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Saturday, May 24, 2008
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Area state parks embrace Open House Day OUTDOORS NOTES Outdoors Editor Minnesota state parks will celebrate Open House Day on June 1 with the "Great Minnesota Picnic."
Many parks will offer refreshments and special programs that day. Although no vehicle permit is needed for admission on Open House Day, fees will be charged for tours of Mystery Cave at Forestville, Soudan Underground Mine and Hill Annex Mine. The usual camping, lodging and rental fees also will apply.
For a complete list of state park locations and more information on programs and activities for Open House Day, go to www.mnstateparks.com
Among area state parks offering special programs:
- Charles Lindbergh State Park and MHA Historic Site, Little Falls: Annually, the first Sunday in June every year, museums and attractions in Little Falls offer an appreciation day for the community and surrounding areas with free admission and special programming to visitors. Charles A. Lindbergh State Park and Lindbergh House and Visitor Center will offer free admission and an open house. Enjoy the boyhood home of world famous aviator, inventor and conservationist Charles A. Lindbergh and the sites and trails of Charles A. Lindbergh State Park. Event runs noon to 5 p.m.
- Crow Wing State Park, Brainerd: Whether visitors arrive by river or road, they are invited to tour the Fur Trade Encampment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and watch as the Crow Wing County Muzzleloader specialists demonstrate how crafts of the pioneer era were made. Meet at group camp.
- Mille Lacs Kathio, Onamia: "Outdoor Recreation Day" will include sessions with bird watching, outdoor photography, GPS systems and geocaching, game fish identification, wilderness camping, campfire building, kids fish casting, deer antler scoring, aquatic insects and bugs, canoeing and kayaking, the DNR's 140-year-old "Tree Cookie," Minnesota Trail Riders Association and pro walleye fisherman Darrin Printy. The classes will take place at the park's Interpretive Center, with activities in the picnic area.
MPCA team to be located in Brainerd for project
As part of the Clean Water Legacy Act passed by the legislature in 2006, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will launch a 10-year biological monitoring project throughout the state this summer. The goal of the project is to assess the condition of rivers and streams in Minnesota's major watersheds.
MPCA biological monitoring staff will be divided into two teams, with the north team located in Brainerd and the south team in St. Paul. This summer, the north team will work in the watersheds of the Upper and Lower Red River of the North, the Little Fork River and the Sauk River. The south team will work in the watersheds of the Le Sueur River, the Mississippi River at Red Wing and the Root River.
For more information about the MPCA's biological monitoring program, visit www.pca.state.mn.us/water/biomonitoring/index.html. Biological and other water quality monitoring data is available through the MPCA's Environmental Data Access system at www.pca.state.mn.us/ data/eda/index.cfm.
Sporting Clays Summer Fling set June 10 in Little Falls
The first Sporting Clays Summer Fling is scheduled from 1:30-5:30 p.m. June 10 at Rice Creek Hunting and Recreation in Little Falls.
Get a team together or sign up individually for target rounds, a team flurry shoot, food and bragging rights to last the year.
Cost is $55 - $45 if registered by Friday - and includes food, beverages and a box of shells. Attendees will need to provide their own shotguns and eye and ear protection. A practice range will be available prior to the event.
Donation and sponsorship opportunities also are available.
For more information, contact Michelle Hlebaen at (218) 822-7127 or at mhlebaen@explorebrainerdlakes.com.
Wild & Free gala scheduled June 11 at Lonesome Pine
The Wild & Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Program of Garrison has scheduled its sixth annual gala dinner and silent auction fundraiser for June 11 at Lonesome Pine Restaurant on Bay Lake.
The silent auction is scheduled at 5 p.m. and will continue through dinner, set to start at 6:30 p.m. Musician/comedian Mary Rowles will provide entertainment at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets are $50 and are available at Lonesome Pine, Cash Wise, the Garrison Animal Hospital, from Wild & Free board members or by calling (320) 692-4060.
All proceeds will be used in support of Wild & Free in its mission to provide medical care, rehabilitation and the ultimate release of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife brought to Wild & Free.
Boat, water safety classes offered June 5 and June 25
The Gull Chain of Lakes Association, in conjunction with the Cass/Crow Wing County Water Patrol, will sponsor classes June 5 and June 25 for those ages 12-17 - with participants getting temporary permits the same day they take the class.
Classes will deal with rules and regulations and everyone involved will get some behind-the-wheel training.
According to Minnesota state law, all teens 14-17 years old are required to have a permit to operate a personal watercraft and all persons 12-15 must have a permit to operate a boat with a motor of more than 25 horsepower.
Classes start at 8:30 both days and a fee of $10 will be charged for lunch.
Class sizes are limited. Those interested should call Marv Meyer at 828-9577 for details and to pre-register.
DNR to create more opportunities to catch muskie and pike
DNR officials are creating a management plan designed to increase angler opportunities to land trophy-sized muskellunge and northern pike.
A recent survey indicates that 14 percent of resident, licensed anglers target muskellunge when fishing and 60 percent of people who have not fished for muskellunge expressed interest in doing so.
Building on the foundation of management plans implemented in 1986 and 1994, the plan takes into consideration growing angler interest in landing large muskellunge and northern pike.
Some of the recommendations in the draft plan include:
- Adding eight new muskellunge lakes by 2020 to the existing 93 lakes that now offer the pure-strain species.
- Managing muskellunge populations for trophy angling opportunities through stocking, size regulations, season closures, existing spearing bans and promoting voluntary catch and release.
- Improving opportunities to catch large northern pike on select waters as well as improving northern pike fishing statewide while maintaining spearing opportunities for northern pike.
The plan was developed with input from angling interests, including six workshops, two roundtables and public comment through the DNR web site.
The draft plan is available for review at www.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/muskiepike_2020.html.
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