Travel is still allowed for anglers wanting to fish during Saturday's trout opener on the Brule River in Wisconsin. However, the DNR is encouraging anglers to fish waterbodies as close to home as possible and in their community. 

Sarah Hoye, the Wisconsin DNR Communications Director says distance is key during this public health emergency. Social distancing- the practice of keeping at least six feet apart from others and avoiding direct physical contact- is the only effective means of slowing down the rate of the infection. 

Outdoor activity is considered essential and allowable under Gov. Toney Evers' Safer at Home order, but if you have to drive far to get there, the DNR says that is not your community.

Places like Cook County in Minnesota are asking outsiders, even if they own property there, to stay away. Bayfield, Sawyer and Ashland counties have issued similar notices. Koochiching County and the city of Baudette have closed parks and boat landings along the Rainy River asking anglers not to come north during the COVID-19 pandemic because rural health care facilities can’t handle a big influx of newly sick people.

St. Louis County officials asked summer residents and other visitors to not come north until COVID-19 passes.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a Shelter in Place type order Wednesday which allows "outdoor activities" including "walking, hiking, running, biking, driving for pleasure, hunting or fishing," but does not "exempt public accommodations that may feature outdoor activities from closure."

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