April 7, 2025



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

April 7, 2025




*For more information:* <[email protected]>

Contact the DNR Information Center
by email  <[email protected]>or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Minnesota DNR encourages off-highway vehicle riders to prioritize safety [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Lower St. Croix River has several regulation updates ahead of 2025 fishing opener [ #link_1 ]

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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

"A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife and habitat management."

Stream trout fishing opens statewide April 12

Minnesota’s popular stream trout season opens Saturday, April 12, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state. Brook trout and splake fishing also open April 12 on Lake Superior and its tributary streams.

Trout anglers can find information on Minnesota’s trout streams on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fishing/trout). Anglers will find helpful learning guides and fishing tips tailored to each of Minnesota’s six trout fishing regions. Anglers can also access StreamFinder [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fishing/trout/map.html), which provides anglers with a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota.

Minnesota has roughly 3,800 miles of designated trout streams. Anglers 18-64 years old fishing on designated trout waters must have a trout stamp validation in addition to an angling license, and a trout stamp validation is required for anglers 18-64 years old to possess trout or salmon they catch on any Minnesota water. Complete trout season details are available at the Minnesota DNR’s fishing page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fishing).

Spring turkey hunting begins April 16

Minnesota' turkey hunting begins this month, with opportunities available from Wednesday, April 16, through Saturday, May 31. The season is divided into six hunt periods, A-F.

Wild turkey hunting is popular in Minnesota and turkey hunting — including setting decoys, listening for gobbles and calling to birds — can make for an active and unforgettable experience. For anyone new to the experience, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has how-to guides and videos on a learn-to-hunt webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/gohunting/wild-turkey-hunting.html).

2025 spring turkey season dates are as follows:


* Youth season – April 16-May 31
* Archery season – April 16-May 31
* A – April 16-22
* B – April 23-29
* C – April 30-May 6
* D – May 7-13
* E – May 14-20
* F – May 21-31

Hunters who harvest a bird in permit area 507 can help check the health of wild turkeys — and enter for the chance to win a shotgun donated by and and given away in a raffle run by the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation — by submitting samples to DNR wildlife research. More information about how to submit samples, and important season and regulation details about turkey hunting in Minnesota, can be found on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey). 

Minnesota DNR hosts webinars on southeast trout fishing, preparing a harvested turkey

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to check out the spring program schedule for the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webinar series.

On Wednesday, April 9, join Vaughn Snook, DNR assistant area fisheries manager, as he talks about southeast Minnesota trout fishing, stream access, how to use water temperature as a consideration in fishing strategy, and of course, tips on how to catch some trout!

Then, on Wednesday, April 16, explore how to prepare a turkey after a successful turkey hunt. Join EJ Dee from the North End Market to explore a variety of recipes, including from the Karen culture. This will be a fun webinar to learn how to cook meals that will impress friends and family.

The Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series webinars are free and offered year-round, though registration is required. Visit the Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webpage of the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.

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Minnesota DNR encourages off-highway vehicle riders to prioritize safety

On the heels of a record number of fatalities in 2024 involving off-highway vehicles, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources urges all riders to prioritize safety wherever they’re riding.

Of the 30 incidents last year, which resulted in 32 fatalities, more than three-quarters occurred on roadways or in ditches. The other seven incidents occurred on private property (four), on a trail (two), and on public property (one). Twenty-six of the operators involved did not have ATV safety certification, which is required of anyone born after July 1, 1987, and who is 12 years or older, to operate on public lands or waters, public road rights-of-way, or state grant-in-aid trails. A list of currently available ATV safety classes can be found on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/vehicle/atv).

“Safety certification isn’t just about checking a box – it provides riders the foundational knowledge and skills they need for a lifetime of safe off-highway vehicle riding,” said Bruce Lawrence, DNR Enforcement recreational vehicle coordinator. “While it’s not legally required for all riders, we highly recommend it for anyone who plans to ride. Without a doubt, it’s the best way to ensure a safe ride.”

Among the most common violations conservation officers continue to see is youth riders not wearing helmets. Riders under the age of 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet, and it’s recommended all riders wear one. Other ways riders can help ensure a safe ride include:


* When they’re open, ride only on designated trails. Stay to the right and travel at a safe speed.
* Ride sober.
* Remember that riders under age 15 are not allowed to operate Class 2 ATVs.
* Wear protective gear including goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, gloves and a DOT-approved helmet when riding all types of OHVs.
* If an OHV comes with factory installed seatbelts, wear them.
* Avoid riding on paved roads except to cross. Do it safely and ensure it’s permitted by law.
* Actively supervise young riders as OHVs aren’t toys.
* Complete a safety education course.

For more tips on safe riding, visit the ATV safety page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ohv/atv-safety.html).

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Lower St. Croix River has several regulation updates ahead of 2025 fishing opener

As anglers prepare for the St. Croix River fishing opener on Saturday, May 3, they should be aware of several updates for the fishing season.

The following regulations have changed for the Lower St. Croix, which spans 52 miles from the Taylors Falls Dam to the St. Croix’s confluence with Pool 3 of the Mississippi River:


* The possession limit on walleye and sauger is now four combined, with a 15-inch minimum length for walleye and one walleye or sauger over 20 inches (previous limit: six)
* The possession limit on northern pike is now three, with one over 30 inches (previous limit: five)
* The possession limit on yellow perch, crappie and sunfish is now 15 of each species (previous limit: 25)
* The possession limit on white bass and yellow bass is now 10 combined (previous limit: 25)
* The possession limit on catfish is now five channel catfish, with one over 24 inches, and two flathead catfish, with one over 24 inches (previous limit: 10 combined)

Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin DNR have created a new spawning sanctuary from the Taylor Falls Dam to the upstream side of the Highway 8 bridge between Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. From March 2 through June 15 each year, all fishing is prohibited in this sanctuary from both shore and boat to protect spawning fish.

These changes create consistent daily and possession limits on the St. Croix between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Lower St. Croix regulations also now largely match both states’ species limits on the Mississippi River including Lake Pepin.

“We’ve worked hard with our Wisconsin counterparts to streamline our states’ regulations on these border waters and make them easier for anglers to understand,” said TJ DeBates, Minnesota DNR East Metro area fisheries supervisor. “These updates also help us maintain healthy, sustainable fish populations while maximizing angling opportunities.”

The changes can be found in the Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet on pages 74-77, available on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing) and in print wherever Minnesota DNR licenses are sold.

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