Outdoors

Minnesota DNR hosts Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend statewide
Throughout the holiday weekend, Minnesota residents can fish without a license if accompanied by a child 15 or younger. Kids in that age group never need a license to fish in the state but anyone older does.
Minnesota outdoors enthusiasts gather to seek common ground at DNR’s annual roundtable
Outdoors industry leaders, conservation and environmental advocates, hunters, fishers and outdoors enthusiasts discussed issues related to preserving and protecting the state's lakes, rivers, parkland, trails and wildlife.
The year's first meteor shower and supermoon clash in January skies
The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks Friday night into Saturday morning, but fewer than 10 meteors will be visible per hour due to light from Saturday's supermoon. To spot the Quadrantids, venture out in the early evening away from city lights and glimpse the fireballs before the moon crashes the party. 
‘Oh my God, this is really bad!’ New details reveal origins of destructive Camp House Fire
The man who pleaded guilty to starting the Camp House Fire left a campfire smoldering while he left to buy fishing bait. Some people whose homes were destroyed are still struggling to return.
Commission recommends $11 million for parks and trails projects
The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails commission is recommending that the state spend more than $11 million on a dozen projects improving parks and trails around the state.
Arboretum in Baxter debuts new forest skating trail: ‘If we build it, they will come’
The trail opening Sunday at the Northland Arboretum in Baxter winds through snow-covered pine trees and fields in a loop just under half a mile long. Unlike a frozen lake or smooth rink, there are curves, hills and occasional bumps.
State elk populations stagnate, researchers look into why
Elk population growth in Minnesota's three wild herds has stagnated and researchers aren't sure why. An upcoming state Department of Natural Resources research project could help answer that question.