Photo: Boreal Community Media files

From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - July 26, 2023

Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling and ATV activity slowed from previous weeks. Many anglers reported fair success, especially on several BWCA lakes. Violations included angling without a license in possession and possessing an illegal-length northern pike.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored ATV, boating, and angling activity. Time was spent maintaining station equipment and fielding calls about ATV use, BWCA and bear hunting. Remote lakes were checked, with anglers having limited success.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent the week working angling and boating activities. Time was also spent working at an AIS check station. Multiple violations were encountered, and enforcement action was taken. Equipment maintenance continues.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) attended a field training officer meeting at Camp Ripley. An out-of-station work detail with CO Mitch Lawler in the Alexandria station netted plenty of boating and angling violations over the weekend. Enforcement action included watercraft registration violations, PWC violations, and multiple angling without license cases.

CO Matt Miller (Silver Bay) worked on boat acquisitions and training and answered questions regarding ATVs and trails. ATV trails were worked, with decent compliance observed. Miller worked with an area state park manager on some ongoing issues within the park.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports finishing a background investigation throughout the week. Time was spent at Camp Ripley for a field training meeting. Hill hit the water and contacted anglers and recreational paddlers. The fishing bite was poor with bass dominating the bag. A boat-registration violation was handled.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and water recreation activity during the week. Warmer weather brings more people out to enjoy a day out on the water. Boaters should check watercraft for all required safety gear, including having enough life jackets for everyone as well as having them readily accessible. Murray also worked on a shoreline-alteration complaint.

Ely #2 vacant.

Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports fishing and boating activity on Rainy Lake continues to get busier as the summer goes along. Fishing success on Rainy Lake is improving, with most fishing occurring on the reefs. Several animal-related complaints were handled throughout the week, too.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working area ATV trails and forest roads this past week and working Rainy Lake checking anglers. Fishing reports remained good. Enforcement action taken this past week consisted of being in possession of illegal-length walleyes.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring boating and angling activities over the week. Fishing remains poor, with little observed harvested. Boater, camper, and angler numbers appear down considerably from previous years. Equipment work is ongoing. Area forest roads and public access sites continue to be checked.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and ATV enforcement. There was slow activity throughout the station due to rain and stormy weather. Larson spent time checking for ATVs on forest roads and ATV trails. He also spent time following up on boat and water cases. Investigations were initiated on some potential waters violations.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and angling activity. Time was also spent completing online training, maintaining station equipment, and assisting local law enforcement agencies. Rain throughout the week limited a lot of outdoor activity.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent his time at Camp Ripley instructing the latest conservation officer cadets with the second week of watercraft operations. Cadets went through BUI scenarios, nighttime operations, and continued to work on boat approaches. He also participated as an Honor Guard member to pay tribute for fallen Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin over the weekend.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating, and ATV activity. Anglers continued to report limited success. Boating activity remained lower than expected, but ATV activity increased. Broughten fielded calls regarding bear regulations, injured animals, angling violations, and littering. Broughten also assisted local law enforcement with the Water Carnival in Hoyt Lakes.

Cook vacant.

Water Resource Enforcement Officers

WREO Jeff Humphrey (NE) reviewed new and ongoing wetland, waters, and APM cases. An AIS check station detail was worked in the Duluth area over the weekend. Humphrey prepped for an upcoming court trial and completed online training.