Minnesota Mixed Bag: Starry Stonewort Confirmed in Buffalo Lake in Wright County

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in Buffalo Lake, located in and adjacent to the city of Buffalo in Wright County.

City staff contacted the DNR after a contractor found suspected starry stonewort near the south public access, one of three public accesses on Buffalo Lake. A DNR invasive species specialist confirmed sparse densities of starry stonewort near the south access. Starry stonewort was not immediately observed in other areas of the lake. The DNR will conduct a more extensive search of the lake and will work with local entities to assess potential management options.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website.

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North Dakota G&F Encourages Hunters to Test Deer for CWD

Bismarck, N.D. — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will continue its Hunter-Harvested Surveillance program during the 2025 hunting season by sampling deer for chronic wasting disease from select units in the northwestern portion of the state.

Samples will be tested from deer taken from units 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B and 4C. Outside of this area, hunters can still have their animal tested by taking it to a Game and Fish district office, deer head collection site or by using a self-sampling kit.

Hunters are encouraged to drop off heads of adult or yearling deer at collection locations listed on the department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

Wisconsin’s 2025 Nine-Day Gun Deer Season Opens Nov. 22

Madison, Wis. — The Wisconsin DNR reminds hunters that the 2025 gun deer season opens on Saturday, Nov. 22, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 30.  Similar to last year, this year’s gun deer season runs later in the month. Fewer deer may be on the move relative to years with earlier openers. Other factors could create better deer hunting conditions, such as colder temperatures and snow cover.

Through Oct. 31, 2025, year-to-date sales for gun, bow, crossbow, sports and patron licenses reached 463,983. Of that total, 137,394 are for gun privileges only.

Hunters should be aware of updates to some of the Deer Management Units for the 2025 deer season. DMUs in the Northern Forest Management Zones have been converted to habitat-based units, as opposed to county-based units.

Open House to Discuss Iowa Poweshiek County’s Diamond Lake Restoration Project

Montezuma, Iowa — Poweshiek County Conservation and the Iowa DNR will discuss upcoming lake restoration efforts planned for Diamond Lake at an open house on Nov. 12, at 6 p.m., at the Foster Center at Diamond Lake County Park. Work is scheduled from summer 2026 through early spring 2028.

The meeting will present project goals, construction plans, and what park users can expect for the next three years.  Diamond Lake, a 98-acre lake located in the 660-acre park, has a history of poor water quality, including bad water clarity, a lack of fish habitat, and algae blooms. Partners have worked over the past several years to assess these issues and develop a comprehensive lake restoration plan.

Diamond Lake is a popular recreation destination, drawing more than 45,000 visitors annually. Funding for restoration efforts include the Lake Restoration Program, a program administered by the Iowa DNR, Diamond County Conservation, and the City of Montezuma.