I have written many times of how important sharing our outdoors heritage with our youth is. The next generations will be carrying on the tradition of our outdoors. Fishing and hunting are important to my generation and for the generations that come next.
While my fishing and outdoors activities may be winding down some, I know that I will have done my part to share my love of the outdoors with my family. Once my uncle Ben, who was a great influence on my interest in fishing and the outdoors, started to lose interest in it, and it puzzled me. Once he started slowing down and began fishing less and less, I had a hard time understanding why. Now I understand, even though I still buy a few lures each year, I just don’t have the desire to go as much as I once did. I believe that I have come to realize that I am no longer that 15-year-old aspiring outdoorsman that once roamed the slough on North Bridge and the shores of Fountain Lake. I plan on continuing my visits to the cabin and to Spider Lake as long as I can.
Plan ahead: From hiking, biking and birdwatching to camping, fishing and paddling, the state’s parks, recreation areas, forests and waterways offer an incredible variety of outdoor experiences.
The DNR’s Recreation Compass (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/compass.html) is a user-friendly resource to find state, federal and some local public recreation lands. Visitors can also find information about how to make a camping reservation (https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/) opens in a new browser tab or buy a fishing license (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/fishing/index.html) and much more on the DNR website.
Stay safe on trails and roads
Visitors are encouraged to use caution if they encounter high water when traveling to or visiting an outdoor recreation site. Do not attempt to use trails and roadways that are under water.
Follow these guidelines:
*Do not travel on flooded roads. Hazards can be hidden under floodwater.
*Obey road and trail closures and signs. Don’t drive around barricades.
*Report unsafe state forest road conditions to the local area DNR Forestry office (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/contact/locator.html). Unsafe state trail conditions should be reported to the area Parks and Trails office (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/contact.html). Contact information for both can be found on the DNR website (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/).
*Report conditions in state parks directly to the park. Contact information for individual state park websites can be found on the DNR’s list of state parks and recreation areas (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/list_alpha.html).
In areas where recent rainfall has raised water levels, the DNR urges anglers, boaters, and others to exercise extreme caution, or avoid these areas altogether until the water recedes. Rivers in several parts of the state are running extremely high and fast, and conservation officers recommend people stay off those waterways until the water levels drop.
In addition to inundating riverbanks, the recent rainfall has downed trees and swept natural and man-made objects into the water, creating hazards for boaters, swimmers and anglers. High water also can cover obstructions such as concrete pilings that boaters might not see until it’s too late. People should avoid places where there’s a high-water alert. Those recreating in areas without an alert should still keep in mind that wearing a life jacket provides the best chance of surviving an unexpected fall into the water. In addition, people should tell someone where they will be and when they plan to return.
Until next time: Weather permitting, take some time to visit one of our area parks, have a picnic and maybe do a little fishing. Taking a hike is also a great way to connect with nature.
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