Minnesota Mixed Bag: North Metro Ice Show comes to Ramsey this weekend

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

DNR: Know the Difference Between White-Tailed Deer, Elk

St. Paul — People sometimes report seeing elk in a wider geographical area outside of far northwestern Minnesota. Deer hunters need to make sure they can distinguish between the two species in the field.

The Minnesota DNR website has drawings and traits listed to help distinguish elk from white-tailed deer. Additionally, people are encouraged to report elk sightings in Minnesota by using the online elk sighting reporting tool.

Apply Now for Field to Forest Cost-Share Program

St. Paul — Private landowners with open lands, such as former pastures or crop fields, may apply for financial assistance to plant trees through Minnesota DNR‘s Field to Forest Cost-Share Program.

Interested landowners should call or email their local DNR stewardship forester by Dec. 1 to apply. Selected projects will begin the following spring.

This program aims to restore tree cover across Minnesota. Selected projects receive up to 75% cost-share reimbursement for tree-planting expenses. After planting is completed in spring 2026, participating landowners will also receive a $500-per-acre incentive payment, in addition to the cost-share to help with the cost of caring for the seedlings. The Field to Forest Cost-Share Program is focused on tree plantings of 3 acres or more and is not intended for residential landscaping or planting in established forests. Funding is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Funding for the program was provided through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service. Visit the DNR website for more information on DNR Forestry cost-share programs.

Sea Grant Announces 2025 Fast-Track Grant Request for Proposals

Duluth, Minn.—The University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program invites proposals for its 2025 Fast-Track Grant competition. The deadline is Nov. 21. Fast-track grants can be up to $10,000 for projects of up to six months in duration. Cost-share or match is not required. Proposals must align with the goals and outcomes outlined in Minnesota Sea Grant’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan and may also include exploratory research that could lead to future, larger proposals.

Applicants should follow the instructions detailed in the Fall 2025 Fast-Track Request for Proposals and submit via eSeaGrant.

For the 2025 competition, projects must be completed before January 31, 2027.

NDG&F Monitoring EHD-Related Mortality

Bismarck, N.D. — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is allowing hunters with whitetail or “any” deer gun licenses in five units in western North Dakota the option of turning those licenses in for refunds.

Hunters with antlered whitetail, antlerless whitetail, any antlered and any antlerless licenses, are eligible for refunds in units 3E1, 3F1, 3F2, 4E, and 4F. Hunters who return their licenses will have their bonus points restored, if applicable, to the same number of points prior to the 2025 deer gun lottery.

Mason Ryckman, NDG&F wildlife health biologist, said the decision is based on scattered reports of white-tailed deer mortality caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease that began in early September.

License holders who qualify and want a refund must mail their tag, along with a note requesting a refund due to EHD, to the NDG&F’s Bismarck office no later than Nov. 7. Envelopes postmarked Nov. 7 will be accepted.

EHD, a viral disease transmitted by biting gnats, primarily affects white-tailed deer but other big-game species are susceptible. The virus is not a danger to humans, but hunters should not shoot or consume a deer that appears sick.

Licenses Available for Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing in Wisconsin

Madison, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds all spearers interested in harvesting a lake sturgeon from Lake Winnebago during the 2026 sturgeon-spearing season to purchase their licenses before Oct. 31.

There are an unlimited number of licenses available for Lake Winnebago, and both residents and nonresidents may purchase licenses through the Go Wild system or at any license sales location.

The 2026 sturgeon spearing season will open Feb. 14, 2026, and will run for a maximum of 16 days or until any of the predetermined harvest caps are met.

Additional season information can be found on the DNR’s Sturgeon Spearing webpage.