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DNR updates to Ashland County committee: fisheries surveys, elk season plan, bear and wolf monitoring, and fire statistics
Summary
DNR representatives reported on county fisheries surveys (muskie and walleye work), a small but steady elk herd with plans to keep quotas the same in 2026, black-bear collaring and wolf/otter surveys, and county fire-suppression statistics and education efforts; county staff previewed preparations for the 2026 audit.
County fisheries and natural-resources work featured early in the meeting. Jason Folstead reported that fall, summer and spring fisheries surveys wrapped up in Ashland County and that the Lake Galilee boat-landing angler monitoring continues into the first weekend in March. Muskie surveys showed slightly above-average density in some lakes; staff plans follow-up surveys and stocking work for walleye where populations are low. Folstead noted a change in muskie regulations coming through many lakes — a shift toward a 40-inch statewide size limit in some waterbodies — and said survey data drove the recommendation.
A staff representative relaying Jenna’s note reviewed the 2025 elk harvest: the northern zone had high applicant numbers and high success for the limited tags; the central Black River herd had both bull and antlerless tags issued with good success rates. The committee was told 2026 will use a continuous-season structure starting near Oct. 15 with quotas unchanged; the application period opens in March and carries a $10 application fee.
Work on other wildlife monitoring was highlighted: bear-collaring efforts seeking active den sites, statewide beaver-management participation, and wolf and otter track surveys. Staff announced a public-listening session for the beaver-management plan and encouraged written comments.
Fire-suppression and county-forest activity were reviewed: Ashland County had 9 fires in 2025 that burned a little over 27 acres, roadside fires were a major component, and the county is completing DNR time standards (575.25 of 848 hours completed) and timber-sale establishment work. Staff previewed the 2026 certification audit schedule and outlined ongoing winter training and VFD wildland-fire preparation.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about license counts, herd projections and planned DNR coordination; staff said some items (quota reassessments) are subject to annual reevaluation and that county staff will pass detailed questions back to DNR biologists as needed.
