Minnesota Mixed Bag: Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic Comes to Minneapolis This Weekend

Minneapolis — The stages are nearly set for the 2026 Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic at the Minneapolis Convention Center, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 20-22. Among them are the Bird Dog Stage, the Path to the Uplands Stage, the Habitat Stage, the Main Stage, and the Public Lands Pavilion.

Seminars will be conducted throughout the show, and they’ll cover a host of topics important to hunters, conservationists, and others. Learn about the upcoming 2026 U.S. Farm Bill, and get information on public lands or conserving private lands. Think your dog is capable of even greater feats? Training experts at the event can help you out.

Pheasant Fest hours are noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. Tickets are $15; $10 for youth.

For more information, visit www.pheasantfest.org

MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Commentary: Theodore Roosevelt’s descendants urge U.S. senators to protect the Boundary Waters

Spring light goose orders kicking off in the Upper Midwest; here’s what conditions look like

Ice cave enthusiasts flock to Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands for first time since 2015

Duluth Sport Show Begins Thursday, Runs Through Sunday

Duluth, Minn. — The Duluth Sport Show, featuring the latest in boats, RVs, travel destinations, hunting and fishing gear, and other fun and educational features, comes to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 19-22.

While you’re there, take in a fishing seminar and hunting seminar, visit Humminbird Marine Electronics University, check out pro fishing tips from a variety of seminar speakers like Wally Marshall, and get your buck antlers scored by Minnesota Official Measurers.

Show hours are 3-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. Online admission is $10 for those age 18 and older ($12 at the door), $6 for those ages 6 to 17 ($7 at the door), and free for kids age 5 and under. Stop by the Outdoor News booth while you’re there.

For more information, visit www.duluthsportshow.com

Great Minnesota RV Show Runs Feb. 19-22

St. Cloud, Minn. — The 52nd annual Great Minnesota RV Show runs this weekend, Feb. 19 to 22, at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Admission is free.

RVs at the event start as low at $10,000 and there will be 120 new units available. See complete details at www.pleasurelandrv.com

George’s Muskie Expo Runs Feb. 27 to March 1

Shakopee, Minn. — George’s Minnesota Muskie Expo, held this year again in conjunction with the Minnesota Anglers Boat Show, comes to a new location, the Canterbury Park Expo Center, 1100 Canterbury Road, in Shakopee and runs Feb. 27 to March 1.

For muskie and other fishing aficionados, the expo offers a chance to see the latest in gear; take in a seminar offered by a slate of muskie experts including Mike Kramer, Luke Ronnestrand, Chase Gibbons, and several others; let the youngsters visit George’s Tackle Shop or take part in minnow races; and much more.

Show hours are 1-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27; 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 1. Daily admission for adults is $12 (a three-day pass is $20) and is free for youth age 12 and under.

Visit www.mn-muskieexpo.com for more information.

Minnesotans Can Help State’s At-Risk Wildlife at Tax Time

St. Paul — Minnesotans can support the conservation of the state’s rare and vulnerable wildlife with a contribution to the Nongame Wildlife Fund through their state tax returns. The Minnesota DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Fund provides crucial support to more than 500 at-risk wildlife species, such as osprey, bald eagles, river otters, mussels and more.

The program relies on donations to support wildlife field research, habitat enhancement projects and educational programs, including the popular DNR EagleCam and FalconCam. All donations to the fund are double-matched by the Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat license plate fund.

Tax filers can contribute any amount using the Nongame Wildlife Fund checkoff on Form M1, Individual Income Tax, or Form M1PR, Homestead Credit Refund. If filing on paper, look for the loon icon to invest in Minnesota’s at-risk wildlife.

More information about the Nongame Wildlife Program is available on the DNR website.

Remember Fish House Removal Deadlines

St. Paul — The deadline to remove fish houses from the ice on inland waters in the southern two-thirds of the state is approaching. The statutory shelter removal deadline for inland waters in the southern two-thirds of the state is 11:59 p.m. on March 2. The deadline for inland lakes in the northern portion of the state is 11:59 p.m. on March 16. The DNR reminds all fish house owners to pick up any trash before hauling their shelter off the ice.

Other deadlines include Minn.-Canada border waters (March 31), Minn.-South Dakota and North Dakota border waters (March 5), Minn.-Wisconsin border waters (March 1) and Minn.-Iowa border waters (Feb. 20). After removal deadlines, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and an hour before sunrise when attended.

As they venture out, anglers always should keep in mind that ice conditions vary widely, that ice is never 100% safe, and that they should check the ice thickness for themselves.

For more information, visit the DNR ice fishing shelter webpage.

The Iowa DNR also reminded citizens this week that ice shelters must be removed from remaining Iowa waters by March 1.