Outdoor notes

New limits for crappie, sunfish, lake trout and catfish take effect on the May 10 fishing opener.

Daily and possession crappie limits will go from 15 to 10, sunfish from 30 to 20, and lake trout from three to two. Catfish limits remain at five, but only one may be more than 24 inches and only two may be flatheads.

There has been confusion among anglers because the start date for the new regulations is not listed in the 2003 Minnesota Fishing Regulations Book, said Linda Erickson-Eastwood, program manager for the DNR Division of Fisheries.

DNR seeks watercraft inspector intern applicants

The DNR is seeking watercraft inspector interns for the upcoming boating season. Inspectors are stationed at public accesses on lakes and rivers infested with exotic species such as Eurasian water milfoil and zebra mussels. They inspect, inform and educate the public about harmful aquatic exotic species and the threat they pose to Minnesota waters. Other duties include assisting with access posting, conducting exotic plant removal and other natural resource projects.

These are full-time temporary internships that start in late April and run through the end of October, with flexibility for students still in school. In addition to salary, inspectors will be eligible for a bonus of up to $2,000 for successfully completing the inspection season.

Positions are available in the seven-county metro area, Wright and Chisago counties, along the Mississippi River, and in Duluth, Brainerd, Alexandria and Spicer/Willmar. Applicants must have a valid Minnesota driver's license. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible. Contact Heidi Wolf at (651) 297-4891 or write: DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, Box 25, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025.

Local trout chapter to host fly casting clinic

The March meeting of the Paul Bunyan Chapter of Trout Unlimited will feature a fly casting clinic, trout fishing and issues update, and fly tying demonstrations.

The program begins at 6:30 p.m. on March 27 at Franklin Junior High. Use the south entrance, which faces the parking lot on Washington St.

Attendees are encouraged to bring fly tackle. Rod and reel combos will be available for those without one. Membership in the chapter is not necessary to take part in this program. Contact Ken Perry (828-4718), Mickey Johnson (828-1658) or Mike Rahn (829-7569) for more information.

Logger education workshops announced

The Minnesota Logger Education Program has announced its 2003 Logger Education Workshop schedule. The workshops provide an opportunity to better understand and to assist in implementing Minnesota's voluntary site-level forest guidelines and to address the ever-changing challenges faced by logging professionals and forest managers.

This year's workshops include presentations on business management, certification programs, activities and wildlife management. The workshops are available to MLEP members, their employees, and other interested people.

Ten workshops have been scheduled in six locations statewide. Pre-registration is required. Workshop dates and locations are: May 1, North Shore; May 13, Cloquet; May 5, Grand Rapids; May 15, Bemidji; May 6, Grand Rapids; May 16, Bemidji; May 8, Winona; May 19, International Falls; May 12, Cloquet; May 20, International Falls.

To register or for more information, log onto www.mlep.org, or call (218) 722-5442.