Wild River State Park Features Electroshocking and Seining Demonstration This Weekend
Wild River State Park will host a "catch and release" electroshocking
and minnow seining demonstration program at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, beginning at the park's River Access boat landing. Jenny Kruckenberg, representing the Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Minnesota Aquarium Society, will lead the program, which will sample the fish found in the shallows of the St. Croix River. The St. Croix is home to over 70 species of fish along its course. Come to the park and see how many species can be identified at Wild River.
Other program scheduled for the same weekend are included in the
schedule below:
Friday, June 20 9 p.m. at the campground amphitheater. Seasons of the White-tailed Deer.
See one of Wild River’s most popular wild animals - and also one of
our biggest concerns - in this short film that covers deer through the course of a typical year.
Saturday, June 21 1:30 p.m. at the River Access (main boat landing).
Darters and Shiners and Dace, Oh My!
Come to the river and find out all the kinds of fish found in the
shallows of the St. Croix. Department of Natural Resources staff will
perform “catch and release” seining and electroshocking in order to
show you the great variety of fish and minnows that are indicators of the healthy water quality in the St. Croix River. Some specimens may be showcased in the newly remodeled demonstration aquarium at the visitor center.
Saturday, June 21 7:30 p.m. at the campground amphitheater.
Stephanie “The Bat Lady”.
Take a lively, around-the-world tour of bats with Stephanie! Learn how bats help to save the rainforests, and why you should thank a bat for bubblegum and bananas! Did you know bats are good luck? And that there are over 1100 different kinds of bats? Join us to discover more! Meet at campground amphitheater.
Sunday, June 22 11 a.m. at the visitor center. Slithery Snakes!
Are snakes slithery, sneaky, and slimy? Or are they cool, quiet, and
cautious? Learn about the snakes found in this park, see live examples (Ripley, a 5 foot 8 inch bull snake, and Winnie the garter snake), and
touch - if you dare - representatives of this fascinating group of
animals.
All programs are free of charge. A Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required on each vehicle entering the park. Permits are sold at the park office at the entrance to the park, $5 for a one-day permit or $25 for a 12-month permit ($20 for motorcycles).
Wild River State Park is located 3 miles north of Minnesota Highway 95 at Almelund, halfway between Taylors Falls and North Branch. For park information, call (651) 583-2125 or visit
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/wild_river/index.html. For
naturalist program information call (651) 583-2925.
