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With good numbers of drumming grouse this spring and a warm and dry June, the fall ruffed grouse outlook appears strong.
Ruffed grouse numbers look strong again
REGIONAL— The Department of Natural Resources has good news for those who plan to hunt ruffed grouse this fall. Northern Minnesota’s spring ruffed grouse drumming counts are up again from … more
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A single milkweed plant in Linden Grove is devoured by monarch caterpillars.
MONARCH SUMMER
While the long-term prospects for the monarch butterfly remain in doubt, there is evidence that the individual efforts of people who care about this remarkable insect are making a difference. The … more
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all tamarack line the outflow from Lost Lake, at the headwaters of the Little Fork River.
DESTINATION HEADWATERS
As I paddled my kayak along the muskeg shoreline of Lost Lake this past weekend, I had a squadron of defenders watching my back. It’s not news to anyone who has set foot outside this year that … more
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Double-crested cormorants and herring gulls more or less peacefully co-exist on Potato Island, a nesting site for both species.
POTATO ISLAND
LAKE VERMILION— Way out in the middle of Big Bay sits one of the region’s most robust hubs of bird life. It’s called Potato Island, presumably for the many potato-shaped boulders … more
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The Spice Lake fire was burning actively as fire crews accessed the site on June 14. It has since been contained.
Exceptionally dry June raises fears of 2021 repeat
THE BOUNDARY WATERS— Here we go again? That’s the concern from outfitters and lovers of the Boundary Waters in general as one of the driest Junes on record is fueling wildfires and … more
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Ribbon cutting set for new Ely mtn bike trails
ELY—The official ribbon-cutting for Ely’s new purpose-built mountain biking trail system is set for this Friday, June 23 at Hidden Valley Recreation Area. The new trail system, consisting … more
Attendees take an inside look at a barrel sauna on display and for sale.
IT’S ALL ABOUT SAUNA
It was a celebration of all things sauna in Embarrass this past weekend, and Timberjay photographer Jodi Summit was on hand to capture the festivities. more
April Wamhoff
Island Life: Tales from the Number 9 Outhouse
I think a lot of you can relate to the evolution of our “cabins.” We started with just the land, building up as time and money could afford. And we upgraded as time went on. With the … more
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Ely area DNR conservation officer Sean Williams was recently recognized for his efforts in the rescue of a snowshoer in the Boundary Waters last February.
Local CO recognized for BWCAW rescue
ELY— A local DNR conservation officer has been recognized for his efforts that led to the rescue of an individual trapped deep inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area last February. Sean … more
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Amy Vesel with a handful of flowers from her new flower farming operation in Embarrass. Follow her on Facebook to see when flowers are available.
Fresh flowers to go
EMBARRASS- Amy Vesel brought bouquets of her homegrown flowers from her yard to give to coworkers to brighten their office. Now that she works remotely from home, she has decided to pursue her dream, … more
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The magenta flowers of the bog laurel can be found in a bog near you.
BOG BLOOMERS
As in an old Thomas Hardy novel, the blooming of the heaths is an occasion for superlatives. The heaths, members of the family Ericaceae, are found in wet and cool environments across the Northern … more
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Northern long-eared bats were common in our region until a few years ago. Their disappearance is likely fueling growth in our mosquito population.
Bats are down, mosquitoes are up
A 2009 study by a pair of graduate students in Michigan may help to explain why everyone in the North Country seems to be complaining about the clouds of mosquitoes right now. Anyone who lives here, … more
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Take a Kid Fishing weekend is June 9-11
REGIONAL—Want to fish this weekend without a fishing license? Then take a kid with you. During Take a Kid Fishing weekend, which runs June 9-11, Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if … more
A trail camera documents one of countless interactions between wolves and the recently installed fence encircling the Wes Johnson ranch north of Orr.
RANCH RESOLUTION?
SHEEP RANCH ROAD— For years, cattle rancher Wes Johnson has lost several head of cattle every year to wolves. His 1,500-acre operation, located about 15 miles north of Orr, is a rarity here at … more
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While fire conditions vary from day-to-day, the sign at the Tower Area DNR office on Tuesday reflected recent dry conditions.
Spring fire season may linger well into June
REGIONAL— A June fire season? In Minnesota? While June is typically down time for firefighters in northern Minnesota, that may not be the case this year with temperatures running well above … more
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Walz signs ban on commercial turtle harvesting
REGIONAL—Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has signed into law a ban on commercial collection of wild turtles in the state. Each year, for-profit trappers have collected thousands of turtles … more
Like ornaments on a Christmas tree, evening grosbeaks filled a tree in Greaney recently, near where they’ve been visiting a feeder all winter. The feeder owner reports as many as 50 evening grosbeaks feeding there much of the winter. This picture has at least 17 evening grosbeaks in it... can you find them all? (Hint: the females are tough).
ON THE REBOUND?
Recently, it seems, we tend to have more bad news than good when it comes to the state of bird populations in North America, including right here in the North Country. But now, one of the birds that … more
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Steve Krasaway, right, and his fishing partner Mike McPherson, along with Krasaway’s kids Annabelle, Ashley, and Leo, pose for a photo with their trophies and mock checks.
Vermilion resident tops City Auto Glass tournament
LAKE VERMILION— A Birch Point resident and his Michigan fishing partner took the top spot in last weekend’s City Auto Glass walleye tournament here, helped by their first catch of the … more
An angler smiles as she holds up a nice eating- sized walleye caught near Glenwood Lodge on the far east end of Lake Vermilion.
Picture Perfect
LAKE VERMILION— A lot of conventional wisdom took a beating here during Saturday’s fishing opener, including the usual assumption that opener is invariably timed with lousy weather. … more
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It was a snowy winter, but no long term records were set locally. Duluth, by contrast, set a new all-time record of 140.1 inches of snow this winter. Pictured here is a measuring stick reflecting snow on the ground as of March 23 in Vermilion Lake Township.
Plenty of snow, but no long-term records locally
REGIONAL- With the 2022-23 snow season hopefully now behind us, it was certainly above average for snowfall here in the North Country, but not the record-setting winter seen just to our south. At the … more
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Ice-out just in time for the opener
LAKE VERMILION— Warm weather that arrived earlier this week has melted the final vestiges of ice here, with an official ice-out date of May 10, just in time for Saturday’s fishing opener. … more
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An opening day fisherman lifts a little walleye into the boat while another nearby angler looks on.
THE TABLE IS SET
REGIONAL— Patience. That was the advice from most area fishing guides ahead of Saturday’s fishing opener. Not that there aren’t plenty of walleye out there, but as is typical of … more
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A catch from a Kabetogama Lake dock last year.
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
Supporting a fish properly during release.
Tips for successful catch and release
REGIONAL—Anglers who intend to release any of the fish they catch can boost the chances those fish will survive by following best practices for catch and release: • Plan fishing trips … more
You can play a valuable role in monitoring water quality on your favorite lake or stream by taking part in the MPCA’s Citizen Lake Monitoring Program.
MPCA is looking for water quality monitors locally
REGIONAL—The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is looking for volunteers to serve as part of their Citizen Lake Monitoring Program, and they need volunteers for many lake and stream locations … more
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