District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - May 18, 2020

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) continued to focus on angling activity. Although fishing pressure was down from the opening weekend a good number of people were checked enjoying the warmer weather. Success, however, was even less than the previous week and very few fish were seen.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) monitored the close of the beaver trapping season, and responded to an angling complaint of a possible overlimit. The BWCAW was patrolled as well.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week working anglers, ATV riders and invasive species enforcement. He conducted multiple patrols in the BWCAW. Enforcement action was taken for angling and ATV violations.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked angling, boating, ATV, and AIS enforcement throughout the week. Assistance was also provided to other agencies on a couple calls. Compliance over the weekend was good, but during the week a couple extra-line citations were issued, as well as citations for fishing without a license and no PFDs. A warning was issued for fail to display ATV registration.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and boating activity. Time was spent patrolling area park properties as well.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports contacting anglers, canoers, recreational boaters, and a host of ATV operators throughout the week as some nice weather hit the North Shore. Brook trout and walleyes were again seen dominating the stringers this week with some nice-sized fish being seen. Boating safety and ATV violations were non-existent as operators did a great job with making sure they followed the laws. No fishing license in possession was the only infraction encountered during the week. 

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked boating and angling activity during the week. Warmer weather arrived making fishing a bit more comfortable and warming up the water. Fire danger remains high in the area and caution needs to be taken when having campfires to make sure they are contained and fully extinguished when you leave them.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted with a grassfire in Hovland. Due to a quick response from fire crews, the lucky homeowner only lost some brush, not any buildings. She also responded to a call for a couple stuck on an area snowmobile trail. The couple drove almost a mile on an old forest road before burying their all-wheel drive vehicle. The multiple use road designation meant no citation, just a very large tow bill. Manning also patrolled area forest roads, state parks, lakes, boat accesses and rivers. She also participated in a Peace Officers Memorial with the DNR Honor Guard in Duluth.