Minnesota’s Mixed Bag: George’s Minnesota Muskie Expo set for March 7-9

Falcon Heights, Minn. — George’s Minnesota Muskie Expo, held this year in conjunction with the Minnesota Anglers Boat Show, comes to the Warner Coliseum at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, March 7-9.

For muskie and other fishing aficionados, the expo offers a chance to see the latest in gear; take in a seminar offered by a slate of muskie experts including Ryan McMahon, Luke Ronnestrand, Ben Olsen, and several others; let the youngsters visit George’s Tackle Shop or take part in minnow races; and much more.

Show hours are 1-7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7; 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 9. Daily admission for adults is $10 (a three-day pass is $17) and is free for youth age 12 and under. Visit mnmuskieexpo.com for more information.

MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Mille Lacs Fisheries Committee pushes for three-walleye limit at start of opener-water season

DNR says Minnesota’s wolf population likely stable in size, range, though subtle changes emerge

For whitetails in much of Minnesota, it’s been another winter of recovery

DNR REMINDS FISH HOUSE OWNERS TO REMOVE SHACKS FROM ICE

St. Paul — With warm weather arriving in much of Minnesota, the Minnesota DNR reminds anyone who still has a permanent fish house on the ice to plan for its removal.

The statutory shelter removal deadline for inland waters in the southern two-thirds of the state is 11:59 p.m. on March 3. The deadline for inland lakes in the northern portion of the state is 11:59 p.m. on March 17. The DNR reminds all fish house owners to pick up and properly dispose of any trash as part of hauling their shelters off the ice.

“People can still use their shelters after the deadline so long as the shelter has the proper identification and licensing and, if it’s on the ice between midnight and an hour before sunrise, is occupied or attended,” said Capt. Cory Palmer, DNR Enforcement Southern Region manager.

If shelters aren’t removed by the deadline, owners may be prosecuted, and structures may be confiscated and removed or destroyed by a conservation officer. Shelters may not be left at public accesses, and no trash or other materials – including wooden blocking materials – may be left on the ice. Exceptions to the removal deadlines are Minnesota-Canada border waters (March 31), Minnesota-South Dakota and North Dakota border waters (March 5), Minnesota-Wisconsin border waters (March 1), and Minnesota-Iowa border waters (Feb. 20).

TURKEY-HUNTING LICENSES ARE ON SALE MARCH 1

St. Paul — Turkey hunters may purchase their licenses for the spring 2025 season starting Saturday, March 1. Licenses may be purchased online, by telephone at 888-665-4236, or in person wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Hunters may hunt statewide and buy licenses for any time period (A-F) over the counter.

Hunters will be asked which permit area they plan to hunt, so hunters are advised to know that information when they buy their licenses. The DNR will use this information for research purposes to help inform management of the state’s turkey population. Hunters who identify their permit area when purchasing their license will not be restricted to hunting in that area only. Season dates and hunt rules can be found on the Minnesota DNR’s turkey-hunting webpage.

TAX SEASON DONATIONS BENEFIT MINNESOTA’S AT-RISK WILDLIFE

St. Paul — Those filling out their taxes can support the Minnesota DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Program by checking the box to donate to the Nongame Wildlife Fund.

The Nongame Wildlife Fund tax checkoff can be found on Form M1 Individual Income Tax and on Form M1PR Homestead Credit Refund. If filing on paper, simply look for the loon to invest in the future of Minnesota’s at-risk wildlife. Donations can also be made at any time online.

More information about the Nongame Wildlife Program is available on the DNR website.

NORTH DAKOTA ANNOUNCES CWD TEST RESULTS

Bismarck, N.D. — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department tested 1,456 animals for chronic wasting disease during the 2024 sampling season. The NDG&F confirmed 17 deer tested positive for CWD, 15 of which were taken by hunters. Two were clinical deer confirmed through diagnostic examination.

Sampling efforts fell short of the 10% goal in units where CWD surveillance was concentrated.