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April’s black lab, named Nibs, has been mistaken for a lake monster on occasion.
The legendary and not so legendary monsters of Loch Vermilion
Don’t you think it’s time that someone addressed the question of monsters in Loch Vermilion? I mean if not with solid scientific evidence, then certainly with a sense of humor. I am ready … more
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Like most female aspen in our area this year, this big-toothed aspen has put its energy in the production of seed catkins, which are contributing to the abundance of aspen fluff this spring.
When it snows in June
If you’ve noticed more of that white fluff in the air in recent days, you’re not alone. It’s the fluff that female aspen trees produce in order to disperse their seeds and … more
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Mosquitoes and black flies have emerged in large numbers already this spring, testing the willpower of area residents. The deer flies should be emerging soon, and will add further to the hordes of biting insects.
Is an insect apocalypse just ahead?
REGIONAL— Are we headed for a mosquito apocalypse here in the North Country? Perhaps a black fly bonanza? Or a deer fly debacle? Maybe all of the above?In fact, the circumstances appear to have … more
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VCS eighth-grader Libbie Schaffer, was among about two-dozen students from the Tower-based charter school to receive wilderness skills instruction recently in Ely.
Learning in the outdoors
 ELY- About two dozen students from the Vermilion Country School in Tower received a hands-on chance to learn outdoor skills from experienced guides here in Ely recently. Friends of the Boundary … more
A male common yellowthroat in the heavy cover of a willow thicket.
Bandits in the brush
Don’t look now, but there’s a masked male hiding in a brushy thicket near you. There’s no need to worry, however, since I’m talking about one of our more abundant warblers, … more
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A lone cyclist pedals down a section of the Mesabi Trail.
Tower to Ely stretch nears completion
REGIONAL— Construction is now underway on the final two segments of the Mesabi Trail that will connect Tower and Ely, and both segments should be completed later this spring or summer. It marks … more
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Voyageurs National Park updates flood closures and restrictions
REGIONAL- With lake levels continuing to rise across the Rainy River Basin and not expected to recede for weeks, Voyageurs National Park officials have updated their information about closures and … more
Hundreds of acres of high quality wetlands spread out along the Embarrass River.
Plodding the paddies
There are some places that just seem to have that secret sauce when it comes to attracting birds and, in our region, there are few places saucier than the Darwin S. Myers wildlife management area, … more
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One of many docks on Lake Vermilion that were underwater as a result of recent flooding.
Wow! That’s a lot of water
Yeah!! Soft water for fishing opener! And lots of it! Now don’t get me wrong here, and let me make a statement for the record, I am not complaining. I am not complaining! But holy smokes, we … more
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Talking of turtles
REGIONAL—Here’s something you probably didn’t know. This past Monday, May 23, was World Turtle Day. You may have missed all the hullabaloo, but any day is a good time to celebrate … more
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An angler near Fectos Point lifts a little walleye that was quickly returned to the water.
Tough conditions, solid bite
LAKE VERMILION— In the midst of a challenging spring, it was high water, rather than ice, that posed the biggest challenge to anglers here hoping to hit the lake for last Saturday’s … more
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High winds, high water, and ice combined to destroy this boathouse on Lake Vermilion’s Birch Point.
“April was a lousy month” to state the obvious
REGIONAL— As scientists, meteorologists like to view the weather objectively. But even they have been willing to sound off on what turns out to have arguably been one of the most miserable … more
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May 11 ice-out for Vermilion
LAKE VERMILION— There was open water for Saturday’s fishing opener on Lake Vermilion, as the lake officially cleared of ice on May 11, about 12 days later than the average date of April … more
Anglers gathered around Silver Rapids near Ely during the 2021 fishing opener.
Open water for opener
REGIONAL— Mother Nature delivered plenty of open water just ahead of Saturday’s fishing opener, although lingering ice on some area lakes could keep a few anglers from accessing their … more
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DNR fisheries workers concentrate a netful of female walleye for sorting. Unripe fish were quickly released, while DNR staff stripped eggs from those that were ripe, before being released.
Hatchery operations wrap up quickly
PIKE RIVER— The crowd of onlookers began trickling in last Thursday as hatchery operations here finally got underway. It was the latest start at the Pike River hatchery on record, and it … more
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DNR fisheries staff offers tips on potential opener hot spots
REGIONAL— While most anglers in the area are likely headed to Lake Vermilion this weekend in their quest for walleye, there are plenty of other excellent locations and other species to pursue … more
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The Pike River in Vermilion Lake Township was well outside its banks this week, the result of recent rains and snowmelt.
From drought to deluge
REGIONAL— An exceptionally wet April has turned drought to deluge across the North Country, leaving water seemingly everywhere this week as rain and remaining snowmelt raised water levels in … more
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Ice-off in time for opener? You betcha!
So, in using all the prognosticating tools at my disposal— you know, the Weather Channel, years of research by the locals, my crystal ball, I predict that the ice will be off Lady V by fishing … more
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A researcher with the Voyageurs Wolf Project holds one of two wolf pups tagged from one of the packs they’re studying near Voyageurs National Park.
Voyageurs Wolf Project tags first pups of spring
VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK— Researchers with the Voyageurs Wolf Project have tagged their first new wolf pups of the spring. In a posting on Instagram this week, the researchers posted photos of … more
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An adult bald eagle along Hwy. 53 north of Cook glides in for a potential landing at the top of a balsam fir.
The Eagle has not landed
It’s easy to despair at times about the future of our environment, what with humankind’s insatiable demand for resources, destruction of ocean life, and climate change. Yet it’s … more
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A freshly-drilled hole just off shore on Pike Bay showed 24 inches of ice as of Monday, April 25. Other parts of the lake hold considerably more ice.
Lots of ice remains two weeks ‘til the big day
REGIONAL— With the Minnesota fishing opener now just over two weeks away, anglers hoping to ply any of the larger North Country lakes might want to pack their ice auger just to be safe. At … more
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MPCA seeking water quality monitors for area lakes and streams
REGIONAL— Would you like to help monitor the water quality in one of your favorite lakes or streams here in northern St. Louis or Lake counties? Then the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency … more
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Expect more photo-worthy walleye from Lake Vermilion this year, based on the latest DNR test netting data.
Walleye numbers remain strong
LAKE VERMILION— The 2022 fishing opener is right around the corner, and on Lake Vermilion, the walleyes are waiting. Lots of them. That’s the upshot of the latest assessment of the … more
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Redpolls have been appearing at area feeders in enormous numbers in recent weeks as their natural foods appear to be in short supply right now.
New strain of bird flu raises feeder concerns
REGIONAL— Should residents of the North Country quit feeding wild birds temporarily? That’s the hot debate on the Ely Field Naturalists email listserv and elsewhere among bird watching … more
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Four walleye limit appears dead for another year
REGIONAL— It appears anglers will be able to continue to keep up to six walleyes on most Minnesota lakes, at least for another year. A bill that would have reduced the statewide limit to four … more
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