Great Outdoors

Great Outdoors: Ice Fishing Season Drawing Closer

Though this week is expected to bring warm temperatures, the cold will eventually come back and anglers and business owners up at Fish Lake are ready for it.

DULUTH, Minn. – Though this week is expected to bring warm temperatures, the cold will eventually come back and anglers and business owners up at Fish Lake are ready for it. “On a good ice fishing year, it’s like a little city out there out on Fish Lake,” says Scott Youngstrom, the owner at the Fredenberg Minno-Ette. The Fredenberg Minno-Ette…

Great Outdoors: Into the Wild Artography Gallery Opening in Aurora

Aaron Jordahl started taking pictures around 10 years ago and got so good that people started requesting portraits and prints.

AURORA, Minn. – Minnesota’s natural beauty is no secret and photographer Aaron Jordahl is using that beauty to open his own art gallery called Into the Wild Artography in downtown Aurora. “Everybody dreams about being an artist when they grow up I’m trying to make that dream a reality,” says Jordahl. Jordahl and his camera can be found most often…

Longtime “Happy Hooker” Charter Captain Jon Dahl Remembered With Boat Procession

Duluth native Jon Dahl, captain of the "Happy Hooker" Charter Boats that operates on Lake Superior, died in August after a year-long battle with cancer. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth native Jon Dahl, captain of the “Happy Hooker” Charter Boats that operates on Lake Superior, died in August after a year-long battle with cancer. “Jon was a great captain, a great friend, a great uncle. He was very kind, very thoughtful, well-prepared and a great fisherman,” Jon’s nephew Marty Running said. Jon’s dad and uncle started…

Visitors Learn About Bird Migration at Hawk Ridge

Hawk Ridge will be set up for viewing through the end of November, giving visitors and staff the chance to enjoy the beauty of the migration process. 

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s that time of year where birds are going through their migration phase and Lake Superior is always a popular stop. “They don’t want to expend any more energy than they really need to, so they wait for the right conditions, they’re waiting for the thermals to start rising on the lake shore here, and they get…

North Shore Adventure Park Gives Visitors a Thrilling Challenge

North Shore Adventure Park has been open for a little over a year and has multiple courses for anyone to try.

SILVER BAY, Minn. – North Shore Adventure Park is challenging people of all ages. “It’s about climbing in the trees, it’s about challenging yourself. “We have a little rascals playground for kids 3-6. It’s enough for them to practice and it’s only about 6 inches to a foot off the ground. I’m 69 and I challenge any senior out there…

Fishing Stores Staying Busy Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Ever since the fishing opener back in May, shops like Marine General and Northwest Outlet have been busy with customers. 

DULUTH, Minn. – With fewer things to do this summer, it’s already been a busy fishing season. “People wish they could go more but they have things like kids sports, right, jobs, all these things that got in the way of going but this year they’re not in the way so they’re going fishing,” owner of Marine General Russ Francisco…

Day Tripper of Duluth Continues Guided Tours

Day Tripper of Duluth does guided tours of different outdoor activities like paddling, canoeing, hiking and mountain biking in the summer. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Even with many things closed, there’s still plenty to do here in the summer. And one local business is helping customers grab a paddle or hop on a bike and explore the outdoors. While tourism is down this summer in Duluth, Day Tripper of Duluth is still busy with customers. “It’s definitely been a different summer. We’ve…

Brule River Canoe Rental Busy With Paddlers

The shop has canoes and kayaks to rent and shuttles customers to the landing to get them set for their adventure.

BRULE, Wis. – If you’re looking for a new place to go kayaking, the Brule River is the place to try. “You’ll see a lot of wildlife, we’ve seen eagles out and about, bears, I saw one today,” manager of Brule River Canoe Rental Jeffrey McClure said. And Brule River Canoe Rental is ready to help those get out on…

Great Outdoors: Mountain Biking Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Trails have been packed with bikers and hikers around the Northland with everyone just trying to get out and have some socially-distanced fun. “We were bored during quarantine and we decided to come down here and just mess around on our bikes and stuff and this is what it turned into,” said Arren and Henry, two mountain…

Indoor Shooting Range at Custom Archery and Outdoors Gives Customers Early Practice

Custom Archery and Outdoors is a full pro and retail archery shop, selling a variety of products to help hunters hit the trails.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It’s been a busy summer already for Custom Archery and Outdoors. “We were down quite a bit, money wise but then once everything started opening back up, boom we were right back at it, we were super busy, this is probably the busiest June we’ve ever had,” owner of Custom Archery and Outdoors Randy Graber said. Custom…

Play It Again Sports Sees Increase in Sales as Sports Practices Resume

The new and used sporting goods store reopened fully to the public a little over a month ago and has been busy helping athletes get the gear they need.

DULUTH, Minn. – Play It Again Sports is mostly back to business as usual. “We closed down on March 27th and then offered curbside delivery/outdoor service and then reopened fully to the public the week after,” general manager of Play It Again Sports Steven Holappa said. The store, located in Kenwood Village in Duluth, is a new and used sporting…

Disc Golf Growing in Popularity in the Northland

There's a 9-hole course on UMD's campus on the corner of College St. and Kirby Drive. It's free for anyone to play on. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Disc golf is growing across the country, including right here in the Northland. “It’s essentially just going on a walk with an added bonus of throwing a couple discs around,” Taylor Noyes said. Disc golf is essentially traditional golf, but with a Frisbee. “You start from a tee box, you throw the disc and you try to…

Ski Hut Sees Increase in Outdoor Equipment

Due to COVID-19 and the nicer weather, many outdoor stores like Ski Hut are struggling to keep up with the high demand of outdoor gear.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the short Duluth summer approaches, people are getting outside in any way they can. “We’ve got a great outdoor scene, there’s so many trails and forests and lakes and rivers and streams to go explore,” Ski Hut manager Dave Neustel said. “There’s a lot of cabin fever. Now that we have warmer conditions and we’re loosening…

Shooting Summer League Season Underway at Old Vermilion Trail

Summer league started on Tuesday, June 2 and goes for 12 weeks.

DULUTH, Minn. – Old Vermilion Trail normally opens the Tuesday after Memorial Day, and now that the hunting preserve is up and running, many people are heading outdoors to take their best shot with their summer league. “Just need to shoot one score a week for 12 weeks. Can be shot on any day of the week or you can…

Angler Management Charter Preparing to Take People Out on Lake Superior

Angler Management will start taking customers out for trips starting on June 1.

DULUTH, Minn. – Charter fishing in Minnesota is now allowed to operate under Governor Tim Walz “Stay Safe MN” order but under different guidelines. “We’re just ready to open up a little bit and get people outdoors again and enjoy our summer,” charter captain of Angler Management Charter Alex Cuzzo said. When Cuzzo found out he could reopen, he was…

Minnesota Campgrounds Frustrated Not Being Open for Memorial Day Weekend

Campgrounds in Minnesota were hoping to open for Memorial Day weekend, but they will not be able to open until at least June 1 under the new "Stay Safe" mandate.

DULUTH, Minn. – In the new “Stay Safe” mandate from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, private and public campgrounds in the state will remain closed to recreational campers until at least June 1. For now, only remote camping or long-term camping is allowed. With Memorial Day weekend just a few days away, many campground workers are frustrated that they are still…

Great Outdoors: Trout Fishing

With the nicer weather and many businesses shut down, many people are using their free time to fish on Knife River. 

DULUTH, Minn. – With school classes virtual and many businesses shut down, many people are using their free time to fish on Knife River. “I don’t want to sit at home on the couch all day, I want to get out and do stuff because I’m getting bored with schoolwork and just sitting and watching Netflix,” said Justin, who was…

Great Outdoors: Green House of Carlton

The Green House is still offering their planter classes this year, but having less people in class to still practice social distancing.

CARLTON, Minn. – With greenhouses being considered an essential business in Minnesota, the Green House of Carlton is giving people the chance to spring into gardening. “Gardening is better than therapy…and you get tomatoes,” owner of Green House of Carlton Jim Fahrenholz said. With warmer weather on its way, gardening season is getting started. “It’s just kind of a good…

Northland Bikers Get Ready to Ride

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth’s Lakewalk has been a busy place lately with more and more bikers showing up to ride. As the weather warms up, a lot of people in the Northland are anxious to get out and ride their bikes. Biking can be a great way for people to get around, lower stress, and get some exercise. The Lakewalk has…

Great Outdoors: Practicing Social Distancing at Jay Cooke

While a majority of businesses are shut down to COVID-19, state parks staying open gives people the chance to get out of the house and enjoy the nicer weather.

ESKO, Minn. –  It’s been one week since a majority of businesses have shut down due to COVID-19, but many state parks have remained open, giving people a chance to get outside. “The sun is shining and social distancing is a little boring, so we thought we’d make it interesting,” Kate Spaulding, who was visiting Jay Cooke with her kids,…

Great Outdoors: Ski Hills Prepare for Winter

DULUTH, Minn. – Winter temps are here — or at least they were here — but skiers and snowboarders don’t have to worry. The slopes are expected to be back open in the coming days. Winter sports fans have been going stir crazy since last winter, waiting for their chance to tear up the slopes. Now, the ski hill at…

Great Outdoors: Grandma’s Runners Prepare for Marathon

Duluth Running Company busy with runners getting gear

DULUTH, Minn. – Grandma’s Marathon runners will make their way down the North Shore this Saturday. Thousands will run 26.2 miles from Two Harbors to Canal Park in Duluth. Local shops are making sure the runners have everything they need to finish Grandma’s Marathon. “The energy is palpable, you can feel it. Everybody is really excited,” said Dayeton Tolle, a…