Weekly Conservation Officers' Report
Dec 07, 2020 10:39AM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - December 7, 2020
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports more anglers are making their way out onto the ice and finding conditions vary greatly even on the same lake. Early ice is notoriously unpredictable and although we still have only a small amount of snow, temperatures have yet to drop to extreme lows. Please use caution when venturing out on the newly frozen lakes.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked muzzleloader hunters and anglers this past week. Fewer deer hunters were out and ice conditions are improving with more anglers heading out on the ice. Velsvaag took several calls on the pike regulations and answered more questions on marten trapping.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored early ice angling activity. People are starting to venture out on area lakes. He continued to follow up on big-game investigations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) checked ice anglers, muzzleloader and archery deer hunters, and grouse hunters throughout the past week. Ice conditions improved and there was a significant uptick in activity. Enforcement action included purchasing/using unlawful combination angling license, unattended lines, insufficient blaze orange, and an unmarked deer stand in a state park.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity this past week. The temperatures have been mild but the lack of snow has aided the buildup of ice. Most of the shallow lakes are OK for walking.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports slow activity throughout the area during the past week. A few early season ice anglers were contacted. The walleye bite remains slow. Trapping activity was also worked and administrative tasks were handled. No violations were encountered.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked deer muzzleloader and ice angling activity this past week. Most area lakes are now ice-covered with an average ice thickness of 6 inches. Anglers were having some success with panfish and walleyes. Open-water anglers are still able to access boat launches on Lake Superior and several anglers were checked with some nice lake trout.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports more anglers are making their way out onto the ice and finding conditions vary greatly even on the same lake. Early ice is notoriously unpredictable and although we still have only a small amount of snow, temperatures have yet to drop to extreme lows. Please use caution when venturing out on the newly frozen lakes.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked muzzleloader hunters and anglers this past week. Fewer deer hunters were out and ice conditions are improving with more anglers heading out on the ice. Velsvaag took several calls on the pike regulations and answered more questions on marten trapping.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored early ice angling activity. People are starting to venture out on area lakes. He continued to follow up on big-game investigations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) checked ice anglers, muzzleloader and archery deer hunters, and grouse hunters throughout the past week. Ice conditions improved and there was a significant uptick in activity. Enforcement action included purchasing/using unlawful combination angling license, unattended lines, insufficient blaze orange, and an unmarked deer stand in a state park.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity this past week. The temperatures have been mild but the lack of snow has aided the buildup of ice. Most of the shallow lakes are OK for walking.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports slow activity throughout the area during the past week. A few early season ice anglers were contacted. The walleye bite remains slow. Trapping activity was also worked and administrative tasks were handled. No violations were encountered.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked deer muzzleloader and ice angling activity this past week. Most area lakes are now ice-covered with an average ice thickness of 6 inches. Anglers were having some success with panfish and walleyes. Open-water anglers are still able to access boat launches on Lake Superior and several anglers were checked with some nice lake trout.
