Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Jan 11, 2021 01:24PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - January 11, 2021
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports snowmobile trail conditions continued to get worse after another week of moderate use and no additional snowfall. Trout-fishing activity inside the BWCA continued to be high and success was overall good on several lakes checked. Violations included no fishing license in possession, failure to display current snowmobile registration and possession of motorized equipment inside the BWCA.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and a few snowmobile riders this past week. Fishing has been slow, with slush on most area lakes. Velsvaag also followed up on litter complaints and snowmobile complaints.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the past week checking trout anglers in the BWCA. Anglers who ventured through the slush were rewarded with some nice lake trout in the bag. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area trails by snowmobile. Trails are in rough condition due to lack of snow and heavy use. Manning also worked a BWCA detail with CO Wahlstrom and U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Belmore checking anglers and campers on backcountry lakes. She also took a report of a dog killing a grouse.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling and recreational vehicle enforcement throughout the past week. Enforcement action included fishing without a license, unmarked fish houses and houses without shelter tags when required, unattended lines, snowmobile speed, failure to transfer ownership, expired ATV registrations, and operating without required safety training. Angling pressure continues to be high, and snowmobile trails need more snow in order for conditions to be good in most locations.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity this past week. He also finished some trapping violations and snowmobile complaints.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) took to his skis and patrolled many backcountry lakes throughout the station. Although walleyes were not cooperative, anglers settled for some nice perch. Hill also spoke to people angling and spearing for pike. Some nice fish were seen on the ice, including a few approaching the 30-inch mark. Caution is still needed on the ice as Hill located multiple springs in the middle of lakes with otherwise very solid ice. If attention is not paid to your surroundings or if you are traveling in the dark, these holes could prove hazardous. Snowmobile activity is ramping up as January continues on, but snow is needed to give the trail some insurance. People behaved this past week as no violations were seen.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and snowmobile activity during the past week. Many anglers were encountered over the weekend enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and even catching a few fish. Slush continues on most area lakes making access more difficult. Enforcement action was taken for licensing violations, and a deer-in-a-closed-season case is being investigated
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports snowmobile trail conditions continued to get worse after another week of moderate use and no additional snowfall. Trout-fishing activity inside the BWCA continued to be high and success was overall good on several lakes checked. Violations included no fishing license in possession, failure to display current snowmobile registration and possession of motorized equipment inside the BWCA.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and a few snowmobile riders this past week. Fishing has been slow, with slush on most area lakes. Velsvaag also followed up on litter complaints and snowmobile complaints.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the past week checking trout anglers in the BWCA. Anglers who ventured through the slush were rewarded with some nice lake trout in the bag. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area trails by snowmobile. Trails are in rough condition due to lack of snow and heavy use. Manning also worked a BWCA detail with CO Wahlstrom and U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Belmore checking anglers and campers on backcountry lakes. She also took a report of a dog killing a grouse.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling and recreational vehicle enforcement throughout the past week. Enforcement action included fishing without a license, unmarked fish houses and houses without shelter tags when required, unattended lines, snowmobile speed, failure to transfer ownership, expired ATV registrations, and operating without required safety training. Angling pressure continues to be high, and snowmobile trails need more snow in order for conditions to be good in most locations.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity this past week. He also finished some trapping violations and snowmobile complaints.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) took to his skis and patrolled many backcountry lakes throughout the station. Although walleyes were not cooperative, anglers settled for some nice perch. Hill also spoke to people angling and spearing for pike. Some nice fish were seen on the ice, including a few approaching the 30-inch mark. Caution is still needed on the ice as Hill located multiple springs in the middle of lakes with otherwise very solid ice. If attention is not paid to your surroundings or if you are traveling in the dark, these holes could prove hazardous. Snowmobile activity is ramping up as January continues on, but snow is needed to give the trail some insurance. People behaved this past week as no violations were seen.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and snowmobile activity during the past week. Many anglers were encountered over the weekend enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and even catching a few fish. Slush continues on most area lakes making access more difficult. Enforcement action was taken for licensing violations, and a deer-in-a-closed-season case is being investigated
