On May 16, burning restrictions will be lifted in Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Roseau and St. Louis counties. On May 21, burning restrictions will be lifted in Lake and Cook counties.

This will remove the spring seasonal open burning restrictions throughout the state. However, special burning restrictions continue in portions of Pine County because of large amounts of fuel from the blowdown storm in July 2011.

Although the DNR is lifting seasonal state burning restrictions, other restrictions may apply.

Local counties or municipalities may have specific regulations or restrictions that affect burning operations. People should check with local authorities to obtain proper permits before burning.

The DNR may need to control open burning through the burning permit system when conditions warrant, which could occur if there is a dry, windy day where fires could start easily and burn quickly. People should check the fire restrictions page on the DNR website for information on daily changes to burning permits.

Restrictions will continue in the St. Croix Valley blowdown area of Pine County. Restrictions in that area are likely to remain for an extended period of time due to the large amount of dead fuel in the area. Blowdown information is available online.

The DNR advises anyone conducting open burning to keep burn piles small, have a water supply nearby and stay with the fire until it is completely out. If the fire escapes, homeowner is responsible for any damage and suppression costs.

Burning permits are available through state and federal forestry offices, from local fire wardens, or online by paying a $5 fee per calendar year. Online permits need to be activated on the day of the burn and are available online.

“The weather warms up, school is out, and it’s the time of the year that most ATV accidents happen,” said 2nd Lt. Leland Owens, DNR’s recreational vehicle coordinator.

ATV accidents claimed 82 Minnesotans from 2007-2011. More than one-half of the fatal accidents involved an ATV rolling over. Four in 10 fatalities involved alcohol. Ages of those fatally injured ranged from 7 to 94 years old.

“ATVs are not babysitters,” Owens said. “If you allow a youth to operate an ATV, make sure the person is trained, fits the ATV, and is constantly supervised by an adult.”

Owens said the public’s perception is that most ATV fatalities and accidents involve youths, but that’s really not the case. Recent DNR statistics show a decline in youth-involved incidents, largely due to safety training requirements for those ages 15 and under.

“It’s the adults – those who have not completed DNR ATV safety training – who are most at risk,” Owens said.

More than 95 percent of those who died had not taken ATV safety training. State ATV laws require youth ages 12-15 and anyone born after July 1, 1987, who is 16 or older, to take ATV safety training before operating on public lands.

Owens encourages people to be defensive drivers while operating an ATV, since more than 65 percent of fatal ATV accidents took place in the road right-of-way. Another 25 percent of ATV fatalities happened on private property.

Owens urges caution to ditch riders as well. Ditches can be full of hazards such as telephone and power poles, guy wires, electrical and phone boxes, survey markers, culverts and mailboxes. Ditches along state and county roads are closed to ATVs in the agricultural zone from April 1 to Aug. 1. Owens suggests trailering machines to a designated ATV trail.

“When riding, stay on designated trails,” Owens said, “Don’t trespass on private property where you don’t have permission to ride. And slow down, since ATVs become less stable at increased speeds.

“Always keep safety in mind,” he said. “It just may save a life and ensure that each and every ATV rider returns home safely and ready for another ride.”

More information on ATV regulations is available online.

Starting in May, which is National Bike Month, these free rides will introduce cyclists of all ages and abilities to the scenic, traffic-free, relatively flat, paved trails that helped earn Minnesota the distinction of “Best Trails State” in the country.

Riders should bring their own bicycles and helmets. Rides are two hours long. The pace will be moderate to accommodate riders of all abilities.

The “Shift Gears Saturdays” series, planned and organized by the Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division, will kick off with a ride at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 19, on the Gateway State Trail in the Twin Cities.

Dorian Grilley, executive director of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, will guide the ride with a naturalist from Fort Snelling State Park. They will stop along the way to point out wildflowers and other signs of spring, discuss the history of the Gateway State Trail and provide safety tips.

Riders will also have the opportunity to cruise over two newly constructed trail bridges at Manning Avenue and Century Avenue.

To reserve a spot and find out where to meet, call 612-725-2724. Those who arrive early can receive assistance with helmet fitting and minor bicycle adjustments.

The “Shift Gears Saturdays” series will include 17 guided rides on eight of Minnesota’s 25 state trails this spring and summer. Rides will all take place from 10 a.m. to noon on the following Saturdays:

• May 19: Gateway State Trail (St. Paul).
• June 2: Gateway State Trail (St. Paul).
• June 2: Central Lakes State Trail (Alexandria).
• June 16: Great River Ridge State Trail (Elgin).
• June 16: Central Lakes State Trail (Fergus Falls).
• June 16: Willard Munger State Trail (Sandstone).
• July 7: Central Lakes State Trail (Alexandria).
• July 7: Willard Munger State Trail (Carlton).
• July 14: Minnesota Valley State Trail (Shakopee).
• July 21: Central Lakes State Trail (Fergus Falls).
• July 21: Douglas State Trail (Douglas).
• Aug. 4: Heartland State Trail (Dorset).
• Aug. 4: Central Lakes State Trail (Alexandria).
• Aug. 4: Willard Munger State Trail (Carlton).
• Aug. 18: Central Lakes State Trail (Fergus Falls).
• Aug. 18: Root River State Trail (Whalan).
• Sept. 1: Central Lakes State Trail (Alexandria).

Advance registration is required for some of these events. Participants should bring their own bike and helmet (or check online for nearby rental options).

Anyone traveling from out of town and seeking overnight accommodations can get information about campsites and cabins at nearby Minnesota state parks and recreation areas online or by calling 866-857-2757 (TTY 952-936-4008) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.

More information is available online by calling the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 (TTY 651-296-5484 or 800-657-3929) between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Nearly 150 lots of items will be sold including heavy equipment, dump box pick-ups with snowplows, pick-ups, automobiles, ATVs, snowmobiles, tractors, lawnmowers, mountain bikes and more.

Photos and a complete listing of items will be posted 10 days prior to the sale at online. On-site inspection of items will be available only on Saturday, June 2, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

To avoid standing in line the day of the sale, bidders are encouraged to preregister for the auction online.  It only takes a few minutes and also provides access to information on other auctions conducted by the state of Minnesota.

The sale is being conducted by the state of Minnesota, Department of Administration, Fleet and Surplus Services Division. Auctioneer will be Benoit Auction Service of Dassel.

The auction will be held at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 1200 North State St. in New Ulm.

“We are setting the expectation of the angling and boating public that they will follow the laws to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, that they will be checked for AIS violations, and that they will cited if a violation is found,” Smith said.

The increased patrols will begin with the walleye opener on Saturday, May 12, and continue through the Memorial Day weekend and into the summer.

Minnesota law prohibits the possession or transport of any AIS in Minnesota. Conservation officers and peace officers may stop and inspect motorists pulling boats or other marine equipment upon a “reasonable belief” that AIS are present. AIS include zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil and spiny waterfleas.

To help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, anglers and boaters are required by law to:

• Drain bait buckets, bilges and live wells before leaving any water access.
• Remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers to prevent the spread of invasive species.
• Pull the plug on their boat, and drain all water when leaving all waters of the state; drain plugs must remain out while transporting water-related equipment on roadways.

Smith said check stations will also be conducted this summer near public waters, public water accesses, resorts and private water access landings where the transpiration/trailering of watercraft or water-related equipment occur.

“To be compliant with the law, a boater must simply pull the plug, drain the water, and remove any weeds from the boat and trailer,” said Smith.

Smith said that stopping the spread of AIS is a DNR priority. “Anglers and boaters can expect to be checked and cited by a conservation officer if found in violation of AIS laws.”

Citations range from $50 to $1,000.

More information on aquatic invasive species and how to prevent their spread is available online.

• 1.4 million licensed anglers.
• 2 million people fish.
• Minnesota has 11,842 lakes, 5,400 of which are managed by DNR fisheries.

Participation and the economy

• Fishing contributes $4.7 billion to the state’s economy.
• Minnesota ranks fourth among states with the highest number of anglers. The top three states are Florida, Texas and California. Wisconsin is fifth. 1
• As a percentage of population among those states, Minnesota boasts the largest number of resident anglers at 28 percent and is tied nationally with Alaska for the largest participation of resident anglers.
• Anglers spend $2.8 billion on fishing each year in Minnesota. 2
• Dollars directly spent on fishing in Minnesota create an additional $1.9 billion in economic activity, boosting angling’s total statewide economic impact to $4.7 billion. 2
• Equipment (rods, reels, line, boats, trailers, etc.) accounted for $1.2 billion of the $2.8 billion spent. Trip-related expenses accounted for $860 million. Other expenses such as bait and equipment rental accounted for $646 million. 1
• Salaries, wages and business earnings directly related to fishing total $1.3 billion. 2
• Fishing creates Minnesota 43,812 jobs. 2
• Minnesota angling generates $350 million in federal tax revenues and $342 million in state and local tax revenues. 2

Who goes fishing?

• Most resident anglers – 755,000 of them in fact – are from the seven-county metropolitan area. The remaining 388,000 resident anglers live outside the Twin Cities. 1
• Men account for 69 percent of resident anglers. Woman account for 31 percent. 1
• The highest percentage of participation comes in the 35-44 year old age group. Most of the remaining participants come from the 45-64 year old age group, with those 16-24 years old accounting for only 12 percent of the people who fish. 1
• An estimated 40 percent of Minnesota anglers have household incomes of $50,000-$100,000. Households that make less than $50,000 annually account for 27 percent of Minnesota anglers. 1
• An estimated 388,000 children ages 6-15 go fishing each year, with Twin Cities-area kids accounting for 76 percent of the total. Although close, more girls (52 percent) went fishing than boys (48 percent). Participation among age groups (6-8 years, 9-11 years and 12-15 years) remained fairly constant. 1

Fishing habits

• Significantly more time is spent fishing on lakes rather than rivers and streams. 1
• The average Minnesota angler spends 20 days fishing each year, with 86 percent of resident anglers never fishing anywhere else but Minnesota. 1
• Only 3 percent of Minnesota anglers try their luck on Lake Superior. 1
• Most sought-after fish species (in order): walleye, bluegill, northern pike, crappie, bass. 1
• Most resident anglers spend nearly half their time fishing for walleye and bluegill. 1

1 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

2 Sportfishing in America, American Sportfishing Association

New regulations for 2012 are listed below along with the page number in the regulations booklet where anglers can find more detail.

Angling methods

• A change permitting multiple hooks on a single line allows anglers to use a crawler harness (page 9).
• A change allowing artificial lures/bait to have an additional hook (page 9) allows anglers to use a stinger hook (page 9).
• A new specific prohibition on noodling clarifies an existing provision that prohibits taking fish by hand (page 10).

Fish identification

• When size restrictions are in place for a specific body of water and a fish is consumed on a watercraft docked or moored to shore and anglers are physically on the water, anglers must retain the fish carcass with head, dorsal fin and tail intact. Even after consumption, the fish must be counted as part of the possession limit.

Aquatic Invasive Species

• Labeling from purchased dead bait must be retained (www.mndnr.gov/bait and page 12).
• Bait buckets must be drained or have water exchanged if bait is kept prior to leaving any water body (page 12).
• Drain plugs must be removed from all boating-related equipment prior to transporting (page 13).
• A new list of waters infested with invasive species is provided (pages 16-25).
• New restrictions on using fish taken from Lake Superior and its tributaries as bait are listed (page 33).
• Catfish anglers may harvest bait in an infested waterbody and use that bait in the same water body, effective July 1.

The Minnesota Legislature repealed a requirement that watercraft display an aquatic invasive species (AIS) information sticker to avoid confusion when provisions of a new law go into effect in 2015. Although no longer required, placement of stickers on boats is still encouraged as a reminder about important AIS information.

The new law will require operators of trailers transporting watercraft or water-related equipment to complete an online AIS training course, beginning in 2015. When completed, trailer operators will receive a trailer sticker certifying their completion of the course.

Without repeal of the existing AIS sticker requirement, which was approved by the Legislature in 2011, display of both decals would have been required.

New experimental and special regulations were added or modified on six lakes and one stream with quality walleye, sunfish, crappie, brook trout or bass regulations (pages 34-54). Length-based regulations on northern pike were dropped on 21 lakes.

Lakes with key changes include:

• Lake Vermilion (St. Louis County), walleye slot limit modified.
• Long Lake (Kandiyohi County), largemouth bass slot limit modified.
• Splithand, Little Splithand and Dixon lakes (Itasca County), panfish bag limits added.
• Lester Lake (Hubbard County), catch and release for all species added.
• Lawndale Creek (Wilkin County) catch and release for brook trout added.

Mille Lacs Lake walleye regulations were tightened. All walleye 17 to 28 inches must be immediately released. The possession limit is four fish, with only one longer than 28 inches.

A night fishing closure on Mille Lacs begins at 10 p.m. on Monday, May 14, and lasts from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily through Sunday, June 10. Night fishing on Mille Lacs begins at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11.

Anglers are reminded to check online for the latest additions or corrections.

Sometimes they snap up a fishing license early in the year; sometimes they don’t bite at all.

Recognizing this, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched a postcard campaign earlier this spring that encouraged previous license buyers to hook a license again this year. Roughly 131,000 anglers received a postcard in April that reminded them that “Good times come to those with bait!” Postcard recipients were encouraged to buy their fishing license “today.”

“In recent years, we’ve learned that even though we sell more than one million Minnesota fishing licenses each year, only 27 percent of anglers buy a license five out of five years,” said Jenifer Wical, DNR customer enhancement and marketing manager. “The postcard and email campaign were an effort to increase that percentage and inspire anglers to take advantage of some of the best fishing in America.”

The postcard campaign was funded by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) as part of a national effort to sustain fishing participation. RBFF provided marketing funds to 32 other states that implemented similar campaigns.

“It’s a great partnership,” said Wical. “Their funding and national efforts enable us to contact customers we value to encourage and remind them to buy their fishing license.”

This year’s postcard, she said, also encouraged anglers to support Minnesota’s walleyes by having license purchasers ask for the optional $5 walleye stamp validation.

License sales are up from last year at this time, but other factors are at play beyond the campaigns. Early ice out and broad publicity regarding a bill that would have opened the fishing season a week earlier likely contributed to higher license sales during April and early May.

As of May 9, Wical said the DNR has sold about 276,000 fishing licenses, which is about 53,000 more than were sold at this time last year. The DNR has also sold more than 7,300 walleye stamp validations so far this year, which is about 800 more than were sold at this time last year.

With the fishing opener just days away, Wical reminds anglers that a fishing license is a great family value. “A Minnesota mom, dad and kids under age 16 can fish from now through April 30, 2013, for just $25 by purchasing a combination husband-and-wife license. That’s a lot of opportunity for not a lot of cost.”

Recently enacted fishing license fee increases will take effect next March.

Up to 30 new bison calves are expected at the park by early June, growing the herd to more than 100 animals.

“Calves are being born almost every day,” said Craig Beckman, park manager. “This is an exciting time to visit the park.”

Each newborn calf weighs 40 to 50 pounds and is able to stand alongside its mother and nurse moments after birth. Within hours, the cow and calf are moving with the herd. At maturity, bison bulls may stand five to six feet high at the shoulder, measure nearly 10 feet in length, and weigh more than 2,000 pounds. The female cows are smaller, weighing about 1,200 pounds.

Bison, also known as buffalo, first came to Blue Mounds State Park in 1961, when three animals were brought from Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge near Valentine, Neb. The herd is presently maintained at about 75 adult animals so they do not overgraze the 530-acre prairie.

Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars to view the bison, as the herd can sometimes be at a distance from the viewing platform as the bison graze across the prairie. A viewing scope is also available at the park. There is no charge to view the bison, but a vehicle permit ($5 daily or $25 year-round) is required to enter the park.

More information on Blue Mounds State Park is available online.

Read more information about bison.

Blue Mounds State Park is located four miles north on Luverne on U.S. Highway 75. Turn east on County Road 20 and go one mile to the park entrance.

State conservation officer Julie Siems, recently promoted to 2nd lieutenant and appointed a water resource enforcement officer by the DNR, was serving in Faribault when she was nominated for the award by Lee Sjolander, chief of the Kenyon Police Department.

“Living and working in a small city brings a lot of challenges, one being having back-up while responding to calls for service,” said Sjolander. “Since I became chief in 2007, Officer Siems has assisted on everything from business alarms to domestics. She is always willing to help and is always very professional.”

Siems has also been a key asset to the Kenyon Police Department by taking the time out of her busy schedule to answer questions from the public about hunting, fishing and ATV laws.

“We always have someone stopping in or calling regarding what the laws are, so she has been an invaluable resource of information, even assisting me with meetings with our local snowmobile club,” said Sjolander. “She’s a shining example of our profession, and is a wonderful role model for both men and women.”

Siems, who joined DNR in 2004, is among the agency’s 17 female conservation officers. Three more women are among the nine recruits currently attending the Conservation Officer Academy at Camp Ripley.

“Officer Siems is top-notch across the board, and we join the Minnesota Association of Women in congratulating her on this well-earned award,” said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement Division chief.

Siems said she was honored to receive the award. “I am thankful to receive the award and appreciate Chief Sjolander for nominating me and recognizing my hard work.”