According to DNR social media specialist Tyler Czarnopis, it’s about meeting new and existing customers where they are.

“We love listening to how people enjoy the outdoors and talking with them about something we all have in common, our passion and appreciation for Michigan’s natural spaces,” he said. “Then there are the newbies, those folks who are curious about the outdoors but maybe are a little intimidated because they haven’t had the chance to get out there yet.

“We are focused on delivering meaningful, informative content that helps people of all experience and comfort levels.”

Czarnopis said you never know which posts are going to spark conversation. Recent efforts with big engagement include this little video of a fish ladder prompting some international intrigue and a fun, educational discussion on fisheries management in Michigan; the popular IdentiFriday identification game (here’s a quick year-in-review post) about the state’s native and invasive species; and a tongue-in-cheek post sharing a permission slip for hunters during firearm deer season.

Now in its eighth year, “Wildtalk” remains focused on providing core components – insights, interviews and questions answered on the air – but show producers also say they’re looking at 2025 as a season of “scheming, plotting and looking ahead” to try out some new things!

Listener feedback is going to play a big part in the show’s progression. In fact, listeners are invited to take a survey that’s open right now. A bonus: Completing the survey gives you an extra chance to win one of the show’s popular camp mugs.

Want to hear more? Visit the “Wildtalk” webpage for the January episode, as well as show notes and links to past episodes. Questions about the podcast? Email [email protected].

• Lantern-lit snowshoeing at Van Riper State Park in Marquette County, Jan. 10 and Jan. 24.
• Lantern-lit hike at Orchard Beach State Park in Manistee County, Jan. 17.
• Lantern-lit, guided snowshoe hike at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon County, Jan. 25.
• Lantern-lit Trail at Sleeper State Park in Huron County, Jan. 25.
• Candlelight cross-country skiing at Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area in Lapeer County, Jan. 25.
• Lantern-lit Trail at Fayette Historic State Park in Delta County, Jan. 25.

Find winter adventure on the dunes

Cyclists can enjoy 450 acres of open sand dunes, elevation changes of 80-100 feet, access to Lake Michigan and sunsets over the lake from the top of the dunes during the fat-tire biking season at Silver Lake State Park in Mears, continuing through March 15. There is no cost or registration, but you will need the Recreation Passport if you’re parking a vehicle.

Michigan also has some of the best fat-tire trails in the country – learn about other riding opportunities around the state on our fat-tire biking webpage.

Next month, look for a more in-depth Outdoor Skills Academy ice fishing class, Advanced Hard Water School, Feb. 15-16 at the Carl T. Johnson Center.

Recharge with a winter weekend up north

Enjoy a self-guided cross-country ski and snowshoe getaway weekend at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon, Jan. 24-26 or Jan. 31-Feb. 2, perfect for individuals, couples or families seeking to enjoy the best parts of Michigan winter. Explore over 8 miles of evergreen-lined trails at the RAM Center or the old-growth forest at nearby Hartwick Pines State Park.

Or if you’re looking for a more guided experience in the same up-north setting, join staff from the RAM Center and the Outdoor Adventure Center for Winter Wonderland, Jan. 27-29. This two-night, three-day adventure includes special presentations on topics such as Michigan wildlife and trails, guided winter birding activities and an evening “owl prowl.”

Get some up north, downtown

If you’re in the Detroit area, check out the Outdoor Adventure Center activity schedule for a variety of fun and educational programs for all ages, from kids to seniors, both indoors and outdoors. The January calendar includes archery, birding, an “owl prowl,” yoga with a wildlife twist, state park trivia and much more.

Christmas trees for fish?

People often ask the Michigan Department of Natural Resources whether their Christmas trees would make good habitat for fish. This is a great question, as many of Michigan’s lakes once had woody habitat, such as a fallen tree, every 5 to 50 feet! This woody habitat is important for fish, turtles, frogs, herons and other animals, because it provides refuge from predators and opportunities to bask in the sun, reduces wave energy that erodes shorelines and encourages growth of aquatic plants. Harder-wood trees with an open branch structure provide high-quality habitat.

However, Christmas trees are classified as softwoods, and are typically species such as balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine. These softwoods break down relatively quickly in aquatic environments. The dense branches on Christmas trees that are perfect for holding ornaments are often too dense for many fish to use as habitat.

Additionally, pesticides applied to Christmas trees, leftover decorations and anchors used to sink trees may introduce unwanted materials into our waters. So, if you’re thinking about sinking that tree in your favorite lake for fish habitat, we urge you to consider an alternative.

Suggested Christmas tree uses

What is the best use for that Christmas tree? Here are some options:

• Create a brush pile on your property to provide habitat; wildlife may use it for nesting or as a food source. Just make sure that the tree is pesticide-free and that you’ve removed all of the ornaments and other decorations.
• Cut the tree into small pieces or mulch it to use in garden pots or landscaping, which will return nutrients to the soil. Depending on the type of gardening you’re doing and the type of tree you have, you may need to confirm that the tree is pesticide-free and that it won’t negatively affect soil composition for whatever you’re growing.
• Give the tree to a friend who has chickens or goats. Chickens can roost on trees and goats love to chew on them. Again, make sure the tree is pesticide-free before allowing animals to use it.
• Recycle your tree through your municipality. Many cities and towns collect trees or have designated drop-off locations; these trees are usually turned into mulch.

Improving lake habitat the right way

If you’d like to improve your local lake’s woody habitat for fish, birds, turtles and other wildlife, it is best to use the shoreline woody structure methods promoted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the DNR. These approaches, often called fish sticks or turtle logs, provide long-lasting benefits. Woody habitat should be placed in areas where it won’t impede navigation on the water and be secured to the shoreline or lake bottom to ensure that the habitat structure stays in place.

Regardless of the methods you use, you must secure a permit from EGLE when placing fish habitat structures or anything that may affect the bottomlands on public waters in Michigan. EGLE has developed the Minor Project Category: Fish and Wildlife Habitat Structures permit to encourage creation of shoreline woody structures through a relatively easy and low-cost permit category and expedited process. If you’re interested in adding shoreline woody structure to your local body of water, a quick meeting with your local EGLE district staff person is a great first step to ensure the project meets permitting criteria. Pre-application meetings can be requested through MiEnviro, EGLE’s permitting and compliance database, to discuss project design and regulatory standards.

If you own waterfront property, consider how woody habitat would naturally make its way into the water. Does your waterfront have trees planted near the shoreline? If they were to fall in, would you remove them or leave them in the water for fish and wildlife habitat? You might consider planting water-tolerant native tree species near the shoreline of your property and allowing fallen trees to remain in the water as gifts that keeps on giving back to the lake’s fish, turtles, birds and other wildlife.

“People often get caught up in the excitement of the moment and overlook winter safety,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, with the DNR Law Enforcement Division’s Recreational Safety, Education and Enforcement Section. “This is a beginning of the season reminder to please keep safety in mind this winter.”

Before heading out, make sure to:

• Dress for the weather. Wear light layers that can easily be added or removed – it is possible to overheat even during the winter.
• Check the weather forecast and road conditions.
• Carry appropriate equipment for your activity, such as a flashlight, rope, ice picks or ice claws.
• Have spare equipment available in case something breaks.
• Stay hydrated and fueled – bring water and snacks.
• Bring a buddy.
• Tell others where you will be, how long you plan to be gone and schedule check-in times.
• Carry a two-way communication device that receives service in remote areas.
• Take an honest assessment of your health – if you’re not feeling well, don’t go out.

Wanless said there are additional key things to remember.

Always use extreme caution around ice, as there is no perfectly reliable way to determine ice strength. Wear a personal floatation device and carry ice picks in an easy to reach location.

In Michigan, all snowmobile operators ages 12 to 16 must obtain a Michigan-approved snowmobile safety certificate to operate without a legal guardian or to cross a highway or street. Earn a snowmobile safety certificate or purchase a trail permit at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling.

The DNR’s Ride Right snowmobile safety campaign emphasizes the importance of riding at a safe speed, sober and on the right-hand side of the trail to help ensure that you “Ride home safe to your family and friends.”

Speed is the main factor in fatal and serious injury snowmobile accidents. There were 19 snowmobile fatalities across Michigan during the 2022-23 season, and four deaths during the 2023-24 season. Find more safety tips and snowmobile rules and regulations at Michigan.gov/RideRight.

Learn more about recreation safety at Michigan.gov/DNR/Education/Safety-Info.

Be sure to check the DNR closures page for the latest on trails and other facility closures.

Chinook salmon eggs were collected Oct. 1–16 at the Little Manistee River Weir. Eggs and milt (sperm) are gathered from fish during the annual salmon run. At the weir, salmon swim up a fish ladder and into holding ponds. From there, fish are brought into the facility, where eggs and milt are collected and the eggs are fertilized.

“We experienced a solid run of wild Chinook salmon this year,” said Aaron Switzer, Fish Production Program manager. “The run at the Little Manistee was healthy enough to provide all of Michigan’s egg needs. We were also able to provide eggs to Indiana and Illinois state-owned fish hatcheries. Once hatched, reared and stocked all of these Chinook salmon contribute to the Lake Michigan salmon fishery.”

Coho salmon eggs were collected at the Platte River State Fish Hatchery Weir from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1.

“We collected nearly 6.5 million coho salmon eggs at the Platte River weir by the time the egg collection wrapped up. This includes approximately 3 million for Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. All four states work together cooperatively each year to ensure Lake Michigan continues to receive Pacific salmon to supplement the fishery,” said Switzer.

Not all egg collections are of wild fish, however. Captive broodstocks, fish kept at a hatchery to produce eggs and milt, will provide many of the eggs that will later become stocked fish: 378,000 brook trout eggs, 448,000 lake trout eggs, 2.6 million brown trout eggs and 1.5 million rainbow trout eggs. An additional 422,000 splake eggs (brook trout and lake trout hybrid) will also be collected from captive broodstock to support Michigan’s fisheries management objectives.

At Oden State Fish Hatchery, egg collections for brown trout occurred through mid-October. Rainbow trout egg collections at Oden will begin in December and continue until mid-January. These captive egg collections will occur every one to two weeks over the season. Captive broodstock egg collections for brook and lake trout at Marquette State Fish Hatchery have already been completed.

To learn more about Michigan’s state fish hatcheries or to plan a trip to see behind the scenes, visit Michigan.gov/Hatcheries.