Long Lake Conservation Center near Palisade
This report is brought to you by Izzy, Lakota, Henry and the students from Migizi in Minneapolis.
Hi, this is Izzy, Lakota and Henry from Migizi Communication in Minneapolis reporting on our trip to Long Lake Conservation Center, July 6th through the 8th. The temps for our were a high of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, jumping in the lake felt so good! The low was 55 degrees. We spent as much time as possible in and on the water. During our canoe adventures we saw two loons, two muskrats, and two beavers. A couple of people from our group went fishing and caught a few small sunfish. The Long Lake staff said this was a big deal because it shows that the DNR’s restocking efforts are paying off. The DNR restocked Long Lake with adult sunfish and crappies a couple of years ago after two bad winter kills. They appear to have survived and are reproducing. There’s good eating in the woods right now. There is Chicken of the Woods popping up in various places, including a few clumps that looked about ready to harvest. The first wild raspberries are ripe and it looks like the blueberries aren’t far behind. Despite all the natural foods available, a black bear got into the garbage on campus. I guess they were hungry for fast food. We had a great trip and we want to remind everyone to go jump in a lake, head to the woods for a snack, AND, as always, unplug, get outside and LIVE CONNECTED!
Roots and Wings Forest School in New York Mills
River Bend Nature Center in Fairbault
Chad Kaddatz in Little Falls
Pierkku in Hinterlands
What have you seen out there? Let us know: email us at comments@kaxe.org or text us at 218-326-1234.
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Cisco and other cold water fish died by the thousands in the large, shallow lake as water temperatures soared to an average of 77 degrees in late July and early August 2026.
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Public health experts said states can better prepare for future illness outbreaks by keeping a sharp eye on climate change.
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Thirty-three communities received nearly $5 million in funding, including Virginia, Hill City and other Northern Minnesota cities. A new DNR grant closes Sept. 14, 2026.
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds harvesters ahead of the Aug. 15, 2026, season opener that rice must be ripe for legal harvest.
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The Department of Natural Resources reported forest tent caterpillars have damaged the leaves of 60,000 acres of foliage around Aitkin County in 2026.
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Boundary Waters entry points near Big Moose Lake and Big Lake are also scheduled to reopen on Aug. 13, 2026.