Newstok family
Sugar Lake Lodge
Long Lake Conservation Center
This report is brought to you by Layla, Vince, Eleanor, Alice, Adeline and the campers from Outdoor Explorers Camp at Long Lake Conservation Center, Aug. 4-8, 2026.
“Hi, this is Layla from Outdoor Explorers summer camp at Long Lake Conservation Center.
“During our camp the low temp was 50 degrees and the high was 80. We got some much needed rain on Friday morning.
“This is Vince with the lake report: We found seven leopard frogs, including one with a leech attached to its leg. Walleye fingerlings were seen, so we know at least some of the fry that the DNR released in the spring are now large enough to identify. Swans were sighted. One loon was very curiously watching our cardboard boat race. During fishing time, the loon swam around the swim raft we were fishing from, and all of the fish went away for several minutes until the loon swam off to the other side of the lake.
“This is Eleanor with the fishing report: Long Lake is a shallow lake, and some winters the water freezes so deep that many of the fish die, but we were able to catch a few nice perch and crappies. We used barbless hooks so that we could get them back into the water as soon as possible.
“This is Alice with the forest report; We saw a deer by the lake and lots of deer scat everywhere, two adult turkeys with nine poults, chipmunks, a toad, a small snake, a vole and a rabbit. One camper had 10 ticks on him! Marcus & Stella found a ghost pipe plant. This plant is all white, it does not use photosynthesis for food or energy, it uses underground fungi and tree roots instead.
“This is Adeline. We had a great time exploring nature and we want to remind everyone to unplug, get outside and LIVE CONNECTED!”
Roots and Wings Forest School
Listener talkbacks
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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Contributed/Daniel DewaldCisco 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. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionPublic health experts said states can better prepare for future illness outbreaks by keeping a sharp eye on climate change. -
Contributed/Deborah Rose / Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesThirty-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. -
Contributed/Lorie ShaullThe Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds harvesters ahead of the Aug. 15, 2026, season opener that rice must be ripe for legal harvest. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesThe Department of Natural Resources reported forest tent caterpillars have damaged the leaves of 60,000 acres of foliage around Aitkin County in 2026. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEBoundary Waters entry points near Big Moose Lake and Big Lake are also scheduled to reopen on Aug. 13, 2026.
