Saturday, August 8th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Search
Saturday, August 8th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Justin Runberg

New Minnesota muskie plan puts an emphasis on bettering existing fisheries

A new long-range state muskellunge plan will shift focus from finding new muskie waters to improving existing fisheries.
The Minnesota DNR says the plan will help guide the agency until 2040 through a series of outlined goals, objectives, and strategies. The previous plan began in 2008 and ran through 2020. The new plan includes four key goals developed through stakeholder feedback.

New Minnesota muskie plan puts an emphasis on bettering existing fisheries Read More »

Legacy funding bill passes on final day of Minnesota’s ’26 session

Minnesota legislators passed the Legacy funding bill in both chambers over the weekend as the session wrapped up on Sunday.
Lawmakers reached an agreement Friday on a $191 million appropriations bill that many Capitol operatives just 24 hours earlier believed was dead for 2026. The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) appropriations bill passed through the House Ways and Means Committee on a voice vote late Friday afternoon before moving to the House and Senate floors.

Legacy funding bill passes on final day of Minnesota’s ’26 session Read More »

Minnesota Legacy bill finds new life as session deadline looms

Minnesota legislators reached an agreement Friday on a $191 million Legacy funding bill that many State Capitol operatives just 24 hours earlier thought was dead for 2026.
The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) appropriations bill passed through the House Ways and Means Committee on a voice vote late Friday afternoon and is now headed to the House floor.

Minnesota Legacy bill finds new life as session deadline looms Read More »

If the frogs croak two nights in a row, it’s time for smelt along Minnesota’s North Shore

The annual smelt run has a dedicated following along the North Shore in Minnesota, with fishermen putting out nets to gather the small fish. In recent years, more people have made their way to the shore for tradition, business, and recreation.
Native to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, smelt entered the Great Lakes after being accidentally introduced via an inland Michigan lake in 1912 where they had been stocked as forage. Since then, the population has spread across the Great Lakes.

If the frogs croak two nights in a row, it’s time for smelt along Minnesota’s North Shore Read More »

Browns Creek restoration opens new opportunity for Minnesota trout anglers near Stillwater

A new angling opportunity is available to residents in Stillwater following restoration efforts along Browns Creek.
The ADA-compliant access allows people with mobility limitations to fish the stream. A commemorative event took place last Friday, May 8 and included trout stocking, with Gov. Tim Walz and DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen releasing several rainbow trout into the creek.

Browns Creek restoration opens new opportunity for Minnesota trout anglers near Stillwater Read More »

Minnesota’s LSOHC bill clears Senate Finance Committee, Roseau project delayed

The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council appropriations are a step closer to funding projects. During the Senate Finance Committee meeting May 6, the bill moved out of committee and headed to the Senate floor.
The bill, SF 4304, was authored and presented by Sen. Foung Hawj, DFL-St. Paul. During the meeting, lawmakers introduced amendments that sparked discussion on term limits, the hiring process for the executive director and LSOHC recommendations.

Minnesota’s LSOHC bill clears Senate Finance Committee, Roseau project delayed Read More »

Stillwater hosts Walz on St. Croix River for his final Governor’s Fishing Opener

For the first time, the Governor’s Fishing Opener was held on the St. Croix River in Stillwater last weekend. The event also marked Gov. Tim Walz’s final time participating.
The annual festivities are a partnership among the Minnesota DNR, Explore Minnesota, and the governor’s office – a tradition has taken place for 78 years.

Stillwater hosts Walz on St. Croix River for his final Governor’s Fishing Opener Read More »

New fry study looks to improve survival of stocked walleyes in Minnesota

Annual Minnesota DNR Fisheries egg take operations are nearing completion, but a new delayed fry study could help shape future walleye management.
Minnesota DNR Fish Production Supervisor Paula Phelps said this year’s operations went smoothly and are nearly finished. All eggs have been placed in hatcheries, with a portion set aside for the delayed fry study.

New fry study looks to improve survival of stocked walleyes in Minnesota Read More »

13 counties choose to remain shotgun-only for Minnesota’s deer season

Minnesota’s counties have cast their votes on whether to allow rifles or remain shotgun-only for deer season, and most are allowing rifles this fall.
After the Legislature eliminated the shotgun-only zone for deer hunting in 2025, counties in southern Minnesota were left to decide whether they wanted to remain shotgun-only or allow rifles. That process played out in county board rooms throughout the winter and early this spring.

13 counties choose to remain shotgun-only for Minnesota’s deer season Read More »

GET THE OUTDOOR NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Sign up for the Outdoor News Weekly Newsletter and get 2 months of FREE access to OutdoorNews.com – packed with hunting, fishing, and conservation news. No Catch.

This offer includes digital access only (not the printed edition)

Email Address(Required)
Password(Required)
Name
What outdoor activities interest you?(Required)

PLEASE READ

Accessing Your Full Subscription Just Got Easier. Introducing Single Sign On.

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Click Continue below.
  2. You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.
  3. Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!
  4. After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue.
  5. You’ll either:
    1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
    2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

One login. Every edition. Easy.

Let’s get you reading!

PLEASE READ

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

• Click Continue below.

• You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.

• Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!

• After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue. You’ll either:

  1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
  2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

Help Shape the Future of OutdoorNews.com!

We know you love the outdoors—now we want to make OutdoorNews.com the ultimate destination for all things hunting, fishing, and conservation.

Take our brief 3 minute survey to share your thoughts, and help us build the best outdoor website on the planet. As a thank you, we’ll send you a special offer!

Together, we can make OutdoorNews.com even better.

Introducing The Outdoor News Foundation

For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!

Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.

Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.