Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Jan 25, 2021 12:20PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - January 25, 2021
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the colder weather has improved slush conditions on most lakes. The enforcement focus continued to be on trout fishing both inside and outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Angler success was noticeably down after the weather change. Violations included possession of a snowmobile inside the BWCA, possession of aluminum cans inside the BWCA and angling without a license in possession.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked trout anglers and snowmobile riders this past week. Slush conditions improved but fishing did not. Velsvaag received several calls on trout and pike regulations as well as bobcat trapping.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) reports angling activity remains high on trout lakes that are easily accessible. Success was decent for both lake and stream trout. Time was also spent meeting with Fisheries to discuss upcoming plans for lakes in the area. Enforcement action was taken for an overlimit of fish and snowmobile, ATV and license violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent some time on the local snowmobile trails checking riders and conditions. A little fresh snow that fell over the weekend will allow some grooming to happen, but trails are still rough in many places as snow cover is thin. She also checked anglers, handled trapping questions and assisted Cook County with a couple calls.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily trout angling enforcement and snowmobile enforcement this past week, as well as following up on cases from the deer season. Enforcement action included taking an overlimit of deer, taking a doe without a permit, unlawful use of a bonus tag, failure to display snowmobile registration, and fishing with extra lines. Bermel and CO Williams encountered a group in the BWCAW with a gas-powered auger and a 24 pack of beer cans. They also rode their snowmobile into the wilderness, and one individual provided a fake ID with a false date of birth. Appropriate citations were handed out.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity this past week. Time was also spent assisting volunteer instructors at a snowmobile safety class.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports monitoring angling activity throughout the past week. Small trout of various species were seen in multiple buckets. A few no-license-in-possession violations were encountered. Even with minimal snow, snowmobile activity is ramping up in the Grand Marais area and snowmobile registration violations are common. Cross-country skiers are also looking to the sky for some snow.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the colder weather has improved slush conditions on most lakes. The enforcement focus continued to be on trout fishing both inside and outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Angler success was noticeably down after the weather change. Violations included possession of a snowmobile inside the BWCA, possession of aluminum cans inside the BWCA and angling without a license in possession.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked trout anglers and snowmobile riders this past week. Slush conditions improved but fishing did not. Velsvaag received several calls on trout and pike regulations as well as bobcat trapping.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) reports angling activity remains high on trout lakes that are easily accessible. Success was decent for both lake and stream trout. Time was also spent meeting with Fisheries to discuss upcoming plans for lakes in the area. Enforcement action was taken for an overlimit of fish and snowmobile, ATV and license violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent some time on the local snowmobile trails checking riders and conditions. A little fresh snow that fell over the weekend will allow some grooming to happen, but trails are still rough in many places as snow cover is thin. She also checked anglers, handled trapping questions and assisted Cook County with a couple calls.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily trout angling enforcement and snowmobile enforcement this past week, as well as following up on cases from the deer season. Enforcement action included taking an overlimit of deer, taking a doe without a permit, unlawful use of a bonus tag, failure to display snowmobile registration, and fishing with extra lines. Bermel and CO Williams encountered a group in the BWCAW with a gas-powered auger and a 24 pack of beer cans. They also rode their snowmobile into the wilderness, and one individual provided a fake ID with a false date of birth. Appropriate citations were handed out.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity this past week. Time was also spent assisting volunteer instructors at a snowmobile safety class.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports monitoring angling activity throughout the past week. Small trout of various species were seen in multiple buckets. A few no-license-in-possession violations were encountered. Even with minimal snow, snowmobile activity is ramping up in the Grand Marais area and snowmobile registration violations are common. Cross-country skiers are also looking to the sky for some snow.
