The estimate of overall duck abundance (excluding scaup, better known as bluebills) was 481,000 ducks, which was 15% below the 2022 estimate of 567,000 ducks, 20% below the 10-year average, and 22% below the long-term average.
Minnesota’s duck numbers dip, but state mallards stable Read More »
One of the largest and most elusive fish in Minnesota, the muskie – or muskellunge – is an apex predator extraordinaire with a seemingly insatiable appetite. But in 2018, the hunter became the hunted. Some politicians, guides, lake association members and even regular anglers – most devotees to the state fish, the revered walleye – wanted to, more or less, kill state muskie management.
Their collective belief was that muskies adversely were affecting resident fish populations, especially walleye populations, in waters where they were managed and stocked by the Minnesota DNR. That, despite a stubborn body of scientific evidence suggesting otherwise.
Muskie diet study could factor into a new management plan for Minnesota waters Read More »
Scott Threinen had his moment. He remembers it in vivid detail.
He was doing chores on his family dairy farm outside of Rochester, Minn., when he was 10 years old. A skein of nine giant Canada geese – in all their honking glory – flew over the barn and landed in a nearby field.
“The thing that sticks with me is that they made the coolest sound … and those whistling wings,” said Threinen, a three-time world champion goose caller and founder of Molt Gear, a business that caters to waterfowl hunters. “That was the start of it for me. For Christmas that year, I asked for a goose call and I was off. It’s still my passion today.”
The Minnesota DNR issued an order in late June that will require hunters to use nontoxic, lead-free ammunition when hunting on 56 state scientific and natural areas where hunting is allowed.
The new order was signed June 27 by DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, a move that stopped short of banning lead fishing tackle on SNAs and prohibiting lead ammunition at state parks for special hunts, which was sought by a coalition of conservation groups headed by Friends of Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas. Federal Ammunition on Monday criticized the commissioner’s order.
Dean Paron’s 10-year-plus run as the Minnesota DNR’s Finland area fisheries supervisor officially came to an end recently – a “dream job” that the 53-year-old from Two Harbors thought he’d never want to leave. “It was a hard decision, to be honest,” he said. “But this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
In his new position, Paron said, he will “direct and coordinate” the state’s stream and river habitat projects – no small task in the nation’s 12th-largest state (nearly 87,000 square miles) that has more than 6,564 natural rivers and streams running nearly 70,000 miles.
Dean Paron named Minnesota’s stream habitat supervisor Read More »
For trout anglers in southeastern Minnesota, it’s already the dog days of summer.
Most trout streams are low and clear, many are overrun with in-stream vegetation, and the timing of hatches has been sporadic, at best. Given the conditions, the trout are spooky and fishing is difficult, DNR officials, fly-fishing guides, and anglers say. Officials say if conditions persist, trout spawning also could be affected.
Drought making it tough on Minnesota’s stream trout anglers Read More »
With an outbreak of sickness that’s moved from the Twin Cities area to greater Minnesota, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health now is imploring dog owners to have their pets vaccinated against the highly contagious and potentially lethal canine influenza.
Canine influenza is a rapidly-spreading respiratory disease in which dogs often exhibit several symptoms – a cough, low-grade fever, lethargy, sneezing, running nose, shortness of breath, disinterest in food and drink – of varying degrees. The best way to mitigate any potential problem is through vaccination, state officials say.
Minnesota Board of Animal Health recommends canine flu vaccination Read More »
It’s a new era for Minnesota River anglers.
Beginning July 1, anglers may legally use two lines during the open-water season while fishing the Minnesota River downstream of the Granite Falls dam to Pool 2 on the Mississippi River.
During the last legislative session, Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation that opens roughly 250 miles of the Minnesota River to two-line fishing, a move supported by the Minnesota DNR and hailed by anglers across the watershed known for its catfish and walleyes.
Anglers excited as two-line fishing begins on some river segments July 1 in Minnesota Read More »
Every day he runs his route in southwestern Minnesota, mail carrier Rick Buchholz traverses roughly 80 miles of gravel roads – prime real estate to spy pheasants and newly hatched pheasant chicks.
“It’s getting to be that time of year,” the 56-year-old outdoorsman from Westbrook said recently. “I’ve seen a lot of roosters this spring, but very few hens and no little ones at all. I suspect they’ll start showing up real soon.”
In fact, some broods have started to show up across Minnesota’s pheasant belt, roughly a week later than normal, due to protracted winter weather.
After tough winter, Minnesota pheasants get a decent spring Read More »
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)
We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.
If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.
Let’s get you reading!
We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.
• 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:
If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.
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.
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.
