Glen Schmitt

The annual Catfish Festival on the Chain of Lakes in Richmond has been cancelled this year due to ice conditions. The event was scheduled for February 9-10. The official website for the event indicates fishing tickets will be honored for next year's event.

The Minnesota deer harvest was down this year compared to last year by approximately 8%. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. He explained the DNR released the final 2023 numbers and with all the seasons combined Minnesota had 158,746 deer harvested.

Cold temperatures aren't a bad thing for everyone. Ice fishing is getting a restart this weekend and beyond with cold temperatures that are making ice throughout the state. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON.

Warmer than normal temperatures over the past month has caused a major setback for the ice fishing season in Minnesota. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. He says ice locally is either not there or not safe.

The new "Keep It Clean" law in Minnesota will impact many ice anglers this winter. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. Schmitt says the law went into effect throughout the state in July but was already in place in extreme northern Minnesota last winter.

Deer harvest numbers are down overall throughout the state but Central Minnesota is an exception to that. The muzzleloader season continues through Sunday (December 10) and the archery season continues through December 31. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON.

The firearms deer hunting opener is Saturday November 4th in Minnesota starting a half hour prior to sunrise. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON to offer some suggestions on the opener.

Duck hunting season starts Saturday in Minnesota. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. He says waterfowl hunting in Minnesota and in North America is down and has been moving that direction for quite awhile.

The bear hunting season in northern and northeastern Minnesota starts September 1. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. He says baiting started last week and the food supply for bears appears better than originally expected.

The Minnesota DNR released their hunting regulations booklet online this week with the printed version available at the end of the month. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. He indicates deer hunting license costs are unchanged this year with archery, firearms and muzzleloader are $34, with bonus permits remaining the same at $18.