CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports cold weather limited the number of anglers on local lakes. Success was very poor and only a few fish were seen all week. Although travel was much better on the lakes with much less slush found, reports of trucks getting stuck on lakes were common. Violations included failure to display snowmobile registration and no license in possession.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area trails and lakes. Wet, heavy snow has helped with trail conditions but winds also brought down a number of trees. Trout anglers had decent catches but soft snow and slush made travel difficult for some. Manning and CO Humphrey represented the DNR Honor Guard for the celebration of life for retired CO Jerry Engelbrecht. 

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling enforcement throughout the past week. Activity and success have been very weather-dependent, and recent snows have kept some snowmobile traffic in the area. Enforcement action was taken for no current fishing license.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) spent the week checking last-chance trout anglers and snowmobile riders. Several of the latter were found to have been modifying their exhaust systems to make them louder, placing them in violation of state rules. Due to this being CO Schottenbauer?s No. 1 complaint from locals, enforcement action was taken.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports working a heavy weekend of snowmobile enforcement during one of the last, if not the last, snowmobile weekend of the year. There were a surprising number of missing registration sticker violations, and the 'this is our last hoorah' excuse was the common response. Please get your registrations in order before next season. Hill also took enforcement action on numerous exhaust violations. Fishing activity was minimal in the station. The first ATV violation of the year was documented after Hill stopped an operator driving down the wrong lane of travel with a pair of helmetless kids.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and ATV activity during the week. Most Lake Superior streams are still ice- and snow-covered. Lake ice conditions improved with the return of cold weather as some anglers continued to chase panfish on area lakes. Maple syrup harvest has begun when temperatures warm enough to allow the sap to flow.