District 6 - Two Harbors area 

CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) Snowmobile trail and lake ice conditions vary greatly - from excellent to dangerous in the Ely area. Although a good amount of fresh snow had fallen in the week many of the trails are still ungroomed and traveling is slow going. Lake conditions included areas of fresh powder, slush, bare ice, and open water. Officer Williams assisted the St. Louis County Rescue Squad after two snowmobilers were reported missing. Rescue Squad members located the female victim and the snowmobile below the ice on White Iron lake. They spent two more days searching until the male victim could be recovered, also from below the frozen lake. 

CO John Velsvaag (Ely 2) checked anglers this past week. Slush conditions made fishing and snowmobiling difficult in many areas. Fishing was slow overall but some nice walleyes were caught late afternoon for a couple of days. 

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked anglers and snowmobile activity during the week. 

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked anglers and patrolled GIA snowmobile trails. The officer also checked cross country skiers at Pincushion and folks are reminded to get their annual or 3 year ski pass BEFORE arriving at the trailhead. 

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) began a background investigation on a CO applicant. The first big snow hit the area starting the snowmobile season. Time was spent working Upper Red Lake, which had very high use. Violations for the week included fail to register deer as required, expired snowmobile registration, walleye over limit, extra lines, unattended lines, possession of filleted walleyes and unmeasurable fish on a special regulations lake, drug paraphernalia, and no shelter tags. 

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and snowmobiling activity this week. Most trails were still ungroomed as over a foot of snow dumped along the Northshore. Fishing slowed down this week as the recent storm made anglers switch from ATV’s to snowmobiles for lake access.