Glen Schmitt

Not everyone is fond of the warm weather in Central Minnesota this winter. Glen Schmitt from Outdoors News feels this could be the worst ice fishing season in Minnesota. He says last year's season wasn't good but this is worse.

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.

The Minnesota State legislature at this year's session made it legal for crossbows to be used during the archery deer hunt in Minnesota starting this September. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. Prior to this year's decision by the Minnesota State Legislature people who were 60 years of age or older or had a disability would be allowed to use a crossbow.

Minnesota fishing license sales are up 3% compared to last year at this time. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. He indicates in 2022 Minnesota had 762,300 license sales and Minnesota has 783,000 so far in 2023.