Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
May 09, 2022 01:35PM ● By Editor
District 6 • Two Harbors Area• From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - May 9, 2022
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports ATV activity was high on the Echo Trail on Saturday with clear skies and a high near 74 degrees. Lake conditions varied but several smaller lakes around the Ely area are now ice-free. Some of the larger lakes have begun to break up. Violations included operating an ATV on a roadway without a driver?s license and operating an ATV in a WMA.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked beaver-trapping activity and answered several BWCAW-related fishing questions. He also had calls on northern pike regulations in the Northeast Pike Zone.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers along the North Shore and Lake Superior tributaries. He issued wildlife-possession permits, monitored trapping activity, and checked ATV riders.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended an Honor Guard meeting at Camp Ripley to plan for National Police Week events. She checked steelhead anglers and answered questions about boating safety and required equipment. Manning investigated a report of a dead eagle that appeared to have been hit by a motor vehicle, followed up on storage of watercraft at an area boat access, and checked a few ATV operators. Anglers new to the North Shore are reminded there are a number of regulations specific to Lake Superior and the rivers that flow into it and they should know those prior to casting a line.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) finished an investigation into illegal birch pole cutting. Confiscated equipment was turned in for auction. Several fire-related calls were received and various fishing opener-related questions were fielded.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) spent the week in Crookston attending training.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports angler reports along the shore have been mixed due to heavy spring runoff. However, a few nice fish were still caught. Fishing violations have been nonexistent. Hill investigated a report of a smoldering fire. The ice has finally began to recede from shorelines. The week ahead should bring warmer weather, but do not be surprised if ice is still present on the fishing opener. Don?t be afraid to try steelhead angling if your favorite opening day lake in unfishable. The majority of the backroads are unpassable and Hill found numerous vehicles buried up to the frame in snow.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) attended a course for water survival training during the week. Area lakes began to open up with the ice quickly melting with recent rainfall. Lake Superior stream fishing is in full swing with some anglers having luck with steelhead.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports ATV activity was high on the Echo Trail on Saturday with clear skies and a high near 74 degrees. Lake conditions varied but several smaller lakes around the Ely area are now ice-free. Some of the larger lakes have begun to break up. Violations included operating an ATV on a roadway without a driver?s license and operating an ATV in a WMA.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked beaver-trapping activity and answered several BWCAW-related fishing questions. He also had calls on northern pike regulations in the Northeast Pike Zone.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers along the North Shore and Lake Superior tributaries. He issued wildlife-possession permits, monitored trapping activity, and checked ATV riders.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended an Honor Guard meeting at Camp Ripley to plan for National Police Week events. She checked steelhead anglers and answered questions about boating safety and required equipment. Manning investigated a report of a dead eagle that appeared to have been hit by a motor vehicle, followed up on storage of watercraft at an area boat access, and checked a few ATV operators. Anglers new to the North Shore are reminded there are a number of regulations specific to Lake Superior and the rivers that flow into it and they should know those prior to casting a line.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) finished an investigation into illegal birch pole cutting. Confiscated equipment was turned in for auction. Several fire-related calls were received and various fishing opener-related questions were fielded.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) spent the week in Crookston attending training.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports angler reports along the shore have been mixed due to heavy spring runoff. However, a few nice fish were still caught. Fishing violations have been nonexistent. Hill investigated a report of a smoldering fire. The ice has finally began to recede from shorelines. The week ahead should bring warmer weather, but do not be surprised if ice is still present on the fishing opener. Don?t be afraid to try steelhead angling if your favorite opening day lake in unfishable. The majority of the backroads are unpassable and Hill found numerous vehicles buried up to the frame in snow.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) attended a course for water survival training during the week. Area lakes began to open up with the ice quickly melting with recent rainfall. Lake Superior stream fishing is in full swing with some anglers having luck with steelhead.
