven hour break every day. Since I was single at the time, I thought what better way to spend this long lunch break than to go fishing! Especially Minnesota Fishing!

Dedicated volunteer Bill Peltier was named Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) 2007 Firearms Safety Instructor of the Year during this year’s Northwest Sportshow. Peltier coordinated certification training for many youth at a time when fewer firearms safety classes were offered in the Grand Rapids area.

The retreat of ice from Minnesota’s shorelines may soon leave a grim reminder of winter’s effects around some ponds and lakes. That is according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Anglers venturing to southeastern Minnesota for the statewide stream trout opener on Saturday, April 12, will see significant changes in many streams in Winona and northern Houston counties, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

St. Paul, Minn. (PRWEB) April 8, 2008 -- OceanGrafix, the first company to offer print-on-demand nautical charts, today announced the availability of 40 new chart editions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These new charts are the final product of work done by NOAA's expert cartographers, who collect, interpret and then apply critical chart corrections.

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