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Minnesota River Valley Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

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Minnesota River Valley

800–1,150 ft · MN🚗 Directions

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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 Aug 27, 4:20 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

**Minnesota River Valley – S-Tier Flush** This is a peak fruiting window: soil temp at 67.8°F, seven consecutive days above threshold, and consistent VWC at 0.17–0.18 have triggered a broad, simultaneous flush across edible and toxic species alike. The valley's recent precipitation (0.12" in 14 days) may seem spare, but the sustained moisture profile is what matters here, and it's dialed in. No limiting factors means every viable species in the dataset is either fruiting or imminent—focus on the high-confidence edibles with proven Minnesota Valley populations: *Hen of the Woods* (HotW), *Chanterelle*, *Oyster*, and *Black Trumpet* are your anchors; *Chicken of the Woods* and *Hedgehog* round out the must-hit list. Watch the next 48–72 hours for peak crispness before August heat dries the understory. **Hot tip:** HotW (Grifola frondosa) clusters emerge hard and fast in this window on oak/maple bases—scout yesterday's oak clusters before the margin foragers strip them.

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 Potential95/100

✅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 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

ChanterelleCantharellus cibarius

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen BoleteLeccinum insigne

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Indigo Milk CapLactarius indigo

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

ChagaInonotus obliquus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Crown-Tipped CoralArtomyces pyxidatus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Birch BoleteLeccinum scabrum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Cinnabar ChanterelleCantharellus cinnabarinus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Berkeley's PolyporeBondarzewia berkeleyi

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Capped Scaber StalkLeccinum aurantiacum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Frost's BoleteBoletus frostii

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Two-Colored BoleteBoletus bicolor

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Caesar's AmanitaAmanita jacksonii

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Weeping Milk CapLactifluus volemus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Bitter BoleteTylopilus felleus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Green Cracked RussulaRussula virescens

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Peppery Milk CapLactarius piperatus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Woolly Milk CapLactarius torminosus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Coker's AmanitaAmanita cokeri

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Northern ToothClimacodon septentrionalis

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Brown Roll-RimPaxillus involutus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Dog Vomit Slime MoldFuligo septica

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Amethyst DeceiverLaccaria amethystina

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-Gilled GymGymnopilus luteofolius

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Common StinkhornPhallus impudicus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Dune StinkhornPhallus hadriani

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

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.