Latest news with #SarahStrommen
Axios
05-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Minnesota fishing license sales up 10% ahead of May opener
Minnesota has sold more than 220,000 fishing licenses this spring, up 10% from this time last year. State of the lines: State officials said Thursday they believe a strong ice fishing season and the early ice out on local lakes has outdoorsy Minnesotans excited to get out on the water. Sales, which began March 1, will continue to rise ahead of the May 10 fishing opener. The big picture: Minnesota ranks fourth in the nation for annual fishing license sales, trailing only more populous (and coastal) states of California, Florida and Texas, Department of Natural Resources commissioner Sarah Strommen told reporters. Between the lines: Proceeds from the $25 licenses go back into supporting the state's wildlife and public lands. What we're watching: The state originally planned to debut a new electronic licensing system and app for hunters and anglers in time for this year's May 10 fishing opener. But DNR announced earlier this year that it was delaying the March 2025 rollout, saying the outside vendor needed more time for testing and training. Strommen said she saw a demo of the app last week and hopes to see it in use "before the hunting season starts this fall."
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
During fishing opener weekend and always: Clean, drain, dispose every time
May 2—The approaching walleye fishing season comes with a reminder from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to always follow state laws to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Most anglers and boaters in Minnesota take the clean, drain, dispose steps for invasive species prevention every time they leave a lake or river. DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said prevention takes action by anglers and boaters, watercraft inspectors and enforcement, and partnerships with governments and organizations. "Minnesota is nationally recognized for its AIS prevention successes and that's due in large part to the powerful partnership model we have in place in the state," said Commissioner Sarah Strommen. "We're grateful for the partnerships with nonprofits, local governments, the University of Minnesota, and lake associations that are essential to helping prevent the spread of AIS and keeping our lakes clean and healthy." DNR Invasive Species Program Supervisor Kelly Pennington said people need to take prevention steps whether an enforcement officer or watercraft inspector is present or not. "All anglers and boaters in Minnesota are required to take three simple steps: clean, drain, dispose," Pennington said. "It's not only the best way to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, but it's also the law in Minnesota." Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to: —Clean watercraft, trailers and gear to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species. —Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport. —Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. —Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters. —Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another. These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species: —Decontaminate watercraft, trailers and gear — find free stations on the courtesy decontamination webpage of the DNR website ( —Spray watercraft, trailers and gear with high-pressure water or rinse with water. —Dry watercraft, trailers and gear for at least five days before using in another water body. The DNR appreciates the efforts and collaboration of everyone engaged in aquatic invasive species prevention and management, including Wildlife Forever, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates, the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee, the University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, lake service providers and other outdoor recreation businesses, lake associations, recreation and hobbyist groups, tribal natural resource managers. People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist ( if they think they have found an invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body. More information is available on the aquatic invasive species webpage of the DNR website (
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
William O'Brien State Park to unveil $5M in accessibility improvements
William O'Brien State Park in northern Washington County recently underwent a $5.25 million renovation to make the park's day use area, campground and park office more accessible to people with mobility issues. The park's Walter F. Mondale Day Use Area will reopen to the public on May 1, and the park's Riverway Campground and Riverside Group Camp will reopen on May 2. The lower area of the park has been closed since March 2024 while crews worked to improve accessibility. Among the improvements: an accessible service counter and windows for visitors at the park office; various accessible paths from the Riverside Trail, parking lot and picnic shelters, and accessible picnic tables. This project was funded by state bonding funds and the Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) initiative. Get Out MORE is a $150 million initiative 'to help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whichever outdoor experience they choose,' DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. The improvements are an example of how the Get Out MORE initiative, adopted in 2023, is 'modernizing outdoor recreation experiences for Minnesotans,' Strommen said. 'This project enhances access and helps welcome new users to public lands, which helps Minnesotans of all interests and abilities better connect with the outdoors.' Get Out MORE funds also are being used to purchase two all-terrain track chairs for the park. The electric-powered chairs, which can be used on designated trails within the park, are available to anyone who has a need, and can help visitors explore areas of the state parks in new ways, often on trails that are not suitable for regular wheelchairs. There will be 23 track chairs in use in state parks in Minnesota by this summer, said Lauren Peck, a spokeswoman for the DNR. 'William O'Brien will be the first state park to get them in the St. Croix Valley area,' Peck said. 'Up until now, we've had only one track chair in the metro area at Fort Snelling State Park, so adding two at William O'Brien will be really great, and I'm sure will get a lot of demand. The Fort Snelling one is really popular and gets a ton of use, so I'm sure William O'Brien will be the same.' Track chairs are available year-round in some locations, and seasonally in others. Users must sign a waiver to check one out; no other documentation is required. Improvements to the park's day use area, Riverway Campground and park office were made using universal design, which benefits all visitors, DNR officials said. The park office building now has additional accessible parking; ADA-compliant outdoor service counter and windows and new automatic door openers When it reopens May 1, the day use area — including the public water access, beach and Riverside Trail — will have two new accessible restroom buildings; a new picnic shelter near Lake Alice beach; accessibility improvements to two existing picnic shelters, including accessible routes from parking, grills and new vault toilets; a safer parking lot with better beach access; a larger, more accessible swimming beach with an ADA-compliant route to the water's edge, and a new accessible canoe/kayak launch on Lake Alice. When it reopens on May 2, the Riverway Campground will have six ADA-compliant campsites; a resurfaced Riverside Trail; a new accessible route to the park amphitheater and a resurfaced and regraded overflow parking area and trail connections. Campground shower building renovations are expected to be completed by June 1; campers will have 'a rustic camping experience' with vault toilets during the month of May, according to the DNR. 'We're excited to welcome the public back to this popular area of the park and offer improved amenities that all park visitors can enjoy,' said Ann Pierce, director of Minnesota DNR's Parks and Trails Division. Athena Bitcoin asks Stillwater to repeal cryptocurrency ATM ban HealthPartners opens new specialty center in Woodbury Jackpot winner steps forward for $1 million lottery ticket sold in Woodbury Oak Park Heights state of emergency declared to deal with water main break Lake Elmo assistant principal injured in fight between students
