Minnesota Mixed Bag: DNR certifies new C&R record sturgeon

St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota DNR on Monday said that it has certified a new catch-and-release record lake sturgeon, an 80-inch fish caught by Travis Keating April 18 on the Rainy River in Lake of the Woods County. The DNR did not release a photo of the fish.

The fish measured 80 inches long with a 38-inch girth. While it is not recommended to weigh fish for catch-and-release records, using a chart of lake sturgeon length-girth-weight estimates would put the fish around 165 pounds. That chart is available on the DNR website.

Current records and guidelines for each type of state record are available at the DNR state record fish webpage.

Catching an 80-inch sturgeon on the Rainy River is a testament to the long-term recovery of sturgeon in the Lake of the Woods-Rainy River system.

Intense commercial exploitation during the late 1800s and early 1900s decimated the once abundant sturgeon population in Lake of the Woods and Rainy River. After the decline of the commercial fishery, the sturgeon population was unable to rebound due to water pollution and degraded habitat in the Rainy River, the primary spawning area and nursery habitat for young sturgeon. But because sturgeon are extremely long-lived, enough individuals managed to survive and reproduction was sufficient to maintain a small population.

With the passage of clean water legislation in the late 1960s and early 1970s, especially the Clean Water Act of 1972, the sturgeon population started to recover as water quality and habitat conditions improved. Now reproduction is successful in most years.

Population estimates of the number of sturgeon longer than 40 inches in the Lake of the Woods-Rainy River system were made in 1990, 2004 and again in 2014. The sturgeon population grew from about 16,000 in 1990, to about 60,000 in 2004 and about 92,000 in 2014. Though a population estimate has not been conducted since 2014, ongoing lake sturgeon monitoring in the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods continues to document the success of lake sturgeon recovery.

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Eagan Volunteer Named 2025 ATV Safety Instructor of the Year

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has named Chris Conroy of Eagan as the 2025 volunteer ATV instructor of the year.

A member of the South Metro ATV Club, Conroy has been a certified ATV safety instructor and trail ambassador since 2018. In both roles, he shares his experience and volunteers his time to ensure riders have the knowledge and skills they need to safely enjoy Minnesota’s trails. He’s participated in ATV safety events throughout Minnesota, developed an elementary school curriculum aimed at safe riding, and sought out unique opportunities to provide ATV safety messaging.

Conroy is among the nearly 1,000 volunteer ATV safety instructors who work with DNR conservation officers to deliver ATV safety training certification. Details about safety courses and training are available on the DNR website, as are ATV regulations.

Benefit to Support Tom Katt on June 28

Little Canada, Minn. — Friends and family of om att, the original rowdy cowboy, are holding a benefit for him at the Hoggsbreath Bar and Grill, on Sunday, June 28 from 1 to 5 p.m. Katt, a longtime music promoter and frequent Outdoor News booth staffer at regional sport-shows, is battling throat cancer. All proceeds will benefit Tom and his family to help cover medical expenses during his fight.

The Hoggsbreath is located at 2504 Rice St., Little Canada. Tickets are available for $10 in advance or $15 at the event. For more information on the benefit or to support Katt, visit Katt’s GoFundMe page, or contact Shayne at 651-335-6607 or Corrina at 612-601-5776.

Wildlife Drive at Roseau River WMA is Open May 16-17

Roseau, Minn. — The 27-mile Wildlife Drive within the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area will be open to the public on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, weather and dike conditions allowing. The weekend will offer unique wildlife viewing and photography opportunities during the spring bird migration.

The Wildlife Drive can be accessed at the main dike road, located one and three-quarter miles south of the WMA headquarters on Roseau County Road 3. Only motor vehicles licensed for use on public highways are permitted on WMA roads. The gate will be opened prior to sunrise on May 16 and closed at sunset on May 17.

Roads might be closed on short notice if hazardous conditions occur.

Visitors can call the Roseau River WMA headquarters at 218-452-7610, for information on road conditions and closures. Ask for Tom Enright, wildlife manager, or Evangelin Von Boeckman, assistant wildlife manager.

For a visitor’s map, visit the Roseau River WMA page.

DNR Offers New Birding Tour at Lac qui Parle WMA

Watson, Minn. — The birds are calling at Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area, and the DNR has a new guide to viewing them. The Lac qui Parle WMA Birding Tour is now live, including an online interactive GIS map. The self-guided tour includes 14 points along Lac qui Parle and Marsh lakes.

“Lac qui Parle and the surrounding network of publicly accessible habitat is a premier destination for birders in Minnesota,” said Mike Worland, Minnesota DNR regional nongame wildlife specialist. “This same landscape is part of a globally recognized Important Bird Area, underscoring its critical role in conserving birds and their habitats.”

At 33,500 acres, Lac qui Parle is one of the largest WMAs in the state of Minnesota, filled with beautiful prairie, lakes and natural landscapes. Find a handout and learn more about the Lac qui Parle WMA Birding Tour at the Lac qui Parle WMA webpage. With questions or feedback related to the tour, reach out to the area wildlife office at lacquiparle.wildlife@state.mn.us.

Wisconsin DNR Accepting Shooting Range Applications Through Aug. 15

Madison, Wis. — The Wisconsin DNR is accepting applications for the Shooting Range Grant Program through Aug. 15, 2026.

The grant program provides financial assistance for safe, accessible firearm or archery recreational shooting opportunities. Managers of public or private shooting ranges or members of the public interested in building a new range are encouraged to apply. Ideal ranges are located near highly populated areas and offer educational programming for the public related to hunting and shooting sports. Ranges operating as a for-profit business are not eligible for funding.

Prior to submitting a completed application, all applicants are required to contact either Sarah Brenner, DNR Shooting Range Grant Program manager, at Sarah.Brenner@wisconsin.gov or 715-894-8666 or Brett Johanen, DNR public shooting range manager, at Brett.Johanen@wisconsin.gov or 608-772-4928 to discuss their interest.

Learn more at the WDNR’s Shooting Range Grant Program webpage.