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Latest DNR Information

New education requirements in effect July 1 for some boaters in Minnesota (published June 5, 2025) June 5, 2025
Beginning July 1, 2025, more people who operate motorboats or personal watercrafts on Minnesota waters must obtain a valid watercraft operator’s permit. The updated requirements, passed into law during 2023, are intended to make boating safer by ensuring people operating motorized watercraft know the rules and are properly trained.
ATV riders can explore Minnesota riding opportunities for free June 14-15 (published June 5, 2025) June 5, 2025
Minnesotans with an all-terrain vehicles registered for private or agricultural use won’t need to pay the additional registration fee ($60 for three years) to ride the state’s public ATV trails on June 14-15. Out-of-state riders can explore Minnesota’s ATV trails this weekend as well without the need for a nonresident ATV trail pass ($31 for […]
Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is this Friday through Sunday (published June 4, 2025) June 4, 2025
During Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (Friday, June 6, to Sunday, June 8), Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger fishing. Casting a line is one way among many to enjoy Great Outdoors Month, in June.
June is Great Outdoors Month in Minnesota (published June 4, 2025) June 4, 2025
Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed June 2025 as Great Outdoors Month in Minnesota, encouraging Minnesotans to explore the state’s natural treasures and take part in the wide array of outdoor activities available across public lands and waters. The proclamation highlights the vital role outdoor recreation plays in the state’s identity, economy, and quality of life, […]
Piers added with Get Out MORE funding (published June 2, 2025) June 2, 2025
New fishing piers at Leech Lake in the city of Walker, and Lake Francis in the city of Elysian, are the newest of many fishing infrastructure improvements made possible by the Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) one-time funding approved by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023.
Celebrate the grand opening of the Glendalough State Park trail center on June 14 (published June 2, 2025) June 2, 2025
On Saturday, June 14, Glendalough State Park will celebrate the completion of its new trail center and the trail extension past Sunset Lake. Visitors can enjoy an open house at the new building from 10 a.m. until noon with cake and lemonade served by the Glendalough Park Partners. A program begins at 11 a.m. with appearances […]
Volunteers needed for DNR loon survey (published June 2, 2025) June 2, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking volunteers to help monitor the loon population in Aitkin, Becker, Cook, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Lake, and Otter Tail counties. Volunteers are needed for a minimum of one morning during the July 4 through July 14 monitoring period, to count the number of adult and juvenile […]
Minnesota DNR seeks applicants for Lake Winnibigoshish, Rainy Lake input groups (published May 27, 2025) May 27, 2025
The DNR is seeking people with a range of perspectives and experiences, including local fishing guides, local anglers, anglers from across Minnesota, local businesses and local resorts, and water-based businesses, to serve on two fisheries input groups, one for Lake Winnibigoshish and the other for Rainy Lake.
Minnesota DNR accepting comments on environmental review documents for proposed 3M Oakdale surface water diversion project (published May 27, 2025) May 27, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments until 4:30 p.m. June 26 on an environmental assessment worksheet related to the 3M Oakdale surface water diversion project, located in Washington County.
Minnesota DNR webinar series offers ways to learn about the outdoors this summer (published May 27, 2025) May 27, 2025
Webinars on walleye genetics, buckthorn management, and fish dubbed “living fossils” like gar and paddlefish will be among the outdoors topics covered in the summer series of the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

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