Massive Morel Found in Michigan as Peak Foraging Season Hits

Morel mushroom season in Michigan started in mid-April and will run through early June.

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The mushrooms first start growing out of the ground in Michigan's lower peninsula and eventually work their way up to Michigan's upper peninsula.

Where Can You Find Morel Mushrooms

If you're looking to find some Morel mushrooms, some great places to look are in moist, forested areas, especially around dying trees like elms, ash, and old apple orchards.

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Here are some great tips from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

• 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.

Early this week Karen Wedel in Scott, Michigan found this gigantic Morel mushroom

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It's a great idea to go mushroom hunting with someone that has done it before, and knows the difference between a “true” morel and the “false morels,” such as beefsteak mushrooms, which are poisonous.