Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Aug 19, 2025 05:54AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - August 19, 2025
Last updated: 2025-08-18
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - August 19, 2025
Last updated: 2025-08-18
CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: he focused on bear baiting and monitored wild rice activity over the weekend. Nuisance bear activity continued to be reported through the week and visitors and residents are encouraged to be mindful with their food and garbage. Violations included: litter, harvesting green wild rice, and incomplete information on a bear bait sign.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) focused on fishing and boating activity this week. Officer Ihnen also monitored AIS compliance near area lakes and public accesses. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers, ATV riders and bear baiters. The officer assisted area officers instructing firearm safety in Two Harbors. The officer assisted Cook County SAR with rescuing 5 people stranded in a canyon in the Kadunce River. All 5 people were safely lifted out of the canyon. The officer also assisted CCSO with a domestic. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time patrolling in the BWCAW. Fishing has slowed down on inland lakes and folks fishing on Superior are showing varying success. Bear baiting has begun and many hunters were out tending to their baits. Ledeen assisted with a Firearms Safety Class in Two Harbors.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) started field training a newly hired Conservation Officer candidate. One day was spent assisting with a district firearm safety field day. A few examples of station activity include angling, ATV, and bear baiting enforcement. Time was also spent working within the BWCA for a few days.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily checking anglers and monitoring ATV activity around the area. CO Franzen attended a firearm safety class in Two Harbors along with COs in the surrounding area to assist with an annual field day led by conservation officers. Time was also spent responding to a water-related rescue emergency.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling, boating, and ATV enforcement for the week. Time was spent answering questions and working bear baiting activity. Local agencies were assisted with recovery efforts on Lake Superior. Enforcement action was taken on various registration and angling related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week checking anglers on area waters. Time was also spent at the Itasca CO fair with K9 Jet for a demo. Block also spent time working with neighboring officers.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) focused on fishing and boating activity this week. Officer Ihnen also monitored AIS compliance near area lakes and public accesses. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers, ATV riders and bear baiters. The officer assisted area officers instructing firearm safety in Two Harbors. The officer assisted Cook County SAR with rescuing 5 people stranded in a canyon in the Kadunce River. All 5 people were safely lifted out of the canyon. The officer also assisted CCSO with a domestic. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time patrolling in the BWCAW. Fishing has slowed down on inland lakes and folks fishing on Superior are showing varying success. Bear baiting has begun and many hunters were out tending to their baits. Ledeen assisted with a Firearms Safety Class in Two Harbors.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) started field training a newly hired Conservation Officer candidate. One day was spent assisting with a district firearm safety field day. A few examples of station activity include angling, ATV, and bear baiting enforcement. Time was also spent working within the BWCA for a few days.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily checking anglers and monitoring ATV activity around the area. CO Franzen attended a firearm safety class in Two Harbors along with COs in the surrounding area to assist with an annual field day led by conservation officers. Time was also spent responding to a water-related rescue emergency.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling, boating, and ATV enforcement for the week. Time was spent answering questions and working bear baiting activity. Local agencies were assisted with recovery efforts on Lake Superior. Enforcement action was taken on various registration and angling related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week checking anglers on area waters. Time was also spent at the Itasca CO fair with K9 Jet for a demo. Block also spent time working with neighboring officers.
