Flocks of giant white birds are catching the eyes of outdoor enthusiasts across Minnesota, as once-rare American white pelicans migrate north to their nesting grounds across the state, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. American white pelicans were driven to near extinction in the early 20th century from human pressures. There were no reports of nesting pelicans in Minnesota for 90 years, from 1878 until 1968. Conservation efforts and federal regulations have helped pelican populations make a slow and steady comeback. Still, they remain one of Minnesota’s 'Species in Greatest Conservation Need'. This designation is given to animal species whose populations are rare, declining or vulnerable in Minnesota. “The prairie pothole region of western Minnesota ... [ Read More ]
Proposals to bolster Minnesota’s outdoors
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 ]
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 ]
frabill cooler conversion kit BE YOUR OWN BAIT LANDLORD
Plano, IL (March 26, 2014) – To save a lot of cash you sometimes have to spend a little. Take minnows, for example; they’re always for sale but never on sale, so when you buy them in bulk you want every single one to live long and prosper. Putting the bag of bait in the cooler will protect the investment for awhile, but soon, it’ll be a chilled morgue of minnows. So what if the cooler itself could be repurposed as a breathing bait station? Combine Frabill’s new 1437 Aqua-Life , frabill cooler conversion kit with that big ol’ beverage cooler that’s been gathering dust in the corner of the shed and you’ve got a baitfish condo that keeps ‘em alive a long, long time. And then there’s grandpa’s old hand-me-down boat you’ve been fishing from and killing bait in for decades. Again, ... [ Read More ]
spring Walleye fishing tips
As spring makes it’s slow but inevitable advance the ice slowly but surely melts then shrinks away. At about this time fishermen anxiously prepare to hit open water. Spring fishing can be the best time of year or the most frustrating if you are not prepared for it. In this article I am going to tell you some spring walleye fishing tips, for some more good tips in general read the walleye ice fishing tips by Jason Mitchell Even the most experienced fishermen never leave their home unprepared and without some game plan in their heads. Assuming that you know how to gear up here are few proven walleye fishing tips to stack the odds in your favor and make your open water experience one to remember. The tips here come from the real-life experience of fishing veterans who have honed their ... [ Read More ]