Minnesota Mixed Bag: St. Paul Ice Fishing and Winter Sports Show set for Dec. 5-7

St. Paul — As ice forms on waters across Minnesota, St. Paul RiverCentre will play host to the St. Paul Ice Fishing and Winter Sports Show, set for Dec. 5-7.

For ice anglers, the show offers a chance to see what’s new in fish houses, augers, rods and reels, tackle, apparel, and more. For those in search of new and effective ways to pull fish from beneath the ice, panel discussions by experts on how to do so will be offered by Dave Genz, Terry Tuma, Jason Mitchell, Mike Rodgers, and others.

Show hours are 1-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 7. Admission is $16 for adults, $6 for youth ages 6 to 12, and free for kids age 5 and under. Visit stpaulicefishingshow.com for more information.

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MINNESOTA DNR ANNOUNCES PUBLIC LAND SALE

St. Paul — The DNR will offer state lands in Carlton, Clearwater, St. Louis, and Wadena counties during an upcoming public land sale. These rural properties might appeal to adjacent landowners or offer recreational opportunities, such as hunting or camping.

Minnesota law directs the DNR to sell surplus land by public auction. The December online public land auction is in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Administration at MNBid.mn.gov, Minnesota’s Surplus Services online auction website. Properties will be available for bidding starting the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 2, and closing through Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, as posted. The DNR land sale webpage has more information about the online public land auction, a preview of lands for sale, and details on how to register for an account to bid on properties.

The DNR actively manages its land portfolio over time and regularly offers to sell land that no longer meets the state’s conservation, recreation, or economic needs. This December, 188 of the 190 acres for sale are school trust lands.

Visit the DNR land sale webpage for more information and to find out how to bid on the parcels. For questions about a specific property, call (651) 259-5432, 888-646-6367, or email min.landsale@state.mn.us

PF CHAPTER TO HOST ‘LONG TAIL COMPETITION’ DEC. 6

Roscoe, Minn. — The Minnesota Public Lands Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the only chapter in the nation dedicated to the purchase of multi-purpose land for all and located in St. Cloud, will host a long-tail competition Dec. 6 at the Roadside Tavern in Roscoe, from 8-9 p.m. The cost is $35 and includes a meal and drink.

The even will feature a longest tail feather competition, a longest average (of three birds) contest, and a new hunter contest, too. Tail feathers must be plucked by PF staff onsite. Other events will begin at 5 p.m. For more information, call Steve Gates at (479) 426-9289.

GF&P SEEKING COMMENTS ON DRAFT CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE ACTION PLAN

Pierre, S.D. — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is reviewing and revising the state’s 2025 Chronic Wasting Disease Action Plan. The CWD Action Plan assesses the risk of the disease for cervid populations in South Dakota, determines ways to address the disease, and implements future management steps.

The draft CWD Action Plan can be found online at gfp.sd.gov/management-plans/.

Individuals interested in the CWD Action Plan for South Dakota may provide suggestions and comments on the revised action plan by Dec. 22. Comments may be sent to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D. 57501, or submitted at gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/