Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Jul 23, 2025 05:57AM ● By Editor
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - July 23, 2025
District 6 - Two Harbors area
Last updated: 2025-07-21CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports he and other district officers spent the end of the week patrolling areas of the BWCA. A wide range of weather was experienced, from days of occasional rain and cool weather and cold nights to hot cloudless days. Fishing success was found to be typically poor. Violation included operating an unregistered watercraft, angling without a license, and angling with an extra line.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) focused primarily on patrolling for fishing and boating activity this week. He also monitored personal watercraft use and AIS compliance near area lakes. Additional time was spent checking ATV and OHM riders.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked ATV riders, anglers, boaters, and AIS. The lakes were busy with people enjoying the nice weather. Enforcement action was taken for ATV, angling, and PWC violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports the fishing has been hit or miss on the inland lakes. The blueberries and raspberries are finally starting to become ripe for the picking and several folks were observed slowly filling their pails. Time was spent time patrolling the BWCAW with other local conservation officers. Multiple violations were addressed.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports completing an extended wilderness patrol with a Lake County deputy. Many good contacts were made, and violations were encountered such as cans and glass in the BWCAW and PFD and canoe registration violations. Numerous household and garbage items were dumped along with a small trailer at the pull-off near the start of the Bear Island River Road. If anyone has any information as to who the owner might be, please contact Bermel. Additional time was spent investigating another litter complaint and patrolling area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for several folks fishing without licenses, no PFDs, extra line, and expired registration.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week checking anglers on various inland lakes. Time was also spent patrolling portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Enforcement action was taken for angling and watercraft -violations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and ATV enforcement for the week. Time was spent assisting the Cook County Sheriff’s Office with a missing person case. ATV trails were in good condition and overall compliance was very good. Angling activity remains sporadic with a few northern pike being observed on stringers.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling area lakes for angling activity and responded to various complaints. Block also patrolled part of the BWCA with fellow officers. Time was also spent working and training with K9 partner Jet.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) focused primarily on patrolling for fishing and boating activity this week. He also monitored personal watercraft use and AIS compliance near area lakes. Additional time was spent checking ATV and OHM riders.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked ATV riders, anglers, boaters, and AIS. The lakes were busy with people enjoying the nice weather. Enforcement action was taken for ATV, angling, and PWC violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports the fishing has been hit or miss on the inland lakes. The blueberries and raspberries are finally starting to become ripe for the picking and several folks were observed slowly filling their pails. Time was spent time patrolling the BWCAW with other local conservation officers. Multiple violations were addressed.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports completing an extended wilderness patrol with a Lake County deputy. Many good contacts were made, and violations were encountered such as cans and glass in the BWCAW and PFD and canoe registration violations. Numerous household and garbage items were dumped along with a small trailer at the pull-off near the start of the Bear Island River Road. If anyone has any information as to who the owner might be, please contact Bermel. Additional time was spent investigating another litter complaint and patrolling area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for several folks fishing without licenses, no PFDs, extra line, and expired registration.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week checking anglers on various inland lakes. Time was also spent patrolling portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Enforcement action was taken for angling and watercraft -violations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and ATV enforcement for the week. Time was spent assisting the Cook County Sheriff’s Office with a missing person case. ATV trails were in good condition and overall compliance was very good. Angling activity remains sporadic with a few northern pike being observed on stringers.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling area lakes for angling activity and responded to various complaints. Block also patrolled part of the BWCA with fellow officers. Time was also spent working and training with K9 partner Jet.
