CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and snowmobilers this past week. He followed up on litter and fish house removal. Velsvaag received several questions about timber wolves.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) dealt with a bobcat that killed a pet cat in Grand Marais. The CO’s own suet bill is going sky-high due to those critters, which shows animals are having a tough time finding food in the forest. A beautiful weekend was had by the few anglers and snowmobile riders who were out. Trail conditions and lake conditions were very good.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) has been investigating several property owners posting land and cutting trees on Lake Superior shoreline on state-owned property. She patrolled snowmobile trails and responded to assist an older snowmobiler whose sled had gotten mired in the slush just off the groomed trail. Manning also checked anglers and former fish house locations, attended the funeral of retired CO Gene Borud as part of the DNR Honor Guard, and assisted Cook County with a suspicious activity report.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked with COs Lawler and Huener at Lake of the Woods during the week and worked station lakes and snowmobile trails over the weekend. Numerous overlimit cases were made on Lake of the Woods. Angling activity was very light in the Babbitt station. Snowmobile trails were still in good shape over the weekend but will deteriorate quickly. Additional enforcement action included fishing without a license, possession of drug paraphernalia and no shelter tag.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and snowmobile activity. Time was also spent in communication with ice shelter owners with houses out.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time checking anglers and snowmobile activity. The trails are in excellent condition and some nice trout were seen in the bag. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations. 

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling, snowmobile and ATV enforcement activity this past week. Area trails and lake conditions deteriorated with this spring warmup making travel difficult. Anglers are reminded to pick up all debris including blocking materials while removing ice shelters. Enforcement action was taken for failure to transfer ATV ownership and illegally riding an ATV on a snowmobile trail.