Notebook: Grant to benefit Lake of the Woods portage, Area racers do well in Arrowhead 135, etc.
Feb. 5—KENORA, Ont. — A popular railway portage on the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods is getting an upgrade with an $800,000 grant from the Ontario government, the province's department of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry said in a news release.
The Turtle Portage Marine Railway allows boaters to move their boats over land between Whitefish Bay and Sabaskong Bay without traveling 90 miles by boat around the Aulneau Peninsula.
"Lake of the Woods is a vital part of tourism in (northwestern Ontario), attracting cottagers and visitors who come to enjoy the many recreational opportunities the area has to offer," Greg Rickford, minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, said in a statement. "Turtle Portage is an iconic landmark on Lake of the Woods and that's why our government is proud to ensure that boaters can safely use this overland crossing for many years to come."
The Turtle Portage Marine Railway will be upgraded to improve its functionality, safety and reliability, allowing for more recreational boating opportunities on the lake.
"I know a lot of people like to use Turtle Portage. Sabaskong Bay and Whitefish Bay are very different waters, and locals as well as guests like the ability to fish both in the same day," said Wayne Helliar, owner of Helliar's Resort in Nestor Falls, Ontario. "I believe it's an important historical tradition that is an asset to our region and should be maintained."
Off-site assembly activities are already underway, and on-site construction will begin as soon as conditions improve in the spring. The crossing will be ready for boaters to use by this summer, to the benefit of locals and tourists alike. — Herald staff report
TOWER, Minn. — Bicycle racers from North Dakota and northwest Minnesota had strong showings in the Arrowhead 135, a 135-mile winter endurance race from International Falls to Tower, Minnesota.
The race, open to bicycles, runners and cross-country skiers, began Monday, Jan. 31. Participants had to cross the finish line at Fortune Bay Casino in Tower by 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2.
Ryan Haug, 50, of Fargo placed fifth; Chuck Lindner, 50, of Warroad, Minnesota, finished seventh; and Pat Adrian, 51, of Roseau, Minnesota, placed ninth in the bicycle division. Haug finished with a time of 17 hours and 33 minutes; Lindner finished the course in 18 hours, 37 minutes; and Adrian had a time of 18 hours, 41 minutes.
Winning the bicycle division was Matthew Bosman, 42, of Minnesota, who finished with a time of 14 hours, 22 minutes. Wisconsin runner Jake Hegge, 30, won the running division with a time of 28 hours, 27 minutes, to set a new course record. Shalane Frost, 33, of Alaska won the ski division, with a time of 20 hours, 41 minutes, making her the first female skier to win the ski race. She also set a new overall course skiing record.
Complete race results
are available at arrowheadultra.com. — Brad Dokken
LAKE MILLE LACS, Minn. — Lake Mille Lacs has joined Keep It Clean, a campaign to tackle the problem of garbage and other debris left behind on the ice by wintertime anglers. The campaign, which originated in 2012 with Lake of the Woods, also was recently adopted by Upper Red Lake.
Keep It Clean focuses on leaving no trace.
Lake of the Woods, Upper Red and Mille Lacs are among the state's most popular walleye fishing destinations, and Keep It Clean organizers say they hope that other Minnesota lakes come on board.
"Anglers leaving garbage and other waste on the ice isn't just a local problem or a state problem — it is an entire Ice Belt problem," said Joe Henry, executive director of the Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau and a founder of Keep It Clean. "The Keep It Clean campaign gives us a universal language and key messages to help support ongoing education, awareness, enforcement and cleanup efforts. Well-known fishing destinations in Minnesota have an opportunity to lead the way."
Added Ann Brucciani Lyon, vice chair of the Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation, which is spearheading the Mille Lacs Lake effort:
"Healthy lakes with clean water, pristine ice and litter-free reefs and shoreline help create an ideal environment for sustainable fishing," she said. "They also help ensure that people of all ages — whether they are rugged outdoor enthusiasts or families — can enjoy being at the lake at any time of year."
In recent years, all three lakes have seen a dramatic increase in winter activity. With the increased activity comes more pressure on the natural resources including an increase in the amount of garbage and waste left on the lake. During the 2020-2021 ice fishing season, Lake of the Woods clocked roughly 2.7 million angler hours of fishing pressure; Mille Lacs and Upper Red weren't far behind.
"Although it's exciting to see more people enjoying the sport of ice fishing, the safe disposal and removal of garbage and human waste from the frozen lakes is reaching unmanageable proportions," said Robyn Dwight, president of the Upper Red Lake Area Association, who helped introduce Keep It Clean on Upper Red. "A true outdoors person leaves no trace. In fact, they strive to leave the environment they fish, hunt or outdoor recreate in as good or better than they found it." — Herald staff report
BISMARCK — North Dakotans interested in supporting wildlife conservation programs are reminded to look for the Watchable Wildlife checkoff on their state tax form.
The state income tax form gives wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to support nongame wildlife such as songbirds and birds of prey, while at the same time contributing to programs that help everyone enjoy all wildlife.
The checkoff — whether you are receiving a refund or having to pay in — is an easy way to voluntarily contribute to sustain this long‑standing program. In addition, direct donations to the program are accepted any time of year.
To learn more about Watchable Wildlife program activities and to view the winning entries in the 2021 photo contest, featured in the January issue of North Dakota OUTDOORS, check out the
North Dakota Game and Fish Department website
at gf.nd.gov. — Herald staff report
