DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac, Oct. 19
Know the difference between white-tailed deer, elk
People sometimes report seeing elk in areas beyond far northwestern Minnesota. Hunters need to make sure they know the difference between deer and elk in the field. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website has drawings and traits listed to help distinguish elk from white-tailed deer. Additionally, the DNR encourages people to report elk sightings in Minnesota using the online elk sighting reporting tool.
Deer hunters invited to share wildlife observations
Minnesota deer hunters can use an online log to report wildlife they see while hunting. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources uses the information to supplement its model-generated population estimates, which are an important tool for managing wildlife.
Using a mobile device or computer, deer hunters can enter information about wildlife they see while in the field, including deer, turkey, bear, fisher and other species. Hunters are encouraged to fill out a hunter field log after each hunt, even if no deer are observed. This allows for an accurate estimate of the number of deer observed per hour of field observations, which provides a useful comparison to deer density modeling results. Minnesota DNR’s online log will remain open through the end of 2026.
More information on the hunter field log is available on the Minnesota DNR website.
Cisco, whitefish sport netting to open on northern lakes
Netting for harvesting cisco, also referred to as tullibee, and whitefish for personal use will be open this fall on designated lakes. Whitefish and cisco sport netting is open to Minnesota residents only. About 700 Minnesotans participate each year.
Netting schedules vary by lake and are based on expected water temperatures. As the water temperatures cool, game fish head to deeper water while cisco and whitefish come to shallow water for fall spawning.
Some lakes that are more susceptible to factors impacting water temperatures will open and close to netting with a 48-hour notice posted at lake accesses, other public places, and the DNR website. These are known as Schedule I lakes. Other lakes, known as Schedule 2 lakes, are open to netting based on the set netting schedules listed on the DNR website.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources allows netting when there is little chance that fish other than cisco and whitefish will be caught. Game fish incidentally taken in nets must be returned to the water immediately.
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