CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers and boaters this past week. He also attended training at Camp Ripley for several days for annual training. CO Velsvaag checked bear baiting activity and received several calls about the bear season.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) attended yearly in-service training at Camp Ripley during the week. A nuisance bear report was taken where a sow and a couple of cubs entered up to three different homes through screen doors or open windows. 

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) spent time with officer training again this week. CO Schottenbauer worked angling and boating activity with COC Karon. Officers also worked with a young trapper and her first nuisance beaver permit answering questions.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent the week at Camp Ripley teaching use of force and firearm skills and tactics.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked ATV and bear baiting activity during the week. Fishing picked up a bit this week on inland lakes and rivers with most anglers checked having fish. Murray responded to nuisance wildlife calls and a report of a sick deer that was collected for sampling.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled looking for early bear bait stations and checking established sites once legal baiting began. CO Manning investigated calls on shoreline and public water violations; information was forwarded to Cook County for follow up. The officer also assisted Cook County Deputies with a domestic disturbance and issued a road kill deer permit.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) attended in-service training at Camp Ripley. Bear baiting and ATV complaints were worked. Time was also spent checking anglers and boaters. An individual was cited for the second time this summer for operating the same unregistered watercraft. Additional enforcement action included no navigational lights after sunset and excessive speed.

CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports angling reports improved over the past week and several anglers reported good luck with walleye and bass. Officer Williams worked with the USFS after a fire was reported on Bear Island Lake. The island which burned had both State and Federal ownership and thanks to the efforts of the fire crews the temperatures were kept relatively low and much of the trees were saved. The cause is still under investigation, and if anyone has any information you are encouraged to contact the Minnesota DNR.