Just the other day, a safety reminder was sent out to residents around Southeast Minnesota letting them know that a black bear was spotted about 30 minutes from Rochester.
READ MORE: Southeast Minnesota Town Gets Surprise Visitor- A Black Bear
But according to the Minnesota DNR, that's not the only black bear that has been spotted in the great state of Minnesota.
Map Showing Black Bear Sightings In Minnesota In 2026
A few years ago, I was driving on I-90 and when I was near Austin, I saw a black bear in a field. At first, I thought I was imagining it...but it wasn't a deer and it wasn't a horse.
After that encounter, I learned that there are 13,000 to 18,000 black bears in our state. And yes, quite a few have made their way out of the "primary" area and are now living in the southern and western parts of Minnesota.
If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a map where individuals can add their black bear sightings. This map is helping the DNR document and understand the habits of bears in our state throughout the years.
Now that spring is here, sightings are popping up on the map, including several in Southeast Minnesota.
A few of the black bear sightings this year that are in Southeast Minnesota include the following:
3.21.26 - near Hwy 247 just east of Plainview, MN
3.31.26 - just north of Albert Lea, MN and south of Clarks Grove
3.31.26 - near Seven Springs Wildlife Management Area in SE Minnesota
4.26.26 - near Chatfield, MN
5.3.26 - near Owatonna, MN by Rose St.
5.5.26 - near Claremont, MN
5.6.26 - black bear and cub spotted near New Beginnings Church in Owatonna, MN
5.9.26 - Owatonna, MN by Walker Dr.
5.9.26 - south side of Kenyon, MN
5.10.26 - north side of Kenyon, MN
5.11.26 - east of Faribault near Davis Ave
See all of the bear sightings on the MN DNR map here.
How To Report a Bear Sighting in Minnesota
If you happen to see one, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources would love your help tracking those sightings.
If you see a bear, please submit that sighting to the "Report a Bear Sighting" page on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.
Did You Know That Minnesota Has A Bear Sanctuary?
If you've got "see a black bear" on your bucket list, heading to the northern part of the state would be your best bet to cross that off. In fact, there is a Bear Sanctuary that is open during some parts of the year where the public is invited to come and watch bears in the wild.
READ MORE: Minnesota Bear Sanctuary One of the Best Road Trip Based on Reviews
It's a Minnesota Bucket List! 50 Things You Must Do and See in Minnesota
Gallery Credit: Jessica Williams
