Before you head out this weekend, check a commercial bluefin tuna closure and eased fire restrictions on specific BLM lands. Today’s briefing also covers a new accidental-drowning ruling in Minnesota.

Illustrative North Eagle Lake campground photo: Bureau of Land Management. BLM announcement and photo. Not a photograph of a current fire or a guarantee of present campsite conditions. No claim to original U.S. Government works.

Fishing and Regulations

• Atlantic bluefin: commercial General category closes tonight: NOAA’s October 16 notice closes the Atlantic bluefin tuna General category commercial fishery at 11:30 p.m. local time October 17 through November 30 (NOAA Fisheries). If you fish under an Atlantic Tunas General category permit, or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit with a commercial sale endorsement while fishing commercially, you may not retain, possess or land large medium or giant bluefin during this closure (NOAA Fisheries). Recreational fishing is not affected; the General category is scheduled to reopen December 1 with the default daily/trip limit of one fish per vessel (NOAA Fisheries).

After checking the rules that apply to your permit and destination, browse our Fishing collection.

Wildfire and Fire Restrictions

• Northern California and Nevada: seasonal BLM restrictions eased: BLM’s October 15 announcement eased seasonal fire restrictions that day on public lands managed by the Applegate and Eagle Lake field offices, allowing campfires with a valid campfire permit and recreational target shooting unless otherwise posted (Bureau of Land Management). The affected BLM lands are in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou and Shasta counties in California, and Washoe and Humboldt counties in Nevada; the change does not cover every land manager in those counties (Bureau of Land Management). Before you light a fire, check your specific destination: California’s statewide BLM Fire Prevention Order remains in place, and tracer ammunition and incendiary devices remain prohibited on BLM lands (Bureau of Land Management).

Once you have confirmed local fire rules and campsite access, review your trip essentials in our Camping collection.

Water Safety

• Minnesota: boat-access death ruled accidental drowning: In an October 16 report, KNSI said authorities ruled the death of 56-year-old Edward Chabot an accidental drowning at the Lake Washington boat access in Ellsworth Township, Meeker County (KNSI). He was standing in the water working on a pontoon when he went under, was brought ashore for lifesaving efforts and was later pronounced dead at Hutchinson Hospital (KNSI). The incident remains under investigation; the report does not specify the incident date, so you should not read its publication date as the date of the drowning (KNSI).

Featured Gear: Review the Princeton Tec Apex LED Headlamp, Black/Grey as you plan your campsite lighting. Confirm its specifications fit your needs before choosing your gear.

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