Explore Minnesota Fishing Report

Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls

Changing weather patterns have led to an inconsistent bite on Rainy Lake. Walleye are still being pulled from the shorelines and near the islands, however some are starting to congregate around the submerged reefs in the open water. When crappie are feeding, they are responding to jigs and minnows. Smallmouth bass have been hitting topwater lures on days when temperatures were in the 80s. For large northern pike, work the weedlines around Jackfish, Black, and Cranberry bays. The Rainy River has been somewhat cloudy due to recent heavy rain and runoff, and this led to a decrease in action - expect the action to resume once water clarity improves. Walleye anglers are doing best using shiner minnows, especially above and below the rapids at Manitou and Birchdale. And, for the most smallmouth bass, check out the east end of the river. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

The mayflies came out in force last week and the walleye have been on a feeding frenzy! There haven’t been enough to go around, however, and the fish continue to bite. Many anglers are still fishing the shallows in less than 10 feet of water and having success using small jigs or pitching artificials. Shallow water angling has been very effective during evening hours. Crawlers and leeches with slip sinkers or bottom bouncers have been the most productive. On bright days, consider a colored spinner, and when the skies are overcast switch to a plain rig. Now that the mayfly hatch appears to be over, depths of 18–28 feet should be good considering the current conditions and water temperatures. The northern pike bite is increasing each day, with spoons, jerk baits and large spinners offering the most action. Check the weedy bays and shorelines where these fish are hunting bait fish. Bass anglers are having a blast at the shorelines and rock piles. Plastics and shallow-running artificials should work best, with fish coming from nearly every shoreline. A 55-inch sturgeon was taken last week - please note that Lake Kabetogama does not have an open sturgeon season and these fish must be released immediately. The tip of the week is to use the wind to your advantage, and concentrate on the windblown bays, shores and reef edges. For further information, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion

Lake Vermilion anglers report that despite swings in weather patterns, the walleye continue to bite. The crankbait bite has been incredible. For the most fish, try trolling crankbaits through 6-10 feet of water along the rocks. Live bait rigs are also producing fish, and the reef bite improves with each week. Try a leech or crawler on a lindy rig set-up. Bass are very aggressive and can be found protecting their nests. Senkos, small topwaters and soft plastics are all working well when fished in the vicinity of their beds. Crappies are on the move. Sunfish are an easy catch in places such as Larson, Muskego and Ritchie bays. Northern pike are aggressive but losing the battle with white spinnerbaits and #5 mepps. Muskies have been fairly reclusive since their spawn. Expect these fish to be setting up on the rocks and at the deep weedlines in the near future. The best approach is a smaller bait worked at a point near shallow weedy bays. Lake temperatures are in the low 70’s, water clarity is good, and the mayflies are just starting to emerge, with none on the main lake earlier this week. To find out more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit www.lakevermilionresorts.com

Ely

Basswood Lake has slowed somewhat, but fish are still being taken from the paddle-only areas. Shagawa Lake continues to produce nice lunker-size walleye. Northern pike remain aggressive, with good numbers being pulled from area lakes, such as Garden, White Iron and Fall. The smallmouth bass are fanning their beds on most area lakes, and fish are now spawning in the shallower lakes. Anglers report that these fish are an easy catch when using a well-placed leech under a bobber. The crappies are in the midst of their spawn, with anglers reporting some large females full of eggs - please handle them gently and return them to the water as soon as possible. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Northwest Minnesota
Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Fishing remains excellent on Lake of the Woods, with anglers and guides reporting lots of success in 12-32 feet of water. For the most fish, use a crawler or frozen shiner when anchored and jigging or drifting. The hot spots remain the Morris Point Gap, Zippel Bay, and the Lighthouse Gap. Anglers that venture farther north are being rewarded with good numbers of fish at Garden Island and Little Oak Island. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

The hottest lakes for walleye remain the large shallow lakes such as Winnibigoshish and Upper Red lakes. Walleye can still be found in the shallows at the rocks and cabbage weed beds. Lake Winnibigoshish is best when there’s a slight wind. Upper Red produces best when conditions are relatively calm. On most area lakes, fish can be found at both the deep and shallow structure. When fishing the deeper waters use live bait rigs with leeches, nightcrawlers or larger minnows. Shallow water anglers are having the most success using jigs and minnows, crankbaits, and slip-bobber rigs. Bass fishing has been good in the extreme shallows with the heaviest cover. Muskie action should improve as water temperatures rise and the algae blooms increase. Perch fishing is improving in the shallows of most of the larger area lakes. Crappies can be found at the edges of the structure during lowlight hours. Sunfish are active on the deep edge of the weeds. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Cass Lake

Walleye can be found both deep and shallow depending on the current weather conditions. When fishing the shallows, hit depths of 7 feet using #5 shad raps or a jig and minnow combination. Anglers are also taking lots of crappies and large bluegills from the shallows. For more information, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Walker/Leech Lake

On Leech Lake, walleye action has been good when pulling shad raps. The Goose Island Flats are good place to start, with active fish being taken during the day from Sucker Bay and Portage Bay. During evening hours, hit Pine Point, Grand Vu Flats, and Northland Reef to Spirit Reef using a perch- or crayfish-colored shad rap. The Little Hardwood area produced limits of walleye last Sunday. For the most fish, use a lindy rig and leech, with some nice 27-inch walleye being reported. To learn more, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit www.leech-lake.com

Park Central Minnesota
Pine River Area Lakes

Last weekend’s windy conditions made it difficult to fish the larger area lakes. Anglers that fished the quiet bays and sheltered areas found lots of largemouth bass when using plastics, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. One angler from South Dakota reported catching and releasing over fifty bass from each of two smaller lakes located northeast of Pine River. Walleye anglers are still having trouble locating concentrated schools of fish on most lakes, but some anglers report that schools are beginning to develop in depths of 20-30 feet. Leeches and inflated nightcrawlers are quickly becoming the bait of choice, especially when fished plain or on a floating jig. Northern pike have been very active at the deep edge of the weedlines in 15-20 feet of water. Any artificial or spinner and minnow combination has worked well. Crappies have established their summer patterns and are active early in the morning and late in the evening along the weedlines. Sunfish are completing their spawn and can be found just off their shallow spawning beds. Try a small jig tipped with a waxworm or angle worm for lots of fish. With stable weather patterns in the forecast, the Fourth of July weekend could be one of the best of the year! The tip of the week is to use two or three small florescent red beads and a small spinner in front of your hook tipped with a leech or nightcrawler when the walleye turn finicky! To find out more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

The forecast for this weekend is excellent and the fishing should be equally as good! Walleye continue to bite during evening hours on the shallow rocks, with leeches and slip-floats producing the most fish. Hit depths of 6-12 feet at the shallow water reefs between 6:00 p.m. and dark for lots of action. If the reef is crowded, try trolling shad-raps. During the day, walleye can be found on the deeper flats and on the gravel bars. Look for an active school of fish, and then drop a lindy rig and crawler using a slower presentation. Smallmouth bass action was great all last week, and a couple of anglers reported boating over 30 fish a day, with the fish averaging 18-inches long! Muskie reports have been few, which is usually the case even when anglers are having success! For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar Lakes Area

Warmer temperatures brought some excellent fishing to the Willmar area lakes. Panfish are active and biting on Florida, Andrew, Nest, and North Long lakes. Walleye are being pulled from depths of 25-40 feet on Green Lake. Nest Lake anglers are doing well with the panfish and walleye. For good numbers of panfish, hit the shallow waters near the shorelines and docks. Bass action has been good in 10 feet of water or less. For further information, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com

Southern Minnesota
Cannon Falls

On the Cannon River, anglers are taking lots of catfish on stink baits, cut bait, and crawlers, especially late in the evening. Smallmouth bass anglers are having success during morning and evening hours when using spinners and tails tipped with crawlers. On Lake Byllesby, crappie anglers are doing well using minnows during lowlight hours. For walleye, head out on Lake Byllesby from evening until dusk using fathead minnows. To learn more, dial 507/263-2289, or visit www.cannonfalls.org

Lake City

The walleye and sauger bite remains as strong as ever on Lake Pepin. Lots of nice-sized fish continue to be taken by those trolling crankbaits and using leeches or crawlers on a live bait rig. The cooler temperatures late this week should help to prolong this phenomenal bite, with water temperatures currently in the low 70’s. Bass and catfish anglers are having a blast in the many backwater and side channel areas of the river system. To find out more, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Fairmont Area Chain Of Lakes

The crappie bite remains great throughout the chain of lakes, but anglers are having to work a bit harder for them. Most of these fish have finished spawning and are moving to deeper waters. For the most fish, hit 15-17 feet of water on Budd Lake, behind the filtration plant on Sisseston, off the public docks, at the George Lake public docks, and near the Hobo Trail. Amber lake is also producing lots of crappies, along with some nice catfish. Use a crappie minnow for the crappies, and try dough bait for the catfish. Bluegill and sunfish action has been best during morning hours and towards evening. Try waxworms in the Wards Park area of Lake Sisseton for lots of bluegills. Walleye anglers are reporting some nice fish on Hall Lake, especially on cloudy days and during lowlight hours. Shad raps are working best, however one nice fish recently came in on a nightcrawler. A few walleye are also coming out of Amber Lake. Outside of town, Fox Lake has been good for a few walleye and muskie. Imogene and Okamanpedon lakes are also producing fish. Conservation Club members are reporting 1- to 2-pound crappies coming from North Silver lake. Bass are active on most area waters, and especially on Budd and Sisseston lakes. For further information, dial 1-800-657-3280, or visit www.visitfairmontmn.com

 

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Posted by: cjjohnso on July 02, 2009 at 3:38 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Minnesota Eagles

Its white head and tail stand out against the blue sky, its dark wings outstretched in a seven-foot span, as the bald eagle glides gracefully far overhead. It's exciting to see a bald eagle in flight. And in much of Minnesota, the sight is not as rare as it once was.
This majestic bird faced extinction just a few decades ago. But with federal protection since 1972 and bald eagle management programs, eagle populations have taken flight in Minnesota. The state is now home to about 700 nesting pairs during the summer, the largest population in the country outside of Alaska.

 

Photo courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Fun eagle facts: Bald eagles mate for life and often return to the same nest year after year. The nests are very large, 5-8 feet across, usually placed near the top of tall red or white pines or aspen. Eagles typically lay two eggs, usually in March, and parents take turns incubating the eggs. Young eagles begin to fly in late June or early July, and leave the nest about a month later. Since fish are their primary food, eagles nest near lakes and rivers. The bald eagle was chosen as our nation's symbol in 1782, narrowly beating out the wild turkey. It’s hard to imagine that instead of a “Gold Eagle” coin…we could have had a “Grey Gobbler”.
Where they are: The Chippewa National Forest is north central Minnesota is a prime nesting area, with about 180 nesting pairs. Some good viewing areas are Federal Dam at Leech Lake, Winnie Dam at the east end of Lake Winnibigoshish, the Knutson Dam near Cass Lake, and the Mississippi River along Highway 2 between Cass Lake and Deer River. The Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge near Detroit Lakes is also an excellent area for viewing eagles.
In northeastern Minnesota, there are bald eagles at Voyageurs National Park, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Bear Head Lake State Park near Ely, Lake Vermilion, and Trout Lake near Coleraine.
Eagles have increasingly moved into southern Minnesota, as well, along the St. Croix River between Taylors Falls and Stillwater; along the Mississippi River, even in the Twin Cities area; and along the Minnesota River, as far west as the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area. The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Elk River also has nesting pairs.
For an up-close view, visit the storefront National Eagle Center in Wabasha, about 75 miles southeast of St. Paul along the Mississippi River. This small interpretive center is home to three resident bald eagles; due to previous injuries, they can no longer live in the wild.
Observing bald eagles: In the areas mentioned above, bald eagles may be observed from shore or even while driving in cars, but a good way of spotting one is from a boat, especially on some of the larger northern lakes. Watch for them flying overhead, dropping to the water to pluck out a fish, or perching in the branches of a tall tree along the bank of a river or lake. Early morning and evening are the best viewing times.
If you are fortunate enough to spot a nest, do not go near it! Human encroachment can cause eagles to abandon their nests. From a distance, watch the eagles through binoculars or a spotting scope or a telescopic lens on your camera.
 

Posted by: cjjohnso on July 01, 2009 at 9:12 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Minnesota Festivals & Events

Southern Minnesota
A 4th of July Festival will be held throughout the city of Elysian, Thursday, July 2 through Sunday, July 5. Highlights will include a pageant, live music and street dances, a medallion hunt, turtle races, fireworks, the Lake Francis boat parade, a car show, flea market, pancake breakfast, kids’ fishing contest, and kiddie and grand parades. To find out more, dial 1-800-507-7787, or visit www.elysianmn.com

The city of Austin will hold its annual 4th of July Freedomfest, Friday through Sunday, July 3-5, with games, great food, live music, a parade, fireworks display, the annual Hog Jog, a bike race, and a fishing contest. To learn more, dial 1-800-444-5713, or check out www.austincvb.com

An Old-Fashioned 4th of July celebration will be held throughout the city of Harmony, July 3-5, with a grand parade, ice cream social, children’s games, live music, fireworks display, sports tournaments, and church dinners! And, an 1899 Independence Day Celebration will be held nearby at Historic Forestville in Preston on July 4. Come experience 1890s-style Independence Day, with music, games, contests, and refreshments. There will also be a political speech and a reading of the Declaration of Independence by costumed history players. For further information, dial 1-800-428-2030, or visit www.bluffcountry.com

Clear Lake Park in Waseca will be the site of the annual July 4th Lakefest Celebration on Saturday, July 4. Featured will be live music by local acts, children’s activities, a boat parade, youth dancers, great food, and fireworks over the lake. And on Sunday, July 5, head to Waseca’s Maplewood Park for Chautauqua 2009, and enjoy live music, interactive theatre, crafts, refreshments and treats, and walks in the woods with naturalist & story-teller Al Batt. For more information, dial 1-888-992-7322, or check out www.wasecachamber.com

The annual Giant Days celebration will be held Friday and Saturday, July 10 & 11, in downtown Blue Earth and at the Faribault County Fairgrounds, with sidewalk sales, a car show, parade, community supper, street dance, fireworks, historical tours, a demolition derby, bike ride, the Tour of Gardens, and children’s activities. To find out more, dial 507/526-2916, or visit www.blueearthchamber.com

The Church of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Rochester will hold the 6th Annual St. John’s Block Party on Saturday, July 11. This all-day event features live music by thirteen unique bands, as well as great food, refreshments, children’s activities and fellowship. For rates and times, dial 507/288-7372, or check out www.sjblockparty.org

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
The 2009 Taste of Minnesota will be held Thursday through Sunday, July 2-5, at Harriet Island on the Mississippi River across from downtown St. Paul. In addition to fireworks each night, enjoy music by Elvis Costello, Judas Priest, Whitesnake, Staind, Bret Michaels and many other local and national acts! There will also be lots of great food and refreshments, and a KidZone with pony rides, midway rides, face painting, and a petting zoo. Get in for $10.00 and receive $10.00 in food tickets. To find out more, dial 651/772-9980, or visit www.tasteofmn.com

The downtown Minneapolis riverfront, located along the Mississippi River, will be the site of the Minneapolis Red, White, and Boom Fourth of July Celebration on Saturday, July 4, with a day filled with live music, street entertainers, children’s activities, great summer food, and a huge fireworks display. To learn more, check out www.mplsredwhiteboom.com

An Independence Day Celebration will be held at Historic Fort Snelling in St. Paul on July 4. Spend the day celebrating our nation’s independence as people did 178 years ago. Highlights include a theatrical presentation, dancing with the residents of the frontier fort, historic games, canon salutes, and patriotic speeches. For rates and times, dial 612/726-1171, or visit www.mnhs.org/places/sites/hfs

Minnesota Pioneer Park in Annandale will be the site of an Independence Day Old West Extravaganza on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 & 5, with historic western living portrayed through street theater, Wild West shows, numerous displays, and a Buffalo Hunters Camp. In addition, enjoy the Minnesota Fast Draw competition and bluegrass music, as well as a 4th of July Parade running through downtown Annandale. For more information, dial 320/274-8489, or check out www.pioneerpark.org

The 2009 Cities 97 Basilica Block Party will take place Friday through Sunday, July 10-12, at The Basilica of St Mary in downtown Minneapolis. Featured will be performances by 16 of the hottest national and regional acts on three outdoor stages, as well as great food and cold beverages, tours of The Basilica, and various raffles. And on Sunday afternoon, families will enjoy food and beverages, games, entertainment, special musical performances, and songs by the Basilica choirs! For further information, dial 612/333-1381, or visit www.basilicablockparty.org

The city of Anoka will be the site of the Anoka Riverfest & Craft Fair on Saturday, July 11. This is one of the Twin Cities’ largest summer craft events, with over 150 juried artisans and crafters. In addition, there will be free riverboat rides on the Rum and Mississippi rivers, live music on three stages, a bass fishing tournament, and Ghost Tours offered by the Anoka County Historical Society. To find out more, dial 763/421-7130, or check out www.anokariverfest.com

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago at the Target Center in Minneapolis, July 1
No Doubt with Paramore at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, July 5
An Evening with Il Divo at the Xcel Energy Center, July 8
The Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009 at the Target Center, July 8
Chris Isaak at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, July 11
Green Day at the Target Center, July 11
Arlo Guthrie at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, July 16
Beyoncé at the Target Center, July 16
The Fray with Jack’s Mannequin at the Target Center, July 21
John Legend at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, July 22
Jamie Foxx at the Target Center, July 23
Lyle Lovett at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, July 23
Godsmack at The Myth in Maplewood, July 24
Kevin Costner & Modern West at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, July 29
Solid Gold at Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 31
Vans Warped Tour at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, August 2
Tori Amos at the Historic State Theatre, August 5
Collective Soul at First Avenue in Minneapolis, August 6
The Moody Blues at the Target Center, August 6
Reel Big Fish and The English Beat at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 12
Tracy Chapman at The O’Shaughnessy in Saint Paul, August 15
Rod Stewart at the Target Center, August 18
The Pretenders at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, August 19
Dar Williams at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 21
BonTaj Roulet: Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, August 27
Kid Rock & Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 29
Kelly Clarkson at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 30
Jackson Browne at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 31
American Idols Live! Tour 2009 at the Target Center, September 1
Loggins & Messina at the Historic State Theatre, September 1
Randy Travis at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 1
O.A.R. with special guests Slightly Stoopid and Brett Dennen at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 2
Casting Crowns at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 3
Mary Poppins at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, September 3-20
REO Speedwagon & Styx at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, September 5
WWE Presents Raw Live at the Xcel Energy Center, September 5
Aerosmith and ZZ Top at the Xcel Energy Center, September 8
Pet Shop Boys at the Historic State Theatre, September 16
Kings of Leon at the Target Center, September 28
Celtic Thunder at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, October 29
Metallica at the Target Center, October 13
Miley Cyrus at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 29
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

Central Minnesota
Hill City’s 101st 4th of July Celebration will be held throughout the city of Hill City, Friday through Sunday, July 3-5, with a parade, street games, a water show, a Floatilla Parade on Hill Lake, fireworks display, craft and food vendors, live entertainment and other activities. For more information, dial 218/697-2446, or visit www.hillcitymnchamber.com

The city of Spicer will hold a 4th of July Celebration, July 3-5. Festivities will include tournaments, a street dance, parade, spectacular fireworks display, a flea market, and lots of fun activities. For further information, dial 320/796-8066, or check out www.spicermn.com

The Brainerd 4th of July American Celebration will be held Saturday, July 4, with a free Corn On The Cob Feed at Don Adamson Field, a parade, live entertainment, and a huge fireworks display. Also taking place in Brainerd will be the 23rd Annual Show & Go at the Brainerd International Raceway, July 3-5, and the annual Arts in the Park held at Gregory Park on July 5. To find out more, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

The city of Litchfield will host the annual Litchfield Watercade, Thursday through Sunday, July 9-12. Highlights include a Grand Day parade, Art In The Park, a Lip Sync contest, fun runs, a fishing contest, Kiddie parade, a water ski show, a brat feed, Ice Cream in the Park, a Beach Party, fireworks, and more! For further information, dial 320/221-3528, or check out www.watercade.com

Riverfest will be held throughout the city of Monticello, July 9-12, with a family fun night, talent show, a large outdoor art festival and craft sale, duck races, and fireworks display. To learn more, dial 763/295-2700, or visit www.monticelloriverfest.com

The city of Fergus Falls will be the site of the Phelps Mill Festival, Saturday and Sunday, July 11 & 12. Featured will be the artwork of 165 exhibitors, as well as great food, live music, and a children’s activity area. For more information, dial 218/739-5377, or check out www.phelpsmillfestival.com

Northern Minnesota
The Ninth Annual Freedom Fête & Patriotic Festival will be held in the city of Aurora, Thursday through Saturday, July 2-4, with traditional patriotic parades, children’s activities and games, a quilt show, spectacular fireworks, a hog roast, and live music by local and regional entertainers! For more information, dial 218/229-3335, or visit www.auroramnchamber.com/events

The Double J Rodeo Grounds in Park Rapids will be the site of PBR Challenger Tour Bull Rides, Friday through Sunday, July 3-5. This is Minnesota’s largest bull-riding competition, with professional bull-riders competing for prizes. Dances will follow the competitions each night. And on Saturday, July 4, enjoy a 4th of July Parade on Main Street, followed by a community band concert and fireworks display. For further information, dial 1-800-565-3521, or check out www.parkrapids.com

Sweetheart Days will take place at the Hackensack City Park, Saturday through Wednesday, July 4-7, with a fabulous fireworks display, a golf tournament, family activities, games, a parade, flea market, and kids’ fishing contest. To learn more, dial 1-800-279-6932, or check out www.hackensackchamber.com

Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth will be the site of Fourth Fest, Saturday and Sunday, July 4 & 5. Visitors will enjoy ongoing concerts, a huge fireworks extravaganza, a Fly-By by the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard, food, craft vendors, children’s games, and a performance by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. To find out more, dial 1-800-4-duluth, or visit www.visitduluth.com/events/fourthfest.php

The annual Corn and Clover Carnival will be held throughout the city of Hinckley, Friday and Saturday, July 10 & 11, with live entertainment, lots of great food, a street dance, Kiddie parade, Little Miss contest, a large midway, and more! For further information, dial 320/384-7837, or check out www.hinckleychamber.com

The city of Kabetogama will host the Land of the Lady Slipper Festival, Friday through Sunday, July 10-12, with an outdoor juried arts and crafts show, live entertainment, lots of food vendors, boat tours, barrel train rides, a petting zoo, and games for all ages. For more information, dial 1-800-524-9085

The Northwest Water Carnival will be held Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 19 throughout Detroit Lakes. Daily events include the Parade of the Northwest, a talent show, Miss Northwest Pageant, demolition derbies, water fights, an ice cream social, a chili cook-off, classic car show, beer gardens, a Bash on the Beach, a fly-in pancake breakfast, Polka at the Pavilion, and a beer tasting and home brew contest. To learn more, dial 1-800-542-3992, or visit www.dlwatercarnival.com

 

Posted by: cjjohnso on July 01, 2009 at 9:02 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Are We There Yet ?

Shouldn’t Be A Problem On This Journey.

For generations, Minnesotans have been making pilgrimages to the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park. The beginning of the Mighty Miss. is 1475 feet above sea level as it begins to flow on its winding way 2552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.

photo courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism

 Itasca State Park is home to some of Minnesota's tallest red and white pines, which can be seen along the park's scenic 17-mile Wilderness Drive. The photo opportunities are numerous, so stock up on film before you hit the road.
Itasca is Minnesota's oldest state park, established in 1891. You can walk across the Mississippi where it begins as a small stream, or see the river's source as part of a boat tour on Lake Itasca. The park has two impressive visitor centers-the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center and the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center, complete with a restaurant and gift shop.

 Minnesota's first birding trail, the Pine-to-Prairie Trail, passes through the Detroit Lakes Wetlands Management District and the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. Trumpeter swans congregate here each year followed by flocks of scarlet tanagers and brilliant orange Baltimore orioles.

The Loon Capital of the World"-otherwise known as Park Rapids-is 40 miles east on Highway 34. "That claim to fame is theres', because they have 500 lakes in a 30-mile radius, and many, many of them have loon nests," according to the executive director of the Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

The Heartland State Trail was the first section of abandoned Minnesota railroad bed to be paved for recreational use, including biking and in-line skating. Level and scenic, the trail runs for 27 miles between Park Rapids and Walker, with another 20 paved miles heading north from Walker to Cass Lake.

 Now, if you’re looking for a great “Eater to Eatery” ratio, check out Dorset. The most restaurants per capita in the world" is tiny Dorset's big boast. About five miles east of Park Rapids, the town has seven restaurants but only 23 residents. Choose from Italian, Mexican, and American cuisine, or sample them all at A Taste of Dorset on the first Sunday in August. In addition to food, this lighthearted street fair features games, entertainment, and the annual selection of Dorset's mayor. For $1 a chance, anyone can enter, and if your name is drawn, you get the title for a year.

Still not enough to keep the kids happy?

The world's largest Paul Bunyan statue kneels alongside Highway 34 in Akeley, where the mythical lumberjack's story is said to have originated as advertising for the Red River Lumber Company. The town will celebrate Paul Bunyan Days in June with a variety of family activities. You'll find other entertainment along the byway, as well. The Woodtick Musical Theater in Akeley has a well established reputation for country, gospel and bluegrass music plus comedy.

 

 

 photo courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism

 Eight miles south of Park Rapids in the tiny village of Hubbard, the Long Lake Theater will present a season of summer performances. The community theater converted an old church into its performance space.  And, with hundreds of lakes in the area and dozens of golfing opportunities it might be difficult to decide whether there are more fishing holes or golf holes in this great section of Minnesota.

Of course, this isn't a complete list of the byway attractions in Minnesota, but, like wading across the Mississippi headwaters, it's enough to get your feet wet and asking "where should we go next?" 

Posted by: cjjohnso on June 17, 2009 at 12:33 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

response to question in "Let's Talk Fishing"

Hi Greg.....

 

the best place to find current info on Upper Red Lake in Minnesota is on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources web site.

There you may also search for topographical maps and lake maps as well as public landings.

Remember most of Upper and Lower Red Lakes are restricted and off limits to public fishing.  Make sure you know exactly "where" you are when fishing Upper Red Lake.  You can also find such information on the DNR site and/or through the local conservation officer.

Posted by: cjjohnso on June 10, 2009 at 2:58 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tall Ship

“Avast ye landlubber…trim the folk-sail and man the mainsail and crows nest. Step lively laddies or it’ll be the plank yer walkin’ afore the sun sets on the horizon”!!!!

I should have been a swash-buckling, sword waving, and eye-patch wearing pirate. I do have a couple of nautical problems however. Is starboard the left or right side of the ship and from what perspective….facing the bow or the stern...and which are they?  Never mind I’ll ask some real seafaring men and women when I travel to Duluth, Minnesota July  3rd through the 6th.

The S/V Denis Sullivan, Wisconsin's State Flagship, is a three-masted Great Lakes cargo schooner whose home port is Milwaukee. The schooner is widely recognized as one of the finest ocean-going sailing vessels in the world.

 

 

This is also an opportunity for you to visit the William A. Irvin floating museum. The Irvin was the proud flagship of the U.S. Steel's Great lakes Fleet. She provided elegance and comfort to the dignitaries and guests she carried. From the millions of tons of iron ore she carried, to her magnificently appointed wood-paneled staterooms and fine dining, she was the pride of the fleet.

“Okay now laddies….let’s weigh the anchor”….”I hear steel is selling some pretty pieces-of-eight”.

 

 

 

Arriving in Duluth on July 3rd, the S/V Denis Sullivan will be open for tours on Saturday, July 4 from 10am-8pm and Sunday, July 5 from 10am-6pm. Ship Deck Tours will cost $5.50, and can be purchased dockside behind the DECC.

 

On Monday, July 6, the ship will host several excursions onto Lake Superior.  For more information contact Visit Duluth at 1 800-438-5884 or email cvb@visitduluth.com

Posted by: cjjohnso on June 08, 2009 at 3:29 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

2009 GFO In The History Books

The annual Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener (GFO) has completed its’ latest success run…this time in the shadows of the IDS Tower in Minneapolis. Well, not litereally, but it is the first time this 61 year old event has been held in a Twin Cities suburb, White Bear Lake.

White Bear Lake, by the way is considered the first resort community in Minnesota.
Way back when madel A’s and T’s and horse and buggies were traveling a couple of ruts in a field, White Bear Lake was considered a “haul” for Twin Cities residents who wanted to “get away from it all” for a weekend. WBL was close and soon became one of the state’s earliest vacation destinations that offered a lake breeze prior to air conditioning.

But back to this years Opener.

Governor Pawlenty and the First Lady Mary Pawlenty broke their tradition this year by donning comfortable Cabelas insulated rain gear to join their host Dennis Merry at the docks at 3:30 in the morning to search for walleye on White Bear Lake. Why so early says you? Because it’s dark says I! White Bear Lake is a very clear lake and Dennis Merry suggested the trio sneak up on the walleye in the dark before bright sunlight chases the fish into the shadows of the deep. I’m really not sure if this is an SPF-30 problem for the fish….but for some reason they just don’t seem to like the bright sun.

Needless to say, unlike many Openers over the years, this years event started with calm water and blue, sun-filled skies.
The Governor figured if it takes a night assault on the walleye to keep his catching string in tact…that’s what he would do. Secretly I think he also wanted to make sure he didn’t have to face the Lt. Governor Carol Molnau at shore lunch with an empty stringer.

Well relax. The Governor caught a 15-inch walleye to start out his catching day. In fact, Governor Pawlenty’s boat brought in four fish before the anglers reeled in to head for Tally’s Landing in White Bear Lake for a fabulous shore lunch.

However, Lt. Governor Molnau netted a walleye in the early morning hours to take honors for the first walleye amongst the official parties. Prior to shore lunch

Another successful Opener for the Governor. Governor Pawlenty has caught fish on every Opener since becoming Governor. And next year he has pledged to keep the string alive as he demonstrates his fishing prowess on lakes in the Kabetogema area.
The community of White Bear Lake really pulled together to make this years Opener something special. They showed off their community to visiting media and the public in the best of light. And, their hospitality was as great as their community is historic.

While everyone else dined on a fine shore lunch. I took time from my schedule that Saturday morning to give a few pitching pointers to a kid named Jack Morris who was a special guest at the event. Just an f.y.i….in the picture below I’m the one with the light colored fishing cap. “Just so you know!”

The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener will be 62 years old next year. This annual event draws media from as far away as Texas to the south and Winnipeg to the north. The media value of this event is massive with live television and radio coverage and newspaper and magazine coverage of not just the event, but the host community. White Bear Lake will be able to bask in the glow of media for a good time to come.

2010 is Kabetogema’s turn!

Posted by: cjjohnso on May 26, 2009 at 3:01 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Let's Talk Fishing

Some people think I talk fishing a bit much. Well, here's what I say to thos people..."you're right".  And there's a reason.  Fishing is the top reason people visit and vacation in  Minnesota.  Now, it's not the only thing they do when they come to Minnesota, but is the major attraction.

Let me give you an idea why fishing is so BIG in Minnesota.

Minnesota has;

192 lakes for trout, 5,400 lakes for other game fish,
3,700 miles of trout streams, and
14,000 river miles for other game fish.

Minnesotans love to fish:
More than 2 million anglers in Minnesota wet lines each year.
About 36 percent of Minnesotans fish: Only Alaska has a higher rate of angler participation. Minnesota is one of America's top four angling destinations: Only Florida, California, and Texas rank higher.

Each year Minnesotans harvest:
Panfish - 64 million pounds
Walleye - 35 million pounds
Northern Pike - 3.2 million pounds

And fishing works
About 49,700 jobs in Minnesota are tied to fishing. The estimated annual economic benefit: $1.3 billion to $2.8 billion

 

 

Sports show audiences in several major cities in the U.S. flood the Minnesota Tourism booth with questions on fishing in the state.  When Explore Minnesota Tourism hosts a travel booth at sports shows in cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, Des Moines, Milwaukee and Chicago, people flock to our booth.  And, most of them want to talk about fishing….where, when, can I rent a boat, are there plenty of resorts….how deep is Lake Superior ??? I actually got that question from a nice young lady in chicago.  Being a bit of a smart alec I just had to say..."barely over your toes along the shore".
The point is, the word Minnesota, especially to non-residents Means….fishing.

 

 

 

Although most of these tourists to Minnesota are mainly attracted by our great fishing….there has to be more!
And there is….Biking…….Hiking….Birding….Canoeing…Waterparks…Historical sites…Museums….Shopping…Theater….(to name a few.  All of these attractions add to the overall fishing experience in Minnesota. They provide the icing on the Minnesota-Cake.

 

Big names, nationally and internationally in the world of fishing have chosen to make Minnesota their home base for fishing, producing television programs and living in our fair state.
But, there is always the skeptic who will ask why do you think Minnesota fishing is “so great”. Well, because I fish here and I like it. But don’t just take my word for it, there are a few others who seem to enjoy fishing in Minnesota besides me…and, the “others” I’m thinking of are pretty impressive.
People like…Al and Ron Lindner of In-Fisherman fame and members of fishing’s Hall of Fame) and…hosts and producers of fishing television programs.
Then there's Babe Winkleman….produces a television fishing show that is distributed world wide.  Let's not forget Gary Roach…know by most anglers as “Mr. Walleye”.  Another Minnesota outdoorsman,Kent Hrbek…host of Kent Hrbek Outdoors...seems to think Minnesota is a fine place to work and fish. I, however, still think he needs another vowel for his name.  And one more name to add to the list before my fingers get tired of typing is Ron Schara….host/producer of Minnesota Bound.
Okay…this list could go on much longer, but you get the idea. And, not only do these people produce articles on fishing for newspapers and magazines as well as radio and  television programs that have wide distribution, they have “chosen” to make their homes IN Minnesota!

I remember asking Al Linder, during a radio interview several years ago “Why” did a native Chicago boy…like you…pick Minnesota to live in over the rest of the country".   Al replied….”because I can step out the door of my house in the Brainerd area and fish for nearly every species of fresh-water fish in the United States…and, be home each night for dinner”.

Over the years, some areas of Minnesota…I’m thinking specifically of the Pequot Lakes area near Brainerd….have debated whether they have more fishn’ holes or golf holes. This area does have some of the finest golf courses in the country.  However, Pequot Lakes decided a long time ago to paint their round water tower…white on the top half and red on the bottom half…that’s so it would represent Paul Bunyans fishing bobber. It’s still there today.

So where and with what bait should you go fishing? Right, like I'm going to give that secret away !!!

Now if you’re an angler, just listening to those bait shop operators talk about fishing has you looking around the Mall of America for a store to pick up some new lures or a rod and reel.
Be Patient….Minnesota’s fishing season is set to get underway on Saturday May 9th.  But, I want to give you a little tip…if you’re married..remember this is Mother’s Day weekend.
So if you're out at the mall picking up "fishin' stuff", but know you will be fishing on Mjother's Day….I would suggest you do some serious Mother’s Day shopping tooooo.
And I don’t think your wife would appreciate a new fish stringer!

So, where to fish in Minnesota?  Let's check the available resources...

•Inland water: 4854 sq.mi.
•Number of Lakes - (over 10 acres): 11,842 (4,967,510 acres)
•Official lakes: 15,291
•Inland waters: 4,059 square miles
•Number of rivers and streams: 6,564 (92,000 miles)
•Lake and river shoreline: 90,000 miles (more shoreline than California, Florida and Hawaii combined)
•Number of islands in the Lake of the Woods -- 14,000
•The Red River flows north.
•Minnesota has 118 Long Lakes, 201 Mud Lakes, and one talking lake, Lac Qui Parle.

•Lake Itasca is the headwaters of the Mississippi. There are 2,552 miles between Lake Itasca and the Gulf of Mexico.
•The nickname is the Mississippi River is the "The Father of Waters".

Minnesota's northernmost point is also the northernmost point in the forty-eight contiguous states located at the Northwest Angle (jutting into Lake of the Woods).  By the way, this is also the only place in the contiguous states where you can face south and look past Canada back into the United States. 

So, should you ask me where you might be able to find some “good fishing water” in Minnesota…don’t be surprised if I just point in some direction…any direction.

Minnesota's annual Governor's Fishing Opener....the largest of its kind in the nation and has been going on for 61 years. This unique fishing event that has been copied…unsuccessfully...by other states over the years. The Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener has been a tradition since the Spring of 1948 when Governor Luther W. Youngdahl initiated the, now annual, event.

The 1948 Opener was a cooperative tourism promotion effort between public officials, the state's media and the resort industry. The main goal of the Opener is to highlight Minnesota's fishing and other recreational activities and kick-off the Summer travel season. For many years in the late 40’s and early 50’s the Governor’s Fishing Opener didn’t attract much media attention. Maybe one or two Twin Cities newspaper outdoor writers would go on the Opener with the Governor and a week later write a hundred words about fishing and casually mention…”oh yah, the Governor caught a couple of walleyes”.

 

 

 

Today media from as far away as Texas and New York attend the Opener. A dozen or more radio stations will broadcast live from the event and television stations will send crews and satellite trucks to report from the event. The development of new, efficient transmission techniques has allowed the electronic media to deliver live broadcasts directly from remote locations to their audiences. Likewise, computers and modems and cell phones allow the print media to "file" their stories instantaneously from these same locations.
It’s changed a bit since 1948.
The Minnesota Governor’s Opener remains a public sector initiative today. State government, local communities and the tourism and hospitality industries work together to promote Minnesota's fishing and other outdoor recreational activities.
The Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener has more than a half century of successes due in large part to the efforts of volunteers in host communities and the attention given to the Spring event by local, state, regional and national media. The tradition continues today to the point it has become a "Spring Trademark" in Minnesota.

....And How Has the Weather Been ?
In the past 60 years the weather for the Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener has varied from snow to sunshine from parka-weather to bathing suit temperatures.
Although the year to year weather can vary greatly there are some comparisons and statistics that can be made......

1. Three out of four years during the history of the GFO the Opener has been free of measurable precipitation. A trace of snow was reported at four of the Openers in northern Minnesota in the past 45 years.

 

 

On at least three occasions some lakes were still frozen over during Opening weekend. On Opening day in 1950 Minnesota lakes were still frozen as far south as Detroit Lakes and Osakis. Three other years in which frozen lakes were a factor, primarily in the northern part of the state, were 1966, 1979 and 1996.

Opening day weekends have seen early morning temperatures as low as 24 degrees at International Falls in 1996 and 31-degrees in Minneapolis in 1979. On the warm side, the Opener in St. Cloud in 1987 reported highs of 92-degrees, Minneapolis reported 91-degrees in 1987 and International Falls reached a daytime high of 88-degrees in 1977.

Remember now this is the second weekend in May..each year.

Looking to the sky, less than one year in five have offered totally clear skies for the Opener. The average amount of cloudiness lies in the "fuzzy boundary" between partly cloudy and cloudy. However, over half of the Openers were officially classified as cloudy.

Fog has been a factor during the Governor's Opener in about one in ten years in the southern part of the state and one in six years in the northern reaches of Minnesota.

In general, the weather for Minnesota's Governor's Fishing Opener since 1948 has been anything but typical....but on average, Opening Day has been moderate in all categories. The G-F-O is historically typified with partly cloudy to cloudy skies, morning temperatures in the low 40's and afternoon highs in the low 70's. Usually a light to moderate breeze has been evident on the lakes.

This year the 2009 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener will be hosted by White Bear Lake...the first Metropolitan community to host this event.

So, what were we talking about?  Oh yeah, Minnesota Fishing.

This year

Posted by: cjjohnso on April 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Do You Have Any Multiple Choice Questions?

A learned friend of mine sent me the document below which reminded me of important it is to pay attention to where I am when I travel or vacation.  Travel and discovery could be interpreted as learning and understanding...without a weekly test.

Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education?  Well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895?
This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina , Kansas , USA. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina , and reprinted by the Salina Journal.

> 8th Grade Final Exam: Salina , KS - 1895
 

Grammar (Time, one hour)
> 1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
> 2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.
> 3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph
> 4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of 'lie,'play,' and 'run.'
> 5. Define case; illustrate each case.
> 6 What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
> 7 - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.
 

Arithmetic (Time,1 hour 15 minutes)
> 1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
> 2. A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
> 3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. for tare?
> 4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
> 5 Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.
> 6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
> 7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $20 per metre?
> 8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
> 9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?
> 10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.
>
U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)
> 1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided
> 2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus .
> 3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
> 4. Show the territorial growth of the United States
> 5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas .
> 6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.
> 7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton , Bell , Lincoln , Penn, and Howe?
> 8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865.
>

Orthography (Time, one hour)
> 1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication
> 2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
> 3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals
> 4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u.' (HUH?)
> 5 Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions under each rule.
> 6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling Illustrate each.
> 7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis, mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
> 8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.
> 9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane , vain, vein, raze, raise, rays
> 10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.
 

Geography (Time, one hour)
> 1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
> 2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas ?
> 3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
> 4. Describe the mountains of North America
> 5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia , Odessa , Denver , Manitoba , Hecla , Yukon , St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco ..
> 6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S.
> 7. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.
> 8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?
> 9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.
> 10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.
>
Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete.
Gives the saying 'he only had an 8th grade education' a whole new meaning, doesn't it?
 

I remember my father reminding me on a regular basis, "if you didn't learn anything today, you wasted a perfectly good day."

Posted by: cjjohnso on April 22, 2009 at 8:50 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Where The Muskies Are!

Leech Lake Muskies

Known for its world-class fishing, Leech Lake at Walker, Minnesota truly has something for everyone in a natural setting that’s not overly-developed or over-crowded.

 In addition to being one o0f Minnesota's natural walleye factories, it’s considered one of the top muskie lakes in the United States. The lake also boasts an extraordinary abundance of northern pike, jumbo perch, bass and pan fish. So whatever your idea of great angling - from family fishing to a serious quest for a trophy - you will find it at Leech Lake.

Pete Maina, host of “The Next Bite” outdoor program on the Outdoor Channel and manager/contributor to ESOX Magazine ( a magazine that focuses on northern and muskie fishing) is a frequent visitor to Leech Lake. He keeps coming back for the muskie fishing. According to Pete, “ Leech Lake and especially Walker Bay is one of the most consistent bodies of water in Minnesota for muskie”. He says the underwater structure that is found on the lake is a natural for muskie habitat with deep water that muskie love, sharp drop-offs that hold muskie and plenty of bait fish that allow muskie to “fatten up” throughout the years.

Pete says “Leech Lake offers anglers one of the best opportunities to hook up with a 50-inch trophy muskie”. “Consistency, structure and an ample food source is what keeps Leech Lake on my top 10 muskie lakes in the Midwest”, says Pete.

The muskie long has been recognized as special - a large, rare trophy. Its habitat requirements are more particular than that of its close relative, the northern pike. In many areas, the muskie's existence is rather tenuous - threatened by fishing, habitat loss, and competition from other fish species. So the goal of muskie management by the Minnesota DNR is to create or protect self-sustaining populations and to produce a few large fish for the angler skilled and dedicated enough to catch them.

And, the Walker area and Leech Lake offer even more for anglers and vacationers. The tradition of welcoming and pleasing summer guests goes back nearly a century. Visitors find scores of excellent lodging choices all around the lake. Whether planning an overnight for intense fishing or a long family stay, you can be assured you will find the perfect place in the Walker area that will fill your needs.

 More than fifty quality resorts offering all manner of styles and accommodations dot the Leech Lake landscape. If your ideal is the rustic pleasure of a simpler time, you’ll find it here. If your preference is upscale, beaches and high-energy lake activity, you’ll find that, too. And for visitors in search of quiet retreats that feel like home, numerous Bed & Breakfasts are also available. Outdoor enthusiasts can also pitch their tents and rough it or roll an RV into one of the many campgrounds in the area.

And remember, “The fishings always great in Minnesota…it’s the catching we’ve got to work on”.

 

Posted by: cjjohnso on April 14, 2009 at 9:01 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Minnesota City Bids For Summer Olympics

A Minnesota city has entered the highly competitive international bidding war for the 2016 Summer Olympics. I'm sure many, like myself, were of a belief that Chicago was the only U.S. city in the competition. And we were right...until today.

In a hastily called press conference the mayor of the interested Minnesota community put forth to the world his city's interest and expectations to host the 2016 Olympiad. I will let the mayor's words and conference notes speak for themselves:

ELY, MINNESOTA April 1, 2009 -- Ely, Minn., the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, has today announced it is offering a late-entry bid to host the summer Olympic Games in 2016. Watch the press conference at www.ely2016.com.

Though Chicago is formally nominated as the United States Candidate City for the 2016 Games, Ely plans to submit its paperwork immediately to the International Olympic Committee, finalizing its bid for the 2016 Olympics.

"We missed the first deadline for the bid by a couple of years, but we are optimistic," says Roger Skraba, Ely's mayor. "Our 1.3 million acres of untouched wilderness is beyond compare, so there's plenty of room for Ely to host thousands of athletes and more than a million visitors, and we have lots of space for the facilities."

Plans are already moving forward for Ely 2016. "We're draining Miners Lake to create the first in-ground Olympic Stadium, carving seats into the rock," says Mayor Skraba. Olympic Village? Yep. Table tennis? That too. "Lots of folks around here have ping pong tables in their basements. We won't have any trouble pulling that event together," said the mayor. "Peter Ueberroth says the time is right for the Games to come back to America in 2016, well, why not Ely?"

The International Olympic Committee has so far offered no comment to Ely's announcement. "We look forward to working with those guys," adds Mayor Skraba. "And we'll extend a hand of friendship to Chicago too so they don't feel too bad about losing. Ely would be more than happy to let the Windy City host an event or two, if they feel up for it. But they've got political problems of their own now, they might just be relieved to hand things over to us."

I should mention at this time that I have a few questions and concerns about Ely's Olympic bid...even though I steadfastly remain a supportive Minnesotan.

Firstly..."GIMME A BREAK!!!!!"

Mainly my concerns have to do with enough venues to host all of the varied competition connected to the summer Olympics.

Yes, as the mayor mentioned, Ely could dredge a couple of quarry lakes and chisel out some bench seats in the rock to form some amphitheater. And I, like the mayor, remain optimistic that enough ping pong tables could be located and tethered together under a borrowed 4-H tent to host a competition. But there is much more. To be fair, let's analyze and list some of the events ans requirements of the host city.

Canoeing - this is a natural for Ely. Plenty of lakes and rivers, a few class 5 rapids and a couple of treacherous waterfalls. Should work!

Cross Country Marathon - Ely is surrounded by some of the most spectacular forest scenery in the world. However, the forest also house some of the fastest running bear in the world. I don't think Ely would like the notoriety of becoming the first Olympic city to have a cross-country marathoner eaten by a bear. But then, if the runner could outrun the bear and set a new world record...hey, that's a good thing.

Synchronized Swimming - Ideal setting in some of the Ely area picture perfect lakes. One should be careful, however, to select a lake that is void of 40 pound Muskie. they can leave a nasty mark.

Archery - I've already mentioned bear. But the woods of Ely are also host to deer, moose, rabbits, skunks and wolves. It should be noted that the last two critters can destroy olfactory sensors and/or eat you.

Water Polo - Hey, if the horses can handle the water, go for it.

 

I believe I have just convinced myself that the Ely, Minnesota bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics is a great idea...a great location...and I can drive there from the house.

Wow!

Who wouldda thunk it!

 

 

)))))) check the date of the press release ))))))

Posted by: cjjohnso on April 02, 2009 at 9:15 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Sometimes Just The Thought...Helps!

Please Read all the way to the bottom: These words were written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words.

If you will take the time to read these I'm sure you'll come away with a fresh perspective.

 

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost, someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere..

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

 

Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND, even if it means sending it back to the person who sent it to you. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.

This was sent to me by a friend..

 

Posted by: cjjohnso on March 31, 2009 at 7:42 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

So Easy, So Close

If you haven’t tried a “Trip on a Tankful”…think about it.

With two-week vacations becoming more rare, many people are planning several shorter trips to fill out their accumulated vacation time. And, they don’t want to spend their entire vacation traveling to and from their destination.

Thus…a “Trip On A Tankful”.

A trip you can take on about a tank full of gasoline to enjoy and explore a part of Minnesota you may have overlooked in the past. And nowadays with the economy on just about everyone’s mind it’s kind of nice to be able to make vacation plans and compute out a close approximate cost to the adventure.

All of these thoughts add up to “what’s nice about exploring Minnesota”. There are probably hundreds, if not more, areas of this state that may have slipped your attention as a vacation destination in years past. But now you might be leaning toward a very manageable outing with the family or friends.

Here’s one that may interest you.

With six lakes, tall virgin pines and a forest of birch and aspen, Scenic State Park certainly lives up to its name. It offers classic north woods views, far enough off the beaten path to be "away from it all," but easy to get to. It's a peaceful spot preserved from lakeshore development, but offering the convenience of a swimming beach, fishing pier, campgrounds and hiking trails. You can hear loons call to each other across the lakes, watch eagles soar overhead, spot osprey perched in tall trees.

Minnesota's Scenic State Park...Photo courtesy: Explore Minnesota Tourism

Sounding pretty good isn't it?

 The park is about 30 miles north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota in a region of state and national forestlands. It's just seven miles east of the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway, which winds through the Chippewa National Forest between Grand Rapids and Bigfork and is a wonderful outing all by itself.
Among the 10 miles of hiking trails is the one-mile Chase Point Trail. Shaded by giant pines, the path follows a ridgeline along a narrow peninsula separating Coon and Sandwick lakes to an overlook.

There's more!

Another highlight of the park is its collection of log buildings constructed during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal program that provided employment during the Great Depression. The largest is the lodge picnic pavilion, with a stone fireplace, tables crafted from giant tree trunks and split log benches.

In addition to two main campgrounds, with some electric hook ups, there are backpack and canoe-in campsites, a four-bedroom guest house and a rustic CCC cabin available to rent.
How’s that for a “Trip on a Tankful”? It’s a neat adventure that offers woods and waters, a beach for a little splashing, some fishing and a bit of American history. And, you can reach it from most places in Minnesota and surrounding states on about a tank full of gasoline or ethanol if an alternate fuel vehicle is in your driveway.
 

Remember, you have to reserve a spot at Minnesota's State Parks, so call early.

 

Posted by: cjjohnso on March 24, 2009 at 8:13 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: scenic state parkphoto courtesy of explore minnesota tourism

Bella Will Make You A Believer

Bella Will Make You A Believer

Recently I met a man with a remarkable story. The story wasn’t about him. It was about someone he knew…Bella. As he told me about the remarkable Bella I became increasingly interested.  However, some of what Ed Tausk of Vermilion Dam Lodge in northeastern Minnesota was telling me was a bit difficult to believe.

Maybe Ed had been a bit too long in the woods.

But Ed was convincing and he had photos of Bella that backed up his story. And, if that wasn’t enough, Ed could refer me to dozens of people who visited and/or stayed at Vermilion Dam Lodge who could verify every word.

My skepticism evaporated.

As Ed told me the story… Bella is now a three year old Yellow Labrador…as of this writing. When she was a puppy...the dock staff at Vermilion Dam Lodge spent a lot of time working with her every spare moment. They took her grouse hunting and duck hunting in season. Bella quickly picked up basic commands...she learned very quickly and was doing great. Visitors to the lodge also adopted Bella as their own when they came to stay. I guess you could say Bella belonged to everyone.
Ed became a bit more somber as he continued his story about Bella. The delight I had felt in his words slipped away slightly as a tone of seriousness crept in to his story.

Ed continued…right around the time Bella turned one year old; she picked up a disease called “Blastomycomis”. This is an ugly spore like disease that can get into an animals lung through inhaling or sniffing the ground or even through open cuts. Once in the lungs, the mold grows fast and spreads throughout the organs...in most cases unless treated quickly...the dog usually dies.

In Bella’s case, as in many cases, the mold attacks the eyes and caused severe pressure to Bella’s eyes. The pressure can cause permanent damage to the nerves that controls eye sight. Bella went from being a normal sighted dog to total vision loss within a month. One can only imagine what Bella was feeling as her world became darker and darker…until finally there was no light at all in her day.

Ed said they kept Bella on the medication for six months. She is now cured of the “ Blasto” and looks like another three year old yellow lab…but she will never have her sight back.

Ed has taken Bella to several top vets and had her eyes tested, but the prognosis is always the same…the way she is, is the way she will be. And the way Bella is today…is truly amazing.

 Ed says he is constantly amazed at Bella’s abilities, understanding and “smarts”.
Don’t ever try an tell Bella she is blind, ‘cause she will have you believing differently in a matter of minutes. She has mastered the Vermilion Lodge resort layout in her memory and can actually spend all day running around the resort intermixing with guests...and very few will even notice she is blind. In fact some first time guests will probably argue with you if you tell them that Bella can’t see.
Bella can’t see. But Bella can hear…maybe she can hear your thoughts!
Ed says you can throw a stick into the water as far as you want...as long as Bella can hear where the stick hit the water…she will swim that direction. Then when she gets close Bella uses her nose to find the stick and bring it back.
And that’s not all. Ed says visitors and guests are totally amazed that she can run full speed behind the resort atvs on the area trails. Apparently her hearing has become so acute that she uses the sound of the machines to set her distance…because, when the vehicle slows down, so does Bella. Oh, there’s more…Bella still grouse hunts...she has adjusted using her front paws as her eyes and as she moves following the scent of a bird, she will feel her way around trees.

Ed had one final story about Bella that visitors and guests to Vermilion Dam Lodge still talk about.

In Ed’s words; A while back a lady was staying at the resort who fell in love with Bella’s gentleness and trusting personality. The lady would bring down treats from her room for Bella each morning. One morning the lady came into the lodge looking for Bella...when she found out she was still upstairs in Ed’s apartment she said she would come back later because she was going to take a walk along the river to the bottom of the falls ( about ¼ mile from the Lodge ). The lady had been gone about 20 minutes when Ed brought Bella down to the Lodge.
Almost instinctively Bella picked up the lady’s scent in the Lodge and wanted outside. Ed says as soon as he let Bella out…she tracked that ladies scent all the way down to the bottom of the falls and found her. As you might expect, the lady was amazed and said she knew Bella was looking for her because she could see her working down the path with her tail going very fast and using her nose along the trail.
Can you imagine?

Ed says Bella has taught him some very important lessons through all she has experienced. As Ed tells it…”one thing I can tell you...when a dog goes blind they can adjust very well…in fact more then you would imagine. For other people who have a dog go blind, I say, they should see how well Bella does.”
To the people who visit Vermilion Dam Lodge and meet Bella, the only handicap she has is not enough time in the day to spend with everyone who meets her.

 

If you want to know more about Bella, please contact; Ed Tausk
Vermilion Dam Lodge
1-800-325-5780
www.vdl.com  

Posted by: cjjohnso on March 20, 2009 at 2:13 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Not a Bad Days Work...For Charity

$23,000.00 in One Day

 The 3rd Annual Mush for a Cure Sled Dog Fundraiser on March 14th, 2009 is over and it's great to be able to announce that it raised over $23,000.00 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The highly successful event included 34 dog mushing teams, 4 skijor participants, almost one hundred volunteers and hundreds of happy spectators.

Early Saturday morning on March 14th people and dogs could be seen at Gunflint Pines getting ready for the day. A pancake breakfast, registration and then a Sourdough start on the lake was made even more special by the appearance of a plane dropping pink streamers from the sky while the National Anthem resounded through the winter forest.

According to one spectator, "I don't know what came over me, but to see all of those people dressed in pink, getting ready to mush for a cure and then have a plane fly over just brought tears to my eyes."

Those tears weren't the only ones seen during the 3rd Annual Mush for a Cure.

Tears from laughing so hard at men wearing pink lipstick. Other tears of joy were seen on Co-Race Founder Mary Black's face during the Awards Presentation, "I am so proud of all of you for raising over $23,000.00 it's so incredible, I just can't believe how awesome all of you are."

The day was a special one for many folks including John Stetson and his son Nelson. The 3rd Annual Mush for a Cure was dedicated to Shelly Stetson who lost her battle with breast cancer in January before John's 2nd place finish in this year's Beargrease. John and Nelson traveled the Mush Trail together no doubt thinking of Shelly as many of the mushers did along the way.

The Mingle with the Mushers Pasta Feed on Friday night and the Party Pink Post-Race Party were well attended. People received haircuts for a cure, great prizes from the raffles and plenty of food and fun at Trail Center.

Plans are already underway for how to make the 4th Annual Mush for a Cure an even bigger and better event. Mark your calendars for March 13th, 2010 because you won't want to miss out on the fabulous fundraising fun.

Here is a little bit of history about this event. Sue Prom, along with her husband, Mike, own and operate Voyageur Canoe Outfitters resort at the end of the historic Gunflint Trail next to the world-famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. After a friend of Sue’s suffered from a debilitating illness in 2005, Sue and Mary Black of Black Magic Kennels Racing Sled Dogs started raising money to fight breast cancer. In January of 2007 Mary and Sue took their partnership one step further and Mush For A Cure was born.
The first event was held in March, 2007 with four women participating and raising over $2500.

Here it is 2009 and this year's total from Mush For A Cure is almost 10-times the starting number from 3 years ago. 

And, it's people like you who care enough to help a worthy cause that will ultimately help fund a miracle cure to defeat breast cancer.

Thank YOU!

 

 

 

###

Posted by: cjjohnso on March 19, 2009 at 11:08 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

I've Got A Fever...and, There Ain't No Pill !!!

My wife is giving me no sympathy at all !

It’s really difficult not to think about fishing at this time of year. Especially when it is one of my most favorite outdoor past-times.

I know, there is still two to three feet of snow in the woods in the northern reaches of Minnesota and the ice on the lakes in the Ely area is still about three feet thick, but it’s spring! At least the calendar in my office says it is. And just the word “spring” says “fishing” to my brain.

All winter I have been walking past my three tackle boxes in the garage and mournfully sighing, knowing that favorite lures are lying in separate compartments appealing to me to free them from their captivity and allow them to tempt a gilled creature to their glistening forms. I can almost hear them pleading from inside their entombment….”pick me, pick me”.

Oh yes, I get an occasional “fishing fix” each winter when I auger through some hard water and drop a baited line into the dark depths. But, it’s not the same. It just doesn’t compare to bobbing in a boat, a wisp of a breeze in your face and the sun lighting up the water and shoreline as you troll a weed-line or anchor off a favorite point that regularly holds fish. It’s not the same thrill of trying to land a monster pike on six pound test line that you are trying to spool onto a reel that has mysteriously developed a “birds-nest” that could house a family of eagles. It isn’t the same emotional feeling you get when you bring that nine pound walleye next to the boat only to have it thrash, break your line and dive deep, leaving you with a whimper in your throat and tears in your eyes…that you immediately declare to your fishing buddies is a hay-fever condition and that the pollen count must be astronomical.

It was 65 degrees one day last week!
There should be a law in Minnesota that when the temperature is 65 degrees or warmer on any day of any month, the fishing season is open! It would be a good law. I could find votes for this.

But alas, it will be at least six more weeks before we can officially “bait-up” in Minnesota. May 9th is Opening day for the 2009 season. And, since I know my proposed new fishing law will never get a hearing at the capitol, I guess I’m going to have to work up a positive “spin” to having to wait a few more weeks.

By the way, this years Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener will be held in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.  This will mark the first time in the 61 year history of the event that it is being held adjacent to a metropolitan area.  And...dozens of outdoor media from around the country will be on hand for the Minnesota Opening.

I know, I’ll use the time to plan a new fishing strategy for this summer. I’ll get out the mountain of lake maps I have accumulated over the years and review some of the hot-spots I marked on them. Unfortunately I marked some of them with a “wipe off” magic marker so I’m going to have to guess whether the marks on a few of the maps indicate a fishing hole or a ketchup smear. No problem, if the mark tastes like ketchup…I’ll know.

And of course I could always use this down time to spool new line onto the fourteen or so reels I own. Past experience has taught me that new line each year helps me better untangle the birds-nests I have a habit of creating on my reels. I won’t oil my reels though. Experience has also taught me that this process is very expensive. Mainly because after I open up my reels to inject a new film of oil on the ball-bearings and other moving parts, I usually loose a part or two which seems to affect the future operation of the device. Thus, I need to purchase a new reel… which has become increasingly difficult to justify to my wife who, for no understandable reason, questions why I need a new reel when I have a dozen or more in the garage.  Geeeez!  She just doesn’t understand! And, I am wise enough to know that I shouldn’t bring up her 20 pairs of shoes in her closet at a time like this.

Oh well, life is tough all over.

Fear not faithful angler-types! Minnesota’s fishing season will soon be here and all of us who have exercised patience throughout the winter will be rewarded. And if the urge for open water fishing becomes too unbearable, just pull the cover off your boat in the backyard and hop in and dream.

Myself, I think I will open all of my tackle boxes in the garage, position them evenly around my feet and just sit on a pail and reacquaint myself with my faithful lures.

"Hi little jerk bait"!

I am not crazy !!!

Posted by: cjjohnso on March 17, 2009 at 2:11 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

The Prairie Our Forefathers Knew

Before towns and farms sprouted across the northern midsection of our country, this great expanse of plains was a vast sea of waving grasses. These prairies held hundreds of species of grasses and wildflowers, and were home to a wide array of wildlife, from butterflies to bison. Today, less than one percent of the original prairielands remain undisturbed.

Minnesota, in partnership with five other states, has developed a corridor of roads called "Prairie Passage" to protect and restore remnants of prairie, and to draw today's travelers to explore this natural heritage at prairie sites along the route. Prairie Passage highway signs, featuring the yellow coneflower mark the route. Other states along the Prairie Passage are Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

In Minnesota, the 600-mile Prairie Passage route meanders down the western side of the state along the borders of North and south Dakota, from Hallock to Luverne, and along I-90 in the far south between Luverne and Albert Lea. These areas were once mostly prairie; today, there are several remnant and restored prairies to visit. Native prairie grasses and wildflowers are being planted along the roadsides of the highways that make up the route, and the route leads to several of Minnesota's significant remnants of prairie.

The prairie has always had a subtle, peaceful beauty. Tall grasses sway in the breeze. The prairie is at its grandest in late summer and early fall, when the blazing star, coneflowers, asters and other wildflowers are in bloom. This time of year, some of the grasses turn golden tones, and others have purple hues. The plants attract a variety of butterflies and birds.

Among the highlighted prairie areas along the route are: the Pembina Trail Scientific and Natural Area near Crookston, Buffalo River State Park and the adjacent Bluestem Prairie east of Moorhead, Glacial Lake State Park between Morris and Glenwood, Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie at Lake Benton, and Blue Mounds State Park at Luverne. The Buffalo River/Bluestem Prairie site is one of the largest prairie remnants in the upper Midwest, and at Blue Mounds, a herd of bison grazes on the grassland.

Photo Courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism.Native prairie grasses and bison at Blue Mounds State Park. Blue Mounds State Park is where the buffalo still roam. You can see these incredible beasts in the wild, and learn about their habits, while they graze in the tallgrass prairie. The wildflowers present a colorful late-summer show that will impress any guest. There is a wonderful campground at Upper Mound Lake, along with the striking quartzite interpretive center, the former home of local author Frederick Manfred.

These remaining prairies are "a window to the past, a place to get a sense of what this part of Minnesota used to be like," explains Ed Quinn, with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. "You can stand there and imagine what it looked like when the prairie continued out to the horizon." That was the view that the Plains Indians and early explorers and pioneers saw.

Other sites near the Prairie Passage route reflect the history of the people who lived on these plains. The Jeffers Petroglyphs near Comfrey are the recordings of prehistoric people, carved in stone. Pipestone National Monument, Upper Sioux Agency State Park and the Lower Sioux Agency State Historic Site all tell the story of the Dakota people who lived on the Southern Minnesota prairies. Other sites, including the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum in Walnut Grove and a sod house near Sanborn, recall the pioneers who settled the plains.

It may be hard to believe, but there was a time on the prairies of the upper Midwest when prairie grasses were so dense and so tall that to find their way, settlers had to stand on the backs of their horses to see the horizon and continue their travels.
The next time you visit the prairies and see the grasses and wildflowers swaying to the wind, picture the same sight exaggerated ten-thousand times….then, you will begin to see the reality our country’s pioneers faced in clearing and settling this land. With that reality in mind, the words Prairie Pioneer take on a special meaning.

Posted by: cjjohnso on March 06, 2009 at 1:57 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Fun & History Together...= Great Times

It's Time To Shake Out The cobwebs!

Check the calendar! Winter is over...well, it's close... and it’s time to look ahead to spring and summer outdoor events across Minnesota. As much as many of us have enjoyed outdoor activities during the frozen months, there are even more opportunities awaiting us in the months ahead. Activities like fishing, camping, biking & hiking, sightseeing and just simply kicking back at a resort along a lake or river and refreshing ourselves in “vacation mode”.

One late spring/early summer destination that will give you a sense of history and beauty at the same time is Norris Camp and the Red Lake Wildlife Management area in Beltrami County near the community of Warroad.

Norris Camp is a preserved CCC camp from the Depression Era of the 1930's…a time when Al Capone ruled the underworld, drought and “dirt storms” destroyed farms and farm families, bathtub gin and speakeasies thrived and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was born. Possibly your Grandfather worked in a CCC camp. CCC enrollees throughout the country were credited with renewing the nation's decimated forests by planting an estimated three billion trees from 1933 to 1942.

Camp Norris is now used as the headquarters for the Red Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA). There are 14 buildings at the camp that were used by the Civilian Conservation Corps. These include the kitchen, barracks, recreation hall, office and infirmary, blacksmith shop, and sanitation building. The camp is always open for people to walk through and explore. Tours of the insides of the buildings are available by asking the DNR staff working at Norris Camp.

Norris Camp is located in the middle of the Beltrami Island State Forest. It is the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Division’s headquarters for the Red Lake Wildlife Management Area. Norris Camp has a rich history that spans over 65 years. At one time more than 1000 people were employed and housed there and it is one of the last Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps in the entire nation that remains in operational condition. Norris Camp is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Red Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is the largest wildlife area in the Minnesota. It is a part of the Beltrami Island State Forest and the two units together are over 600,000 acres in size. The forest is comprised of pine covered beach ridges from the ancient glacial Lake Agassiz surrounded by lowland conifers, aspen islands, and bogs.

In addition to exploring the history of the area - including numerous former homestead site and cabin remnants, there are opportunities for hunting, bird watching, blueberry picking, hiking, and wildflower viewing. You’ll get a look into our nation’s past along with a wonderful opportunity to explore the forest on the drive there.

The Red Lake WMA covers over 400,000 acres. There is great bird watching to be found here. It has boreal, coniferous, and deciduous forests along with vast areas of lowlands and open peatlands. 199 bird species are found on the WMA including the Great Gray Owl, Spruce Grouse, Connecticut Warbler, Three-Toed Woodpecker, Northern Goshawk, Boreal Chickadee, and the Boreal Owl. Animals such as bear, deer, wolves, moose, mink, and fisher can also be seen or heard in this wildlife area. Birding in this remote but accessible forest area can be a richly rewarding adventure.

We can thank the CCC for Norris Camp and tens of thousands of other restoration projects they completed between 1933 and 1942 in Minnesota and across the nation. As outdoors people we can bask in the fruits of their labor at Norris Camp and the Red Lake WMA.

I wish the CCC was still in existence...I need the fence in my backyard repaired.

Posted by: cjjohnso on March 03, 2009 at 10:58 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Pack 'Em Up...Move

Pack ‘Em Up…Head ‘Em Out!

It’s that time of year again when ice anglers have to face the task of picking up after themselves and hauling the “ice-shack” off the ice.

And, just chiseling your ice house out of the frozen water is not enough. You need to take an extra step or two to keep waterways clean by picking up litter around your shelter. Litter on lakes tarnishes nature's beauty, destroys wildlife habitats and ruins many opportunities for recreation. And to give everyone a bit of an incentive to clean up after themselves, you should know that litter is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000. I guess I will pick up those candy wrappers and empties after all.

In order to get everyone to do their fair share and remove ice houses on or before the deadlines the Minnesota DNR has some “What If’s” to help you with your decision. If houses or shelters are not removed, owners will be prosecuted and the structure may be confiscated and removed or destroyed by a conservation officer. Contents of the structure may be seized and held for 60 days; if not claimed by the owner within that time, the items become property of the state of Minnesota.

Now don’t start crying and thinking the ice fishing season is totally out of reach. After the date when ice or fish houses or shelters must be removed, portable shelters may be placed on the ice and used from one hour before sunrise to midnight, but only if there is an open fishing season on the that particular lake. Storing or leaving fish houses or dark houses on a public access is prohibited.

As always, anglers need to monitor ice conditions on lakes and make arrangements to remove their houses before travel on the ice becomes too dangerous.
The DNR recommends a minimum of 4 inches of solid ice for ice fishing; at least 5 inches for snowmobiles or ATVs; 8 to 12 inches for a car or small pickup; and 12-15 inches for a medium truck.

Ice conditions can vary greatly, so anglers should know about the different types and characteristics of ice.

Slush shows weakening of ice and should be considered a danger sign.

If ice at the shoreline is cracked or soft, people should stay off.

People should not go on the ice during thaws and should avoid honeycombed ice and dark ice.

Ice is generally weaker where there is moving water, such as near inlets and outlets, bridge abutments, islands and objects that protrude through the ice.

All in all, the winter of 2008/09 has been one of the best winters on record. Patience has paid off for many ice anglers and those of us who “wet a line” through the “hard water” have managed some good times on the ice.

So there you have it. Pull that shack from the ice and get it ready for next year.

Posted by: cjjohnso on February 26, 2009 at 2:40 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Mush For A Cure

MARK YOUR CALENDARS…SATURDAY, MARCH 14TH FOR MUSH FOR A CURE 2009!!!

Now, I know DOGS. I know, I know dogs because my mother-in-law has named me after one. No, I won’t repeat the name.
Here’s where I’m going with this. Winter is about to give up its’ fight with spring and for those who like outdoor winter sports, that’s a sad thing. Here’s what you can do for one last fling in our white covered outdoors this year and…have some fun and do a “good thing” for others.
Head for the Gunflint Trail in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe area for this years 3rd annual Mush For A Cure sled dog run. I would call it a race, but it isn’t. It’s a fund raiser for the battle against breast cancer with proceeds donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This is a fun event to celebrate the sport of dog mushing and to cap off a winter of hard work, training and racing while raising funds to find a cure for breast cancer.
Here is a little bit of history about this event. Sue Prom, along with her husband, Mike, own and operate Voyageur Canoe Outfitters resort at the end of the historic Gunflint Trail next to the world-famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. After a friend of Sue’s suffered from a debilitating illness in 2005, Sue and Mary Black of Black Magic Kennels Racing Sled Dogs started raising money to fight breast cancer. In January of 2007 Mary and Sue took their partnership one step further and Mush For A Cure was born.
The first event was held in March, 2007 with four women participating and raising over $2500. In 2008, the goal was to double the amount of the previous year and on March 15, twenty mushers (men and women) from around the state of Minnesota raised an unbelievable $13,000! The goal for 2009 is to raise that amount to $20,000.

Here are this years “mushers”….at the time of this writing.
1. Jessica Berg-Collman…Hot Dawg Kennel…Grand Marais, MN. Jessica won the awards for the highest dollar amount of pledges and the highest number of pledges in the 2008 event. She raised over $3,000. Wow, way to go Jess!
2. Chuck Ensign…from Bark in the Dark Kennel….Duluth, MN. 2009 will be Chuck’s second Mush For a Cure.
3. Carol King…Hinkley, MN. Carol was one of four women who ran the inaugural Mush For a cure in 2007. Carol “biffed it” on a beaver pond that year and received the first “DORK” (you figure it out) award. She had to come back in 2008 so she could pass the DORK torch. She’s back again this year to raise money for a good cause. Carol, this event wouldn’t be the same without you!!!
4. Karen DeBoise///Whirlwind Khaos Kennel…Beach Park, IL. I have been running dogs for a little over two years now and love it. I have six Siberian Huskies which came from a rescue. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer as well as several of my friends. I would like to help raise money to help put an end to this disease.
5. Ricq Pattay…Dayton, MN. I’ve been mushing since 2001 with Samoyeds. We’ve done some sprint racing and did our first mid-distance race this year. We’re looking forward to this mid-distance run as well as supporting and excellent cause-a win-win situation!
6. Melissa Stephens…Black Magic Kennels...Hovland, MN
7. Rob Hollingsworth…Running a team from Black Magic Kennels…Hovland, MN
8. Matt Groth…Grand Marais, MN
9. Janine Sajdak…Cudahy, WI. This is Janine’s fourth year involved with sled dogs. She is glad to participate to raise money for this cause. She says “we probably won’t be the first team across the finish line, but at least we can help get a win for the fight against breast cancer”. Good attitude Janine!
10. Janet Cismoski Martens…Brule, WI. Janet is a recreational musher who owns 7 sled. Janet’s mother, aunt, two cousins and many friends have survived breast cancer. She has other friends who have died tragic deaths from breast cancer. She would like to participate to show her support of the medical research to improve treatment of breast cancer so that we all might survive this horrible disease.
11. Mary Beth Kolb…Frozen Tundra Siberians…Lake Villa, IL. Mary Beth runs a recreational team of Siberian Huskies, mainly rescue dogs from Adopt a Husky, Inc. 2008 participant Don Deckert recommended Mush For a Cure to her and she will be running in support of a very good friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
12. Leah Hulst…Bark in the Dark Kennel…Duluth, MN. Leah says she’s “super-excited to ‘hop’ along the trail with y’all”. She became infected with dogsled racing about 4 years ago. Leah has raced one sprint race and handled for 3 Beargrease mid-distance races. 
13. Tom and Mary Jo Roos… Alexandria, MN. Tom says that despite 15 years of mushing he still considers himself a novice when around the experienced racers. Tom and Mary Jo will be making the trip together on a tandem sled and plan to enjoy some trail that they’ve never traveled. Their participation is in recognition of friends and family members who have dealt with cancer-specifically Tom’s co-worker and friend, Bonnie, who is a breast cancer survivor.
14. Erik Simula…Bearskin Lodge Kennels…Gunflint Trail, MN. This will be Erik’s second Mush For a Cure and he hopes to pass along the “DORK” award for the best crash on the trail. Erik is running BWCA dogsled tours out of Gunflint Trail resort Bearskin Lodge this winter. Erik will be running in support of John Stetson whose wife Shelley passed away in January from breast cancer.
15. Mary Manning…Doodledog Kennels…Hovland, MN. 2009 will be Mary’s third Mush For a Cure as she was one the original participants in 2007 and she says she is proud to be part of the run. She is running in honor and in memory of her little sister, Christine, who passed away in 2006 after a long fight against breast cancer. Mary we are proud to have you back!
16. Eva Kolodji…Standing Tall Kennels…Hibbing, MN. 17-year-old Eva has been runnning dogs for about 7 years. This is her 2nd Mush For a Cure and she’s coming back because “it was tons of fun last year and it’s a great cause”. Eva is running this because she says “it’s a great cause and I’ve had many close family friends that have been affected by breast cancer”. Welcome back Eva.
17. Jenny Beall…From the state of Oklahoma! Yep, you read that right, Jenny is from Oklahoma. We may have to tie a portable heater on behind Jenny's sled.  Jenny has run several times in Minnesota over the past two holiday seasons. Jenny, we sure hope it warms up for you!
18. Cynthia Ropers…Rustic Husky Haven Siberians…Lake Zurich, IL. Cynthia began running a recreational dog team about 8 years ago. She had two Siberians and became involved with Adopt a Husky, a Siberian rescue group. Cynthia is looking forward to doing this event and supporting a worthy cause.
19. Chris Wall…AVADAR Siberians…Albertville, MN. Chris says “I am a small recreational musher with a team of 6 Dogs (4 of my own, and 2 from a friend). My wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the young age of 27. She has been cancer free since 1997….12 Years!!!!! We have participated in the Annual Komen Race for Cure every year since 1997. So since we both enjoy Mushing we thought that we could do this event and help raise money!!!!!
20. Don Deckert… Albertville, MN. Don has been running a small recreational team of Siberian Huskies for about eight years. Don says “I am happy to see many new and familiar faces already signed up for this years Mush For a Cure”.
Plan a trip to the Mush For A Cure dogsled run and bring the family for the day. You will all have a great time for a great cause.

Here’s the schedule…
9:00 a.m.: Mushers check-in and pancake and sausage feed at Gunflint Pines.
12:00 noon: Mass sourdough start on Gunflint Lake.
Noon-3:00: Opportunities to see the dog teams along the trail. Suggested sites: Start: Gunflint Pines, Gunflint Resort. Along the trail: Gunflint Lake boat landing, Iron Lake Access, Old Gunflint Trail (both west and east ends) Poplar Lake: Windigo Lodge, Nor’wester Lodge and the finish at Trail Center Lodge.
2:00-4:00: Teams coming into the finish line at Trail Center Lodge. Finishers bonfire, hot dog/marshmallow roast and party tent sponsored by Sarah and the gang at Trail Center Lodge.
5:00-6:00′ish: Awards presentation to largest pledge collector(s), most outrageous pink outfit and best five card stud poker hand. There will also be a drawing for miscellaneous prizes for participants…who must be present to win.
7-10:00: Hang out on the Gunflint Trail for a great time with Sarah and the gang and your mushing friends.
You probably noticed I have decided not to enter this years sled dog run. It’s a charitable thing on my part. I didn’t want to demoralize the other mushers by humiliating them with my mushing prowess. And, I couldn’t get my dashund into the sled harness.
Have a great time for a great cause.
cj

Posted by: cjjohnso on February 20, 2009 at 1:15 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

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