RLIA Meeting (7/16/2022)

2 weeks ago

minnesota department of natural resourcesSpecial Volunteer OpportunityApril 11, 2024Monitoring Minnesota's lakes and streams:Track the health of our waters!With more than 92,000 miles of streams and over 12,000 lakes in Minnesota, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Volunteer Water Monitoring Program is gearing up for the 51st season of lake and stream water clarity monitoring across the state. We at the DNR are excited to support the MPCA in these efforts and hope you will too!Join today in tracking the health of our waters.How does it work?Volunteers conduct a simple water clarity test in a lake or stream at least twice a month during the summer. Lake volunteers:Can monitor any Minnesota lake.Need access to watercraft such as a canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or motorboat.Use a Secchi disk attached to a calibrated rope (provided by the MPCA) to measure water clarity. Simply lower the Secchi disk into the lake and record the depth when it disappears.Record readings and observations on the physical and recreational conditions of the lake and submit information at the end of the season.Monitor twice a month from May through September. Stream volunteers:Monitor any stream or river that flows year-round.Collect water samples from a bridge or stream bank.Use a Secchi tube (provided by the MPCA) to measure water clarity.Record readings and observations on the physical and recreational conditions of the stream and submit information at the end of the season.Monitor twice a month from April through September.Why is this important?Volunteer-collected data is used to help determine whether lakes and streams are meeting water quality standards designed to protect aquatic life and recreational activities like fishing and swimming. In some cases, the information gathered by volunteers is the only monitoring done on a particular lake or stream, making volunteer gathered data critical to protecting Minnesota waters.Interested?Join more than 1,400 Minnesotans who track the health of their favorite lake or stream — become a volunteer water monitor today!Natural resource volunteering:For more information on becoming a volunteer water monitor, go to the MPCA webpage.To see other natural resource volunteer activities available around the state, please refer to the DNR volunteer opportunities webpage. ... See MoreSee Less

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RUSH LAKE Improvement Association

2 weeks ago

As people head for the water, Minnesota DNR reminds them to prioritize their safety: With anglers, boaters, and paddlers taking advantage of the early ice-out across much of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding anyone spending time around lakes, rivers, and ponds that water temperatures remain extremely low and unexpected falls can turn tragic.Each year, about one-third of fatal boating accidents happen during the cold water period and many instances involve victims who weren’t wearing a life jacket. Cold water can quickly incapacitate even strong swimmers and the most effective way to survive a fall in is to wear a life jacket that’s buckled or zipped.“Open-water enthusiasts are celebrating this year’s early ice-out, and we’re starting to see a lot of activity on water bodies throughout the state,” said Capt. Adam Block, boating law administrator for the DNR Enforcement Division. “Safety is vital year-round, but we urge people to double down on it this time of year because the consequences of falling into cold water can become severe extremely quickly.”Following are a few tips to keep in mind as this year’s open-water season commences:Wear a foam-filled life jacket. While inflatable life jackets are gaining in popularity, they might not fully inflate when the water is cold. Check manufacturer recommendations for specific instructions regarding water temperature.Ensure watercraft are registered and equipped with proper safety equipment. Before heading out on the water, check all equipment to ensure it functions properly.Distribute weight evenly and abide by manufacturers’ weight limits.Always use the engine cut-off device if the watercraft is equipped with one.Have a means of communication. People recreating around water should tell someone where they’re going and when they plan to return.Watch the weather.See the DNR’s cold water safety webpage:(mndnr.gov/safety/boatwater/cold-water.html) for more information about staying safe around or on cold water. ... See MoreSee Less

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RUSH LAKE Improvement Association

3 weeks ago

Launching boats might be difficult this spring as drought conditions persist:Minnesota boaters could find launching watercraft difficult this spring due to low water levels on many lakes and rivers. The lack of snow this winter and persistent dry conditions have left lakes without the normal spring recharge. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is working to repair boat ramps damaged over winter and will extend boat ramps when possible. However, it is not possible to extend boat ramps on waterbodies that are naturally shallow beyond the ramp. Boat ramps damaged by power loading are also a challenge to repair. A boater might be able to launch into the space at the end of the boat ramp — however, a buildup of the material moved by power loading settles beyond the ramp can prevent boaters from getting to deeper water.“With unusually low water levels, people launching larger boats and pontoons with longer trailers will need to pay extra special attention to ramp lengths and depths,” said Nancy Stewart, DNR water recreation consultant.In addition to repair work, DNR crews will use the month of April to put docks in. For DNR public access sites, dock-in dates are shown on LakeFinder (mndnr.gov/lakefinder); search for the lake then click on water access sites noted on the lake map to find dock details on the water access site webpage. Spring boaters should always anticipate and prepare for cold water conditions. This year, they should also watch out for obstructions such as rocks and sand bars that typically are not an issue for spring boaters. Stewart offers the following tips for launching boats in low water conditions: Launch slowly.Have a spotter in the boat while launching so trailer tires and boat axles don’t fall off the last plank where an existing blowhole might be present.Have hip boots or waders and a life jacket as it might help to get in the water and guide the boat or check the ramp for firmness and water depth.Lower the motor only after making sure there is enough water depth.Use a lake map as a guide to avoid shallow areas and watch for obstructions.Boaters who encounter problems at a DNR public access site can contact their local DNR office or the DNR Information Center at 888-646-6367. For public water access maps, state water trail maps and boating information, go to the DNR’s public water access webpage (mndnr.gov/wateraccess). ... See MoreSee Less

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RUSH LAKE Improvement Association

4 weeks ago

A video from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources aims to educate anglers about how to properly catch and release large fish. Video shows how to handle flathead catfish, other large fish:Being properly equipped and understanding how to handle a large fish is critical to enhancing the fish’s chances for survival after release. The video covers: having the proper equipment for large fish; minimizing the time the fish is out of the water; protecting the fish’s slime coating; holding the large fish horizontally and supporting the fish’s body; and releasing the fish properly. The flathead catfish fishing season began April 1. Additionally, seasons are around the corner for other large fish like lake sturgeon, muskellunge, northern pike, steelhead and others.The video can be found on the Minnesota DNR’s catch and release webpage (mndnr.gov/fish/catchandrelease.html).Also...Minnesota DNR webinars focus on bear survival and coldwater fisheries:The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to check out the spring program schedule for the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series.In a webinar on Wednesday, April 3, Andy Tri, DNR bear project leader, will discuss what four decades of research on Minnesota black bears can tell us about the state’s bear population.In a webinar on Wednesday, April 10, Derek Bahr, DNR fisheries research scientist, and Heather Baird, DNR forest fisheries landscape coordinator, will discuss how climate and landscape changes are affecting coldwater fish communities in Minnesota lakes, how the DNR is working with partners to mitigate those effects and what each of us can do to help.The Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series webinars are free and offered year-round, though registration is required. Visit the Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webpage of the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars. ... See MoreSee Less

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RUSH LAKE Improvement Association

2 months ago

Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series Spring webinars: We have some great webinars lined up to help you understand our natural world a little better and give you some good reasons to head outdoors. Upcoming webinars are scheduled every Wednesday at noon, through May. The webinars are free, but participants are required to pre-register. Spring series topics are as follows and the registration page is available on the DNR website.March 27 – Barotrauma: What you need to know when catching fish in deep water: Barotrauma is physical damage to a fish caused by expanding gases when fish are caught from deeper waters. This program will describe the effects of barotrauma on popular fish species, explore how it may impact fisheries resource quality, and provide tips for anglers to reduce negative impacts from deep water fishing. As a bonus, a few fishing tips and tricks will be included.April 3 – No country for old bears: Black bears in Minnesota are typically leaving their dens in early April. One of the most important factors to understand in wildlife management is survival. Andy Tri, DNR bear project leader, will discuss the different aspects of black bear survival over the last four decades of research and what that means for Minnesota’s black bear population.April 10 – Climate and landscape changes and their effect on our coldwater fisheries: Climate and landscape changes are affecting coldwater fish communities in Minnesota lakes. Derek Bahr, DNR fisheries research scientist, and Heather Baird, DNR forest fisheries landscape coordinator, will discuss how the DNR is working with partners to mitigate those effects and what each of us can do to help.April 17 – Southeast brook trout conservation: The MN Driftless strain of brook trout is being used to reintroduce brook trout to streams where they are no longer found, enhance streams lacking brook trout reproduction, and increase fishing opportunities to catch brook trout. Brook trout conservation is important as they are the only species of trout native to southeast Minnesota. Melissa Wagner, Lanesboro DNR fisheries supervisor, will share the history of this conservation project and what it means for future stream management and anglers.April 24 – Experiencing the spring warbler migration: Dozens of species of warblers and millions of individual birds will be winging their way north through Minnesota over the next few weeks as part of their travels from tropical locales to their breeding grounds in Minnesota and points north. This is a great time of the year to see some of these original “snowbirds” up close and personal. One of Minnesota’s expert birders, Amy Simso Dean, will share some basic tips on how to identify and where to find warblers this spring. She will also share some suggestions on how to introduce kids to birding.May 1 – Catch a record fish: In 2024, DNR Fisheries will be enhancing the record fish program, opening up some historical harvest records and adding many more species categories for catch-and-release records. During this discussion, Mandy Erickson, DNR fisheries expert, will talk about the enhancements that are being made to the program, what you should do if you catch a potential record fish, and demonstrate the proper way to measure and document your catch.May 8 – Preparing for the fishing opener - live from the dock: Join us for a little shore fishing ahead of the opener and take a mom fishing weekend. We will talk about the upcoming season, DNR fishing updates, favorite lures, how to be more successful, and maybe a secret spot or two!May 15 – Creating communities with alternative lawns: Learn about the benefits of reducing the size of your lawn by planting native habitat in your yard, on your patios and balconies, and in our communities. Altlawns of Richfield and Bloomington is a community group of residents with a mission to create biodiverse native habitat in place of lawns by providing community education and support to local residents. They will provide tips and answer questions on managing and maintaining a native landscape.May 22 – Jumping worms: New non-native earthworm species in Minnesota: Did you know Minnesota does not have native earthworms? “Jumping worms” are new to Minnesota and are getting lots of attention for their startling movements and their negative impacts in gardens and forests. Laura Van Riper, DNR terrestrial invasive species program coordinator, will discuss impacts of invasive earthworms and provide more detail on jumping worms including how to identify them, known current distribution, and research and regulatory updates. Learn about actions that you can take to prevent and report jumping worms and other invasive earthworm species.May 29 – Hiking the Superior Hiking Trail: Are you looking for a great day hike or planning your first backpacking trip on the Superior Hiking Trail? Join Lisa Luokkala, Superior Hiking Trail Association's executive director, to learn the best first steps in planning your visit to Minnesota's premier footpath. We'll cover everything from what guides and maps are available to basic information about features, such as campsites and trailheads. Lisa will share an overview of the trail's history and provide guidance to help you plan your next adventure. Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesOutreach Section | Division of Fish and Wildlife500 Lafayette Rd NSt. Paul, MN 55155Email: [email protected] ... See MoreSee Less

Recruit, retain, reactivate

www.dnr.state.mn.us

Getting, and keeping, more people hunting and fishingDNR's work in recruitment, retention, and reactivation – R3 for short – is all about getting more folks into the woods and onto the waters and ...

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