Mississippi River anglers will have to put up with faster water, and probably more debris, because it's expected to rise about 4 feet in the next several days.
But the National Weather Service at La Crosse, Wis. says that right now, only minor flooding is likely before the river levels off.
Department of Natural Resources conservation officers said anglers hit the river hard last weekend when temperatures were in the 60s and water was lower. Several officers commented on the size and number of perch being caught.
Trent Seamans "observed several nice perch caught on the Mississippi River," according to his report.
Tom Hemker "checked many limits of perch and less of walleye and sauger."
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Scott Fritz said, "This past week the perch bite was unbelievable. Many limits of jumbo perch were caught along with walleye and sauger."
Kevin Prodzinski said some anglers still found places to get out for last ice that "produced some decent fishing with some nice sunfish and perch checked in the bag."
Collectibles Show
The 21th Annual Minnesota Sporting Collectibles Show will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 9 at the Medina Entertainment Center in Medina in the southern metro area. Admission is $5 per person; those 15 and younger get in free.
Items for display or sale are old fishing lures, rods, reels, minnow buckets, duck and spearing decoys, hunting equipment, advertising signs, advertising mail, posters, calendars, books, magazines, traps, cabin decor, spears, knives, sporting art and game calls.
You can also bring your collectibles for evaluation or sale.
More information, go to www.americansporting.net.
Money for gun ranges
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Minnesota shooting clubs will have another shot at developing or improving trap-shooting facilities as well as other ranges open to the public through a grants program from the Department of Natural Resources.
The 2014 Minnesota Legislature approved more than $2 million for matching grants to recreational shooting clubs for developing or rehabilitating trap shooting sports facilities for public use, with an emphasis on enhancing youth participation opportunities. The 2015 Legislature provided $800,000 more for a wider variety of range development and rehabilitation.
Ranges receiving funds must be open to the public on a reasonable basis, for a reasonable fee.
The first grant type consists of expedited small trap range grants of $25,000 or less, or large trap range grants of $25,000 or greater. There is $650,000 available until funds are exhausted.
The second grant type includes small range grants of $25,000 or less, or large range grants of $25,000 or greater. There is $800,000 available in 2016. These grants provide a wider variety of range development and rehabilitation.
Each grant recipient is required to equally match the state money. Applications must be in by April 29.
For applications information or to apply, go to www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/recreation/rangedev.html .
