Morels!

Just a couple more weeks or so and we should be starting to find some of these Beauties! Good luck this season!

Is that what they look like, up “Nort”? In your Avatar?

Not sure I would pick that in SE MN but they don’t look like that down here…that I’ve seen.

And yes, can’t wait and hoping it’s a good year!

Yeah that is the darkest Black Morel I’ve ever found. Blacks are much more common in mid to northern MN. That particular one happened to be growing out of very black dirt, which is likely why it’s that dark. It was super fresh.

Here is another example of a more normal looking black morel. I can’t freaking wait!

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There’s a booth at this hip new co-op type thing in St. Paul, Keg and Case, that is dedicated to mushrooms. They had a bunch of fresh mushrooms for sale, including Morels! Sounds like they are from Oregon. But, for $40/lb, I think I’ll go find my own. Can’t wait for the hunt!

SE part of the state has started. Who’s been finding them?! Still a ways out further north that’s for sure.

thewalleyechaser wrote:

SE part of the state has started. Who’s been finding them?! Still a ways out further north that’s for sure.

I had morels Sunday and Monday from Preston.

Little, but good.

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FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>thewalleyechaser wrote:</div>
SE part of the state has started. Who’s been finding them?! Still a ways out further north that’s for sure.

I had morels Sunday and Monday from Preston.

Little, but good.

Nice!

I don’t know if I’m going to get to hunt for Morels this year :(.

FBRM – I had morels Sunday and Monday from Preston.

Hot dam, here they come! That’s the 2nd report from SE MN finding a few anyhow.
I’ll be putting on some miles this weekend!

Has anybody had any luck finding any morels?
I’ve been out a couple times the last couple days and came up empty.

Just wondering if they’re out yet?

It really depends on where you’re going out. SE MN is showing reports but I think it’s still early. The open areas that get the most sun would be the best bet at this time I would think.

My parents said they found a few in their yard over the last week or so. That would be about a half hour south of the twin cities. Hopefully I’ll be finding a bunch while hanging trail cameras during my vacation next week!

I was out today, didn’t find anything. Elk River area.

That doesn’t mean they aren’t there. This was the first time I’ve ever set out with an intent to find them, so I have no idea what I’m doing.

Well, I read 3 articles online and watched one YouTube video, so I suppose I’m an expert now.

If there’s anyone in the area that knows wild edibles, I’d love to learn more

I’ve picked just under 250 on the season in the Red Wing, Lake City, Wabasha area. I go for about an hour a night and haven’t found any “major hauls”, but 25-30 most nights. The hilltops facing southeast have been hot, but now anything other than shaded due North ravines is producing. The size is really taking off too…we have harvested some real studs this week. Interestingly enough, I’ve probably found 2/3 of my morels near small dead/dying elms (4-8″ in diameter).

We had our first meal of them on May 2nd. It’s been a great year by weather and soil moisture standards. I’m not a morel guru and have been successful. The guys who put on hundreds of miles in a season are really being rewarded. A co-worker is really into it and pulled 180 in an afternoon this week. I’d think next week the metro areas should really be going strong after this weekend rain if we get some sun.

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found them popping up in my backyard a week ago so next 2 weeks should be good! lots of rain next few days but next weekend should be peak in SE

BuvkyBadger how do you store that many morels so they keep? Not that I’d be lucky enough to score like that but you never know…

Nice little haul for a quick half hour walk this morning!

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Found these in the Worthington area yesterday. First ones I’ve ever found. Had some for supper last night. Now I know what the fuss is all about. Delicious!

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Found 141 tonight in about 2 hours. It’s definitely prime time for anyone South of the cities to about the Iowa border. I’m still finding most of mine at elevation, not down in the bottoms of ravines, valleyes, etc. Anything other than due North has been producing.

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BoatsHateMe wrote:

BuvkyBadger how do you store that many morels so they keep? Not that I’d be lucky enough to score like that but you never know…

There are a million different answers and theories out there for storing and cooking morels. Personally, I won’t hang on to them for more than 5 days or so. When I was younger I’d sell them for $20-$30 a pound without any hassle. Now I gift them to family friends, neighbors, or swap them for other favors. Immediately after picking them, I put them in a paper bag and in the garage fridge. I personally do NOT wash them until they’re about to be cooked. Water/moisture is the worst enemy to preservation and keeping the meaty texture. Some people will immediately wash them and then eat them periodically over the coming days, but I think that ruins the texture and makes them more mushy.

When I’m ready to eat them, I first half them (or more depending on size). Then I brush them clean with a soft toothbrush and a little salt water. If they are very dirty, they will get a rinse in a collander. Generally halving them first lets you clean them without soaking them.

From there, any of 100s of different ways to cook them can be tasty when done correctly. I’ve had them smoked, grilled, stuffed with cream cheese and baked, fried naked in butter, fried with bacon, fried with some flour or bread crumbs, and probably other ways I’m forgetting. They’re great alone or on pizzas, burgers, or steaks. If you have them once and don’t enjoy them try something different. They’re great, but everyone seems to like them prepared a little different.

What do you guys look for when searching for morels? This is my first spring looking for them and havent had a bit of success yet. I was told by a buddy to look for dead elm trees on southern slopes and look within 10 or so yards of the base of the tree. Are there other trees I should be looking for? Always recently-ish dead trees too? I spent about 4 hours walking around Lebanon hills today but didnt find anything but pheasant backs.

tbro16 wrote:

What do you guys look for when searching for morels? This is my first spring looking for them and havent had a bit of success yet. I was told by a buddy to look for dead elm trees on southern slopes and look within 10 or so yards of the base of the tree. Are there other trees I should be looking for? Always recently-ish dead trees too? I spent about 4 hours walking around Lebanon hills today but didnt find anything but pheasant backs.

I’m not an expert either. People who think they can tell you exactly where a morel grows and exactly why are nothing more than liars. I’ve found them touching elm trunks and I’ve found them a hundred yards from the nearest elm and closer to all types of trees.

With that being said, I’ve always been told that “you find morels by looking up, not down” meaning identify trees to narrow your search. I start primarily by dying elms or recently dead ones. They will grow by anything it seems, but elms are the most popular. I think the biggest key to shortening the learning curve is that when you do find the first ones, try to figure out why they may be there or what those ones tell you (are they fresh or dry, how far up or down a slope in elevation, what direction do they face, what is the soil like for moisture, etc). When there’s a wet spring like this year, I’ll find them in sandier soul than the dryest years where the opposite is true. Early in the season look to areas where the soil will warm the quickest (usually South facing and higher in elevation with thinner or no canopy cover). Ask around at local bait shops, stores, or sporting good shops as many people who find morels will not give you a location, but will gladly share information for timing in certain areas. Be willing to strikeout and put on miles. I’d be embarrassed to admit the estimated number of miles I walk in the woods each Spring when I’m not in the boat…and I’m definitely a novice.
Good luck and share pictures of your find.

Will you find morels where there is field grass, or is it always in woods with zero grass around?

Gordio wrote:

Will you find morels where there is field grass, or is it always in woods with zero grass around?

Look everywhere. When I find a dead Elm with the upper limbs turning black, I’ll find morels out beyond the perimeter of the limbs above. Especially with Elm along a fence line and extending out over a field.

If you find a moss line in the grass, follow it like a vein of gold

Found a cooler full of beer can sized morels before heading west to gumbo land prairie dog hunting last Thursday. Preston.

Ranchers were pretty happy to get a dozen walleyes and a cooler of morels.

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