Outdoors

BIGFORK, Minn. (AP) — Here she comes now, leaning into her work, dragging her kayak through a remnant trail among the popple. Mary Shideler, better known as The Kayak Lady, is on a mission for Lake No. 909.
As of this day, Shideler had already paddled her hand-built kayak on 908 of the 1,007 lakes in Itasca County. With friend Catherine McLynn, she planned to paddle remote Finley Lake. But there was some hauling to be done first. The lake is three-quarters of a mile from the nearest road.
‘‘This first part is wet,’’ says Shideler, 46, a massage therapist from Grand Rapids.

DNR Staff Report

Wildlife artists can submit entries for Minnesota’s first walleye stamp, which will be available to anglers when they purchase a 2009 fishing license.
Earlier this year, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law creating the voluntary walleye stamp, which will add $5 to the cost of a 2009 fishing license if an angler chooses to purchase the stamp. Revenue from stamp sales is dedicated to walleye stocking and directly related activities.

By Outdoor News

LAKE OF THE WOODS
Along the south shore, walleyes are hitting outside the Lighthouse Gap all the way over to Zippel Bay in 16 to 24 feet. Spinner rigs or jigs are working best. At the Northwest Angle, jigs continue to produce limits of walleyes and northern pike around Oak Island and Flag Island.

LEECH LAKE AREA

The 2008 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship kicks off today with anglers hitting the water Thursday.
Boats depart from the Sorting Gap Marina starting Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 a.m.
Weigh-ins are scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. All events take place at the Sorting Gap Marina.
2007 champions Jim Moynagh and Joe Thrun will be back to defend their title. The team won the championship in 1998 and 1999 and were the first team to win three championship titles.
The pair finished second in the 1997 and 2000 contests and in 2002 finished third.

The Borderland Humane Society is asking residents to keep an eye on their cats and dogs.
Cindy Meyers, of the humane society, reported last week that an eagle was eye-to-eye with her dog in her front yard.
With predatory animals in the region, pets need to be watched, she said, noting that pets may be missing because of the predators.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources plants trees on state lands to reforest harvested areas, provide wildlife habitat, protect watershed values, and maintain the quality of state forests, according to the DNR.
Professional foresters determine the tree species appropriate for the site. Private contractors hired by the DNR do the actual planting.
“Herbicides will be applied to approximately 90 acres of state land in the Littlefork area to help establish new forests”, said Eric Buchanan Littlefork area forester.

Move expected to have no impact on Minnesota’s harvest season

As of July 1, recreational anglers are prohibited from keeping any lake sturgeon they catch in Ontario, according to the Ontario Ministry of Nature Resources.
Evidence shows that over harvesting is a major factor in putting the species at risk. As a result, only catch and release of this species will be allowed, according to the MNR.

By Outdoor News

LAKE OF THE WOODS
A jig and minnow continues to produce walleyes in 32 to 34 feet around the Morris Point Gap up toward Long Point. The east and west sides of Garden Island also have provided steady walleye action. The Silver Creek area on the Rainy River is producing walleyes in 14 to 17 feet. At the Northwest Angle, dark-colored jigs and minnows are the ticket for walleyes and northern pike around Oak Island.

LEECH LAKE AREA

A noxious weed called wild parsnip has been spotting growing in Borderland.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, people should avoid skin contact with the toxic sap of the plant tissue by wearing gloves, long sleeves and long pants.
The juice of wild parsnip in contact with skin in the presence of sunlight can cause a rash and blistering and discoloration of the skin (phytophotodermatitis), according to the DNR.

A plan to protect Canada lynx and approved by a federal judge will impact local trappers.
Frank House, a veteran trapper, said the plan isn’t needed because the only lynx in Borderland are traveling through the area.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officials have come up with a plan to reduce the number of protected Canada lynx that get caught in traps. A federal judge has approved the plan, which would impose additional restrictions on trapping in northeastern Minnesota.