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DNR faces critical shortage of black spruce cones
REGIONAL—If you’re looking to make some extra cash this winter, consider gathering black spruce cones for the Department of Natural Resources. The DNR’s state forest nursery is … more
A colorful shoreline along the Pike River Flowage is reflected on still morning water.
Colors of the season
A pine warbler looks for an opening at a local bird feeder. Pine warblers are the only warbler in the region that regularly makes use of bird feeders during the early season.
The early bird
The return of warblers to the North Country is always a sure sign that spring is on its way, although a couple species can make an appearance even as winter is still holding on. Our two earliest … more
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Bear harvest could be lowest in decades
REGIONAL— Abundant natural foods and continued warm temperatures appear to have given bears the edge during the 2023 bear season, with registrations off 25 percent from last year. With just … more
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Anglers are expected to be out in force beginning early Saturday, May 11 when the Minnesota walleye opener gets underway. Pictured are scenes from the 2023 walleye opener on Lake Vermilion.
Ready and waiting...
REGIONAL— If there’s a consensus about the prospects for anglers when they hit the water on Saturday, it’s that the outlook is favorable for a solid opener. While water temperatures … more
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DNR’s draft wolf plan up for public comment
REGIONAL—The Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments through Aug. 8 on a draft of Minnesota’s updated wolf management plan. The gray wolf is currently under federal … more
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An overlook on the North Country National Scenic Trail in northeastern Minnesota. The 4,800-mile trail will pass through Ely and Tower-Soudan.
North Country Trail chapter organized in Ely
ELY- The North Country National Scenic Trail is coming to Ely and you can help make it happen. Area hiking enthusiasts have formed a new local chapter of the North Country Trail Association and held … more
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Walz signs new law allowing digital images of game and fish licenses
REGIONAL— Gov. Tim Walz, this week, signed into effect a new law that allows anyone with a state game or fish license to use a digital image of their license in place of a paper copy when … more
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The little brown bat and the animals that follow in this picture set is susceptible to being negatively impacted by noise and light created by humans.
Obliterating the sound of silence
One of the things that science is beginning to slowly teach us humans is the way in which we are impacting the lives of other species and the very environment in ways most of us would never imagine. … more
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Learn about alternatives to lead tackle in DNR webinar
REGIONAL- The Department of Natural Resources invites Minnesotans interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune into an upcoming webinar on alternatives to lead fishing tackle. The … more
Students exploring the Ancient Cedar Trail in Tower.
Tower area trails feature four seasons of fun
TOWER- The Tower-Soudan area is home to a remarkably wide variety of trails, and Wagoner Trail Club volunteer Mary Shedd gave a brief overview of all the them at the first Tower-Soudan Civic Club … more
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Blueberries, of varying ripeness, glisten after a recent rain shower.
BERRY ABUNDANT
For the second year in a row, the wild fruit crops around the area are bordering on abundant to exceptional, at least in many places. And this year, June’s early heat has left most berry crops … more
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April’s black lab Nibs looks ahead as they prepare to enter their boathouse on Stuntz Bay, one of nearly 150 historic boathouses located there.
My Stuntz Bay boathouse
Living on an island takes a great deal of planning and consideration. I certainly wish I had done that and not gone on the seat of my pants method. Still, four years later, I’m still here and … more
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Paddle, picnic, and play on National Public Lands Day
VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK— National Public Lands Day is set for Saturday, Sept. 24, and the Voyageurs Conservancy has organized a number of family-friendly outdoor activities to mark the … more
If you’d like to make a difference by helping the U.S. Forest Service maintain the BWCAW, consider volunteering as a wilderness ranger this summer.
USFS is seeking wilderness volunteers for summer work
REGIONAL— Looking for a meaningful way to spend time in the Boundary Waters this summer? The U.S. Forest Service’s volunteer wilderness ranger program just might be the opportunity … more
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The most recent snow depth map shows 18-30 inches of snow on the ground across the region. But the snowpack contains an unusually high amount of water as well.
Region faces elevated spring flood risk
REGIONAL—The North Country is facing the prospect of more flooding this spring, although an unusually limited amount of frost in the ground this winter could allow more of the melting snowpack … more
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Just a skiff of snow remains on top of the ice on the West Two River this week. The area has seen a remarkably warm and dry December so far this year.
Mild December unusual but not unprecedented
REGIONAL— The extraordinarily mild weather so far this month is uncommon, but not unprecedented, according to state climatologist Pete Boulay. It was back in December of 1998, coming off one of … more
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Scattered crusted snow was all that remained in much of the area this past week at a time of year when the region is typically blanketed in about two feet of snow.
Warmest winter ever
REGIONAL— Residents of Minnesota have just experienced the warmest winter ever recorded in the state, and it wasn’t even close. While this story was written three days before the official … more
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While eating freshwater fish, like walleye, can contribute to higher levels of PFAS and PFOS in humans, current guidance suggests the levels are low enough to safely consume one meal per week for most adults, and one meal per month for children and women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.
More on fish and PFAS
In our Jan. 27 edition, I reported on a recent study in the journal Environmental Research that linked higher levels of chemicals known as PFAS and PFOS in human blood to the regular consumption of … more
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Fisheries staff with the Fond du Lac Band were busy measuring fish caught during the 2019 harvest in this file photo.
Fond du Lac harvest to focus on west end
REGIONAL— Members of the Fond du Lac Band are expected to begin their spring netting on Lake Vermilion as early as next week. The annual event is part of the Band’s efforts to exercise … more
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New law has fines for trash on the ice
REGIONAL— With sufficient ice on many North Country lakes, anglers are starting to move their fish houses out to their favorite honey holes. But they’ll want to be aware of a new law that … more
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Checking the ice on the Hunting Shack River, northeast of Buyck earlier this month. The brief cold snap just after Thanksgiving allowed for several inches of ice to form on many small lakes and rivers.For wilderness adventures on ice, be sure to go prepared. The backpack pictured here contains food, water, matches and other survival gear, as well as a complete change of clothes in a dry sack.
Adventures on ice
There are several ways to travel in the North Country wilderness in winter, but none is so fleeting or so rare as on skates. It takes that unusual alignment of November weather to allow for wild … more
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Ice was still mostly white but beginning to darken on Lake Vermilion near McKinley Park on Monday, May 1.
Will it or won’t it?
REGIONAL— Will it or won’t it? With fishing opener just over a week away, and ice still covering many North Country lakes as of late this week, whether that ice would clear in time for … more
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Keeping skiers motivated in a snowless winter
ELY— Motivating athletes in practice is always a challenge for a coach. But motivating Nordic skiers in the North Country’s thus-far nearly snowless winter to date is providing an even … more
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Late spring prompts more bear complaints
REGIONAL— It’s been a long winter, and not just for the human residents of the North Country. Black bears are emerging from their long winter naps hungrier than usual, and with the late … more
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