DETROIT – It’s morel mushroom season in Michigan.
The Michigan DNR has released their latest Michigan morel mushroom map - an interactive look at the best places in the state to hunt for them.
Recommended Videos
Michigan offers exceptional morel mushroom hunting in the springtime. While you are out in the woods hunting, fishing or hiking, take a look around for these delicious yet elusive treats.
Large burn sites in forested areas are ideal for morel mushroom hunting, especially in burned areas where jack, white or red pine once grew. Grassy and other non-forest areas are not as likely to produce morels.
A majority of the hot spots are Up North or in West Michigan, but the DNR lists areas in Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties as well.
Check out the map here.
Tips for your morel search (from the Michigan DNR)
- Bring a map and a compass or GPS unit when out in the forest to avoid getting lost off-trail.
- Wear sturdy, comfortable footwear, as you likely will have to go off the beaten path to find morels.
- Be prepared to experience disappointments when searching for morels - some spots yield mushrooms year after year, while others skip years between crops.
- Your “eye” for morels will sharpen with practice.
- Never rake an area for morels or drive an off-road vehicle cross country. A healthy forest floor allows morels to grow.
- Using a mesh bag (such as an onion bag) or a basket will allow your collected morels to stay dry; a plastic bag can speed up decay.
Cooking and eating wild mushrooms
Morels have a distinct flavor unlike any other, and won’t taste like supermarket mushrooms. The flavor is delicate and easily diminished by over seasoning.
The simplest preparation for morels is to melt a generous amount of butter or oil in a frying pan, put in enough morel halves to cover the bottom of the pan, and salt lightly. Sauté about five minutes on each side, and serve immediately.
Morels can be added to soups, pasta, pizza and other recipes that call for mushrooms.
To preserve this short-term, spring crop, morel mushrooms can be dried in a dehydrator or frozen.
Mushroom safety
All wild mushrooms should be cooked thoroughly before eating.
All mushrooms, including supermarket and wild varieties, contain substances which can provoke allergic reactions in some people. Be especially careful if you have any history of allergies to fruits, vegetables or grains, and introduce new mushroom varieties by taking a few small bites and waiting. Don’t assume that because you can safely eat a particular species of mushroom, all members of your family or your friends can. Individual allergic reactions vary.
If you become ill after eating mushrooms, seek medical aid promptly. If you believe you have eaten a toxic mushroom, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.