A group of brave surfers were spotted hitting the waves on Lake Superior Friday. WDIO in Duluth reports the air temperature was near single digits, but the Great Lake was in the mid-30s. One of the surfers says he's been catching the waves for the past 15 years.

There's no question Minnesota is home to beautiful lakes, but the most popular and largest in the state has become one of the top vacation spots in the country, according to a CNN report. Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin and another Minnesota destination, Lake Kabetogama, also made the list.

A joint program, established in 1991, between the United States and Canada is on track to reduce nine toxic chemicals like mercury and PCBs by 2020. According to Minnesota Public Radio, a draft report says sources of pollution around Lake Superior have cut mercury emissions by 80 percent and dioxins by 85 percent.

The shorelines of Lake Superior is home to a large outdoor ice bar known as "Blu." It's located about 10 miles north of Two Harbors. WCCO reports this ice bar features 60,000 pounds of ice transformed into chandeliers, benches, shot glasses, and sculptures, including a 16-foot replica of the Split Rock Lighthouse. Blu is open Fridays and Saturdays.