The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in Leech Lake fisheries management to share their thoughts on a draft update of the fisheries management plan for the lake. The Minnesota DNR last updated the Leech Lake Fisheries Management Plan in 2021, and in the new plan, the agency is aiming t...

Hunters will find major updates to electronic licensing, deer seasons and waterfowl regulations Hunters can now review a variety of significant updates made in the 2026 Minnesota hunting and trapping regulations. Hunting and trapping licenses will be available to purchase starting Saturday, Aug. 1. "We're excited ...

District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2026-07-27 CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week monitoring local ATV traffic, attending training at Camp Ripley, and working on a background investigation. CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week patrolling the Beltrami Island State Forest. Fontes reports that a lot...

Duck brood numbers are up 55% from 2025, and North Dakota Game and Fish Department migratory game bird biologists expect a fall flight of ducks about 9% higher than last year. The fall flight forecast is based on information collected during the department's annual May breeding duck survey and July duck brood survey, w...

With hot summer weather creating stressful conditions for fish in lakes, rivers and streams across the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is sharing what people can do if they see a fish mortality event - and how they can help prevent them. "We have been seeing chronically stressful conditions th...

The 2026 pronghorn hunting season is set with 1,310 licenses available in 18 units, the same number as last year. Biologists flew 15,292 survey miles in June and July to estimate pronghorn populations and set tag allocations. The statewide population increased 12% from 2025 but conservative harvest strategies continue ...

The DNR is holding two confiscated equipment auctions in 2026. Both will be held online at www.hillerauction.com. The auctions are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 31, and Monday, Sept. 28. A list of items being offered for sale will be available approximately one month before each individual auction date at www.hillerauctio...

Ninety-five deer licenses are available in unit 3F2 for North Dakota's 2026 deer gun season. These licenses will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Aug.12 at 10 a.m. Central time. Residents and nonresidents who have not already received a lottery or landowner license are eligible to apply online by...

By Doug Leier If you spend enough time in the North Dakota outdoors, you quickly realize our public lands are a shared, limited resource. They cannot be everything to everyone. They are places where deer hunters, birdwatchers, hikers, anglers, and trappers all seek access to their favorite outdoor pursuits. Managing th...

Proposal aims to recruit new waterfowl hunters The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites anyone interested in waterfowl hunting to comment on a proposal to create an optional, alternative three-duck bag limit. "Waterfowl hunter numbers have declined significantly within the past 20 years due to many fa...

Applications are open for special youth deer hunts that allow young people to hunt deer with adults in a number of state parks. In a change for this year, lead-free ammunition (mndnr.gov/hunting/ammo/nontoxic.html) will be required without exception for all special youth hunts in Minnesota state parks. The special yout...

Hunters can apply through Friday, Aug. 14, to be chosen for one of the 117 licenses available for the 2026 Minnesota prairie chicken hunting season. The nine-day prairie chicken season begins Saturday, Sept. 26, and is open to Minnesota residents only. The hunt takes place in northwest Minnesota between St. Hilaire and...

Bear hunters who entered the lottery for bear hunting licenses should check their mail to see if they were selected for a license. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sent postcards to lottery winners during the first week of June. Hunters can also check the DNR's website (mndnr.gov/licenses/lotteries/results...

District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2026-07-20 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) attended investigations training throughout the week. CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) reports monitoring ATV traffic throughout the area. Time was spent investigating a wildlife management area violation. CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the wee...

By Doug Leier If you've ever caught a tagged walleye, you might have wondered what story that fish could tell. Where has it been? Where was tagged? How long did it live? You're not alone. The interest and curiosity are shared by anglers and biologists alike. It's fascinating to think of the life cycle, biology and fish...

Race the Red Postponed to August 3 Update: Due to the Extreme Heat Warning, we are postponing Race the Red until August 3. Our goal is to provide an event that is not only fun and memorable, but also safe for participants, volunteers and staff. We know many of you are looking forward to the race, and we appreciate your...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Manuel Mine Lake, near Crosby, and Perch Lake, near Baxter, both in Crow Wing County. A lake user contacted the DNR after finding suspected zebra mussels in Manuel Mine Lake. DNR invasive species specialists found abundant zebr...

Weekly CO report District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2026-07-13 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and Hayes Lake. Violations encountered included anglers using too many lines and anglers without licenses. CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week monitoring ATV traffic throughout the a...

The 2026 Watchable Wildlife Contest is open and the deadline for submitting photos is Oct. 1. The contest has three categories; nongame species, game species and plants and insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entr...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department stocked nearly 12 million walleye fingerlings statewide earlier this summer, about 11 million of which were raised at Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery and 1.1 million at Valley City National Fish Hatchery. The record combined walleye production from both federal hatcheries w...