Nov. 24, 2025



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

Nov. 24, 2025




*For more information:*

Contact the DNR Information Center

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





In This Issue

* Parents, guardians urged to prioritize kids’ safety around cold water [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Minnesota DNR shares reminders about the snowmobile riding season [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Support DNR’s reforestation efforts by donating to the Future Forest Fund [ #link_1491412003165 ]
* Explore the outdoors this winter by hunting Minnesota small game [ #link_1491412051810 ]
* New High Falls pedestrian bridge opens to the public at Tettegouche State Park [ #link_1491412104175 ]

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Parents, guardians urged to prioritize kids’ safety around cold water

As temperatures fall and ice begins forming on ponds, small lakes, and other waterways across the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds parents and guardians to talk with their kids about the importance of safety on the ice and around the water. It’s especially important with many children at home over Thanksgiving break.

Falling into the water this time of year, whether through thin ice or into open water, can turn tragic quickly. It has the potential to incapacitate even the strongest swimmers, so it’s up to parents and guardians to teach their kids about the dangers of cold water, and ensure they’re properly supervised anytime they’re around water. Already this season, a DNR conservation officer and other rescue personnel saved two teenagers who fell through thin ice in northern Minnesota.

“Kids tend to be curious about the water, but they might not understand the dangers,” said Capt. Adam Block, boating law administrator for the DNR. “Every type of waterway can be dangerous this time of year, from small neighborhood ponds all the way to our largest lakes and rivers.”

Wearing a foam-filled life jacket is the best way to stay safe around cold water or survive an unexpected fall in. Foam is better than inflatable life jackets this time of year, since the latter might not fully inflate in cold water. In addition, Block recommends people carry a phone in case they need to call for help, let others know where they’re going and when they plan to return, and plan for how to deal with an unforeseen incident.

For more information about surviving a fall into cold water, visit the DNR cold water dangers webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/boatwater/cold-water.html).

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Minnesota DNR shares reminders about the snowmobile riding season

As snowmobile riders prepare for the upcoming riding season, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds riders of important information about safety, registration and trail conditions.

The snowmobile riding season can start as early as Dec. 1, but several conditions must be met before trails are opened, groomed and ready for travel:


* The ground must be frozen. Where trails cross wetlands, 15 inches of ice are needed to support the weight of trail groomers.
* Snow cover of about 12 inches must be on the ground to allow for trail packing and grooming.
* Trails must be cleared of fallen trees, signs put in place and gates opened.

To see if trail conditions are ready for riding, check DNR’s snow depth page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/snow_depth), which also includes conditions of state parks and state trails that allow snowmobiling.

Nearly all of Minnesota’s groomed snowmobile trails — 21,000 of 22,000+ miles of trails — are Grant-in-Aid trails maintained by local snowmobile club volunteers, rather than the DNR. Many clubs post conditions of local trails online. To find the nearest club, visit the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association website [ [link removed] ] (mnusa.org).

*Snowmobile registration and safety *

While snowmobilers wait for snow and groomed trails, now is a good time to make sure registrations are current and snowmobiles are in good operating order. It’s also an opportune time to review safety training and check local trail maps for route changes or new trails. Don’t forget to review the 2025 snowmobile regulations [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/regulations/snowmobile) to refresh on state laws.

New snowmobile registrations, registration renewals and out-of-state trail stickers can be purchased in person at a deputy registrar of motor vehicles or at the DNR License Bureau in St. Paul. Renewals and out-of-state stickers can also be obtained on the DNR’s licenses and vehicle registrations website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/licenses).

Minnesota law requires a snowmobile safety certification for residents born after Dec. 31, 1976, but DNR recommends all riders complete a safety course. Information about safety training courses can be found on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/vehicle/snowmobile).

Important snowmobile riding safety tips include:


* Be weather aware and don't ride in adverse weather conditions.
* Check the DNR snow depth webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/snow_depth) and trail conditions before leaving home.
* Measure ice depth before riding on lakes and rivers. The DNR recommends a minimum of 5 to 7 inches of new, clear ice for snowmobiles. Full ice safety guidelines are available on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/ice/thickness.html).
* Always stay on designated snowmobile trails. Venturing off trails can result in accidents, and landowners can revoke right-of-way permission for trail riding on their property.
* Don't drink alcohol and ride. Alcohol is a factor in more than 60% of fatal snowmobile accidents in Minnesota.
* Always wear a quality DOT-approved helmet and facemask.

An interactive snowmobile trail map is available on the DNR’s snowmobiling website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/snowmobiling). Paper trail maps are available from the DNR Information Center. Email [email protected] or call 888-646-6367 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

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Support DNR’s reforestation efforts by donating to the Future Forest Fund

The Future Forest Fund provides a way to partner with the DNR to plant trees and keep state forests healthy for generations
A small pine seedling

For those seeking giving opportunities this holiday season, consider donating to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource’s Future Forest Fund [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/grants/gifts/future_forests.html). Contributors can be part of a legacy that has helped plant more than 570,000 tree seedlings over the last decade.

The Future Forest Fund lets Minnesotans partner directly with the DNR to grow healthy forests for future generations. Each tax-deductible donation directly supports the planting and care of trees on state forest lands, helping preserve and enhance the landscapes that make the state so extraordinary.

“The Future Forest Fund is a wonderful way for Minnesotans to show their love of our forests,” said Chris Gronewold, Silviculture Program coordinator. “Making a donation is like planting a deposit on Minnesota’s future with a remarkable return – including cleaner air and water, carbon storage, habitat for plants and animals, and sustainably grown forest products.”

Whether to honor someone who loved the outdoors, celebrate a special occasion, or show commitment to Minnesota's environment, contributing to the Future Forest Fund has never been easier. Donations can be made online [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/grants/gifts/fff_donation.html) or by mailing a check to the Future Forest Fund, DNR-Forestry Division, 500 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul, MN. In spring 2025, Future Forest Fund contributions were used to plant roughly 88,000 seedlings on about 100 acres across six state forests.

DNR foresters carefully choose where Future Forest Fund gifts are used, focusing on sites where the need is greatest. In addition to supporting replanting efforts on certified [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/forestry/certification), sustainably harvested, DNR-managed land, donations help replace trees lost to disease, fire, storms, insects, and other elements.

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Explore the outdoors this winter by hunting Minnesota small game

Hunting pheasants, ruffed grouse, squirrels or rabbits offers opportunities to enjoy the Minnesota outdoors as winter begins.

“Winter is a fun time to get out in the crisp air and hunt small game,” said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “These hunts can be a lot like hikes with the added challenge of pursing some excellent table fare.”

The pheasant hunting season is open through Jan. 4, 2026. On Dec. 1, the daily bag limit increases to three roosters, with a possession limit of nine roosters. Pheasant numbers were up nearly 50% over last year and were 21% above the 10-year average, according to the DNR August Roadside Survey, available on the DNR pheasant hunting webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting/pheasant). The best places to find pheasants at this time of year are tall grass or cattail marshes. Hunters should remember to exercise caution around thin ice.

Grouse hunting season is also open through Jan. 4, 2026. Wintertime grouse hunters might find success during the “golden hour,” the last hour before sunset, when ruffed grouse move out of their snow roosts to feed.

There’s even more time for squirrels and rabbits in a season that stretches through Feb. 28, 2026. Winter is breeding season for squirrels, which means they are active and easier to find. And rabbit hunters tend to find the most success around thick cover like brush piles, thorn tangles and briars. This has been a banner year for cottontail rabbits, with populations at a 60-year high, according to the August Roadside Survey.

Fisher, martin and bobcat trapping opens Saturday, Dec. 13, so hunters should be aware of this season while in the woods. Hunters also can find regulations and complete bag limit information on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/hunting). More information about how or where to hunt can be found on the DNR’s learn to hunt webpages [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/gohunting). Recorded webinars with tips on how to hunt pheasants, grouse, squirrels or rabbits are available in the webinar archive on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the DNR’s website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/discover).

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New High Falls pedestrian bridge opens to the public at Tettegouche State Park
The new bridge

After several years of closure and construction, the new High Falls pedestrian bridge at Tettegouche State Park opens to the public on Monday, Nov. 24.

The bridge, which spans the Baptism River upstream of the 63-foot High Falls, was completely replaced during the $1.07 million construction project. The new bridge is made of fiberglass polymer and is elevated five feet above the original, helping make it more resilient to high flooding.

Built in 1988, the previous bridge closed to the public in 2022 after severe flood damage. A subsequent severe flood in 2024 caused the bridge to fully detach on one side.

“The High Falls Bridge has always been a high-traffic, popular spot in the park, so we’re thrilled to have a safe new bridge that visitors can enjoy,” said Katie Foshay, park supervisor at Tettegouche State Park.

In addition to the High Falls bridge, the following areas of the park — closed during the summer 2025 bridge construction — have reopened:


* High Falls trailhead parking lot
* Group camp
* Nature play area
* Multiple hiking trails on the west side of the Baptism River leading to the bridge

The new bridge also means Superior Hiking Trail thru-hikers can take the trail across the Baptism River, rather than requiring a detour.

*About Tettegouche State Park*

Established in 1979, Tettegouche State Park is located 5 miles north of Silver Bay on Minnesota’s iconic North Shore. The more than 9,000-acre park contains a unique combination of natural features: rugged, semi-mountainous terrain, Lake Superior shoreline and rocky cliffs, inland lakes, cascading rivers and waterfalls and an undisturbed northern hardwood forest. To learn more, visit the DNR’s Tettegouche webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/tettegouche).

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minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

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

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