Minnesota
Canada Lynx, Lynx canadensis
I first visited Minnesota in February 2017 for a weekend, and was successful in my quest to see a Canada Lynx.
Grand Marais
The forest around Grand Marais is probably the best place to look for Lynxes in the USA outside of Alaska. They are still, however, far from easy to see.
Forest roads near Grand Marais
I focused my efforts on a deer carcass in the forest between Grand Marais and the Gunflint Lodge, and lucked out seeing a Lynx, on two separate occasions, feeding at dusk one evening, and at 8 a.m. a couple of days later. The only other mammals that weekend were many Red Squirrels at the Gunflint Lodge and a probable Northern Short-tailed Shrew in the forest.
Canada Lynx, Lynx canadensis
Late February is Lynx breeding season and one of the best times to look for them. Fishers were reported also feeding on the carcass a couple of weeks after I was there. Thanks to David Johnson and Chris Townend (Wisebirding) for their help.
Canada Lynx, Lynx canadensis
Community Reports
Gun Flint Trail and Sax-Zim Bog, 2024: Curtis Hart, 12 days & 8 species including American Marten and Short-tailed Weasel.
Sax-Zim Bog 2024: Ellen Linton, 3 days & some nice species including American Marten and Short-tailed Weasel. A fun read too!
Point Reyes (California) & Gunflint Trail (Minnesota), February 2023: Samuel Marlin, 2 weeks & 24 species including Lynx, Bobcat, Badger and Northern Bog Lemming.
Superior National Forest, November 2021: Wise Birding Holidays, 10 days & 11 species including Wolf, Marten and Lynx.
Superior National Forest, February 2022: Wise Birding Holidays, 7 days & 9 species including Moose, Marten and a family of 4 Lynxes.
Minnesota to Wyoming, 2022: Janco van Gelderen, 2 weeks & 21 species including American Marten, Lynx and Mountain Lion.
Lynx weekend, March 2022: Charles Foley, 2 days & 7 species including several Lynxes, a Southern Red-backed Vole and a Northern Flying Squirrel.
Minnesota & the Dakotas, 2021: Moses Swanson’s report from the summer of 2021 featuring 15 species including Muskrat and Porcupine.
Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, 2020: Wildlifeship’s short report of a trip to the sanctuary to get up close with Black Bears.
Gunflint Trail, 2020: Chris Daniels, 2 days with a Lynx (making a kill!)
Minnesota, 2020: Wise Birding, 10 days & 10 species Canada Lynx.
Minnesota, 2018: Wise Birding, 10 days & 11 species including 8! Canada Lynx sightings, American Marten, Ermine and Northern Flying Squirrel.
Minnesota, 2017: Jon Hall, 3 nights & 3 species including a Canada Lynx.
Minnesota, 2017: Wisebirding, 1 week and 9 species including Moose, Northern Flying Squirrel and a Canada Lynx.
Minnesota, 2016: Chris Townend, 1 week & 9 species including Fisher, Wolf, Marten and Lynx.
Minnesota, 2015: Cheryl Antonucci, 1 week & 6 species including Ermine (Stoat) and Pine Marten.
Also See
Please email me if you have tips for mammal watching in this area.
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