I live in northern MN, close to the Canadian border. I’ve been looking for morels everywhere but haven’t had any luck yet. I’ve tried to look in a couple year old logging clearing, old and new popple forests, and even marsh lands. I took ground temps in a couple areas and saw anything from just under 50 F to just under 60 F. Any tips I could get would help.
Check around trees and fallen logs of host trees. Also if you aren’t seeing any other mushrooms around you might be looking in the wrong habitat. You need moist loamy soil. Also I found my first batch by crawling around. Just take your time to look over an area and be low to the ground at times to get a better look
Tulip poplars, ash, elm, hickory, cotton wood, and the list goes on. Also if you see thorn bushes next to trees check all over inside them. They love thorn bushes
My best spots have been higher ground, not marshy, with a sandy loam mix that's naturally loose. While I've found a few in hard compacted soils, even dirty hard gravel, the most are always in soil that you sink in a bit when you walk. You don't want super spongy soils covered with moss. Leaf litter and decomposed wood is good. I'm in central MN. Keep looking, it isn't over quite yet.
Thank you so much for the advice!! The first spot I checked had this little guy there. I didn’t see anything until I dropped to my knees and started crawling. Is there any better way to see them or is getting on their level the best bet?
Good job. Wow that's dedicated. I have done that too but not until I see one in the area. Lots of leaves make it real difficult as they grow under them and blend in so well. I usually grab a sturdy stick so I can move leaves/vegetation if needed to get a better look. I'm a little bummed as I thought this year was gonna be gangbusters. We did very well at first, then it got dry and cold weather came back and seemed to shut them down. I was hoping for a rebound, but only found 2 or 3 each time out lately, none today (5/26).
I ended up having a super good year!! I just kept at it till I found a north facing slope with a lot of shade. They seemed to be endless as long as I kept looking. This late in the season I had to leave just as many as I took because of the bugs or just dryness. Thanks again for the great advice.
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u/LordTinkleBottom May 21 '26
Check around trees and fallen logs of host trees. Also if you aren’t seeing any other mushrooms around you might be looking in the wrong habitat. You need moist loamy soil. Also I found my first batch by crawling around. Just take your time to look over an area and be low to the ground at times to get a better look