Outdoor Notes for July 22

Lothspeich for the win on Lake Edward

With a total catch of 17 pounds, 15 ounces, Dennis Lothspeich captured first place in the Baxter Bass Snatchers' third tournament of the season on July 14 on Lake Edward.

Darren Keifer finished second with a total catch of 16 pounds, 10 ounces, and Chuck Steinbauer finished third with a total catch of 16 pounds, 6 ounces.

The Lunker award went to Conred Bye, who boated a 3-pound, 7-ounce bass. For the tournament, 28 anglers caught and released 159 bass.

Youth ATV safety training class Aug. 25

The Central Lakes ATV Club has scheduled a youth all-terrain vehicle safety training class from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Public Service Building at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds. Enter at the north gate on Southeast 13th Street. The building is on the left, just inside the gate.

Youths must be 10-15 years old and have completed the online ATV course. There is a $29.95 fee for the online course payable at the sign-in of the online course.

Youths also must bring their own Class 1 ATV and have the required safety gear as discussed in the course. Parents are required to attend the training to help with any ATV equipment issues.

Class size is limited to 25. For more information and registration, call Mike McMenimen at 218-963-4561. Information also is available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/safety/vehicle .

Falenscheks take 1st on Pine Mountain

Northerns Inc. hosted a tournament June 30 on Pine Mountain Lake. Organizers stated participants caught some impressive fish and large numbers of northerns, both big and small and in the slot range.

First place: Jim and Neal Falenschek-30 pounds, 1 ounce.

Second place: Rod Barnum and Craig Klimek-25 pounds, 2 ounces.

Third place: Kevin and Lucas Hacker-24 pounds, 4 ounces.

Fourth place: Tim & Nick Yeager-23 pounds, 5 ounces.

Fifth place: Andrew Utter-23 pounds, 1 ounce.

Lunker of the day was a 15-pound, 5-ounce fish caught by Jim Falenschek.

Zebra mussel confirmed in East Loon Lake in Otter Tail County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed a report of a zebra mussel in East Loon Lake in Otter Tail County. East Loon Lake is between and connected to East Spirit Lake and Sybil Lake, both of which were confirmed as having zebra mussels in 2016.

A lake user contacted the DNR after finding a single adult zebra mussel in East Loon Lake, which DNR specialists confirmed through photos and the specimen itself. No additional zebra mussels were found during a follow-up survey.

"It's helpful that an alert individual contacted us when they suspected they'd found a zebra mussel," DNR assistant invasive species specialist Mark Ranweiler said. "Because they kept the zebra mussel, we were able to confirm the species identification."

DNR open house highlights Lake Vermilion northern pike regulation

Anglers can play a role in a proposed fishing regulation change for northern pike on Lake Vermilion that would simplify northern pike regulations by bringing them in line with the new statewide zone regulation starting in May 2019.

Anyone who wants to ask questions and give input about the regulation proposal can attend an open house scheduled by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the Tower Civic Center, 402 Pine St., in Tower.

Lake Vermilion northern pike are currently managed under a special regulation requiring all pike 24-36 inches long to be released and only one fish over 36 inches is allowed in a three-fish possession limit.

Under the northeast pike zone regulation, all fish 30-40 inches long must be released and no more than one over 40 inches is allowed to be kept in a two fish possession limit.

Spearers would be allowed to take any size pike but would be allowed only one fish over 26 inches in the two fish possession limit.

Public comment on the pike regulation can be submitted through Sept. 26.

Questions or comments may be directed to the Tower area fisheries office, 650 Highway 169, Tower, MN, 55790, by calling 218-300-7803, or emailing edie.evarts@state.mn.us .

Additionally, an open house about this proposal and other fishing regulations under review is scheduled 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul. Staff will take comments on this proposal and other fishing regulations under review around the state.

Outdoor skills workshop for women scheduled for Sept. 14-16

Women can hike to spectacular views of autumn colors and Lake Superior on the horizon during a three-day fall workshop that teaches a variety of outdoor skills through the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Getting to that view includes 330 feet of elevation gain on the Superior Hiking Trail-the kind of physical and mental challenge known well to Jo Swanson, trail development director for the Superior Hiking Trail Association and the keynote speaker for the fall workshop.

"One of my themes is empowerment-learning to overcome fears of adventuring in the outdoors," Swanson said. "We live in a culture of fear and people react strongly when women go on outdoors adventures, especially when they go alone. The truth is that with planning and preparation, the outdoors can be a very safe place."

The fall workshop is Friday, Sept. 14, through Sunday, Sept. 16, in a new location this year at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center near Finland. Attendees will hear from Swanson and Minnesota state park naturalists. Session topics include Ojibwe heritage, voyageurs, archery, canoeing, and the animals, plants and geology of the Northwoods.

Linda Bylander, coordinator of the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, said along with the new location, the workshop offers a new selection of classes this year.

The workshop is designed for women ages 18 and up but girls ages 14 to 17 are welcome to attend with parents or guardians. Visit www.mndnr.gov/bow for more information and to register.