Kabetogama-Namakan fishing report; what's where and how to catch it. Wind set the pace for anglers this past week, and some thought it was too much of a good thing. Windblown shorelines were good to anglers that could manage boat control and stay in the 10-15’ depth as baitfish get directed into those shorelines, which usually leads to good fishing. If the wind dies down at anytime, or the following day, concentrate your efforts accordingly for great results. A suggested method of fishing while the winds are blowing is to troll artificial lures at depths between 12-16’, or use lead line and troll deeper waters. All fish species relate well to this, and boat control isn’t as critical. The walleye bite remains very scattered; there are reports of anglers catching fish on all ... [ Read More ]
Minnesota Northern Pike Problems: You Can Still Comment
In hopes of improving northern pike fishing, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to expand the dialogue with anglers and darkhouse spearers about the northern pike problem in Minnesota. So what's the problem? Well, there isn't just one problem – or one solution – because pike populations differ in various regions of the state. In the northeast, pike are present in relatively low numbers and at relatively large sizes. They reproduce naturally. Although they grow slowly, they can grow quite large because relatively few anglers scatter limited fishing pressure across a large number of lakes. In southern Minnesota, pike are less abundant and don't reproduce as well as in the north. Southern Minnesota has high fishing pressure and a high harvest rate relative to the ... [ Read More ]
Minnesota DNR praises new aquatic invasive species law
The Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species (AIS) training and trailer decal program, which was due to launch this year, was repealed by the Minnesota Legislature during its recently completed special session. In its place, the Legislature added an AIS affirmation provision to some licenses. The affirmation will be added to new watercraft and nonresident fishing licenses beginning in 2016, so no immediate actions are required under the new law. Starting in 2016, all newly issued watercraft licenses will have an AIS affirmation section. All nonresident fishing licenses will also include the AIS affirmation section beginning in March 2016. License applicants after these dates will receive a summary of AIS laws and will be required to affirm that they have read and understand the summary in ... [ Read More ]
Fish stocking improves Minnesota walleye waters
Anglers in the area are never far from a lake where they can catch Minnesota walleye; fish stocking keeps it that way. Stocking Minnesota walleye involves taking eggs from waters that have reproducing walleye populations and releasing newly hatched fry or small Minnesota walleye fingerlings into lakes that don’t have reproducing populations. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources pays for its stocking effort with fishing license and Minnesota walleye stamp dollars. This year, the process started April 8 in the Pike River near Tower, used eight egg-take sites and ended April 26 in Fergus Falls. Here’s a snapshot of the stocking stats: 2015 stocking effort Eggs taken: 4,655 quarts of eggs, or 582 million eggs, close to the 10-year average. 2015 stocking plan: 286 ... [ Read More ]
Waterfowl serve as reservoirs for avian influenza
“We know that waterfowl serve as reservoirs for avian influenza because they contract the virus, but normally are not killed by it. However, what we don’t know is what role wildlife may have played in recent infections in domestic poultry,” said Lou Cornicelli, DNR wildlife research manager. “We’re continuing to take a science-based approach to testing so we can obtain meaningful results.” To help identify wildlife’s role in the disease, DNR researchers conducted an initial three-pronged surveillance effort beginning as soon as the disease was discovered in the state’s domestic turkeys in March. Researchers: Collected more than 3,000 fecal samples from wild waterfowl in a statistically designed surveillance effort. Of those, half were collected from around infected facilities and ... [ Read More ]
New MN DNR deer population goals established
New MN DNR deer population goals have been approved by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for large portions of northeastern, north-central and east-central Minnesota, covering 40 of 128 deer permit areas in the state. As a result, 85 percent of the 40 areas will be managed for populations higher than those experienced in 2014. “These new goals will result in management to increase deer numbers in relation to last year’s levels in most of the 40 permit areas,” said Steve Merchant, wildlife populations manager. “The new goals largely reflect the desires shared by stakeholders who participated in the deer goal setting process and generally reflect the public feedback we’ve heard during the past few years.” Comparison to former goals Twenty six of the permit areas with new ... [ Read More ]
Don’t miss the MN kids fish free weekend!
The annual MN kids fish free weekend falls this year from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, and Minnesotans age 16 or older don’t need a fishing license to take a child age 15 or younger fishing during this event. “This is an annual opportunity to introduce a child to fishing without the prior purchase of a fishing license,” said Mike Kurre, mentoring program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “It’s a great weekend to make some memories and go fishing with family and friends.” Check out the DNR’s Fish Minnesota Web page at www.mndnr.gov/fishmn for answers to basic fishing questions and for explanations of fishing terminology. The site also includes links to a beginner’s guide to fishing, fishing regulations and information on where to fish. “It is ... [ Read More ]
Minnesota wildfires tackled by DNR and National Guard
Minnesota wildfires are under attack as the DNR and National Guard join forces to get them under control. The DNR and the National Guard have been training together with live fires since 2001, but for the first time a DNR Enforcement helicopter is being used to direct the Black Hawks to their targets. The DNR helicopter is ideal for serving as an aerial supervision platform, guiding the Black Hawks. With a Department of Natural Resources Air Attack operator in a helicopter pointing out the targets, two Minnesota Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters assaulted a series of controlled grass fires this month at Camp Ripley. “This cooperative effort is an excellent example of a partnership designed to improve firefighting efficiencies, as well as contain air support costs,” said ... [ Read More ]
One of Top Minnesota Fishing Tournaments: Big Names, Big Prizes, Great Cause
One of the more interesting, popular and charitably impactful Minnesota fishing tournaments, the 2015 Minnesota Fishing Challenge has once again garnered support from an impressive list of generous local businesses, as well as some of the top names in the fishing world. In its seventh year, the Minnesota Fishing Challenge benefits the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, a faith-based organization dedicated to restoring hope for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Slated for May 30, 2015 on Central Minnesota’s Gull Lake, the Minnesota Fishing Challenge promises to provide fantastic fishing, with separate divisions for bass, walleye, pike, panfish and mixed bag. An impressive list of prizes reward top catches. Teams may enter one or as many divisions as they wish, all ... [ Read More ]
Good Conditions on Tap for Minnesota Fishing Opener 2015
Barring storms, favorable conditions should be on tap for anglers for the 2015 Minnesota Fishing Opener, when fishing begins for walleye and northern pike Saturday, May 9. Walleye and northern pike spawning will have been on-track before the opener, and anglers have a wide variety of choices this year while planning fishing opener trips. However, water levels on many lakes are still below normal following recent drought conditions. Anglers are advised to call a local DNR office before traveling to inquire about water level or boat access conditions, and to have a plan B on fishing opener. “It may be wise for boaters to call ahead to get the latest report on the water body and access they plan to use,” said Nancy Stewart, DNR public water access program coordinator. Anglers who are ... [ Read More ]