Monday, October 26th, 2026
My Account

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Main Menu
Menu
Search
My Account
Monday, October 26th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Main Menu
Menu
Subscribe to Outdoor News

Rob Drieslein

New assistant commissioner joins Minnesota DNR leadership

Featured, Home Page News, Minnesota, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

The Minnesota DNR has a new assistant commissioner as the current administration tackles its final year in charge of the 3,000-person agency.
Katie Smith, director of DNR’s ecological services division since 2021, moved up earlier this month to the commissioner’s office at 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul to serve as one of three assistant commissioners. She replaces Shannon Lotthammer, who retired from the DNR on Feb. 2.

New assistant commissioner joins Minnesota DNR leadership Read More »

Outdoor Insights: What’s behind the disappearance of Minnesota’s jackrabbits?

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

With Pheasant Fest this weekend in Minneapolis, everyone’s talking upland game.
When the annual August roadside report arrives from the Minnesota DNR, every upland bird hunters pores over the data, mostly focusing on ring-necked pheasants, which showed solid numbers going into autumn 2025. But there are other critters in the report, including gray partridge, mourning doves, cottontail rabbits, and – arguably the saddest story year after year – the white-tailed jackrabbit.

Outdoor Insights: What’s behind the disappearance of Minnesota’s jackrabbits? Read More »

Outdoor Insights: Proposed limits on Minnesota’s native rough fish not as cut and dried as one might think

2 Comments / Discussions, Featured, Fishing, Free Content, Minnesota, National Fishing, Opinion /

The Minnesota DNR opened a public comment period on new limits for native roughfish last week that may stir more controversy than you’d expect.
Most anglers don’t think much about the half-dozen species subject to the new regs, but some see commercial harvest. Plus a robust recreational bowfishery has emerged around roughfish the past 20 years.

Outdoor Insights: Proposed limits on Minnesota’s native rough fish not as cut and dried as one might think Read More »

Outdoor Insights: Ability to purchase outdoor endorsements while renewing vehicle tabs could be a win for Minnesota

1 Comment / Discussions, Featured, Fishing, Free Content, Hunting, Minnesota, National Fishing, National Hunting, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

On Jan. 15, the Minnesota DNR delivered its Outdoor Recreation Endorsement report to the Legislature. I understand that the mere name of this 15-page document already may have glazed your eyes over, but as I mentioned in this space back on Dec. 19, new natural resources funding mechanisms don’t come around often, so this topic deserves some scrutiny.

Outdoor Insights: Ability to purchase outdoor endorsements while renewing vehicle tabs could be a win for Minnesota Read More »

Outdoor Insights: Key takeaways from Minnesota DNR’s 2026 Roundtable

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Fishing, National Hunting, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

The Minnesota DNR held its annual roundtable event with nearly 400 stakeholders on Friday, Jan. 9, at the Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center.
The gathering provided some respite from current events given that attendees shared a love for natural resources and the great outdoors. After Gov. Tim Walz’s announcement last Monday that he will not seek a third term, the 2026 event also likely represented the final roundtable for Commissioner Sarah Strommen and her team of deputy and assistant commissioners.

Outdoor Insights: Key takeaways from Minnesota DNR’s 2026 Roundtable Read More »

Outdoor Insights: Key figures in Minnesota’s outdoor scene retire

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Minnesota, Opinion /

The new year means the big “R” word for some folks – retirement.
Mark Johnson, executive director of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, wraps his last day on Friday, Jan. 9. Leaders from the state’s outdoors scene can bid him farewell that day at the DNR’s annual Roundtable meeting in Brooklyn Center.

Outdoor Insights: Key figures in Minnesota’s outdoor scene retire Read More »

Outdoor Insights: Help for outdoors funding on the way in Minnesota?

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Fishing, National Hunting, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

Next month, the Minnesota DNR will submit a report to the Legislature with details on possibly launching an outdoor recreation endorsement.
Outdoor News has reported for several years on this DNR administration’s goal to develop new longer-term funding sources. Well, this endorsement option may have potential. We’ll know more in January, but here’s a tease.

Outdoor Insights: Help for outdoors funding on the way in Minnesota? 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!

Continue...

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.

Continue...

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.

Take the Survey

Introducing The Outdoor News Foundation

Donate Today

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!

Sign Up Now

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.