DNR News: Free fishing, winter birds, this week on 'Wardens'

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News Digest - Week of Feb. 12, 2024

a woman and man kneel beside a little boy in a wheelchair. They are inside a building, next to a contained water feature with variety of plants

Worth the trip in any season: the Outdoor Adventure Center in downtown Detroit

Here are a few of this week's stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: 

See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.

PHOTO FOLDER: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used in this email are available in this folder.


Winter Free Fishing Weekend starts Saturday

smiling little girl in blue winter coat holds a fish in both hands as a smiling little boy in blue winter coat and Superman hat leans next to her

Ready for some outdoor fun with family and friends? Join in this winter’s Free Fishing Weekend – Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17-18 – two full days when residents and visitors can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply.

It’s a great time to get out and explore: During Free Fishing Weekend, the DNR also waives the regular Recreation Passport entry fee that grants vehicle access to Michigan’s 103 state parks and more than 1,300 DNR-managed boating access sites.

Michigan has celebrated Free Fishing Weekend every year since 1986 to promote awareness of the state’s fine fishing and vast aquatic resources. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, over 52,000 miles of rivers and streams and 10,899 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing are a perfect match.

Before heading out, make sure you and your fishing buddies are prepared for changing winter weather. As always, brush up on our ice safety tips at Michigan.gov/IceSafety, too.

If you already have a fishing license, take someone new along for the fun and fish tales! Learn more at Michigan.gov/FreeFishing and get the most current fishing regulations at Michigan.gov/DNRRegs.

Questions? Contact Sierra Williams at WilliamsS100@Michigan.gov.


Small stature, big personality: Winter birds of Michigan

It’s probably no surprise, but this colder time of year is when Michigan’s winter birds are most resilient. How do these small birds thrive when temperatures drop? From storing food to fluffing up their feathers, Michigan's birds are masters at doing what it takes to weather our winters.

We’re highlighting a couple of our favorite winter birds that have adapted to freezing temperatures across the state. Learn how they stay warm, how to identify them and where to spot them!

Downy woodpecker

a white-breasted woodpecker with black and white wings and a hint of red on top of head stands on a pale, tan, snow-dusted tree limb

Fun winter facts: An advantage in the winter, the downy woodpecker’s small size allows it to feed on small weed stalks and in large trees. Downies construct new tree cavities in the fall, where they roost and keep warm during cold winter nights.

How to ID: This is the smallest woodpecker in North America, between the size of a robin and sparrow. It has a white back, black and white striped face and a very short, stubby bill. Males have a red spot on the nape (back of the neck).

Black-capped chickadee

a red house finch, American goldfinch and black-capped chickadee perched on a hanging, spherical, mesh seed feeder

Fun winter facts: Storing food from bird feeders in bark crevices helps chickadees late in winter when other food sources are scarce or trapped under snow or ice. Chickadees are also experts in shivering to stay warm. They can control and lower their body temperature to conserve energy at night, entering what is known as regulated hypothermia!

How to ID: These small and lively birds have a black cap and bib, gray back and buff wash on their sides.

Finding winter birds in Michigan

When you’re dressed for the elements, winter can be an exciting time to go birding. Look for winter birds in forests and woodlands or along woodland edges, grassy and weedy fields, and city and suburban parks and yards.

Go birding on your local public lands, such as Audubon Important Bird Areas, or IBAs, state game and wildlife areas and Wetland Wonders. Learn more about Michigan's birding trails and where to go birding this winter.

Check out the MI Birds blog at the Audubon Great Lakes website for the full story about winter birds in Michigan.

For media questions, contact Erin Ford at 313-820-0809.

MI Birds is a public outreach and education program presented by Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan DNR that works to build and bring together wildlife enthusiasts across the state to engage with and conserve Michigan’s public lands for the benefit of birds and people.


This week on 'Wardens': PaddleFit yoga, summer lake patrols

a man in sunglasses and conservation officer uniform drives a boat on open blue water, with another man in uniform sitting behind him

Need a little warm-weather inspiration? Catch the next episode of “Wardens” – the Outdoor Channel's weekly show that tells the story of dedicated DNR conservation officers and other staff members and the work they do to protect and conserve Michigan's natural resources.

This week's show – here’s a teaser video – airs Friday and takes you to PaddleFit yoga classes at several state parks and summertime lake patrols in southeast Michigan.

To get the Outdoor Channel, ask your local TV service provider or go to outdoorchannel.com, myoutdoortv.com or Amazon Prime Video, or call 855-44-OUTDOOR. More than 78 episodes of "Wardens" have featured Michigan and tallied over 36 million viewers!

Episodes air on the Outdoor Channel every Friday at 9 p.m. Previous episodes air on FOX UP/WLUC-TV6 every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The show also is available under the title "Wardens of the North" or "Michigan Wardens" on Animal Planet.

Questions? Contact Dave Haupt at 517-420-0819.


Photo ambassador snapshot: Winter's brilliant blues

snow-covered rocks on shore and calm, gray-blue water stretch out beneath a brilliant blue winter sky framed by a few white, wispy clouds

See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Brandon Johnson, for the Michigan DNR, at Hog Island Point State Forest Campground on the shore of Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula.)


THINGS TO DO

From Wild Science Saturdays at the Outdoor Adventure Center to fat-tire biking at Silver Lake State Park, explore the DNR events calendar to plan your next outing.

BUY & APPLY

Love staying overnight in Michigan state parks and harbors? Apply now for the opportunity to be a campground or harbor host; it just might be your perfect volunteer gig!

GET INVOLVED

Learning how to spot and prevent invasive land and water pests is everyone's job. The 2024 NotMiSpecies webinar series can help! Check out the schedule and get in the know.