FAW Public Input

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is considering changes to several experimental and special fishing regulations for the 2026 fishing season.

Each year, the DNR proposes several experimental and special fishing regulations. Experimental regulations have a set evaluation period (typically 10 years), after which the DNR must determine whether the change should become permanent. Special regulations are selected from a suite of regulation toolbox options that have proven effective at achieving specific goals. Special regulations do not have an end date, although DNR reviews their performance as part of an individual lake’s management planning cycle.  

The DNR is considering regulation changes that would affect these fisheries:

• Walleye in Sand Lake and connected waters (Itasca County)
• Walleye in Rainy Lake (St. Louis and Koochiching Counties)
• Sunfish in Platte Lake (Crow Wing County)
• Sunfish in Sullivan Lake (Morrison County)
• Sunfish in Green Prairie Fish Lake (Morrison County)
• Sunfish in Long (Higgins) Lake (Todd County)
• Sunfish in Maple Lake (Todd County)
• Sunfish in Moose Lake (Todd County)
• Sunfish in Rush Lake (Otter Tail County)
• Sunfish in North and South Ten Mile Lakes (Otter Tail County)
• Sunfish in German Lake (Otter Tail County)
• Sunfish in Jewett Lake (Otter Tail County)
• Sunfish in Rabideau Lake (Beltrami County)

Please complete this survey to provide your input on these potential regulation changes -- if you are only interested in some of the lakes, feel free to skip questions. This survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be open through September 30, 2025.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on new rules under development for licensed fur farms in the state. This work is in response to legislation that created statutory direction regarding fur farm licensure and operations in Minnesota. The proposed rules will establish standards for animal containment and disease testing and reporting, clarify requirements for carcass and waste disposal, and establish protocols for the transportation of live animals and animal products.

DNR aims to design rules that reduce the risk of disease spreading between farmed and wild animals, ensure humane care standards, and strengthen the state’s ability to respond to potential outbreaks. This is part of a broader legislative effort to update outdated regulations for feral swine, game farms, and fur farms. Currently, 24 fur farms licensed in Minnesota would be subject to the new rules after the DNR completes the rulemaking process.

If you would like to review a draft of the possible rules currently under development, please contact Jason Abraham at jason.abraham@state.mn.us. This draft is for discussion purposes only and is intended solely to share additional details about how the rules are being developed. The draft should not be viewed as the agency’s final position on any issue.

If you’d like to learn more, there’s a second opportunity to participate while the DNR is still in the rule drafting stage:

• Webinar: Thursday, August 28 , 6:30–7:30 p.m.
  The DNR will host a virtual meeting with a brief presentation on the proposed rules, followed by time for questions and public input.
  https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/j.php?MTID=m1897d3bbe9a85833526f6cf13b711ddb

DNR will use comments received during this public input opportunity to prepare formal proposed rules that will be announced and published for public comment before they are reviewed by an administrative law judge.