CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the people responsible for a fire on Bear Island Lake came forward. They had started a campfire late in the day and believed they had put it out, but the fire had travelled through the peat and rekindled. He also monitored bear baiting activity in the Ely area. Baiting was off to a busy start and many people reported baits being actively visited in spite of there being plenty wild foods available.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and bear baits this past week. Several calls came in about deer hunting regulations as well as the new statewide pike regulations. Velsvaag also took several nuisance animal calls.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) dealt with waters and invasive species violations during the week. Bear baiters, and their ATV usage, were checked.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) helped with and attended annual training in firearms, defensive tactics, first aid and evidence examination at Camp Ripley. She spent time in the woods checking bear bait stations and state forest campgrounds. Manning also worked a special detail at the Grand Portage Port of Entry with other COs, K9s, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents to inspect bears, fish and watercraft being brought into the state. Upon being checked, one gentleman declared, “I remember you! And I remembered to pull my drain plug this time!”

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked an extended BWCA patrol with COs Al Peterson and Mitch Lawler and COC Mike Lerchen. Activity was high, fishing was good, and some violations were detected including can and glass beverage containers, fishing without a license, expired watercraft registration, and no fishing license in possession.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity and bear baits this. COC Karon and Schottenbauer assisted with a District 6 work crew at the Pigeon River Point of Entry during the weekend.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked bear baits, ATV riders and anglers. Time was spent working at the Pigeon River Port of Entry with area officers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Enforcement action was taken for AIS and fish transportation violations.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked a border detail with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inspectors and U.S. Customs officers. Several violations were detected including fish overlimits, illegal bear importations, and AIS drain plug violations. Murray also attended a fall training session at Camp Ripley during the week and checked bear baiting activity.