Minnesota Mixed Bag: North Metro Ice Show comes to Ramsey, Oct. 25-26

Ramsey, Minn. — The 5th annual North Metro Ice Show is set for another two-day run – Oct. 25-26 – at the Adrenaline Sports Center in Ramsey.

Don’t miss your first chance to see what’s new in ice fishing for 2025, including new technology, tackle, rods and reels, fishing houses, clothing, and more. Food trucks will be available.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26. Tickets are $10 for those ages 16 to 54; $7 for those age 5 and under and 55 and older, as well as active/retired military personnel. Kids under age 5 are admitted free.

For more information, visit: northmetroiceshow.com

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Funding Available from BWSR to Restore Wetlands

St. Paul — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is now accepting applications for conservation easements, partnership and third-party projects that will pave the way for wetland restoration projects via the agency’s Local Government Road Wetland Replacement Program (LGRWRP). Approximately $5 million is available for projects during this application period.

For the conservation easement option, landowners in select wetland bank service areas who have restorable wetlands on their property may apply to receive a per-acre payment rate to enroll land into permanent conservation easements through the LGRWRP.

A partnership project is where BWSR and a partner, such as a landowner or local government unit, enter a contract to design and construct a wetland mitigation bank together. Third-party projects are agreements in which a bank sponsor establishes a wetland mitigation bank and sells credits to BWSR.

Landowners can work with their local soil and water conservation district staff to prepare applications. The application period is now open and closes Nov. 13. Information about how to apply can be found here.

DNR Seeks Public Input on Walleye Slot Limit on Sand Lake

Squaw Lake, Minn. — The Minnesota DNR is reviewing the current protected slot limit for walleyes on Sand Lake, near Squaw Lake, in Itasca County. This regulation may be extended, dropped, or modified. Public input will be important to informing this decision.

Comments may also be submitted by sending an email to grandrapids.fisheries@state.mn.us, calling (218) 328-8836, or mailing NE Regional Headquarters, Area Fisheries, 1201 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.

Sand Lake has a long history of boom-and-bust angling cycles. The protected slot limit was implemented in 2016 with the goal of creating a more stable fish population and enhancing the angling experience. Since the protected slot limit’s implementation, surveys have been conducted in 2017, 2021, and 2023. Results show that the regulation is working as intended, with the walleye population stabilizing and including higher quantities of larger fish.

Currently, all walleyes between 17 and 26 inches must be released.

Anglers may keep one walleye over 26 inches. The protected slot limit is set to expire at the end of this fishing season. The DNR is seeking public input on whether to keep the current regulation, modify the limit to a 20- to 24-inch protected slot, or revert to the statewide walleye regulation.

Zebes Confirmed in Munson Lake in Becker County, Lake Six in OTC

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Munson Lake, near Detroit Lakes in Becker County, and Lake Six, near Frazee in Otter Tail County.

Pelican River Watershed District staff contacted the DNR after a Munson Lake property owner found zebra mussels attached to a boat lift. During a follow-up search, DNR invasive species staff immediately found an adult zebra mussel attached to a native mussel near the public access. Munson Lake is upstream of Lake Sallie, where zebra mussels were found in 2016.

The DNR received reports of zebra mussels on equipment being removed from Lake Six for the season. A DNR invasive species specialist confirmed the presence of zebra mussels on the equipment. Lake Six is upstream of Scalp Lake, where zebra mussels were found in 2021.

Zebra Mussel Eradication Planned or North Dakota’s Smishek Lake

Bismarck, N.D. — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with state and federal partners and local stakeholders, has finalized a plan to eradicate zebra mussels from Smishek Lake in northwestern North Dakota.

“This decision was not an easy one, but we feel this plan is absolutely necessary to protect the downstream waters of Lake Sakakawea and lakes in northwestern North Dakota from zebra mussels,” said Ben Holen, aquatic nuisance species coordinator. “Generally, eradication is not a feasible option, but in this case, we believe we have a very good opportunity to eliminate zebra mussels from Smishek Lake.”

Earlier this week, NDG&F staff planned to apply an EPA-registered copper-based molluscicide called EarthTecQZ. This product, when applied safely, will cause mussel mortality while sustaining other aquatic life. After the treatment, NDG&F and Department of Environmental Quality personnel will monitor copper concentrations in Smishek Lake. In late fall or early winter, the NDG&F will also consider dewatering some of Smishek Lake and, if needed, pursue a secondary treatment with EarthTecQZ in the spring.