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2007 Whale Sightings

Each year I report the spring-summer-fall movements of the whales on Lake Superior. The reports are sightings sent by residents and visitors along the North Shore of Lake Superior. If you spot whale activity, please send your sightings in via email. New for 2007 - I accept photos, too!

To report whale sightings and send whale photos ... ... ...
email Whale Watch
September
The whales are remaining in their summer grounds most likely due to the long warm summer and increased water temps. I expect they will begin to move to their winter grounds by the third week of September, allowing for visitors to enjoy both fall colors and whale watching!
August 20
"Check out the whale we saw at the Kadunce beach! We had hiked the river and were back on the beach throwing rocks and it breached right out in front of us and then a couple more times as it was heading north. I marked it on the picture."
Extended Norgaard family, Maple Grove

August 9 - whale at Grand Marais harbor
"Everyone on the tour boat today (Wenonah) saw this calf swimming in front of the Grand Marais harbor! Yee-haw!"
Helen from Bozeman
August 1
emails and a call about whale sightings around the Susie Islands, near Grand Portage
Viewing Tip :: all the sightings were from the Hwy 61 overlook - be sure to pull over at this wayside for excellent panoramic vistas and possible whale sightings


July 22
"We were fishing out of Grand Marais and saw a mother and at least one calf playing. Got this shot just after the mother breached. And we caught salmon! Another bonus day on the North Shore."
Simpsons, Minneapolis
July 16
reports of whale activity near Five Mile Rock, 5 miles north of Grand Marais

July 10
"sweet!!!!! saw a whale today! we were at the silver bay marina to see if there were any ships and it spouted straight off the overlook."
Leo


July 1-7
reports of calf sightings northeast of Knife River, off the shore at Little Marias, between Schroeder & Tofte, and several in the Susie Island area near Grand Portage

June 19 - sighting at Flood Bay (just N of Two Harbors)
"My wife and granddaughter were looking for agates at flood bay, when-there it was! Barely visible just off the point."
Jeff Hauer, La Crosse WI
whales at flood bay

June 12 - Gadwall sailors spy whales
I received a call from Duluth Whale Watchers who met sailors from the Gadwall , a 655' ship flying under the Hong Kong flag. Some of the crew were out for dinner and shared stories of watching whales play off Knife Island, Knife River (Scenic 61) on their evening approach to the Duluth harbor. This is the Gadwall's maiden voyage. She will load beet pulp pellets and head for Spain.

June 7 - whales at Gooseberry
"I want a whale t-shirt. We saw whales. Tried to get a picture. Here's the best I could get!"
Clint from Centerville

June 4 - whales through the viewfinder at Thompson Hill

"saw whales from thompson hill!!! saw them thru the viewfinder!!! most excellent!!!!!!!!!"
the O'Riellys from Illinois

May 28 - whales are here
The whales are definitely back along the North Shore. over the Memorial Day Weekend, I received several emails of sightings, most from Duluth locals and visitors along the Duluth Lakewalk. Sighting of whales included spoutings and breaching of pods of 2-5 whales


See the TIPS below for suggestions in how to spot these wonderful mammals!

May 23 - foggy sighting off Va Bene in Duluth
Could it have been? Yep, I am the first one to see a whale this year! I heard murmurings of posssible sightings while in Duluth. I stopped along the lakewalk several times and scanned the lake, but the fog impeded any real efforts. But luck was with me. I was appreciating the view while waiting for a table at Va Bene when there it was - the distinctive spout of the Lake Superior Minke! The other patrons and I watched and saw another 3 spoutings over the next 40 minuites and then either the whales moved on or the fog became too thick.


Sighting Tips
We recommend climbing to a ridgeline with a pair of highpower binoculars (or telescope) and scanning what appears to be the edge of the horizon. Since the whales travel in pods (or groups), you can usually spot a great deal of spouting.


**


Are there really whales in Lake Superior?

hmmm . . .
maybe you
should read this
August 11, 2006
article from the
Duluth News-Tribune


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