Minnesota Mixed Bag: Hurricane-grade windstorm pauses state recreation operations

Bemidji, Minn. — After a strong windstorm last weekend ripped through the Bemidji area in Beltrami County, clocking speeds comparable to hurricane winds, a few of the state recreation sites within the region reported closures as of June 23.

Lake Bemidji State Park is closed. Refunds will be issued to individuals who had planned to visit while the temporary closure remains in place. No reopening date has been announced.

Itasca State Park remained without power on Monday, June 23, following the weekend’s winds, and canceled lodging reservations until power is restored. All park buildings are closed. Campsite reservations aren’t being canceled, but there is no electricity or plumbing at sites.

La Salle Lake State Recreation Area reported that visitors should avoid unnecessary trips. Despite roads being passable, there is significant debris and trails have not yet been assessed.

More information can be found on each of the parks’ websites.

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Lake Maria Drawdown in Progress in Southwest

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR is conducting a drawdown of Lake Maria in Murray County, located southwest of Garvin. The temporary lowering of water levels on the 442-acre shallow lake is taking place to improve wildlife habitat and water quality.

Lake Maria is a designated wildlife lake, which allows DNR managers to help mitigate factors that affect water and habitat quality with tools that include temporary drawdowns.

Average water clarity during the 2024 wildlife lake survey was less than 1.5 feet, which is below the management goal of greater than 2.3 feet, and emergent aquatic vegetation has significantly declined. Exotic common carp, black bullheads, and minnows also are abundant in Lake Maria. All these factors indicate declining in-lake habitat conditions.

Plans call for using pumps to lower water levels by about 2.75 feet from a maximum depth of 3.3 feet. Lake Maria will remain in drawdown through the spring of 2026, depending on weather conditions. There is a possibility the drawdown could be extended into the summer of 2026 if there is not enough new aquatic vegetation growth in the lake.

Anyone with questions about the Lake Maria drawdown or shallow lake management may contact Maggie Gross, Windom shallow lakes specialist, at margaret.gross@state.mn.us or (507) 832-6016. Questions about Lake Maria also can be directed to Bill Schuna, Slayton-Talcot area wildlife manager, at bill.schuna@state.mn.us or (507) 873-5650.

Wildlife Drive Opening at Roseau River WMA

Roseau, Minn. — The 27-mile Wildlife Drive within the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area will be open from Saturday, July 19, through Sunday, July 27, and on the weekends of Aug. 2-3 and Aug. 9-10. The self-guided tour traverses wetland, woodland, brushland, grassland, and farmland habitats, providing visitors ample opportunity for wildlife viewing.

The Roseau River WMA, managed by the Minnesota DNR and located 20 miles northwest of Roseau, is part of the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, which consists of 45 sites spanning a 223-mile corridor in the northwestern part of the state.

To confirm road conditions before venturing out, and for a bird list, maps, fishing regulations, and additional information, call (218) 452-7610, email, or stop by the Roseau River WMA office in Roseau. Online maps and more information about the Roseau River WMA are available on the Minnesota DNR website.

‘Hot Shot’ Event Coming to Horse and Hunt Club

Prior Lake, Minn. — The Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake will be holding its inaugural “Hot Shot” shooting event on Sunday, July 13, from noon to 6 p.m. This is a fun but competitive course designed for those looking to put their skills to the test.

This is a 150-target shoot with unique target presentations.

It includes prizes for top shooters, pullers at each station, raffle drawings, social hour with a buffet of specialty appetizers, and an awards ceremony. Tickets for this event are pre-sold. To learn more and to register, visit www.horseandhunt.com

Wisconsin Sharptail Season Possible After Seven-Year Absence

Madison, Wis. — Officials in Wisconsin say the sharp-tailed grouse population in northwestern Wisconsin is strong enough to sustain a limited harvest this fall. If the state Department of Natural Resources approves a hunt, it would mark the first time since 2018.

Bob Hanson, Wisconsin DNR Northwest Sands wildlife biologist and sharp-tailed grouse coordinator, told Outdoor News that based on the state’s new sharptail plan, a limited hunt would be feasible at Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, near Grantsburg, Wis., this fall. The wildlife area is across the St. Croix River from Minnesota’s east-central sharptail zone, where a hunt has been on hold for several years.

Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, this spring’s sharptail count of 275 males represented a 7% increase from a year ago and was the highest since 2010. The counts are conducted at several northwestern Wisconsin state wildlife areas.

The Wisconsin DNR’s Sharp-tailed Grouse Advisory Committee recommended 24 sharptail-hunting permits be made available for Crex Meadows this fall.