Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Sep 02, 2025 11:42AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - September 2, 2025
Last updated: 2025-09-02
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - September 2, 2025
Last updated: 2025-09-02
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the Ely area had an extremely busy Labor Day weekend. ATV and angling activity were the primary focuses, but some time was also spent on bear-baiting activity. Violations included angling without a license, fishing after revocation, and taking fish with extra lines.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week checking anglers and watercraft operators. He also patrolled for ATV and off-highway motorcycle activity. Additional time was spent monitoring AIS compliance near area lakes and public accesses.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) focused time on checking bear bait stations and anglers. He patrolled on his ATV working complaint areas with area officers. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time working at the Minnesota State Fair. Ledeen fielded calls regarding bear-hunting regulations. An investigation on a poaching case in the BWCA continues.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) continued field training with COC Kristopher Ryan. They worked an extremely busy Labor Day weekend. Time was spent on bear baiting, ATV trails, and fishing/boating enforcement. Activity levels were high with the great weather. Lots of enforcement action to report, including fishing after suspension, fishing without licenses, fishing without trout stamps, expired boat registration, insufficient PFDs, bear baiting violations, ricing without a license, and ATV registration and operation violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring ATV activity and preparing for the bear-hunting season. Time was spent working the Info Booth at the State Fair as well as working with other officers on an ATV saturation detail in Pine County. Enforcement action was taken for various ATV-related violations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) reports the busy fall season has begun. Focus was directed to bear baiting and preparing for the upcoming hunting seasons. Nuisance-animal calls were taken and handled accordingly. Time was spent working a security detail at the Minnesota State Fair.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling the area for bear baiting activity. Block followed up on various complaints in the area as well. Time was also spent training with K9 Jet and giving K9 Unit demonstrations at the State Fair.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week checking anglers and watercraft operators. He also patrolled for ATV and off-highway motorcycle activity. Additional time was spent monitoring AIS compliance near area lakes and public accesses.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) focused time on checking bear bait stations and anglers. He patrolled on his ATV working complaint areas with area officers. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time working at the Minnesota State Fair. Ledeen fielded calls regarding bear-hunting regulations. An investigation on a poaching case in the BWCA continues.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) continued field training with COC Kristopher Ryan. They worked an extremely busy Labor Day weekend. Time was spent on bear baiting, ATV trails, and fishing/boating enforcement. Activity levels were high with the great weather. Lots of enforcement action to report, including fishing after suspension, fishing without licenses, fishing without trout stamps, expired boat registration, insufficient PFDs, bear baiting violations, ricing without a license, and ATV registration and operation violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring ATV activity and preparing for the bear-hunting season. Time was spent working the Info Booth at the State Fair as well as working with other officers on an ATV saturation detail in Pine County. Enforcement action was taken for various ATV-related violations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) reports the busy fall season has begun. Focus was directed to bear baiting and preparing for the upcoming hunting seasons. Nuisance-animal calls were taken and handled accordingly. Time was spent working a security detail at the Minnesota State Fair.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling the area for bear baiting activity. Block followed up on various complaints in the area as well. Time was also spent training with K9 Jet and giving K9 Unit demonstrations at the State Fair.
