Exploring Minnesota by Snowmobiling: Plan Your Adventure

Given our usually bountiful snowfall, it isn’t surprising that snowmobiles were invented in Minnesota. Their creators figured it would be a great way to get around. They probably had no idea it would be so much fun, or spark the development of one of the country’s most extensive trail networks.

There are now close to 20,000 miles of snowmobile trails in Minnesota. This vast grid of trails is made possible through a funding partnership between local snowmobile clubs, the state and trail users. The local clubs groom and care for thousands of miles of trail, and welcome visiting snowmobilers to tour their part of the state’s enticing web of trails.

What trails to take?

Trails wind from north to south, and poke into all corners of the state. They traverse rolling countryside and meander through forests, over rivers and past lakes. Where to start?

To help make this choice more manageable, there’s Minnesota Snowmobiling Destinations, a magazine-style guide to snowmobiling in the state. Ten major snowmobiling systems are described. For a copy, contact the Minnesota Office of Tourism.



What about maps?

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a series of large maps showing the snowmobile trail networks in each quadrant of the state: northeast, southeast, northwest and southwest. The maps are available free from DNR or the Minnesota Office of Tourism. For maps on individual snowmobile trails, contact local chambers of commerce.


Where to stay?

Snowmobiling Destinations includes information on motels, hotels and resorts that cater to snowmobilers. The Office of Tourism can also provide information through its Journey travel planning service,

What about snowmobile studs?

Snowmobiles equipped with metal traction devices are not allowed on any paved public trail, but can use all other snowmobile trails. A $13 annual sticker is required for any snowmobile with metal studs registered in Minnesota. It’s available from the DNR License Bureau and other license outlets.

Visiting from out of Minnesota?

To help Minnesota groom its trails, snowmobilers visiting Minnesota from other states and Canada are required to purchase a $16 Snowmobile State Trail Sticker, available from DNR. through various license outlets. It can be purchased with a credit card from the DNR. (Minnesotans support trail funding through their snowmobile registration fees.)

How’s the snow?

The Minnesota Office of Tourism has reports on snow depths and trail conditions across the state, available from first snowfall to spring thaw. Call the Office of Tourism for snow depth reports.

Links/for more info:

    Minnesota Office of Tourism: 800-657-3700; 651/296-5029 in Twin Cities area


    Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: 888-646-6367 (from MN); 651/296-6157

Minnesota's Trout Streams Among Best in Country

"Southeastern Minnesota may be the least well-known fly fishing mecca in the United States," declares the "Trout Unlimited's Guide to America's 100 Best Trout Streams." 

This beautiful corner of the state, hilly bluff country with creeks winding through picturesque valleys, is no secret to avid fly-fishermen (and women) from Minnesota. But their inclusion in this national guide to trout fishing gives them the broader recognition they deserve.

Brown, brook and rainbow trout are found in the south fork of the Root River, near Preston and Lanesboro, and the Whitewater River east of Rochester. Trout Creek Run, between St. Charles and Lanesboro, holds brown and brook trout and is "one of the prettiest trout streams anywhere," according to the book. Concise descriptions of each give details on where, when and how to fish these streams.

Brook trout are native to the area. Brown trout, now the most common to southeastern Minnesota streams, were introduced more than a century ago. Some streams are stocked with rainbow trout.

Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources also provides information on fishing these streams, including maps. Check the web site at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing.html for lots of other fishing information, or call 651/296-6157 or 888-646-6367 (from Minnesota).

Franken On Trump: ‘It’s Going To Be A Challenging Time’

As shockwaves of President-elect Donald Trump reverberate around the country, Sen. Al Franken says he is skeptical, but hopeful, for what’s to come.

Alan Stuart Franken was born on May 21, 1951. 
He is an American comedian, politician, and writer.
He is currently the junior United States Senator from Minnesota.
He became well known in the 1980s as a performer on the television comedy show Saturday Night Live.
After several decades as a comedic actor, he became a prominent liberal political activist.
Franken was elected to the United States Senate in 2008. Franken is a member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), an affiliate of the Democratic Party.

The Minnesota Democrat says he’s willing to work with Trump on infrastructure, mentioned in the Republican candidate’s victory speech, but hopes Trump will come to terms with some of the rhetoric used throughout the campaign.

“Hopefully, going forward, he said in his latest statement he wants to be the president for everybody. And if he wants to do that, I think he might have to change some of what he says,” Franken said.

Franken said he was disappointed by Tuesday’s election results, but hopes he’s proven wrong about Trump.

“This is going to be a challenging time, but it’s a time for us to work together on accomplishing things we agree on,” Franken said. “The democracy will survive.”

He also discussed the protests occurring throughout the country.

“There is a right to protest in this country and as long as it’s peaceful, its people’s right to do,” he said.

John Gorka returns to Nisswa for Nov. 18 concert

John Gorka returns to Nisswa Friday for a Grassroots Concerts performance at 7:30 p.m. in the Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar.

After his 1987 Red House release “I Know” introduced Gorka to the public, his wit and honesty have made him one of the most beloved artists currently carrying on the folk tradition.

A native of New Jersey, Gorka started his career in the 1970s at Godfrey Daniels, a neighborhood coffeehouse in eastern Pennsylvania.

He now lives in Minnesota and he enjoys spending time with his wife and children.

In addition to his 11 critically acclaimed albums, John released a collector’s edition box featuring a hi-definition DVD and companion CD called “The Gypsy Life.” Windham Hill released a collection of John’s greatest hits from the label “Pure John Gorka.”

This will be his eighth appearance in the nonprofit Grassroots Concerts series.

For more about John, go to www.johngorka.com

The Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar is located in the Journey Church in Nisswa.

Grassroots Concerts are made possible by a grant provided by the Five Wings Arts Council with funds through the Minnesota State Legislature. Grassroots Concerts is a  nonprofit under the Internal Revenue Code.

Concert general admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 with listening attention, when accompanied by an adult.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for seating preference.

Minnesota Facts

•     Number of rivers and streams: 6,564 (92,000 miles).
•     Major rivers: Mississippi River, Minnesota River, Red River, St. Croix River.
•     Number of lakes (over 10 acres): 11,842 (4,967,510 acres).
•     Largest Lakes: Lake Superior (borders north eastern Minnesota); Lake of the Woods (straddles Minnesota's border with Canada); Red Lake, Mille Lacs Lake, Leech Lake.
•     Number of recreational boats per capita: one boat per every six people, more than any other state.
•     Number of individuals who go fishing: 2.3 million

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.