MINNESOTA DNR NEWS #21 MARCH 26, 2012
All releases are available in the DNR’s website newsroom at .
IN THIS ISSUE
DNR will have booths at Northwest Sportshow in Minneapolis
Nine candidates to begin training at conservation officer academy
Burning restrictions begin March 26 for 35 Minnesota counties, more counties to be
added to the list April 2
Comments sought on rule limiting special northern pike regulations
DNR announces temporary, seasonal fishing closures
DNR Question of the Week: Woodpeckers
DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 26, 2012
Media contact: Steve Carroll, DNR information officer, 651-259-5342.
DNR will have booths at Northwest Sportshow in Minneapolis
Outdoor enthusiasts can learn about fishing, hunting, hiking trails, water safety and much more by visiting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) booths at the 80th Annual Northwest Sportshow, which runs March 28-April 1 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
DNR specialists will be available to answer questions at the main DNR booth located in Lobby D. The DNR License Center will be selling state parks stickers, and fishing and hunting licenses.
Attendees can also visit the DNR’s invasive species information booth in Lobby C to pick up educational materials and talk with invasive species staff and conservation officers specializing in invasive species issues. The new aquatic invasive species rules decal, which is required for all boats, will be available for free at the booth.
The DNR Enforcement Division will also offer an interactive LaserShot shooting range for youth and adults. This family favorite gives participants a chance to test their skills at one of four shooting simulation stations. The range located in the lobby near the entrance to Hall C.
Daily admission is $10 for adults 16 and older. Youth 15 and younger are admitted for free. On March 29, seniors 62 and older will receive a discounted admission of $7 for the day.
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DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 26, 2012
Media contact: Rich Sprouse, public information officer, Minnesota DNR Enforcement Division, 800-366-8917, ext. 2511.
Nine candidates to begin training at conservation officer academy
Nine conservation officer candidates will begin training Wednesday, March 28 as part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR)Conservation Officer Academy.
It’s the first Conservation Officer Academy since 2008, and the 13thclass since academy training began at Camp Ripley in 1994. Currently, 20 of DNR’s 155 conservation officer field stations are vacant.
The academy curriculum includes 12 weeks training in fish and wildlife laws, rules of evidence, patrol procedures, search and rescue, and fish and wildlife investigation.
"This is a strong class of candidates who will be provided some of the best natural resources protection training in the nation,” said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement Division director. "I'm confident that, upon graduation, these officers will continue a conservation officer tradition of standing watch over our state's valuable natural resources."
Upon graduation, the new conservation officers spend16 weeks in field training with a veteran conservation officer before being assigned their first station. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officer Training Board, the licensing agency for police officer training, has certified the classes.
Conservation officers ensure the future of natural resources opportunities through responsible enforcement of wildlife laws, regulations and rules. A typical work station covers 650 square miles, so conservation officers usually work alone and cover extensive and often remote areas.
Another academy is planned for this fall.
Academy 13 will include the following candidates:
- Amber Anderson, deputy, Anoka County Sheriff’s Department.
- Scott Arntzen, police officer, Centennial Lake Police Department.
- Jason Beckmann, police officer, Worthington Police Department.
- Anthony Bermel, deputy, Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department.
- Napoleon Genereux, conservation officer, New Mexico Department of Game & Fish.
- Desiree Holmberg, community service officer, New Hope Police Department.
- Mitchell Lawler, deputy, Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Department.
- Jennifer Mueller, deputy, McLeod County Sheriff’s Department.
- Shaun Wichmann, conservation officer, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, & Parks.
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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 26, 2012
Media contact: Tom Fasteland, MIFC dispatch coordinator, 218-327-4558.
Burning restrictions begin March 26 for 35 Minnesota
counties, more counties to be added to the list April 2
Burning restrictions begin today (March 26) for 35 counties throughout the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced.
The counties include: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, southern Beltrami (that portion south of Highway 1), Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kittson, Manhomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Polk (that portion south and east of County Road 6 from the Manhomen County line to Minn. Highway 92 east to the Clearwater County line) Pope, Ramsey, Roseau (that portion west of Highway 89), Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, Washington, and Wright.These restrictions are put in place each spring to reduce the occurrence of wildfires, which can damage homes and other personal property.
Beginning April 2, restrictions will also be placed on the following counties: Beltrami (that portion north of Highway 1), Cook, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau (that portion east of Highway 89), and all of St. Louis County.
Due to the continued snowmelt, warming weather, and dry vegetation, much of Minnesota is at increased risk of wildfires. The risk will remain high until green vegetation emerges. Until that time, no burning will be allowed unless a special permit is obtained from a local forestry office.
Special permits will only be written for extenuating circumstances such as time sensitive construction projects and prescribed burning conducted by professional firefighters. The DNR encourages the use of composting, recycling, and chipping as alternatives to burning.
While debris burning will be curtailed, the use of campfires, if smaller than 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet in height, will continue to be allowed unless limited by the local jurisdiction. Statewide permits are not required for this type of fire if it meets the above conditions and is monitored until coals have cooled.
Fire conditions may change quickly over the next few weeks. For more information and maps, and to check fire conditions, visit
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NOTE TO MEDIA: Map showing counties with burning restrictions available at ftp://mediaroom.dnr.state.mn.us. It’s located in the news release resources folder in a folder named Burning restrictions map for 03-26-12.
DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 26, 2012
Media contact: Linda Erickson-Eastwood, fisheries program manager, 651-259-5206.
Comments sought on rule limiting special northern pike regulations
Comments on rules governing special regulations for northern pike and other fishing regulation matters will be accepted until Thursday, May 30, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced.
To comply with a legislative change in state law, emergency rules were enacted in November 2011 that reduced to 100 the number of lakes regulated for northern pike bag limits and catch-and-release. The current rule making process will make those emergency rules permanent.
Other changes are technical in nature to clarify and improve the consistency of regulations.
Comments should be directed to Linda Erickson-Eastwood by mail at 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4020; email at , or telephone at
651-259-5200.
Complete details are available on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/input/rules/rulemaking/nop.
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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 26, 2012
Media contact: Linda Erickson-Eastwood, fisheries program manager, 651-259-5206.
DNR announces temporary, seasonal fishing closures
As ice-out begins and waters warm, anglers should regularly visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) website to check for seasonal closures that protect fish spawning areas.
Closures, which routinely occur each year depending on local conditions, are listed as an Angler Alert at mndnr.gov/fishing. A direct link also is provided at mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing.
Portions of waters closed to fishing also are posted at access sites and in other visible areas. Anglers may fish in areas that are not posted.
Seasonal Fishing Closures
The following waters in the portions designated are closed to the taking of all fish during the periods specified to protect fish spawning areas. A few may also be closed to boating to further protect concentrations of fish. Look for signs at access sites and in the areas as noted. All dates are inclusive.
Bass Lake – Itasca County
North basin on the west shore near the Pincherry Access and south basin along north shore in the Elm Point area closed to fishing March 26-June 30.
Chub Lake – Carlton County
Southeast Bay just east of the edge of the Baptist Church Camp lot closed to boating and fishing May 12- June 30.
Channel – Cook County
Channel between Little Gunflint and Little North Lakes on the Minnesota-Ontario border closed to fishing April 1-May 30.
Cross River – Cook County
(Inlet to Gunflint Lake) from the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake closed to fishing April 1-May 25.
Jewett Lake – Otter Tail County
Southwest shore T.134,R.43,S.23 closed to fishing March 22-June 30.
Lake Maud – Becker County
Southwest bay closed to fishing March 26-June 20.
Malign River (Northern Lights Rapids) – Cook County
Ontario side of Saganaga Lake closed to fishing April 1-May 31.
Otter Tail River – Becker County
Area below Highway 10 culvert near Frazee closed to fishing March 26-May 11.
Pelican River – Becker County
Area below Bucks Mill Dam to Buck Lake and from Big Detroit Lake upstream to Minnesota Highway 34 closed to fishing March 26-May 11.
Round Lake – Itasca County
Two bays on the south side of the lake closed to fishing March 26-June 30.
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Sea Gull River – Cook County
Area from Sea Gull Lake through Gull Lake to Saganaga Lake approximately 1/3-mile north of the narrows closed to fishing April 1-May 25.
Saganaga Falls – Cook County
Area on the Minnesota-Ontario border where the Granite River enters Saganaga Lake closed to fishing April 1-May 31.
Toad River – Otter Tail County
Inlet to Big Pine Lake upstream to County Road 13 (T.137, R.38,S.32) closed to fishing
March 22-June 1.
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Editor’s Note: Beginning with this DNR news packet, a special section titled Current Seasonal Closures listing all current closures will be included until all seasonal closures expire. Check this section for closures that impact your area, readers, listeners and viewers.
DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Q: The same woodpecker pecks at our house non-stop. Do woodpeckers get a headache after a while?
A: Woodpeckers have well-adapted structures that act as shock absorbers inside of their heads. They have a hard, but elastic beak, a springy tongue-supporting structure called the hyoid and an area of spongy bone inside the skull. These features, in addition to cerebral fluid interact to suppress vibration in their head so they can peck all day without getting a headache.
-Lori Naumann, information officer- DNR Nongame Wildlife Program