Minnesota Mixed Bag: Chime in on DNR lake management review process by March 31

St. Paul — There is still time to connect with DNR fisheries offices across the state on lake management plans. The agency is updating fisheries management plans for 197 lakes in 52 counties in 2026, and the public is invited to reach out and share input.

Call or email an area fisheries office before March 31. Area fisheries teams will consider the public’s observations and comments as they develop updates for each management plan. The DNR is also interested in comments from organizations or their representatives, including outdoors groups, conservations organizations, lake associations and local units of government.

A list of lakes scheduled for plan updates in 2026 is on the DNR website.

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Willmar Man is 2025 Volunteer Snowmobile Safety Instructor of the Year

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has named Joseph Shimota the 2025 volunteer snowmobile safety instructor of the year.

Shimota, a snowmobile enthusiast who has been actively riding for more than 60 years, is also the president of the Sno Skippers Snowmobile Club. He has been a lead instructor since 1993, holding classes at the Willmar Community Center, and has helped more than 1,700 students earn their snowmobile safety certification.

Shimota’s duties as president of the Sno-Skippers include extensive involvement in maintaining about 160 miles of groomed trails and hosting snowmobile races and other community events. Shimota is also a volunteer instructor for all-terrain vehicles, having certified more than 560 students since 2015.

More than 1,000 volunteer instructors teach DNR snowmobile safety classes across Minnesota and are essential to helping riders understand the importance of snowmobile safety.

Information about all the DNR’s safety training is available on the DNR website.

Wisconsin DNR Reminds Anglers of New Opening Day for Inland Trout Harvest

Madison, Wis. — The Wisconsin DNR reminds anglers that the 2026-2027 inland trout season will open on April 4 and run through Oct. 15, 2026, increasing harvest opportunities throughout the state’s inland streams, springs and spring ponds.

This year’s trout harvest season opens a month earlier than prior seasons. Trout populations are strong across most Wisconsin waters, and this additional month of harvest will provide anglers more fishing opportunities during a time of the year when other fishing seasons are generally closed. This season change was strongly supported by the public during the DNR and Wisconsin Conservation Congress 2025 Spring Hearings.

Anyone wishing to participate in this season will need a 2026-2027 general fishing license and inland trout stamp, which are both valid until March 31, 2027, and can be purchased through Go Wild or at one of many in-person license sales locations.

The earlier open harvest season for trout does not apply to inland lakes and ponds. For those waters, the traditional first Saturday in May opener still applies. In 2026, this season opens May 2. No changes have been made to the trout season dates or bag limits on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Green Bay or Green Bay tributaries.

DNR Reminds Citizens to be “BearWise”

St. Paul, Minn. — The DNR encourages homeowners to remove birdfeeders now and check their property for food sources that could attract bears. While most female bears with cubs and yearlings are still near their denning areas, some full-grown bears are starting to emerge from their dens in search of easy food sources.

“Bird feeders can become bear feeders,” said Andrew Tri, DNR bear project leader. “Birdseed and suet are very attractive to bears looking for a quick, high calorie snack.”

For more information on how to live responsibly in bear country visit the DNR website or BearWise website.