Don't forget to clean, drain, and dry
REGIONAL— If you’re heading out on the water for Saturday’s fishing opener, the Minnesota DNR is urging everyone to remember to follow state laws to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Most anglers and boaters in Minnesota take the clean, drain, dispose steps for invasive species prevention every time they leave a lake or river.
“We’re grateful for the partnerships with nonprofits, local governments, researchers, and lake associations, and to the individuals who take AIS prevention so seriously in Minnesota,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “Minnesotans taking collective responsibility to keep our lakes clean and healthy has made our state a national leader in AIS prevention. That’s something we can all be enormously proud of.”
Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:
Clean watercraft, trailers and gear to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into state waters.
The DNR also advises everyone to dry watercraft, trailers and gear for at least five days before using in another water body.

Find a fawn? Leave it be
REGIONAL—The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking the public to avoid disturbing or touching deer fawns, which are born between mid-May and mid-June. Fawns do not attempt to evade predators during their first few weeks of life. Instead, they remain still to avoid being seen. During these times, fawns are learning critical survival skills from their mothers but are often left on their own while their mothers forage watchfully nearby.
Be assured deer fawns are likely fine even if they look abandoned or fragile. Moving a fawn can be detrimental to the animal and increase the risk of disease spread. For more information about what to do when people find fawns or other species of young wild animals, visit the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/eco/nongame/rehabilitation/orphaned-wildlife.html).