Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Apr 09, 2019 10:13AM ● By EditorCO Sean Williams (Ely #1) spent the week focusing on crappie angling and ATV enforcement. The lakes saw very little activity. The anglers who were contacted reported poor success and rapidly decreasing ice. ATV activity was high on Saturday as riders took advantage of the short-lived warmer, dry weather.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers this past week. Fishing picked up and ice conditions were good. He also took several calls about injured deer and fielded questions about wolves and dogs.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports a very quiet week. Administrative tasks were attended to as was the seasonal equipment change. He also prepared for upcoming work details.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) primarily checked crappie anglers in and out of the BWCA. Time was also spent checking recreational vehicle registrations and on equipment maintenance. The ice conditions are rapidly deteriorating with the warm weather and rain. Enforcement action was taken for expired ATV registrations.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity. Time was spent at Camp Ripley for training as well.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers along the North Shore. The tributaries are still very cold and icy but a few anglers were out trying their luck. He attended in-service at Camp Ripley.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) handled nuisance-wildlife calls and checked stream anglers along Lake Superior during the week. Fishing is starting to improve. As areas are becoming snow-free, burning permits are once again required and must be activated before burning. Murray also attended a public deer management meeting in Two Harbors with area wildlife managers and worked on a land trespass case.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent much of the week at Camp Ripley for an Honor Guard meeting and annual use of force instructor training. Manning also worked Lake Superior tributaries and river mouths checking anglers.