Outdoors - The Timberjay

Records crushed in Mother’s Day heat wave

REGIONAL— An unprecedented heat wave sent thermometers soaring across northern Minnesota earlier this week, crushing previous high temperature records by double digits in some cases. It was the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/15/25

DNR invites public comment on state muskie plan update

REGIONAL— The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting people to share their thoughts on a draft update of the state’s long-range plan for muskie. “Public input, … more

5/15/25

With the ideal forecast, anglers will have no excuse to miss out on this year’s opener.

Picture perfect?

REGIONAL— A week of spring-like temperatures and plenty of sunshine has left area lakes free of ice for Saturday’s fishing opener, and just in the nick of time. That mild weather and … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/8/25

May 5 is the ice-out date for Vermilion

REGIONAL— Plentiful sunshine and summer-like temperatures over the past several days helped melt lingering ice on most North Country lakes just ahead of Saturday’s fishing opener, … more

5/8/25

A tick comparison (l-r) a Common Dog Tick, a Lone Star Tick, and a Black-legged Tick, commonly known as a deer tick.

Warmer weather increases deer tick activity

REGIONAL— With the recent bout of pleasant spring weather, folks in the North Country are understandably eager to spend time in the outdoors. And while we’re still a couple weeks away … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/8/25

Voyageurs National Park sets summer hours for visitors centers

VOYAGEURS N.P.- Voyageurs National Park has released the summer hours of operation for the park’s four visitor centers, Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Ash River, and, for the first time, the … more

5/8/25

The chickens pour out of their outdoor run, eager to free range in the yard.

The wrecking crew

As soon as they see me, it starts. The relentless pacing back and forth, the noisy complaints, all pressuring me to give in to their seemingly endless desire for just one thing. My chickens live to … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/25

BWCAW users won’t be able to pick up permits at the USFS office in Ely due to budget cuts.

Forest Service won’t issue BWCAW permits in Ely

REGIONAL— With most lakes in the Boundary Waters now clearing of ice, the official paddling season is just getting underway. Yet, as canoeists begin to arrive in the North Country, the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/25

Hatchery egg take wraps up in just five days

PIKE RIVER HATCHERY— A late start usually means a quick end to the walleye egg harvest and that was certainly the case this year as DNR fisheries staff here wrapped up their work in just five … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/25

A bald eagle watches warily from a high perch overlooking the Lost Lake Swamp.

They’re watching us

They know our schedules and are obviously watching us. That point was made apparent to me yet again last Friday, when my wife Jodi left the house about the usual time to head to the office. I was … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/24/25

Winter ‘24-25 wraps up on the mild side

REGIONAL— As a second mild winter in a row comes to an end across the North Country, the region’s deer herd appears to have come through in good shape— and that should bode well for … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/24/25

NPS seeking ideas for operation of Kettle Falls Hotel

VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK— The National Park Service is looking for ideas and interest for maintaining the historic Kettle Falls Hotel, a popular destination in the park. The park service has … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/24/25

Using games to teach your dog impulse control

Does your dog jump on guests, steal food from counters, or lunge at squirrels on walks? If so, they might need help learning impulse control. The good news? Teaching your dog to think before they act … more

Nicole Wiebusch | 4/24/25

Morning mist sits atop the ice on Lost Lake this past week.

The feel of spring

I caught spring sneaking up on winter while skiing on Lost Lake last Friday morning. It was at the end of a typically cool stretch of early April weather that followed in the wake of our snowstorm of … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/17/25

A burn crew works a prescribed fire last spring near Pfeiffer Lake.

Prescribed burning planned on the Superior NF

REGIONAL— The air may smell a little smoky in the North Country over the next few weeks as the Superior National Forest gets its spring prescribed fire season underway. Prescribed fires help … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/17/25

And the perennial wait for ice-out begins

I want to thank you all, from the bottom of my cold dark heart, for saving that last winter storm for me. Well, maybe the last. And in all sincerity, I am so very glad to be home that I hardly even … more

April Wamhoff | 4/17/25

Composite decking can last up to 50 years, making it a smart option for home renovations.

No Fuss No Muss

If you’ve long dreamed of building the perfect deck to enjoy your place at the lake or in the woods, you’ve probably considered whether natural wood or one of the new composite decking … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/10/25

A heat pump can tame your heating bills

REGIONAL— Come April, residents here in the North Country are starting to add up the damage from the heating season. Depending on the age and the type of fuel used by your heating system, the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/10/25

Dylan and Sadie Klegstad and Justin Dukek, are the new owners at the Floor to Ceiling Store in Virginia. The Klegstads are at the store daily while Dukek, who still runs a flooring business in Fargo, is at the store occasionally.

New owners bring next generation to Floor to Ceiling

VIRGINIA— A seemingly off-handed comment turned into a life-changing decision for the new owners and operators of the Floor to Ceiling Store in Virginia. Sadie Klegstad had been helping her … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/10/25

The large eyes of the hermit thrush help this bird see in low light conditions, which is when it prefers to sing its spectacular song.

A song like no other

“If you listen to the thrush and hear a thrush, you've not really heard the thrush. But if you listen to a thrush and hear a miracle, then you've heard the thrush.” … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/9/25

While walleye numbers are down slightly on Lake Vermilion this year, there are still plenty to keep anglers smiling.

Vermilion walleye numbers dip, but remain strong

LAKE VERMILION— Walleye fishing on Lake Vermilion should be solid once again when the 2025 season gets underway on Saturday, May 10, at least based on fall test netting completed by the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/3/25

Deer farmers seek relief from fencing rules

REGIONAL- While the battle in federal court over a 2023 Minnesota law imposing strict regulations on the cervid farming industry rages on, the battleground shifted to the state House Agriculture and … more

David Colburn | 4/3/25

Weasels will soon be trading their winter white for summer brown fur.

Look quick to spot a weasel

Catching a glimpse of a weasel in winter always involves a bit of luck. Weasels are the only members of the Mustelidae family that turn white in winter, so they are well camouflaged against the snow. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/27/25

Entering the Quetico from the U.S. side could be more complicated this year than in the past.

Extra challenges and expense could await travelers

REGIONAL— If you’re thinking of traveling to Canada this summer to fish or explore the backcountry, or if you’re planning to spend time at your remote cabin north of the border, it … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/27/25

Views differ on bill to stiffen rules on ATV trail expansion

REGIONAL- A bill that could reshape where and how Minnesotans ride off-highway vehicles – including ATVs and dirt bikes – sparked sharp debate in the Minnesota House last week, drawing … more

David Colburn | 3/27/25