Minnesota DNR urges fish house owners to plan for ice shelter removal
A recent string of warm weather means many ice shelters already have been removed from inland waters in the northern one-third of the state. Anglers who still have a fish house on the ice should plan ahead to ensure they meet the March 17 removal deadline.
The DNR reminds all fish house owners to pick up and properly dispose of any trash as part of hauling their shelter off the ice.
“We urge everyone to have a plan in place and consider removing their shelters early if they have any concerns about being able to meet the deadline,” said Capt. Mike Martin, DNR Enforcement northeast region manager. “While many lakes may have 20 or more inches of ice, ice along shorelines – or cracks elsewhere – tend to open first and make removal especially difficult.”
If shelters aren’t removed by the deadline, owners may be prosecuted, and structures may be confiscated and removed or destroyed by a conservation officer. Shelters may not be left at public accesses, and no trash or other materials – including wooden blocking materials – may be left on the ice. Anglers can still use their shelters after the deadline so long as the shelter has the proper identification and licensing and, if it’s on the ice between midnight and an hour before sunrise, is occupied or attended.
As they venture out, anglers always should keep in mind that ice conditions vary widely, that ice is never 100% safe, and that they should check the ice thickness for themselves.
The final removal deadline is March 31 and applies to fish houses on Minnesota/Canada border waters.

Minnesota’s moose population remains relatively stable
The most recent Minnesota moose population estimate is approximately 4,040 animals, according to the results of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ 2025 population survey.
Results continue to suggest that after a steep decline from a population estimate of approximately 8,000 in 2009, Minnesota’s moose population appears to have stabilized and has fluctuated around 3,700 animals in recent years.
While recent estimates suggest continued stability in the population and reproductive success, Minnesota DNR researchers point out that Minnesota moose remain at risk. Presently, the long-term survey trends indicate the moose population has declined approximately 60% since the mid-2000s. Climate change, parasites, and predator impacts on calf survival all play a part in the long-term survival of the moose population.
Both the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the 1854 Treaty Authority are full partners on the moose survey and contributed funding and personnel for the 2025 annual survey. The survey is available on the Minnesota DNR’s moose management webpage (mndnr.gov/moose).

Women in Ag Day at the Capitol March 24
ST. PAUL, MN – Women from the breadth of Minnesota’s agriculture community are invited to share their stories with legislators and key leaders at the Minnesota State Capitol for Women in Ag Day on Monday, March 24.
Organizers seek to celebrate the role of women in agriculture and raise awareness of issues and challenges they face in their work. All involved with agriculture are encouraged to attend.
“We want to work with legislators and other leaders to help inspire more women to pursue dreams of farming and other ag-related work,” said Susanne Hinrichs, University of Minnesota Extension ag business educator. Hinrichs also notes, “Hearing stories directly from farmers of their day-to-day lives helps our lawmakers understand agriculture and farming that much better.”
The March 24 Day at the Capitol will welcome people from all over Minnesota to the State Capitol for a welcome session with legislators and speakers, to view legislative floor sessions and committee hearings, to experience a Capitol tour, schedule an appointment with your legislators, an end-of-day reception, and network with other agricultural participants. For more information, go to this website: https://z.umn.edu/WIADAC2025.
Participants are encouraged to schedule appointments with their legislators during the day. Further information can be gained at the website above. This event is free, but registration is requested, and is open to all regardless of gender identity or expression.
For more information, contact Susanne Hinrichs at susanneh@umn.edu or visit the Women in Ag Day site at: https://z.umn.edu/WIADAC2025.

Grants Offered to Enhance Minnesota Specialty Crop Markets
Applications are now open for grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to increase the competitiveness of domestic and foreign markets for Minnesota-grown specialty crops.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects that will:
Market and promote specialty crops
Support research and development related to specialty crops
Expand the availability and access to specialty crops
Address challenges faced by producers of specialty crops
The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $1.25 million in grants using a competitive review process, with a maximum award of $125,000 and a minimum award of $25,000. There is no matching requirement.
Producer organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, tribal organizations, universities, and other organizations involved in Minnesota agriculture are encouraged to apply. Individual producers, for-profit businesses, or commercial entities are also eligible to apply if their project will provide value to the specialty crop industry at large and incorporate a plan for disseminating the results of the project broadly.
Grant funding for the SCBGP is provided annually from a block grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the legislative authority of the 2018 Farm Bill. USDA defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, floriculture, and processed products that have 50% or more specialty crop content by weight, exclusive of added water.
Applications for 2025 SCBGP funds must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Visit the MDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program web page for full program and application details, as well as lists of previously funded projects.