DNR Reviewing Fisheries Plans for 151 Minnesota Lakes

Issue #218

13 Mar

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

🌤️ Marshall, MN Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 70

🗞️ Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Awards Over $74,000 to Support Regional Arts Initiatives

🗞️ DNR Reviewing Fisheries Plans for 151 Minnesota Lakes

📣 Want to get your business in the Marshall Area Insider? Let’s talk!

📌 Know of other local events not listed? Send us the details!

Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Awards Over $74,000 to Support Regional Arts Initiatives

The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) has awarded $74,244 in grant funding to support arts initiatives across the region. Approved on February 25, the funding has been distributed among local organizations, schools, and individual artists to enhance arts programming, improve facilities, and support creative projects.

Six organizations received a total of $56,268 through SMAC’s Equipment & Facilities Improvement grants, which provide up to $10,000 per recipient to strengthen their ability to serve the arts community. AMP (Arts & Mentoring Project) in Pipestone will use its grant to purchase portable dance barres, mirrors, and new dance flooring for its introductory dance program.

The Pipestone Performing Arts Center is set to upgrade its sound system with repairs to input dashboards, re-engineering of the sound booth, and installation of a new PA system. The Prairie Arts Continuum in Windom will replace outdated microphones with rechargeable wireless headsets, while Redwood Area Arts plans to enhance its gallery space with a new display background, additional lighting, improved seating, and upgraded photography and video equipment.

The West Central Connection Barbershop Chorus in Willmar will invest in new microphones, amplifiers, and a mixer to elevate the quality of their performances, and The Yes! House in Granite Falls will install professional-grade audio equipment to transform its venue into a high-quality resource for artists.

In addition to these infrastructure improvements, three organizations were awarded a total of $7,500 through SMAC’s Quick Support grants, which help fund small-scale arts projects. 2B CONTINUED in Glencoe will host two mental health workshops integrating visual arts with coping strategies.

The Barn Theatre in Willmar will update its employee handbook with assistance from a human resources consultant, and the Granite Falls Living at Home Block Nurse Program will coordinate an intergenerational storytelling project in which elders share their stories, and teens transform them into digital art, audio, and video content. The project will culminate in live storytelling events with interactive displays.

Schools also benefited from this round of funding, with two receiving a combined total of $6,726 to expand arts education opportunities. Cedar Mountain Schools in Morgan will hold a multi-school art conference featuring artists specializing in papermaking, nature drawing, portraiture, and murals.

Ellsworth Public School will host a theater residency with Dakota Players, giving students in grades 3-8 the opportunity to perform a play inspired by The Emperor’s New Clothes, while also offering workshops for the community.

Three individual artists were also awarded funding, with each receiving a $1,000 grant through SMAC’s Quick Support for Individual Artists program.

Justin Beck of Hutchinson will upgrade to a Nikon Z mirrorless camera system, allowing him to capture higher-resolution images, enhance zoom capabilities, and improve his night photography.

Rachel Kepler of Montevideo will purchase glazes and clay to refine her pottery style by incorporating hand-built details into wheel-thrown functional pieces.

Meredith Semel of Ortonville will create stained-glass artwork depicting native plant and animal species from the tallgrass prairie, which will be displayed in the Ortonville and Graceville public libraries.

All SMAC grants are reviewed by panels and approved by the SMAC board. Artists, organizations, and educators interested in applying for future grants or serving as panelists can find more information at www.swmnarts.org.

DNR Reviewing Fisheries Plans for 151 Minnesota Lakes

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that fisheries management plans for Lake Shaokatan in Lincoln County and Clear Lake in Lyon County will be updated this year.

These lakes are among 151 statewide set for review as part of the DNR’s ongoing management efforts.

Each year, the DNR revises fisheries management plans to establish goals and strategies for maintaining fish populations and habitats.

Public input is a key part of the process, and the agency is seeking feedback throughout March from anglers and residents interested in the future of local fisheries.

The DNR oversees fisheries in 4,500 lakes across Minnesota, with management plans updated regularly. Larger lakes follow a separate review process.

In addition to Lake Shaokatan and Clear Lake, regional lakes such as Big Stone Lake, Lac qui Parle, and several in Kandiyohi County are also scheduled for updates.

Residents can submit feedback via phone or email to their area fisheries offices before March 31.

The DNR encourages input on fishing experiences, preferred fish species, and habitat concerns, rather than specific management strategies.

A full list of lakes undergoing plan updates, along with contact information for fisheries offices, is available on the DNR’s website at mndnr.gov/lakemanagement.

Upcoming Area Events

 🗓️ Have an event to add? Send us the details!

Thursday, March 13th

  • Dementia Awareness Event hosted by Lakeview FCCLA at Lakeview Commons from 5:00 - 7:00 PM

    • Pulled pork meal

    • Free will donations will benefit the Marshall Area Dementia Awareness Network

  • Granite Area Arts Council classes: Write your memoir from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM ($20)

  • Cinderella’s Closet at Wheels Across the Prairie Museum in Tracy from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM 

Saturday, March 15th
Sunday, March 16th

  • Cinderella’s Closet at Wheels Across the Prairie Museum in Tracy from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

Wednesday, March 19th

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

Thursday, March 20th

  • True Light Christian School Promise Banquet 2025 at The Upper Room in Marshall (100 W. College Dr., Ste. 300) at 6:00 PM

    • Join True Light Christian School for an unforgettable night at the Promise Banquet, featuring Sean McDowell, and discover how you can make a lasting difference at True Light Christian School.

  • Granite Area Arts Council classes: Carving for kids starting at 5:30 PM ($15)

Friday, March 21st

  • KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

    • Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll

    • Adults $14, Children (age 10 & under) $9

Saturday, March 22nd

  • Spring Fling Pet Event at Animal Health Center in Marshall from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

    • FREE Photo Booth: Bring your kids and / or pets for spring themed pictures

    • Free goodie bags for all pets

    • Free juice and cookies for humans

    • …and more!

  • Youth Sports Activities & Expo at the Red Baron Arena in Marshall from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Tuesday, March 25th
Wednesday, March 26th

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

Saturday, March 29th
Saturday and Sunday, March 29th and 30th

  • 2025 Culligan Water Marshall Home Show at the Red Baron Arena and Expo Center in Marshall

    • Saturday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    • Sunday from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday, March 30th
Wednesday, April 2nd (first Wednesday of every month)

  • Dementia Caregiver Support Group from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at Adult Community Center in Marshall

    • Open to everyone, come when you can, no cost or obligation to attend, refreshments available

    • For questions contact Jane Nelson Como (507) 829-1143

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

Friday - Sunday, April 4, 5 and 6th
Friday, April 4th

  • KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

    • Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll

    • Adults $13, Children (age 10 & under) $9

Saturday, April 5th
Monday, April 7th

  • Marshall Area Cancer Support Group Meetings at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall at 6:00 PM

    • For patients, survivors, and caregivers looking for support

Wednesday, April 9th

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

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