CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports there were some tough lake conditions for the regular winter trout opener. Large areas of slush along with open areas deterred some anglers, but attendance the first day was only down slightly. Success was fair; most anglers had some success early with a few leaving the ice with a limit of fish. Violations included angling without a license in possession, angling on a designated trout lake without a trout stamp, and failure to display snowmobile registration.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers and snowmobilers this past week. Slush conditions have improved a little since last week and fishing was a little slower than normal for trout opener. Several snowmobilers had minor registration issues and modified exhaust.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) participated in a work detail with several officers during the opening weekend of the winter trout season. Snowmobilers and anglers were checked.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked anglers and fishing shelters on lakes this past week. The trout opener saw warm weather with some very bad slush spots. Manning also patrolled snowmobile trails and forest routes.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked trout opener and snowmobile enforcement. Trail conditions were good in the Isabella area. Time was also spent at training, on a Division background investigation, and on deer cases. Enforcement action was taken for excessive snowmobile speed, failure to register deer as required, and failure to transfer watercraft ownership.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked a busy trout opener. One angler saw Schottenbauer coming and started fumbling around in his shelter. When Schottenbauer arrived at the shelter, the angler opened up his door and shouted, ?Yeah, OK, I have live minnows!? Schottenbauer observed a tipped-over coffee can with live minnows still in it and minnows swimming around the angler?s feet. Enforcement action was taken. A large number of snowmobile riders was in the area this past weekend, too.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time patrolling for angling and snowmobiling activity. He attended a conference at Camp Ripley and worked with area officers during the trout opener. Overall, the fish cooperated and anglers were happy despite the amount of slush on the lakes. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked the winter trout opener up the Gunflint Trail this past week. Fishing was good on some area lakes but slush made access a bit challenging. Enforcement action was taken for license violations and unattended lines. A Division training session was also attended at Camp Ripley during the week.