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Boreal Community Media

Weekly Conservation Officer Reports

Apr 07, 2020 06:33AM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - April 7, 2020

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling activity was very high during the past week, although several days with rain, snow, and cold weather made fishing difficult. Many roads and trails are starting to become open and see some traffic. Ice conditions worsened after the recent rain and any anglers setting out should be extra cautious.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked people fishing bluegills and crappies this past week. Fishing was slow and some areas are seeing a decline in ice conditions. Velsvaag took several calls on beaver-trapping regulations and questions on the upcoming fishing opener.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked trout anglers trying their luck during the last couple days of the season. The weather was nice and some nice fish were seen on the ice. He patrolled closed state park campgrounds. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile violations.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked anglers and rechecked lakes where ice fishing houses had been. She also checked anglers along the shore of Lake Superior. State parks are still fairly busy and compliance with park-permit-purchase requirements continues to be low. Potential visitors are reminded that driving five-plus hours one way to hike or fish really is not a local recreational trip. Please enjoy places closer to home. 

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) primarily worked angling activity throughout the week. A large amount of time was spent in the BWCAW monitoring crappie anglers. The bite has slowed, but activity is at extremely high levels, including an increase in traffic people from the Twin Cities. Time was also spent patrolling state parks and for recreational vehicle activity.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked shore angling activity along Lake Superior and monitored very busy state parks. He encountered visitors from all over Minnesota and surrounding states. Time was also spent checking snowmobilers who tried to get on very poor trails with little success.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports monitoring Lake Superior and various tributaries for spring trout and salmon anglers throughout the past week. Tributaries near state parks and a few other easily accessible waters have been infiltrated with anglers, with a few reporting tying into some fish. Hill monitored state park buildings and campground areas. A reminder that lands, buildings, and campgrounds owned by the DNR and U.S. Forest Service have many new restrictions on access and use. Be sure to study these restrictions before finding yourself in violation. Some late-season ski passes were checked, along with a few ski pass violations. Station equipment maintenance was completed with the open-water season just around the corner.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked Lake Superior stream-fishing activity and late-season ice angling. Some anglers were having good success while others thought the bite was slow. Recreational activity was high in the area, and ranged from angling to maple syrup collecting. Enforcement action was taken for licensing violations.

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