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Topics range from fishing and hunting to history and outdoor recreation. This is a weekly feature story sent on Thursday.

Recent stories

Lake trout live long and prosper in Lake Superior

The oldest known lake trout in the Great Lakes, 62 years old at the time of capture, was recently documented by researchers at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Marquette Fisheries Research Station. This fish was collected from Klondike Reef in Lake Superior in the fall of 2023 by a team of intrepid researchers from the DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Purdue University.
Lake trout live long and prosper in Lake Superior
Otolith from lake trout showing 62 years of growth

Accessibility days: Events offer accessible kayaks, pontoon rides and more at state parks

Events like DiversAbility Day – a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and community organizations – offer opportunities to experience numerous outdoor activities that are accessible to people with disabilities.
Accessibility days: Events offer accessible kayaks, pontoon rides and more at state parks
Participants from the DiversAbility Day at Interlochen State Park on a pontoon ride

Finding myself in nature

A reflection on time spent outdoors as a way to help confront the day-to-day challenges we face in this fast-paced world.
Finding myself in nature
An autumn view from the base of an Upper Peninsula waterfall

Improving deer habitat across the Upper Peninsula

The DNR’s 2025 crop of Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative grants included 15 collaborative projects across the Upper Peninsula for a total of $148,300. The U.P. deer habitat grants are open to proposals on private acreage and public land not owned by the state of Michigan. The DNR manages millions of acres of state forests, but deer herds roam freely, of course, so it’s important to improve their habitat on a broader scale.
Improving deer habitat across the Upper Peninsula
Burt Township students help plant sapling to improve deer habitat

Concessionaires bring sweet treats, souvenirs and memorable moments to state parks

Dozens of business owners and state park friends’ groups partner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to offer extra amenities at some 70 state parks and recreation areas across Michigan’s Lower and Upper peninsulas. From offering mobile food truck fare and rental of bike, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, power and pontoon boats to providing park souvenirs, dune rides, horseback riding stables, splash pad fun and whitewater rafting, these vendor partnerships are essential to creating memorable moments for state park goers.
Concessionaires bring sweet treats, souvenirs and memorable moments to state parks
The brick-and-mortar version of the Chicken Coupe at Belle Isle Park in Detroit.

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