A new proposal by Gov. Mark Dayton would have Minnesota’s outdoors enthusiasts seeing significant improvements to the state’s management of fish and wildlife, and to other outdoor recreation programs. It would use existing funds from the Minnesota fish and game fund to improve fish and wildlife populations, habitat, user facilities and access to information that supports those activities. Dayton’s budget seeks $5.4 million in fiscal year 2016, which begins July 1, and $5.1 million in fiscal year 2017. “Gov. Dayton’s proposal is an investment,” said Ed Boggess, director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Fish and Wildlife Division. “He’s asking the Legislature to allow DNR to improve management of fish and wildlife, and enhance enforcement efforts, by using dollars that ... [ Read More ]
Minnesota fishing opener preview – fishing facts
The DNR compiled these Minnesota fishing facts in preparation for the 2015 fishing opener, which is Saturday, May 9, 2015. Anglers and waters There are about 1.5 million licensed anglers in Minnesota. About 500,000 people are expected to fish on opening day of the walleye and northern pike season, Saturday, May 9. Minnesota has 11,842 lakes, 5,400 of which are managed by DNR Fisheries. There are 18,000 miles of fishable rivers and streams, including 3,800 miles of trout streams. Average annual expenditure per angler is about $1,500.* Although not every kind of fish lives everywhere, 162 species of fish can be found in Minnesota waters. Participation and the economy Fishing contributes $2.4 billion to the state’s economy in direct retail sales, ranking Minnesota fourth ... [ Read More ]
Deer Land Management Madness
My 60 acre family farm has seen it all. In the name of Deer Land Management, I've created bedding cover and foodplots, mineral sites and water holes. As a result of my efforts, we've killed some great bucks on our small Michigan farm. I'm having so much fun with improving our habitat that is has quickly evolved from a hobby to an obsession. Understandingly so, I jumped at the chance to talk with James Brion the 'Land Management Madman' about how he's made a living out of my obsession for the last 25 years. In an industry where most outfitters can't make ends meet in the first few years, a veteran like James in an anomaly. James said this about himself, “I'm a business major with a land management habit”. He's got his hands in a bit of everything outdoors; running a hunting ranch and ... [ Read More ]
Minnesota likely to see early start to 2015 fire season
With the recent warm weather, Department of Natural Resources fire behavior analysts are predicting an early start to Minnesota’s 2015 spring fire season. Predicted temperatures this week in the 40s and 50s will likely take care of what little snowpack the state had this winter. Plus, forecasts for the next two weeks show mild temperatures and a dry weather pattern. Minnesota also had a relatively dry fall and very little snow this winter. All of this points toward abnormally dry conditions in early spring. In addition to predicting an early start to the 2015 spring fire season, fire behavior analysts say that based on past weather patterns and fire occurrence, Minnesota will likely have an average to above average number of fires this spring. Without the snow compaction, grass fires ... [ Read More ]
St Croix Triumph Rods Have Gone To Pieces
There are several reasons anglers don’t have a travel rod for larger lures and full-sized fish tucked away in their vehicle. For one, most are cumbersome and don’t balance well unless paired with a bulky reel. And then there’s the cost of dedicating gear to the sole application of heavyweight combat. The engineers at St. Croix considered such challenges when creating two new models for the popular, affordable Triumph series of rods. One spinning and one casting; both medium-heavy-power rods excel when it comes to handling heavier line, larger baits and fighting and landing big fish. And all at a price that won’t shrink your wallet. “The best thing about these new Triumph travel rods is that they’re built on four-piece blanks that feel like you’re fishing with a one-piece rod; both when ... [ Read More ]
2015 MN DNR: Changes, New Regulations, More Opportunities For Anglers
Changes to the 2015 MN DNR regulations will provide more fishing opportunities – and in some cases bigger fish – for anglers who want to fish for bass, sturgeon, muskellunge, catfish and trout. Changes include: Bass: New catch-and-release bass season is Saturday, May 9, until harvest season opens Saturday, May 23, in all but northeast Minnesota. In northeast (essentially north and east of U.S. Highway 53), no change in spring but fall closure is lifted, allowing smallmouth bass harvest in northeast through Feb. 28, 2016. Sturgeon: New catch-and-release season for lake sturgeon is Tuesday, June 16, until April 14, 2016 on inland waters and Minnesota waters bordering North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa. No fishing for lake sturgeon each year April 15 to June 15, to protect sturgeon ... [ Read More ]
Minnesota’s moose population remains at low levels
The DNR has conducted aerial moose population surveys in northeastern Minnesota since 1960. A spotter counts moose as a pilot flies a helicopter across 52 randomly selected plots of 13 square miles. “Survey conditions this year were generally good across moose range, although there was much less snow compared to last year,” said Cornicelli. Data from the aerial Minnesota moose survey just completed indicate that the downward trend in the statewide moose population continues, even though there has been no statistical change in the population during the past few years. Results of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ annual aerial moose survey place the 2015 statewide moose population estimate at 3,450. This compares with estimates of 4,350 in 2014 and 2,760 in ... [ Read More ]
The Perfect Tackle Bags For Combat Fishing
It’s in honor of the service men and women around the world that Plano has designed a new line of military-themed tackle bags - tough-as-armor 3700 and 3600 Military Bags. Constructed with a durable canvas that’s reminiscent of an army rucksack, these fully armed soft bags include two 3700- or 3600-size StowAway® Utility Boxes and feature four external zippered pockets, as well as an adjustable shoulder strap. Word has it that in the days following the Iraq war, U.S. military members relieved stress by wetting a line in the private lakes of none other than Saddam Hussein. Not surprisingly short on tackle, these brave angling soldiers fashioned their own hooks, whittled lures and scavenged odd forms of livebait from the Iraqi desert. Some interesting fish were caught and, for a few ... [ Read More ]
New special Minnesota fishing regulations
Angling regulations will change on nearly three dozen waters this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Among the changes: Anglers will see more restrictive walleye regulations in and around Saganaga Lake in Cook County. Lake Winnibigoshish will have a relaxed, or narrower, protected slot limit for walleye. And northern pike special regulations will be removed on Big Birch Lake in Todd County. Changed and new special and experimental regulations will be posted at public accesses on affected lakes and become effective March 1, except for those involving Sand Lake in Itasca County and connected waters, which will be effective in 2016. New regulations Saganaga, Sea Gull, and Gull lakes (Cook County) and connected waters – Walleye will have a 17-inch ... [ Read More ]
Fishing Differences between MN and CO
As the open water fishing season comes to a close and winter rears its ugly head, I can’t help but reflect on my last few fishing seasons. It’s been 5 months since my return to Minnesota and the 2 years before that I was living in Colorado. A lot of people have asked me how the fishing changes from state to state so I thought I would take some time and share my answer to that question. There are many things that contribute to my love of fishing but one that really stands out to me is the diversity of the sport. I knew that moving to Colorado meant my fishing style would change and that excited me! I love fishing in new landscapes, chasing new species, and practicing new fishing techniques. Some of the differences that come to mind when comparing my fishing adventures in Minnesota to ... [ Read More ]