Great Outdoors

Wisconsin Deer Firearms Season Starts Saturday

Minnesota's firearms season wraps up this weekend.

As the weekend approached, the winds changed and the temperatures dropped just in time for the end of Minnesota’s firearms deer season, and the opening of the Wisconsin firearms season. In the Badger state’s Douglas County, deer stands have been checked out to make sure they’re still safe and make any needed repairs. Woods that have been quiet will soon…

Winter Adventurer and Youth in Action Aim to Inspire Students

Make a Difference Conference Held at the DECC Today

Duluth, Minn. — A backpacker from Duluth spoke to students in Duluth today about how they can impact the environment. Emily Ford is passionate about introducing people to the outdoors in safe and healthy ways. She was the first woman to thru-hike Wisconsin’s 1,200-mile Ice Age Scenic Trail in winter.Youth in Action, a group focused on the positive change young people…

Minnesota Firearm Deer Hunting Season Opener This Saturday

MINNESOTA — This Saturday is the Minnesota Firearms Deer Hunting Season Opener. Here in Northeast Minnesota, hunters can expect deer populations to be down after a harsh winter last year, making deer harder to find. For those of you planning to head out this weekend, the DNR suggests you have a thorough plan in place, not only where you will…

Bentleyville Tree is Up!

Ironworkers donate their time every year to assemble and stack the sections.

It’s a sure sign that the holiday season–and Bentleyville–are nearly here! The Christmas tree at Bentleyville’s “Tour of Lights” went up Saturday morning. One hundred twenty-eight feet to the top, and for all the Northland to see in the months ahead. As always, Iron Workers Local 512 were the volunteers who used their skills to assemble the sections and connect…

September Swimming Ends With Red Flag Warning on Park Point

Fire Department Warns Everyone to Be Careful

Those considering swimming on Park Point beaches Saturday were warned to be careful. And that warning carries into Sunday. The Duluth Fire Department said there was a high risk of rip currents, and they issued a warning about noon Saturday. The warning continues until 10 a.m. Sunday morning. The department says the warning means that wind and wave conditions can…

Women’s Course Record Broken At 2023 NorthShore Inline Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. — The weather was perfect for this weekend’s NorthShore Inline Marathon — the largest of its kind in North America. Tone Coughlin Photography The 26.2-mile course is much like the course for Grandma’s Marathon, starting in Two Harbors and taking racers along the Scenic North Shore before entering the tunnels of I-35 and ending by the DECC. The…

Duluth’s Arbor Day Shines Light On Public Orchards

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s apple picking season, or at least it is in sixteen different parks around Duluth. As part of Duluth’s Arbor Day, the Duluth Parks and Recreational team is informing the public about public orchards. There are twelve different varieties of apples within the 16 parks with public orchards. And one park even has a cherry orchard. “Around…

Wildfire Hits 40 Acres in Carlton County

At least one homeowner evacuated Tuesday as fire remained stubborn

The wildfire that had people scrambling near Barnum Monday night, continued to cause problems when the sun came up Tuesday morning. It all started in a swampy marshland area in Carlton County, southeast of Barnum. Fire crews from several communities responded on the ground to try and knock the fire out. Air equipment was also brought in, so that both…

Minnesota Nursing Homes Get Lifeline From State

DULUTH, MINN — On the last day of the Minnesota legislative session, the leaders of both parties got together and worked out an agreement to provide $300 million to help nursing homes across the state.  State Representative Natalie Zeleznikar, talked with FOX 21 about the agreement that likely saved many nursing homes. The first-term representative knows the issues, she’d been…

Bowfest 2023 Underway This Week

SUPERIOR, Wis.–It may be hot this week, but that is not going to keep people away from Mont du Lac Resort’s biggest event. The grounds and ranges are being prepared for Bowfest 2023. Thousands of bow enthusiasts will be lining up targets, meeting with vendors, or walking through the woods to test their skills in a variety of shooting situations….

Solar Storm Thursday Expected To Make Northern Lights Visible In 17 States

A solar storm forecast for Thursday is expected to give skygazers in 17 American states a chance to glimpse the Northern Lights, the colorful sky show that happens when solar wind hits the atmosphere. Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, are most often seen in Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia, but an 11-year solar cycle that’s expected to peak in…

Bikes and Riders Swarm Spirit Mountain

Bike enthusiasts and spectators gather at Spirit Mountain Chalet on Grand Avenue.

Lake Superior often gets all the attention in Duluth, but this weekend it’s the dry land of Spirit Mountain where things are happening. It is the Bike Duluth Festival that happens every year. Close to one thousand bikes and their riders will be flying down the hill, and over and around all kinds of terrain. There are a lot of…

Boats Wrapped in Red, White and Blue

Annual boat parade on Caribou Lake a long-standing tradition.

Fourth of July is not just celebrated on land. It’s also celebrated by sea–or at least by lake. Caribou Lake to be exact. Tuesday it wasn’t waves of grain, but waves generated by every boat and pontoon imaginable. There was no shortage of red, white and blue as residents decked out their vessels to honor the nation’s beginning. Each year…

Minnesota Search for 3 Missing Fishermen

One man fell in, two others tried to rescue him.

RED WING, Minn. (AP) — Officials in Minnesota are searching Tuesday for three men who are missing from a fishing boat in the Mississippi River. The Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office said that around 7:30 p.m. Monday, a 911 call reported that a man fell into the river while fishing near the town of Red Wing, at a point where the…

Smarts and Caution Urged When Lighting Fireworks

There are ways to make it safer for everyone around you.

With many area burning restrictions lifted or eased in recent days, it is expected that more people will be wanting to light fireworks on their own. Those who deal with fireworks and those who deal with the aftermath of injuries are reminding people to be careful. Despite the lack of rain early this summer, sales have been pretty steady at…

Spaghetti and Other Motivations Fuel Grandma’s Runners

Memories, health and family are among the reasons people run.

Something that always goes well before twenty-six miles of running, is twenty-six miles of spaghetti noodles. Visitors could start slurping their noodles and sauce at the DECC beginning at eleven Friday morning. There are many traditions associated with Grandma’s, and the pasta feed is just one of them.  Meaghan Burns and her husband from Lino Lakes will be running. This…

Fox Along the North Shore: Cascade River State Park

LUTSEN, Minn. — Now that summer weather is here and the kids are out of school, the North Shore is starting to see more visitors.  We recently stopped at Cascade River State Park and met a few people from across the country. “It’s amazing.  Absolutely breathtaking. Beautiful. I haven’t seen anything like it,” said park visitor Benjamin Boucherle. The reputation…

Fox Along the North Shore: Minnesota State Parks

NORTH SHORE, Minn — During the spring, there are many waterfalls that pop up along the North Shore that are otherwise non-existent the rest of the year. Now that the spring melt has come to an end, these pop-up falls are disappearing, leaving behind waterfalls found mainly along rivers flowing through state parks. There are seven state parks located along…

Duluth’s “Other” Train Back on Tracks in July

L.S.&M. Railroad Excursion Soon Back to Showcasing Beauty of St. Louis River Surroundings

The Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad will soon be back on the tracks. It looks a little quiet right now, but things will definitely be picking up as they get ready to reopen in July. During a three-year pause, they’ve been working on everything from improving the tracks to refurbishing authentic rail cars. They have a ninety-minute round-trip that goes…

Fox Along the North Shore: Tettegouche State Park

SILVER BAY, Minn. — After a long winter with several areas seeing record snowfall, there was plenty of snow to keep the waterfalls roaring this spring.  With the spring melt over, rivers are now relying on other sources to fuel the waterfalls. We recently ventured up to Tettegouche State Park where some of the last remaining snow in the Northland…

Trapping Begins for Spongy Moths in Northeastern MN

Formerly called "gypsy" moths, 100,000 trapped last season.

NORTHEASTERN, Minn. –As temperatures warm up and summer gets underway, it also brings some big problems. The trapping of spongy moths has begun in Minnesota. Formerly known as gypsy moths, they have been wreaking havoc on trees for years. Northeastern Minnesota will be included in the area where traps will be set. The Department of Agriculture says that last year…

Fox Along the North Shore: Get to Know Your Camera While Getting to Know Nature

DULUTH, Minn. — In this week’s Fox Along the North Shore: Waterfalls and More, we take another look through the cameras lens with photographer Joe Polecheck on what makes the biggest impact on your waterfall pictures. He and Ken Slama also discuss other important things to keep in mind when heading out the door. Categories: Fox Along the North Shore,…

Whitewater Rafting Businesses Starting Their Summer Seasons

CARLTON/SCANLON, Minn. — Now that flooding has settled, and river levels have lowered whitewater rafting companies are ready to go for the seasons. Swiftwater Adventures in Carlton started their season beginning of May. The owner says conditions have been on the higher end of flows but are still safe for those wanting to get out on the water. And anybody…

Some Area Trails Slowly Opening

Trail users urged to be careful and avoid damaging wet trails.

The Duluth Parks and Recreation Department said some of its trails will be opening on Saturday at noon. Thirteen of the local trails will be opening, but another eight remain closed. The Lake Superior Hiking Trail is also officially opening in some areas. A big concern is over muddy areas that could damage trails if used too soon. The department…

Fox Along the North Shore; Waterfalls and More

Area photographer helps Meteorologist Ken Slama get started behind the lens.

This week for Fox Along the North Shore: Waterfalls and More, Fox21 Meteorologist Ken Slama was at the falls and river at Lester Park with photographer Joe Polecheck. They talked about tips and advice on how to photograph waterfalls. There are dozens of waterfalls to choose from. Starting in Duluth and heading all the way to the northeastern tip of…

Fox Along the North Shore: Geological History of the Waterfalls

DULUTH, Minn — Along the North Shore of Lake Superior, there are numerous waterfalls, each with their own beauty and awe. Despite their unique appearance, they share a common history in how they were formed starting over a billion years ago. “So, we had about 1.1 billion years ago there was a major event. It’s now known as the mid-continent…

Fox Along the North Shore: Gooseberry Falls

TWO HARBORS, Minn — There are eight state parks spread out along the scenic North Shore. One landmark in particular started to gain popularity among tourists during the 1920s. Then, in 1937, Gooseberry Falls became the first designated state park along the North Shore. Nearly 100 years later, Gooseberry Falls remains a popular stop along the shore as we wake…

2022-2023 Duluth Winter Officially Snowiest on Record

DULUTH, Minn. — At 5 A.M. this morning, the National Weather Service measured 2.0″ of snow, bringing our total snowfall for this winter to 137.1″. This breaks the previous record of 135.4″ set during the winter of 1995-96. This all started back on October 14 when we received the first snowfall of the season, getting 2.0″.  December brought 44.9″ of…

City Of Duluth Parks And Recreation Announces Trail Closures

DULUTH, Minn. — The spring thaw has caused trail conditions to be vulnerable to damage if walked or ridden on during this time. Because of that the City of Duluth Parks and Recreation has announced they are closing all natural surface trails for the time being. Trails closed include the Duluth Traverse, Superior Hiking Trail, and other dirt trails in…