Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Dec 12, 2022 02:22PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources • December 12, 2022
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers this past week. Several areas with ice last week opened up this week with warm weather. Snowmobiles are starting to get out but trail conditions are not good.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent most of the week training at Camp Ripley. He also spent time on the snowmobile checking anglers on area lakes.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent time on area snowmobile trails and unplowed roads. She follow up on a very early moose shed found last month. The consensus it's the result of an injury or illness. Manning also checked state parks, area lakes and muzzleloader hunters.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) began the final phase of field training with COC Jesse Drown. Time was spent on snowmobile training, checking anglers in station lakes, and working Lake Vermilion and Upper Red Lake. An extremely high violation rate was encountered on Upper Red, with more than 50 fish seized from different groups. One noteworthy contact involved a group with 17 walleyes over their limit. Enforcement action included walleye overlimits, overlimits of fish over 17 inches, extra lines, angling without licenses, unmeasurable fish, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, under-21 alcohol violations, and ATV and snowmobile registration violations.
CO Matt Miller (Silver Bay) checked ice anglers getting set up for the first time this year. Ice and slush conditions vary by lake, and ice safety equipment is important to have. Snowmobile trails are open with some snow in areas around Finland, but more snow is needed for a solid base. Enforcement action was taken for ATV and angling violations.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports attending a meeting in Grand Rapids during the week. A background investigation for next year's Academy was also started.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked muzzleloader deer hunting and angling activity this week. Area lakes are starting to see more anglers venturing out and some ATVs and snowmobiles are starting to show up on the ice. Deeper lakes are still unsafe and anglers should be checking ice conditions frequently while traveling to their fishing spot.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers this past week. Several areas with ice last week opened up this week with warm weather. Snowmobiles are starting to get out but trail conditions are not good.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent most of the week training at Camp Ripley. He also spent time on the snowmobile checking anglers on area lakes.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent time on area snowmobile trails and unplowed roads. She follow up on a very early moose shed found last month. The consensus it's the result of an injury or illness. Manning also checked state parks, area lakes and muzzleloader hunters.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) began the final phase of field training with COC Jesse Drown. Time was spent on snowmobile training, checking anglers in station lakes, and working Lake Vermilion and Upper Red Lake. An extremely high violation rate was encountered on Upper Red, with more than 50 fish seized from different groups. One noteworthy contact involved a group with 17 walleyes over their limit. Enforcement action included walleye overlimits, overlimits of fish over 17 inches, extra lines, angling without licenses, unmeasurable fish, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, under-21 alcohol violations, and ATV and snowmobile registration violations.
CO Matt Miller (Silver Bay) checked ice anglers getting set up for the first time this year. Ice and slush conditions vary by lake, and ice safety equipment is important to have. Snowmobile trails are open with some snow in areas around Finland, but more snow is needed for a solid base. Enforcement action was taken for ATV and angling violations.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports attending a meeting in Grand Rapids during the week. A background investigation for next year's Academy was also started.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked muzzleloader deer hunting and angling activity this week. Area lakes are starting to see more anglers venturing out and some ATVs and snowmobiles are starting to show up on the ice. Deeper lakes are still unsafe and anglers should be checking ice conditions frequently while traveling to their fishing spot.
