National Loon Center

10/14/2026

With colder months upon us, the Nest will be open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm.

While you’re in, check out our loony merch, and learn about our programs, events, and new facility opening next year!

09/23/2026

Join us for Loons & Lakes Trivia at UpNorth Social tomorrow, September 24th, from 6 to 8pm.

Don’t forget to clean out your tackle box and bring in any lead tackle you have lying around for bonus points and a higher chance at winning some loony prizes!

Photo by Trista Snapko.

09/21/2026

Last chance this season to come aboard the Loon Pontoon!

There are a handful of tickets remaining for tours going out Wednesday through Friday of this week.

Fall is in the air, so please dress appropriately 🍁

Register below!

https://www.nationallooncenter.org/the-stewardship/

09/18/2026

We were super lucky to have Blake and Cedrik join us as interns this summer!

As the research intern, Blake focused a majority of his time studying loon breeding success and the effects of artificial nesting platforms as well as surveying water quality and guiding Loon Pontoon tours.

As the outreach intern, Cedrik spent a lot of his time at outreach events throughout the state, assisting with Loons & Lakes Trivia nights, and guiding Junior Loon Biologist outings.

We wish them both the best of luck as they head into the new school year and get back into the swing of things after spending the summer up north.

We couldn’t have made it through the busy summer without them!

09/17/2026

The Minnesota Loons take on LA this weekend!

Come early this Saturday, Sept 19th, and meet us on the Great Lawn outside Allianz Field at 5:30 PM for the pre-party before the game begins.

Hope to see you there ❤️

09/16/2026

In honor of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 26th, join us for a shoreline cleanup from 9am to 12pm along the Whitefish Chain of Lakes.

Register on the MN Master Naturalist website by September 18th!

https://minnesotamasternaturalist.org/courses/register/?courseId=2353

09/16/2026

Start practicing your loon calls and compete on Saturday, September 26th, for a chance to land on a much bigger stage!

NLC will be hosting the Loon Calling Contest Finals with MNUFC on October 28th at halftime on Allianz Field.

Visit our website to sign up,

Saturday,Sep 26 3:00pm CrosslakeTown Square Saturday, September 26 3:00 pm Crosslake Town Square The Loons are Calling The stakes are a little higher for this year’s Loon Calling Contest. This September in Crosslake, your loon call could land you on a much bigger stage, as the NLC will be hosting ...

09/04/2026

Meet Echo!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the naming of our new mascot. NLC staff had a hoot reading everyone’s name suggestions on both Instagram and Facebook.

Echo will be making his next appearance during Crosslake Days on September 26th, during the annual Loon Calling Contest. Don’t miss your chance to see him before migration!

09/02/2026

Have you ever heard of the spiny water flea? In early August, National Loon Center staff participated in Spiny Surveillance—a community science monitoring program designed to track the spread and catch early infestations of spiny waterflea. This program is facilitated through the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) and the University of Minnesota Extension, who have assembled sampling kits stationed around the state available for check-out and use by community scientists! Interested in getting involved? Visit https://maisrc.umn.edu/spinysurveil to learn more!

Spiny waterfleas are native to Northern Europe and Asia and were introduced to North America in the 1980s through cargo ships discharging ballast water in the Great Lakes. There are currently 68 infested lakes in Minnesota, mostly in the northern part of the state and in Lake Mille Lacs. When spiny waterfleas invade a new lake, they feed on and compete with native zooplankton, destabilizing the food web with effects that cascade up to top predators like loons. They can also be a problem for anglers, who might find groups of them clogging the eyelets of a fishing rod!