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Boreal Community Media

Weekly Conservation Officer Reports

Mar 16, 2020 03:19PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - March 16, 2020

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked angling enforcement inside and outside of the BWCA, as well as snowmobile enforcement. In one noteworthy contact, Bermel was observing a group of anglers in the BWCA from a long distance when one member of the group began drinking from a prohibited beer can. He and another member made a big joke of it by posing and taking pictures. When the angler finished he sank the can in the lake. He had also ridden his snowmobile beyond the BWCA line. Appropriate enforcement action was taken for the violations.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers on remote trout lakes along the border during a work detail. Some nice fish were seen on the ice. He checked snowmobilers out enjoying the trails. Enforcement action was taken for ATV, snowmobile and angling violations.

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) patrolled several Boundary Waters trout lakes over the weekend. Although angling activity was high, success was only fair with only a few fish being seen. Violations included angling with no license in possession and using unlabeled smelt as bait.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked trout and crappie anglers this past week. Fishing is still slow and snowmobile trail conditions are getting worse. Velsvaag also followed up on an ongoing litter violation and took several calls about BWCAW regulations

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked area snowmobile activity and checked lakes for the upcoming ice shelter removal deadline. Drivers are urged to pay attention as deer movements increase along roadways, causing collisions as the spring green-up occurs.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended an Honor Guard meeting in addition to station patrol work. Manning worked a Canadian border detail with COs Wahlstrom and Williams and U.S. Forest Service officer Belmore. Lake conditions were very good, although fishing success was mixed. Snowmobile trails are icy and have a few bare spots, but still are very rideable for this time of year.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) spent the past week checking snowmobile activity. Time was also spent working trout and border-water anglers. 

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports venturing into the BWCAW during the past week. With the help of the local U.S. Forest Service officer, multiple groups were checked. Lake trout were biting and one angler was cited for using a power auger. Equipment maintenance was also handled and evidence from this past fall was disposed of.

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