Walk-In Access enrollment deadline extended to June 14

Landowners have an extra two weeks to enroll in the Walk-In Access program, as the deadline has been extended to June 14, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. Full Story

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DNR proceeds with plan for charter school at Fort Snelling Upper Post

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is moving ahead with a proposal for adaptive reuse of historic buildings overlooking Fort Snelling State Park by a group planning to create a new charter school. Full Story

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Public asked to report Blanding’s turtle sightings to the DNR

Anyone seeing a rare Blanding’s turtle in southwestern Minnesota is asked to report that sighting to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), to help with ongoing research on the species. Full Story

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Grass carp near Sartell is northernmost find for Asian carp

An angler bowfishing on the Mississippi River north of Sartell last week shot a 25-pound grass carp, an exotic species that previously has been found only much further south in Minnesota, including lower portions of the Mississippi, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Full Story

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DNR conducting aerial sandhill crane survey in northwestern Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) started an aerial survey of sandhill cranes, Monday, May 13, in an area from Crookston, north through Thief River Falls to the Canadian border. Full Story

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DNR adds burning restrictions for 4 additional counties

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is placing burning restrictions on four additional counties in northern Minnesota because receding snow cover has created conditions conducive to wildfire. Full Story

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Forest tent caterpillar population is building

Forest tent caterpillar populations have been rising in some northern and west-central Minnesota counties since 2007, and that trend is expected to intensify, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.  Full Story

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Turtles now crossing roads to reach nests

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking people to leave turtles alone as the turtles cross roads to reach nesting areas. Full Story

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Shingobee Bay public water access will be closed through June 28 for improvements

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will expand and improve the Shingobee Bay public water access site south of Walker, beginning Monday, May 13. The site, located off Highway 371 in an old rest area, will be closed during construction. The DNR expects it to reopen by Friday, June 28.  Full Story

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DNR safety instructors honored

Three hunter education instructors with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are marking their 50th year of service. Full Story

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Mountain bike trails open at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area

The mountain bike trails at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area in Crosby opened for the season on Friday, May 10. The area features 25 miles of single-track trails for bikers of all skill levels, from beginners to experts. The trails wind through 800 acres of deep-red soil, birch and aspen forests and scenic vistas overlooking turquoise mine lakes. Full Story

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Apply now for Minnesota elk hunt

Hunters have until June 14 to apply for one of 23 elk licenses offered this year by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Full Story

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At opener, some river reaches closed to fishing in northwestern Minnesota

A number of river reaches in northwestern Minnesota will be closed to fishing when the fishing opener arrives May 11. Most closures will extend through midnight May 17 and are necessary to protect concentrations of walleye, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. Full Story

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Burning restrictions in place for some northeastern Minnesota counties; permits required for open burning

Burning restrictions are in place for several counties in northeastern Minnesota and residents are reminded that permits are required for open burning, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. Full Story

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Kathy Dummer returns to New Ulm area as DNR program leader

Kathy Dummer is returning to the area where she grew up as she begins her role as strategic program manager for the Parks and Trails Division of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in New Ulm. Full Story

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Blue Mounds State Park welcomes baby bison

While the late spring has delayed many things, it has not postponed the arrival of baby bison at Blue Mounds State Park near Luverne in the southwestern corner of Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. Full Story

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Keep birds healthy, avoid moldy birdseed

 Moldy birdseed and unclean bird feeders can make birds sick, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said. Full Story

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DNR initiates public input process on Leech Lake special walleye regulation

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is initiating the public input process on potential walleye regulation changes on Leech Lake. Full Story

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DNR asks for volunteers to help Minnesota’s loon population

 Volunteers can help Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists discover the major cause of death of the common loon by collecting dead loon specimens for testing. This statewide study to find answers about loon mortality is being conducted by the DNR’s nongame wildlife program. Full Story

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DNR conservation officers recognized

Six conservation officers (CO) with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) were recognized recently during annual in-service training at Camp Ripley in Little Falls. Full Story

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Minnesota River provides a unique and relaxing fishing experience

Anglers looking for a unique and relaxing fishing experience will be rewarded with the time they spend on the Minnesota River, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Full Story

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Give a Mother’s Day gift by wearing a life jacket

As thousands of anglers plan to hit the water for this weekend’s fishing opener, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds everyone to be safe and responsible every time they step into a boat. Full Story

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Big rivers, big fish, be different, fish metro

By Harland Hiemstra, DNR information officer

Go ahead, Metropolitans, dare to be different. Full Story

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State parks and water trails in Park Rapids area offer scenic spots to wet lines and paddles

Abundant fishing and paddling opportunities can be found at the state parks and state water trails near the Governor’s Fishing Opener in Park Rapids, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. Full Story

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Roadsides for Wildlife poster contest winners announced

Seventh and eighth grade students from Holdingford, Proctor, and Cold Spring were the top winners in the 29th annual Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ‘Roadsides Are for the Birds’ poster contest. Full Story

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National trails group selects DNR employee for advocacy award

 The nonprofit group American Trails recently awarded Mary Straka, the off-highway vehicle (OHV) program consultant for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the 2013 State Trail Advocacy Award for Minnesota. Full Story

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DNR conservation officers using dogs to detect zebra mussels

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be using three zebra mussel-sniffing K-9 teams for the first time this year to help combat the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). Full Story

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DNR angling regulation changes for Otter Tail County lakes

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fergus Falls area fisheries office advises anglers of some recently reviewed and modified special angling regulations on several Otter Tail County lakes. The new regulations are effective for 2013. Full Story

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DNR places burning restrictions on additional counties

Statewide fire conditions have led the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to place burning restrictions on additional counties. Full Story

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Grants available for events celebrating 50th anniversary of Minnesota state water trails

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Minnesota’s state water trails system, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging communities and outfitters to apply for grants to plan and implement special events throughout the state. Full Story

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DNR to conduct statewide aerial Canada goose survey

A statewide aerial Canada goose survey began Sunday, May 5. Full Story

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New fishing license options cater to angler interests

 Minnesota anglers who fish a lot or a little can hook newly created licenses tailored to their desires.     Full Story

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New DNR video showcases black bear research

A new video showcasing the DNR’s black bear population research and a visit to a bear den is now featured on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) YouTube channel. Full Story

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DNR reminds boaters to take precautions against aquatic invaders

While many Minnesota lakes are still covered by a thick layer of ice, the open water fishing season is just around the corner and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is already gearing up for this year’s fight against zebra mussels, spiny waterfleas and other aquatic invasive species (AIS). Full Story

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DNR tagging walleyes at Mille Lacs; return tag and get a lure

Anglers who catch a Mille Lacs Lake walleye with an orange tag on its body can receive a free fishing lure if they return that tag to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Full Story

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Netland selected to manage wildlife for DNR in 6 counties

Cory Netland will manage wildlife in Brown, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Redwood and Renville counties as the new area wildlife supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Full Story

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Annual forest stand examination list available for review

 The annual stand examination list for potential timber sales on state-administered forest land in the upcoming fiscal year is now available for public review, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. Full Story

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Aquatic plant removal may require permits

Lakeshore property owners are reminded that removal of aquatic plants from Minnesota lakes may require a permit from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Full Story

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DNR closes Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake to protect walleye

An area near the egg collection operation on Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake in Itasca County will be closed May 11-17, because of high concentrations of walleye, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. Full Story

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Statewide conditions of boat launches vary due to late ice-out

Due to the late ice-out, repair crews may not able to get to all Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boat launches in time for the May 11 fishing opener, particularly in northern Minnesota where many of the large lakes still have ice. Full Story

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Winter brush burning can spark spring wildfires

Winter is generally a good time to burn large brush and slash piles left over from logging and land clearing, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forestry Division. However, if not properly extinguished and monitored, burned piles can rekindle and spark wildfires in the spring. Full Story

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Remember to obtain permits for open burning

Residents are reminded that permits are required for open burning and those permits have limitations, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Full Story

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Straight River offers great opportunities to catch large brown trout

With the stream trout season now open, anglers anxiously awaiting the walleye opener might consider brushing up on their open water angling techniques by wetting a line in the Straight River and catching some lunker brown trout, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. Full Story

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Park Rapids fish contest data sparked new regulations, better fishing

Park Rapids holds a unique place in Minnesota’s angling history. Full Story

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Fisheries habitat plan aims at ensuring great fishing for the long term

Dirk Peterson won’t tell anglers where to catch a big fish, but he can tell them what’s needed to make sure there are big fish to catch when they get there. More and more these days, he’s boiling it down to three words: good fish habitat. Full Story

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