Minnesota Mixed Bag: Fishing seasons set to close on inland waters – Outdoor News
St. Paul — The fishing season for a number species in Minnesota is set to close Feb. 23. The end of season on inland waters is for northern pike, walleyes, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. The seasons for crappies, sunfish, perch, rock bass and white bass, and others, are continuous.
On the state’s Canada border waters, the season remains open for walleyes and sauger until April 14. The northern pike season on those waters is generally continuous. As are the walleye, pike, and bass seasons on Iowa-Minnesota border waters, North Dakota-Minnesota border waters, South Dakota border waters, and most of the Mississippi River portions of the Minnesota-Wisconsin border waters. St. Louis River and St. Croix River border waters do have closures for these species, so consult the Minnesota Fishing Regulations for the specifics.
Also, the fishing license year begins March 1 and ends the last day of February, unless otherwise noted. Minnesota’s general fishing opener in 2025 is May 10.
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DANIELL IS NRCS’S TOP STATE CONSERVATIONIST
Salt Lake City — Troy Daniell, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Minnesota, recently was named the 2024 Outstanding State Conservationist during the NRCS National Leadership Team meeting in Salt Lake City.
The National Association of State Conservation Agencies NASCA presents the award each year to an NRCS (U.S. Department of Agriculture) state conservationist who demonstrates outstanding “service, dedication, cooperation and partnership.”
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources nominated Daniell for the award.
Daniell began his career as a range conservationist in Louisiana in 1996. He later became a district conservationist in Oklahoma for six years, followed by seven years as an assistant state conservationist in Illinois. He has served as Minnesota’s state conservationist since 2018.
CANADA CONFIRMS SOME RABC PERMITS VALID UNTIL END OF 2025
St. Paul — After pausing the issuance and renewal of Remote Area Border Crossing permits, the Canada Border Services Agency announced on Tuesday, Feb. 18 that it will issue an automatic extension for some permit holders until the end of 2025.
All individuals who received an RABC permit after Sept. 1, 2023, qualify for the extension, until Dec. 31, 2025. The extension allows permit holders to freely cross between the Minnesota-Canada border without notifying the Canadian government of entry and exit.
In late September, the agency announced it would not renew or issue remote border crossing permits after Sept. 25, 2024. The agency said the pause was necessary for it to focus on reviewing and updating procedures. However, it didn’t give a timeline for when that work would be completed, leaving permit holders wondering what to do. According to Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber’s press release at the end of January, constituents were concerned as minimal clarification was made after the initial pause on renewals and new permits.
FISHING MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME TO HOST ‘PROS’ NIGHT
Little Falls, Minn. — The Minnesota State Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame will host its 17th annual “Night with the Fishing Pros” on Friday, April 4, at the Rice Creek, Hunting, Recreation, and Event Center in Little Falls.
The fund-raising event will feature games and pull tabs, silent and live auctions that include guided fishing trips, and a chance to meet the legends of the fishing industry.
Doors open at 4 p.m., and dinner is at 6:30. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for those age 16 and younger. Purchase tickets at www.mnfishingmuseum.com or www.fishinghalloffamemn.com.
ROEMHILDT REJOINS PF/QF AS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR THE MIDWEST
Janesville, Minn. — Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have announced that Scott Roemhildt, recently retired southern region director for the DNR, as the organization’s newest development officer. Roemhildt will represent multiple states in the heart of pheasant country. In his new role, Roemhildt will be responsible for working in collaboration with the organization’s employee team, donors, members, volunteers, and partners to expand private, corporate, and public funding relationships benefiting upland habitat conservation.
Roemhildt joins the major gifts team after a 14-year leadership tenure with the Minnesota DNR. During this tenure, Roemhildt was instrumental in building and launching the state’s Walk-In Access program and coordinated all 12 of Minnesota’s Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Openers.
Roemhildt’s primary region will encompass both North Dakota and South Dakota, but he will also work collaboratively with other major gifts team members in southwest Minnesota.
