Hold the chili: unique bait works

Over the years, anglers gain information through experience and from other fisher-folk who aid in becoming more successful on the water.

• Aaron Pappas
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Community Fishing Contest is this weekend in Park Rapids

Anglers are gearing up for the 14th annual Park Rapids American Legion Community Fishing Contest this weekend.

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DNR seizes 234 fish at Lake of the Woods

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeing a jump in fishing violations on Lake of the Woods this winter.

Setting sights on wolves

Jim Benson has been on successful wolf hunting excursions in Ontario, and that gave him reason for optimism last week, when he and some friends embarked on a six-day hunt north of the border.

Blind Fargo hunter bags alligator in Florida Everglades

Carey McWilliams, who is legally blind, shows off the alligator he hunted in Florida. Special to The Forum Carey McWilliams of Fargo loves hunting. He’s bagged any number of birds and animals. But last August, he got himself an animal that would be hard to come by in the Dakotas and Minnesota: an alligator.

Downsize for better success on ice

During the ice fishing season, talking about success is common.

• Small jigs
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Man charged after allegedly shooting cougar in southwest Minnesota

Prosecutors have charged a southwest Minnesota man for allegedly shooting a cougar last November.

• Cougar shot

Farmers will keep an eye on wolf plans

Minnesota farmers and ranchers plan to watch closely how the Legislature, which opened Tuesday, and Department of Natural Resources implement control of the gray wolf, which the federal government delisted from the endangered species list last fall.

DNR proposes to let Minnesota hunters take 400 wolves

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing to let hunters and trappers take 400 wolves this fall.

Clamshells sprout on Spirit Lake

A small community of portable ice shelters popped up on Menahga’s Spirit Lake Saturday afternoon as dozens of anglers braved sub-zero windchills and gasped at the cold. They were rewarded with prizes galore, including cash, frozen turkeys and small fish scales handed out on the ice. The event is sponsored by the Menahga Civic & Commerce Association. Top prize was a 2011 Ice Castle fish house.

• Clamshell community

One of the new Ely bear cubs is a screamer

If you’re wondering whether that Ely research bear Jewel had two cubs or three, the answer seems to be two.

• Jewel the bear

Family, police, wildlife rehab workers help save injured Minnesota bobcat

When Brenda Winberg heard a “thump” outside of the door of her Hermantown home around 8 p.m. Thursday, she thought the dog wanted in. Then she realized the dog was in.

• Bobcat

Ely bear featured on Webcam gives birth to at least 2 cubs

Jewel, a 3-year-old bear whose den near Ely has been under video surveillance this winter, gave birth to at least two cubs this morning.

• Jewel

Staying warm requires planning

Staying warm during the cold snaps of winter is always a challenge. Most people have to make accommodations for themselves to ensure hands, feet, ears, and everything else in between is warm enough to prevent shivering.

• The prize at the end of the line
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New law: Those hired to remove docks, lifts must have state permit

Another tactic to stop the spread of zebra mussels will take place throughout the state this winter – training sessions for those who are hired to install and remove boats, docks and lifts.