Sept. 8, 2025



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

Sept. 8, 2025




*For more information:*

Contact the DNR Information Center

by email  <[email protected]>or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* Minnesota DNR shares what to expect for the 2025 fall color season, provides tips to enjoy autumn on state lands [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Minnesota archery hunters expected to have plenty of harvest opportunities this season [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Minnesota DNR asks upland bird hunters to voluntarily log hunting activities [ #link_1491412003165 ]
* Zebra mussels confirmed in Roosevelt Lake in Cass and Crow Wing counties, Swan Lake in Itasca County [ #link_1 ]
* Zebra mussel larvae confirmed in White Earth Lake in Becker County [ #link_2 ]

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Minnesota DNR shares what to expect for the 2025 fall color season, provides tips to enjoy autumn on state lands
Fall colors in the background of a rushing river

To celebrate Minnesota’s most colorful season, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is sharing a fall color forecast, typical timing of color change, ways for Minnesotans to find where colors are at their peak each week, and autumn trip-planning tips.

“Fall in Minnesota is truly something special,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “Cool, crisp air, brilliant bursts of color, and picturesque landscapes make it the perfect season to get outside. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, camping or just taking in the view, autumn is an ideal time to experience the beauty and colors of Minnesota’s public lands.”

The 2025 fall color forecast

Fall color in Minnesota typically peaks from late September through mid-October, starting in the far northwest and north-central parts of the state and working toward the southeast corner. Peak fall color usually lasts about one week in a given area but can vary widely depending on location and weather.

The main driver of leaves changing color is the decrease of daily sunlight. However, several other factors also play into the timing and intensity of the fall color season in Minnesota, including temperature, precipitation and tree species. Weather both before and during the season impacts fall colors.

Photosynthesis, or the production of sugars that depend on sunlight, begins to slow down in response to shortening days. This leads to lower levels of chlorophyll, the pigment that supports photosynthesis and gives leaves their green color. When chlorophyll is reduced, other colors begin to show.

Patterns of temperature, precipitation, wind and the timing of hard freezes can impact when fall colors peak and how long they last. These weather phenomena can only be predicted a week or so in advance, making a peak color forecast difficult.

“Brilliant fall color occurs when early fall days are sunny, nights are chilly and there is adequate rainfall throughout the growing season,” said Brian Schwingle, DNR forest health program consultant. “An earlier, lighter frost will shift peak fall color earlier in the fall color window, so pay attention to the forecast if you can be flexible with your travel timing. Regardless of conditions, there should be plenty of beautiful foliage to enjoy.”

In contrast to last year’s extremely wet spring and prior years’ severe droughts, this year, much of Minnesota had a relatively dry May with decent precipitation from June through August, resulting in more leaves staying on trees than in recent years. Barring any extreme cold snaps, this bodes well for great colors this fall.

Tips for getting outdoors to celebrate autumn

The DNR’s Fall Color Finder [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fallcolor) is a tool for the public to track leaf, wildflower and grass color progression across Minnesota. State park and recreation area staff share reports from their location each Wednesday, just in time for Minnesotans to make travel plans for the coming weekend. The Fall Color Finder includes a color-coded map that shows the approximate percentage of leaves that have changed color and a slideshow of recent photos taken by staff and visitors. There’s also a date slider that allows viewers to choose dates in the future to see what typical colors are like across the state based on past years’ data.

*Sign up for updates *

This week the DNR launches its weekly fall color update newsletter, featuring information, inspiration and tips to encourage Minnesotans to get out and enjoy the changing leaves. To subscribe, visit the Fall Color Finder [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fallcolor).

*Know before you go*

In addition to checking the Fall Color Finder, visit the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov) to read visitor alerts and seasonal updates, and check for closures on state forest roads [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/trailconditions/listing.html). Always check the local weather forecast and bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

*Plan for crowds at state parks and recreation areas, visit other DNR lands for less crowded options*

Fall weekends are busy at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas! Save time by buying a state park vehicle permit online [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/permit) before leaving home. Arrive early for the best parking options as parking lots might be full on weekends. To protect natural resources, park only in designated parking areas.

For those looking for a little more solitude, state trails, state forests, scientific and natural areas and wildlife management areas also offer beautiful views of the fall colors with smaller crowds and no vehicle permit required.

*Stay overnight*

Fall is a great time to camp, with cool but comfortable nights and fewer bugs. To camp at a state park or recreation area, make reservations online [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/reservations). In addition, first-come, first-served campsites are available in state forest campgrounds, and dispersed camping is allowed in state forests. Read about all camping options on the DNR’s camping webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/camping).

*Bring binoculars or borrow them from state park ranger stations*

Wildlife watching and birding are popular activities in the fall. Find a list of state parks and recreation areas that provide birding kits on the DNR website [ [link removed] ]’s loaner equipment webpage (mndnr.gov/state_parks/loaner.html). 

*Check the Parks and Trails events calendar*

Many state parks offer programs where visitors can learn about the natural world, take guided hikes, build outdoor skills and more. Most programs are free. The state parks calendar [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ptcalendar) offers a full listing of events and programs.

*Be aware of hunting seasons and take safety precautions *

State parks only allow hunting during special hunts, which are listed on the state park hunts webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/parkhunts) and will be noted in visitor alerts on park websites. On most land within state forests and WMAs, hunting and trapping is allowed during hunting and trapping seasons with the correct licenses. Hunting is allowed at some SNAs. Information about these locations is on the SNA rules webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/snas/rules.html).

Hunters should read hunting regulations [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/regulations) carefully. Even if not hunting, people should still take safety precautions, such as wearing an article of blaze orange or blaze pink clothing above the waist, if recreating on lands open to hunting during a hunting season.

*Bring a camera and share photos*

Photos from all DNR-managed lands can be submitted for possible use on DNR social media channels, the Fall Color Finder website and other materials. Click “share photos” on the Fall Color Finder [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fallcolor).

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Minnesota archery hunters expected to have plenty of harvest opportunities this season
A person in camo posing with a deer they hunted

It’s the time of year when leaves turn color, the air gets crisp, and hunters look forward to deer hunting opportunities as Minnesota’s archery deer season begins on Saturday, Sept. 13.

“We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable archery season,” said Paul Burr, acting big game program coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We’re also encouraging hunters to take advantage of opportunities to harvest antlerless deer, which are abundant in much of the state.”

Deer hunting is critical for deer population management. While parts of northern Minnesota continue to experience lower deer numbers than recent decades, many farmland areas need help reducing local deer populations and allow hunters to harvest multiple antlerless deer. 

Each year, the Minnesota DNR receives about 230 formal complaints from landowners experiencing deer damage, particularly from agricultural producers, because damage to crops and stored forage can result in lost revenue to producers.

“Hunting is one of the best ways to balance the size of the local herd with the available natural forage and habitat conditions,” Burr said. “Early archery season is a great time to go out and harvest a doe or two.”

Many archery hunters do harvest antlerless deer. In 2024, 52% of archery-harvested deer were antlerless, and archery hunters were responsible for one-fifth of all antlerless deer harvested in Minnesota. The number of archery hunters also rose from approximately 99,000 in 2008 to 110,000 in 2024. In that time, the percentage of deer harvested by archery hunters also rose from 10% to 16%. Since 2023, crossbows have been allowed for deer hunters with an archery license, and through approved legislation, crossbow use has been extended through at least 2026.

Minnesota DNR’s deer hunting webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/deer) has important information for hunters about regulations, bag limits and chronic wasting disease sampling information.

Additionally, the DNR Information Center and area wildlife staff can answer questions about deer hunting seasons. People can contact the DNR Information Center [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/contact) by email <[email protected]> or by calling 888-646-6367. Wildlife area office contact information is available on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/areas/wildlife).

“One of the great parts about archery season is the length of the season,” Burr said. “From Sept. 13 to the season’s end on Dec. 31, hunters can take part in the whole range of the fall season and watch what the deer are doing through the transition from summer to fall to winter.”

CWD testing reminders

Hunters should check CWD requirements, including carcass movement restrictions, and available sampling options for the deer permit areas where they hunt. Hunters can find DPA-specific information by visiting the DNR deer hunting planning tool [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/deerhunt).

Archery hunters should note that self-service sampling stations will only be available during the opening weekend of firearms deer season in CWD management and surveillance areas, and during the late CWD hunts. However, numerous other options are available for getting deer tested. Information about ways to get deer tested are available on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/cwd/cwd-testing.html).

Blaze clothing requirements and safety reminders

Archery hunters are reminded that blaze orange or blaze pink clothing is required during the youth and early antlerless seasons from Thursday, Oct. 16, through Sunday, Oct. 19, and during any other open firearms deer season.

For safety, hunters should bring an article of blaze clothing when hunting on public land because small game firearms seasons are open.

Hunters are strongly recommended to be safe when using tree stands, with more information on tree stand safety available on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/treestand/index.html).

In addition, deer hunters, including archery hunters, who are hunting deer in a fabric or synthetic ground blind on public land must have a blaze orange safety covering on top of the blind that is visible from all directions, or a patch made of blaze orange material that is at least 144 square inches (12x12 inches) on each side of the blind.

Tips and information

Hunters can learn more about what to expect this deer season, and how to welcome new hunters to the tradition, in an upcoming webinar at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Registration is required, and further details about the webinar are available on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/discover). The webinar will also be recorded and posted on that webpage.

Detailed information for every DPA, including hunters per square mile in 2024, public hunting ground, and land cover types, is available through the interactive deer map by selecting “DPA Details” in the interactive deer map [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/deermap). Deer hunting regulations are available on the Minnesota DNR’s deer hunting webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/deer) and in the hunting and trapping regulations booklet.

Deer season dates for 2025

* *Archery:* Saturday, Sept. 13, through Wednesday, Dec. 31
* *Youth and early antlerless:* Thursday, Oct. 16, through Sunday, Oct. 19
* *Firearms:* Saturday, Nov. 8, with various closing dates depending on location
* *Muzzleloader:* Saturday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 14
* *Late CWD (DPAs 605, 642, 643, 645, 646, 647, 648 and 649):* Friday Dec. 19, through Sunday, Dec. 21.

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Minnesota DNR asks upland bird hunters to voluntarily log hunting activities

Hunting diaries will give a more complete picture of bird populations

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting upland bird hunters to voluntarily log details about their hunts for grouse, woodcock, pheasants, prairie chickens and partridge. 

“We’re working with bird hunters to improve our understanding of what they see in the field,” said Nate Huck, migratory gamebird consultant. “Their information will complement our existing monitoring efforts. We deeply appreciate hunters who take the time to share their observations.”

Once the hunting seasons begin, bird hunters can use an upland bird hunting diary to share their observations. The diary is available in electronic form using web browser or app versions on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/wildlife/sightings/upland-field-log.html). Hunters can also print off a paper version of the diary and enter their hunts online at a later point.

Participating hunters will be asked to report information specific to each hunt including: date, species pursued, if the hunter was using a dog, total hours hunted, number of birds flushed, number of birds harvested, and ages of any pheasants harvested.

Hunters are also asked to report the location of their hunt including: the county and if the hunt was on a wildlife management area, a hunter walking trail or a Walk-In Access program area.

This citizen science effort complements the DNR’s once-a-year small game harvest survey to monitor upland game bird harvest. The harvest survey is available on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/wildlife/research/wildlife-research-publications.html#reports). While annual survey information is useful to estimate the total hunter effort and harvest of upland game birds, it does not provide specific, localized or season-long insights.

More information for hunters and instructions on how to participate in the upland bird hunting diary are available on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/wildlife/sightings/upland-field-log.html).

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Zebra mussels confirmed in Roosevelt Lake in Cass and Crow Wing counties, Swan Lake in Itasca County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Roosevelt Lake, near Outing in Cass and Crow Wing counties, and Swan Lake, near Pengilly in Itasca County.

A surveyor hired by the Roosevelt and Lawrence Area Lakes Association found three adult zebra mussels at the Roosevelt Lake public water access. They notified the DNR, and DNR staff found additional adult zebra mussels at the public water accesses and throughout the lake in follow-up surveys.

Itasca County invasive species staff contacted the DNR after juvenile zebra mussels were found attached to settlement samplers in Swan Lake. Settlement samplers are solid surfaces temporarily placed in the water that people can regularly check for zebra mussels to aid in detection. The Swan Lake Association deployed the settlement samplers as part of its prevention and early detection efforts. DNR invasive species staff confirmed the presence of zebra mussels at multiple locations in Swan Lake. 

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:


*

*Clean* watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.


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*Drain* all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.


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*Dispose* of unwanted bait in the trash.


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*Never release* bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.


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*Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days *before moving them from one waterbody to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:


*

*Decontaminate *watercraft and equipment – find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/decon).


*

*Spray* watercraft and equipment with high-pressure water or *rinse* with water if high-pressure water is not available.


*

*Dry* watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another waterbody.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html) if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the waterbody.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ais).

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Zebra mussel larvae confirmed in White Earth Lake in Becker County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed the presence of zebra mussel larvae in White Earth Lake, near the town of White Earth in Becker County.

White Earth Nation invasive species staff contacted the Minnesota DNR after lab analysis showed microscopic zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, in White Earth Lake water samples.  

Although adult zebra mussels have not been found during follow-up searches of White Earth Lake, the presence of veligers suggests reproducing zebra mussel populations. For that reason, White Earth Lake will be listed for zebra mussels. 

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law also requires people to:


* *Clean* watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
* *Drain* all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
* *Dispose* of unwanted bait in the trash.
* *Never release* bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
* *Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days *before moving them from one waterbody to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:


* *Decontaminate *watercraft and equipment – find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/decon).
* *Spray* watercraft and equipment with high-pressure water or *rinse* with water if high-pressure water is not available.
* *Dry* watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another waterbody.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html) if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the waterbody.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ais).

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*Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  |  mndnr.gov [ [link removed] ] *

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