Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Dec 02, 2025 06:16AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - December 2, 2025
District 6 - Two Harbors area
Last updated: 2025-12-01CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: Snow and colder temperatures finally arrived in time for the muzzleloader deer opener. Hunting activity was monitored, and several hunters reported some deer although no success was found. The first snowmobilers were also seen, and riders are reminded to check their registrations before heading out.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) continued checking small game hunters and trappers this week. CO Ihnen also patrolled for fishing activity. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) followed up on big game investigations from the firearm deer season. The officer checked small game hunters and worked on equipment maintenance.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time patrolling forest roads and trails. Smaller lakes are freezing up in quick order and should be fishable in a matter of days. Grouse hunters are reminded to wear a blaze orange cap and vest/coat during the muzzleloader deer season.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) finished up the final phase of field training with COC Kris Ryan. Time was spent on a trespass case resulting in citations. Time was also spent on spruce top cutting complaints and investigations. A quiet muzzleloader deer opener was worked. As December begins and there is snow on the ground, please be reminded to stay off of snowmobile trails with ATVs and pickups.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring angling and small game hunting activity across the area. Several days of snowfall midweek brought the first snowmobile riders out onto the trails, and more snow over the weekend increased the overall snowpack. Enforcement action was taken for angling related violations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on late season grouse hunting and angling enforcement for the week. Winter has arrived and pockets of the area are covered in ice and snow. Early ice anglers are encouraged to be cautious as no ice is safe. Ice conditions are highly variable with current and snow accumulation in mind. Vehicle maintenance was conducted.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week patrolling the area for hunting activity. Time was also spent monitoring ATV activity. Block would like to remind folks with ice forming, to use caution as no ice is ever 100% safe.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) continued checking small game hunters and trappers this week. CO Ihnen also patrolled for fishing activity. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) followed up on big game investigations from the firearm deer season. The officer checked small game hunters and worked on equipment maintenance.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time patrolling forest roads and trails. Smaller lakes are freezing up in quick order and should be fishable in a matter of days. Grouse hunters are reminded to wear a blaze orange cap and vest/coat during the muzzleloader deer season.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) finished up the final phase of field training with COC Kris Ryan. Time was spent on a trespass case resulting in citations. Time was also spent on spruce top cutting complaints and investigations. A quiet muzzleloader deer opener was worked. As December begins and there is snow on the ground, please be reminded to stay off of snowmobile trails with ATVs and pickups.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring angling and small game hunting activity across the area. Several days of snowfall midweek brought the first snowmobile riders out onto the trails, and more snow over the weekend increased the overall snowpack. Enforcement action was taken for angling related violations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on late season grouse hunting and angling enforcement for the week. Winter has arrived and pockets of the area are covered in ice and snow. Early ice anglers are encouraged to be cautious as no ice is safe. Ice conditions are highly variable with current and snow accumulation in mind. Vehicle maintenance was conducted.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week patrolling the area for hunting activity. Time was also spent monitoring ATV activity. Block would like to remind folks with ice forming, to use caution as no ice is ever 100% safe.
