Minnesota Mixed Bag: Zebra mussels confirmed in Little Boy Lake in Cass County

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Little Boy Lake, near Longville in Cass County.

A Cass County invasive species specialist contacted the DNR after a zebra mussel was found on a settlement sampler at the end of a private dock. Settlement samplers are solid surfaces placed in the water that people can regularly check for attached zebra mussels, to aid in detection. A Minnesota DNR invasive species specialist found a live zebra mussel attached to a native mussel during a follow-up search of Little Boy.

Citizens should contact a DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body.

MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Minnesota DNR Fisheries’ leader Brad Parsons to retire after 40 years

More ducks settled in Minnesota this spring

Despite brief Apple wait, Minnesota DNR kicks off new Electronic Licensing System; license sales lag behind 2025

SEND OUTDOOR NEWS YOUR FISHING PHOTOS

Plymouth, Minn. — The Outdoor News editorial staff reminds readers that we want to see your fishing success on the water this summer.

The easiest way to submit your “reader shot” photo is via this link on our website. Good luck fishing this summer, and let’s see your photos!

DAVE SIMONETT HEADLINES BENEFIT FOR THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA

Minneapolis — Join state conservation and paddling enthusiasts on the evening of Thursday, July 9, for Singing Into Wilderness, a special live benefit show for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Dave Simonett and friends with special guest Doug Duren, will perform at the Hook and Ladder Event Center, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis. Enjoy live music, food trucks, an exclusive auction, canoe sweepstakes, and more.

Proceeds from the event and show will benefit Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters and the organization’s work to protect and conserve Minnesota’s very own Singing Wilderness, the BWCA.

Learn more and purchase tickets at www.sportsmenbwca.org.

USFS DEBUTS NEW RECREATION MOBILE APP

Washington, D.C. — To kick off Great Outdoors Month, the U.S. Forest Service has launched a new, single visitor-information mobile app, National Forests and Grasslands, now available for download as visitors plan their summer trips to recreation sites across the National Forest System.

For the first time the app provides the most complete and accurate collection of Forest Service recreation sites that has ever been made available to the public, along with important planning tools like critical safety alerts, closures, amenity details and more.

This debut will retire nearly 30 similar, outdated agency apps, improving overall visitor safety, access and consistent information to the nearly 164 million visitors who recreate on national forests and grasslands each year. The app is available for download on the Apple store for iOS and Google Play for Android.

MN-FISH RECEIVES $4,500 GRANT TO EXPAND LEECH LAKE MUSKIE STUDY

Minneapolis — The statewide fishing advocacy group MN-FISH recently received a $4,500 grant to expand the groundbreaking muskellunge research on Leech Lake in north-central Minnesota. The three-year research, launched May 2025, focuses on understanding muskie movement and survival rates through advanced telemetry. The project is a collaborative effort between MN-FISH, Bemidji State University, the DNR, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

Thanks to the Hugh C. Becker Foundation of the Twin Cities Chapter of Muskies Inc., MN-FISH will use these funds to provide additional resources and equipment to expand this important study. Organizers says it’s the most significant muskie survival study ever conducted in the United States, and MN-FISH leadership is excited for the vital contributions it will make to preserving muskies while supporting the DNR’s mission to sustainably manage Minnesota’s natural resources.

ENJOY FREE PARK DAY IN MINNESOTA STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 13

St. Paul — June is Great Outdoors Month, making it an ideal time to get outside and explore Minnesota’s outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities. A perfect day to do so is Free Park Day on Saturday, June 13, which also coincides with National Get Outdoors Day. On this date, the Minnesota DNR will waive vehicle permit fees at all 73 state parks and recreation areas.

June 13 is one of four free days during the year. The remaining free park day in 2026 is Friday, Nov. 27. The DNR offers one fee-free day in each season, giving Minnesotans an opportunity to experience the parks at different times of year. The vehicle permit waiver for Free Park Day does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping or watercraft rentals.

Details are on the Free Park Day webpage.