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Minnesota River Valley Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Minnesota River Valley

Good

Minnesota River Valley across Nicollet, Brown, Blue Earth, and Redwood counties — a glacial meltwater trench incised through the prairie. Flandrau SP, Minneopa SP, and Upper Sioux Agency SP. Bur oak, basswood, American elm, cottonwood, and green ash on the bluffs. Dying elm flats produce reliably in spring; chanterelles in summer oak draws.

Trees:Bur Oak Basswood Cottonwood

Updated Oct 11, 5:15 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

The Minnesota River Valley grades Good because soil temps sit at 71.8°F with most species holding 6-7 days above threshold, and the 14-day total of 1.18" keeps the moisture trigger met. Moisture is the limiting factor: only 0.03" has fallen in the past week, and VWC has slipped to 0.16 against a 7-day average of 0.20, so desiccation risk is moderate. Wood-decomposers and mycorrhizal species are the strongest bets right now: hen of the woods, oyster (including aspen and elm oysters), lion's mane, honey mushroom, hedgehog, smooth chanterelle, and the milk caps all have fully established conditions. Chicken of the woods, black trumpet, shaggy mane, giant puffball, and the parasols are still in the "mycelium activating" phase with primordia not yet set, so expect them to lag. Watch for a rain event in the next few days: a soaking half-inch or more would carry this toward Excellent, while continued dry weather will push fruitings into drying-out mode and shut down the marginal species. Hot tip: Hunt north-facing slopes and low, shaded floodplain timber where duff holds moisture, and focus on standing hardwood (elm, oak, aspen) for hen, oyster, and lion's mane before the surface dries further.

Generated by Claude (Anthropic) from the structured weather, soil, and phenology data on this page. The LLM can misread edge cases — treat this as a starting hypothesis, not a guarantee. Always verify conditions on the ground before committing to a long drive.

Foraging Potential80/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

Precip 7d

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Nearby Camping

Within(9)

Sleepy Eye Campground

developed

~6.9 mi from center

Flandrau State Park- Rustic Campground

developed

~7.1 mi from centerFee required/night

watershower

Flandrau Rustic Campground

developed

~7.1 mi from center

Flandrau Semi-Modern Campground;Flandrau State Park- Non-Electric Campground

developed

~7.5 mi from centerFee required/night

17 sites

watershower

Clear Lake Park

developed

~8.9 mi from centerFee required/night

4 sites

toilet

Rustic Campground

developed

~9.4 mi from center

Main Camp and Creek Picnic Area

developed

~9.5 mi from center

Creekside Campground

developed

~9.6 mi from center

Walk-in Campsites

developed

~9.6 mi from center

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.

Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

HIGHPrimed

Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil warming up (72°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

ChagaInonotus obliquus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Yellow FootCraterellus tubaeformis

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Woolly Milk CapLactarius torminosus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Brown Roll-RimPaxillus involutus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

soil warming up (72°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Amethyst DeceiverLaccaria amethystina

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-Gilled GymGymnopilus luteofolius

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Common StinkhornPhallus impudicus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil warming up (72°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil warming up (72°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

Primordia readiness: Cold = mycelium dormant. Activating = soil warming, primordia building. Primed = 5+ sustained warm days at species threshold; fruiting imminent if moisture cooperates. Based on Schmidt 1983 / Mihail 2007.

Minnesota River Valley

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Sleepy Eye Campground

Flandrau State Park- Rustic Campground

Flandrau Rustic Campground

Flandrau Semi-Modern Campground;Flandrau State Park- Non-Electric Campground

Clear Lake Park

Rustic Campground

Main Camp and Creek Picnic Area

Creekside Campground

Walk-in Campsites

Conditions History

Viable Species

Limiting Factors