The Kids Ice Fishing Expo will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 21 at Chester Woods Park east of Rochester.
Last year, it was called the Take A Kid Fishing and attracted more than 700 youths and adults to fish on the reservoir, eat lunch and learn about fishing.
We'll give more details when they are available.
Turkeys and trout
The Department of Natural Resources has programs for novice turkey hunters to go on a mentored hunt and has an adult-youth learn-to-trout-fish event in May.
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Those who want to go on a turkey hunt with National Wild Turkey Federation guides have until Feb. 23 to register. Go to www.mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey .
Youths will hunt April 18-19 and adults will hunt May 16-17.
A youth hunter must be age 12 to 17 on or before April 18, have a valid firearms safety certificate and be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If too many apply, there will be a lottery.
Anyone with quality turkey hunting land for the mentored youth hunts should contact a NWTF chapter online at nwtf-mn.org/Home/ChapterListings .
For more the mentored hunts and turkey hunting, see mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey.
The beginner youth-adult opportunity to learn to trout fish will be May 29-31 near Lanesboro. They will learn how to fish, as well as the basics of stream health. Cost is $125 per pair and includes meals, lodging, guide service and equipment.
To qualify, youths must be 11 to 17 years old as of May 29, and each youth-adult pair must have fewer than 10 hours of fly-fishing experience between them.
Learn more or register at www.mndnr.gov/minnaqua .
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Winterfest ice fishing contest
On Saturday, Feb. 14, bring the kids out to Foster Arend Park for the annual Youth Ice Fishing Contest. The cost is a suggested $8 donation, with proceeds benefiting the Lion's Club Sight Preservation Projects.
The contest is open to all youths age 15 years and under. Holes will be pre-drilled and bait will be provided.
Participants must be accompanied by an adult. Cash prizes for the biggest fish (first, second and third places) will be awarded in each of three age groups, and door prizes will be awarded every 20 minutes.
Mixed bag for anglers, trappers
Some outdoors reports from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers:
• Tom Hemker, Winona, reports "some people were catching walleye and sauger on the (Mississippi) river channel and panfish were being caught in the backwaters. People are reporting they are starting to find antlers.
• Scott Fritz, LaCrescent: "The warm weather gave the trappers another good opportunity to get some active raccoons. Coyote hunters continue to have success with day time calling. All week the squirrels have been active which brought out some late season hunters. High numbers of ice fishermen with mixed success."
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• Mitch Boyum, Rushford: "Winter trout anglers were out with the warmer weather and doing well. Ice fishermen have been doing fair, but anglers added that they need to keep moving to find active fish."
• Kevin Prodzinski, Wabasha: Fishing activity has increased with the nice weather but the fishing success has been spotty. Some trapping activity is also taking place and the coyote hunters are still having some success.
