New Sighting Of Black Bear Near Oxbow Park in SE Minnesota (PHOTOS)

It's not very often that we see a black bear in Southeast Minnesota...but another sighting just happened on Tuesday, not too far from Rochester!  This time, the photos are crystal clear and it appears that the bear is having the best day ever.

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Another Adorable Black Bear Has Been Spotted in Southeast Minnesota

Living among us humans in Minnesota are about 13,000 to 18,000 black bears.  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has shared that most of the black bears are in the top 1/3 of the state.  Once in awhile though, black bears will venture to the lower part of the state.  Below are a few of the latest sightings in Southeast Minnesota:

• Earlier in July, we had a sighting of a black bear enjoying a fun dip in the Mississippi River.

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• Shortly after that, we heard from the Dodge County Sheriff's office that a small adult bear was spotted and they requested that everyone in the area take down their bird feeders and secure their garbage cans.

Based on some photos that just popped up on Facebook, you might want to check those bird feeders and trash cans again...because we have another sighting of a black bear in the area.  And you'll never guess what the bear is enjoying... ;)

Latest Black Bear Sighting in Southeast Minnesota Near Oxbow Park

According to Kristin Kramer, her mother-in-law was on her porch watching a black bear Tuesday night.  This time, the sighting was not too far from Oxbow Park.

"The bear is back. Investigating my mother in laws bird feeders tonight. On county 18 (590th St) halfway between county 5 and 11.

She told me, "The bear seems pretty chill. My mother in-law was sitting on the porch watching it." - Kristin Kramer

Check Out Where The Latest Bear Sightings Are in Minnesota on the Bear Sightings Map

One of my favorite resources that we have in Minnesota is the Bear Sightings Map on the Minnesota DNR website.  See where the latest sightings are in our state.  If you happen to see a bear sighting yourself, you can report that also.

So far in 2025, Olmsted County has had 1 bear sighting.  Dodge County has 3 bear sightings on the map.

Below is a screenshot of the bear sightings for the entire state of Minnesota as of July 23rd, 2025.

See if black bears have been spotted in your area at the Bear Sightings Map here.