Two Harbors area

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored seasonal closures and ATV activity and worked on equipment maintenance. He met with the assistant county attorney to review and prepare ongoing cases.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) reports heavy snowfall over the week have prolonged the spring melt. Most lakes remain entirely locked with ice, while the rivers flowing into Lake Superior remain in a high-flow state. Ledeen had the honor of attending the funeral service for Deputy Josh Owen.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) gave a law talk at the Ely firearms safety class. Thanks to the volunteer instructors. A ride-along was given to a college student. Time was spent patrolling for ATV, angling, and trapping activity. Enforcement action was taken for an ATV operator and passenger under 18 without helmets and for operating on a closed trail. As a reminder, the Prospector?s ATV trail system is closed until further notice. You can monitor trail status on the DNR website.

CO Matt Miller (Silver Bay) checked river and shore anglers as steelhead activity began to increase. No sign of smelt in the rivers yet, but they should be running soon. Inland lakes are still quite ice- and snow-covered. Some very late snowmobile activity was monitored, and ATV use is picking up. Enforcement action taken regarding state parks, angling, and litter.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked Lake Superior streams during the week. Few anglers were catching fish yet as water temperatures are well below average with swift water from inland run off. Murray also issued possession permits for road-hit deer and took a call of an injured bobcat.

Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports another winter storm has brought most outdoor activities to a halt. The sturgeon ?keep? season on the Rainy River has started, so people are reminded to follow all the special rules that apply when harvesting a sturgeon. Equipment maintenance and training were completed.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working the Rainy River this past week checking sturgeon anglers. Fishing reports were slow. The water levels remain high and the water is dirty, but most of the debris has cleared. Forest roads and trapping activity was monitored as well.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports another storm has dropped significant snow and snowmobiles have reappeared. Spring road closures were monitored. Below-freezing temperatures have refrozen small waterways. Trapping activities were checked, as were angling activities. Area lakes remain ice-covered.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily spring trapping and angling enforcement. The snow and cold caused activity to be minimal throughout the week. Larson spent time checking for beaver activity and traps in the rivers. Water levels and flooding appear to be receding. Larson also spent time working on boat maintenance in preparation for the fishing opener. He also assisted other agencies during the whiteout conditions on Thursday.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time answering various ATV-related calls over the week. He also spoke about laws and ethics at a firearms safety class consisting of approximately 20 students. Zavodnik was lucky enough to present a 40-year instructor award to one instructor as well. Equipment maintenance and administrative tasks were completed throughout the week.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, trapping and ATV activity. Recent cooler weather and snow delayed spring activity. Lake ice is slowly deteriorating. Broughten fielded calls regarding litter, nuisance animals, and recreational vehicle registration.

Cook vacant.

Water Resource Enforcement Officers

WREO Jeff Humphrey (NE) attended funeral services for Pope County Deputy Josh Owen as part of the DNR Enforcement Honor Guard contingent. Waters and wetland cases were updated. Preparation for an AIS enforcement training class was completed. Humphrey also checked turkey hunters braving the unseasonably cool spring weather.