Image:  MN DNR

From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - January 7, 2025

District 6 - Two Harbors area

Last updated: 2025-01-06

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this past week checking anglers and ATV operators. Ihnen also spent time patrolling for snowmobiling activity.

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports ice angling activity increased over the week as ice conditions slowly improved. Despite nights well below zero, ice depths were found to vary as much as 6 to 17 inches on the same lake. Violations included failure to transfer ATV registration and angling without a license in possession.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked the week on ATV, snowmobile, angling, and ski pass enforcement. The hard, icy snow has hampered most winter activities. Enforcement action included expired snowmobile registration, no lights on a snowmobile being operated after dark, too many passengers on an ATV, and no cross-country ski pass.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked a detail in the BWCAW for the trout opener. Some nice lake trout were seen on the ice. He responded with area officers on snowmobiles to a call regarding two individuals stranded on a remote unplowed Forest Service road where they buried their car. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time working in the BWCAW checking anglers who were out chasing lake trout. Time was also spent working on an investigation involving multiple violations from the fisher/marten trapping season.

CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on ice fishing enforcement over the busy BWCAW trout opener. Time was spent working on investigations from the recent trapping season. Anglers found decent ice conditions for the opener and those who were willing to get away from the crowds found better success.