Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Mar 08, 2021 01:31PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - March 8, 2021
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling activity in the Ely area was extremely high over the weekend as snow and ice conditions on the lakes held on in spite of warming weather. Angler success was fair although most had to put in many hours in order to have anything to show for it. Violations included: No license in possession and fail to display snowmobile registration.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and a few snowmobilers this past week. Fishing was much better and lake conditions are good overall, but several areas had significant ice loss in areas with current. Velsvaag continued to see areas with litter from anglers and snowmobilers, including cans, bottles, oil containers and burnt garbage.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked inside and outside the BWCAW this past week. Snowmobile trails and area trout lakes were also worked. He responded to another snowmobile accident in Cook County. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and fishing violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked snowmobile trails and saw good compliance among late-season riders. All were pleased with the grooming crews efforts with the limited snow amounts. Warm weather forecast for the coming week could diminish trail conditions further. Manning also checked anglers and spoke with several folks planning end-of-season trout-fishing trips. Manning also took a reports of a car-killed deer and an incidentally caught bobcat that was immediately reported by the trapper.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked an early-week Lake of the Woods detail with other officers. The remainder of the week was spent primarily on angling enforcement locally inside and outside of the BWCAW. Enforcement action included extra lines, unattended lines, shelter license violations, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and operation of trucks on a grant-in-aid snowmobile trail. Several folks had to be reminded to renew their fishing licenses. If you haven't done so yet, please get it done so you don't forget.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and snowmobile activity this past week. Most anglers are doing a good job at removing ice shelters before ice conditions deteriorate ahead of the March 15 removal deadline. Area snowmobile trails are now in poor condition as warm weather has started melting the groomed trails. Murray assisted volunteer instructors with a youth firearms safety class where students earned their certification at a field day.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling activity in the Ely area was extremely high over the weekend as snow and ice conditions on the lakes held on in spite of warming weather. Angler success was fair although most had to put in many hours in order to have anything to show for it. Violations included: No license in possession and fail to display snowmobile registration.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and a few snowmobilers this past week. Fishing was much better and lake conditions are good overall, but several areas had significant ice loss in areas with current. Velsvaag continued to see areas with litter from anglers and snowmobilers, including cans, bottles, oil containers and burnt garbage.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked inside and outside the BWCAW this past week. Snowmobile trails and area trout lakes were also worked. He responded to another snowmobile accident in Cook County. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and fishing violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked snowmobile trails and saw good compliance among late-season riders. All were pleased with the grooming crews efforts with the limited snow amounts. Warm weather forecast for the coming week could diminish trail conditions further. Manning also checked anglers and spoke with several folks planning end-of-season trout-fishing trips. Manning also took a reports of a car-killed deer and an incidentally caught bobcat that was immediately reported by the trapper.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked an early-week Lake of the Woods detail with other officers. The remainder of the week was spent primarily on angling enforcement locally inside and outside of the BWCAW. Enforcement action included extra lines, unattended lines, shelter license violations, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and operation of trucks on a grant-in-aid snowmobile trail. Several folks had to be reminded to renew their fishing licenses. If you haven't done so yet, please get it done so you don't forget.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and snowmobile activity this past week. Most anglers are doing a good job at removing ice shelters before ice conditions deteriorate ahead of the March 15 removal deadline. Area snowmobile trails are now in poor condition as warm weather has started melting the groomed trails. Murray assisted volunteer instructors with a youth firearms safety class where students earned their certification at a field day.
