Outdoors Notebook: MN-FISH to fund Leech Lake muskie movement and survival study

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — MN-FISH is funding a critical Leech Lake muskie movement and survival study set to begin this spring, the state fishing organization said in a news release.According to Ron Schara, MN-FISH president, information from the three-year study will benefit muskie conservation and address growing concerns among some anglers about sustaining muskie populations in the face of advancing fishing technologies such as forward-facing sonar and angler skill.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources selected Leech Lake for the study because of its vital role as the primary source of fish for stocked muskie fisheries across the state. Each year during the first week of May, adult muskies captured by the DNR on Leech Lake serve as the source for eggs and brood stock used in Minnesota’s Mississippi-strain muskie stocking programs.The study is designed to help the DNR effectively manage muskie fishing in Leech Lake as well as muskie waters throughout the state.



In addition to MN-FISH and the Minnesota DNR, the “Leech Lake Muskie Movement and Survival Study” will be conducted by researchers from Bemidji State University, led by Professor Andrew Hafs.Anglers in recent years have had increasing success targeting post-spawn muskies, which often move to deep-water areas where they are easily spotted and targeted using the advanced electronics such as forward-facing sonar. In its news release, MN-FISH said the study will provide needed data on the impact of increased levels of angling pressure on the trophy fish.

Researchers will employ state-of-the-art telemetry devices to track muskie movements in deep water and also determine hooking mortality of muskies caught and released.NDGF recognizes volunteer instructorsBISMARCK – Volunteer instructors for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently were recognized at the annual banquet in Bismarck.Mark Weyrauch, Ray, North Dakota, was recognized as Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, while the Hunter Education Team of the Year honor went to Cody Hirschfeld and Kenny Dvorak, both of Dickinson.

James Decker, Bismarck, was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award.Longtime volunteers were also recognized for their service: 30 years: Clinton Baxter, Minot; Kevin Bishop, Kathryn; Roger Dienert, Hankinson; Karla Meikle, Bismarck; Gregory Odden, Rugby; Rick Olson, Garrison; Brad Pierce, Hatton; and Mark Weyrauch, Ray. 25 years: Adnan Aldayel, New Rockford; Lynn Baltrusch, Fessenden; Stanley Cox, Jamestown; Don Ferguson, Jamestown; Donn Hancock, Emerado; Doyle Johannes, Underwood; Mitchell Kallias, Minot; Gary Knotts, Fargo; Rodney Parrill, Bottineau; Richard Petersen, Bismarck; Pam Podell, Velva; and Rickie Theurer, Mandan.

20 years: Nathan Fitzgerald, Sterling, Colo.; Walter Helfrich, Lincoln; Michael Melaas, Minot; Dustin Neva, Hatton; Jean Oster, Lisbon; Joseph Schirado, Bismarck; Dallas Schmidt, Velva; Dan Spellerberg, Wahpeton; and Gary Wilz, Killdeer. 15 years: Mathew Deal, Sutton; Jason Heinz, Rolette; Petrina Krenzel, Harvey; Richard Lehmann, Towner; Kellen Leier, Bismarck; and Corey Wysocki, Grafton.

10 years: Kendall Bauer, Bismarck; Justin Campbell, Hannaford; Alan Haut, Fargo; Beaufort Joe, New Town; Joel Johnson, Mooreton; Shannon Johnson, Fargo; Leah Vantilborg, Mandan; and Priscilla Sauer, Glen Ullin. Five years: Bryton Allard, Williston; Dave Broadwell, Valley City; Cory Geiszler, Rugby; Nicholas Gustafson, Stanley; Daniel Hamman, Fairmount; Karna Johnson, Fargo; Brandon Laddusaw, Wyndmere; Samantha Mahn, Kulm; John Mazur, Pingree; David McCleary, Leeds; Jordan Mead, Casselton; Adam Miller, Bismarck; Todd Paintner, Valley City; Kirk Sather, Minot; and Robert Zafke, Thompson.DNR offers online fishing infoST.

PAUL – The Minnesota DNR has a fishing webpage – mndnr.gov/fishing – to help answer angler questions. The page answers questions such as: What species can I fish for? What kind of bait is legal? What kind of fish can I keep?The page is a mobile-friendly destination for information on when, where and how to fish.

Users will find links to LakeFinder, which provides maps and detailed information on lakes throughout the state, and the StreamFinder tool that provides a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota.DNR announces spring fishing closuresST. PAUL – To protect spawning fish, the DNR has begun to close certain portions of some Minnesota waters.

The closings are routine and based on local conditions.Closings happen each year as ice-out begins and waters begin to warm. The DNR closes the spawning locations to fishing only where habitat is limited and fish are very concentrated in one location, such as a river or the bay of a lake where fish are congregated during spawning.

In northwest Minnesota, portions of the Blackduck, Clearwater, Tamarac and Turtle rivers, along with Shotley Brook, are currently closed. Areas closed to fishing are listed and updated on the Minnesota DNR website at mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing/fishing-seasonal-closures.

html. 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.

State park, hiking trail up for awardsST. PAUL – Gooseberry Falls State Park and the Devil’s Kettle Trail at Judge C.R.

Magney State Park, both on Lake Superior’s North Shore, have been nominated for USA Today’s “10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards” in the Best State Park and Best Hiking Trail categories, respectively. Voting opened to the public at noon Monday, April 14, and will end at noon Monday, May 12. Each person can vote once per day per category.

Selected by a panel of USA Today editors and subject matter experts, these two Minnesota gems stand among just 20 nominees nationwide in their respective categories, showcasing their reputations as premiere destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, the DNR said in a news release.“We’re so excited to receive these national nods,” Ann Pierce, DNR Parks and Trails Division director, said in a statement. “Gooseberry Falls State Park and Devil’s Kettle Trail are iconic spots along the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior.

This part of the state is where the power of nature meets peaceful beauty – thundering waterfalls, rugged shoreline and trails that invite you to explore. These two locations are great examples of the many outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities in the state of Minnesota.”In 2024, Gooseberry Falls was the most visited state park in Minnesota, welcoming nearly 760,000 visitors.

With more than 20 miles of hiking trails, Gooseberry Falls offers routes for all skill levels.The 2-mile Devil’s Kettle Trail hike winds through serene forests and follows the rushing Brule River. Along the way, hikers will climb nearly 400 feet and tackle around 175 steps.

The reward is two breathtaking waterfalls, including the park’s crown jewel, Devil’s Kettle.Vote for Gooseberry Falls on the 10Best website at 10best.usatoday.

com/qr/47965. Vote for Devil’s Kettle Trail on the 10Best website at 10best.usatoday.

com/qr/47630.NDGF urges caution near bridge projectBISMARCK – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, under U.S.

Coast Guard authority, has created an idle speed-only and navigational safety zone near an ongoing bridge construction project on the Missouri River near Bismarck-Mandan.This summer will mark the start of an idle speed-only area and a navigation channel around the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad bridge project. The navigational channel will be marked with green and red floating buoys to direct the public to the navigable area through the construction zone.

Additionally, the project area will be marked with multiple types of lighted floating buoys and encloses an area from the west bank north of the project staging area, to the east bank, and then following the east bank south approximately 1,500 feet and back to the river’s west bank.The “No Boats” buoys are located north and south of the active construction barges and have yellow flashing lights for nighttime visibility. The solid, white light “Idle Speed Only” buoys indicate where the idle speed zone starts and operate day and night.

The cautions are in place to protect people and boat traffic during the construction project and operate during the open water months on the Missouri River near Bismarck-Mandan. Also, river users operating paddlecraft, such as canoes and kayaks, are encouraged to exit the river upstream or downstream of the navigational safety zone.A violation of the regulatory buoys is subject to a fine under North Dakota Administrative Code.

Lake LaMoure Association recognizedBISMARCK – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department recognized the Lake LaMoure Association with its 2025 Certificate of Appreciation for more than 40 years of involvement with public use areas and facilities.Each year, Game and Fish cooperates in the development and enhancement of public boating- and fishing-related facilities throughout the state. Almost always, these activities and efforts would not be possible without the assistance and support of a local entity of some form.

While most park boards, wildlife clubs or water resource boards play a role, there are always a few boards or groups, such as the Lake LaMoure Association, that stand out above the others.A few examples of the association’s accomplishments include maintaining the parking lot area at the boat ramp; caring for several public use docks, access sites and fishing piers; constructing a fish cleaning station; and updating camping facilities.]]>.