Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Jan 06, 2026 05:46AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - January 6, 2026
Last updated: 2026-01-05
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports he focused on ice fishing and snowmobile activity after a few mild snowfalls made trails more passable. Ice fishing success was found to be generally good for both walleyes and panfish. Violations included no shelter license and failure to display snowmobile registration.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week checking anglers on area lakes. Ihnen also patrolled his station for small-game hunters and trappers. Additionally, he checked ATV, snowmobile, and off-road vehicle operators.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the BWCAW trout opener with area officers. Some nice limits of lake trout were seen on the ice. A few snowmobilers were out enjoying the fresh snow. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling for angling and snowmobiling activities. Trout season began on Saturday for lakes that are entirely within the BWCAW. Many anglers were contacted and a few even had some fish to show for their efforts. Enforcement action was taken for various violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked angling and snowmobile enforcement and continued to work on decorative materials cases. Time was also spent following up on deer season violations. Enforcement action included expired ATV registration, expired snowmobile registration, youth ATV violations, extra lines, unattended lines, fish house ID and shelter tag violations, and deer registration violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring angling and snowmobile activity around the area. Time was also spent checking trout anglers during trout opener in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Snowmobile trails near the shore remain rough with little snow cover, but recent snow has made the trails farther inland more easily traversable. Caution is still advised.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and snowmobile enforcement for the week. BWCAW trout opener anglers encountered cold weather and mixed success. Ice conditions varied greatly across area lakes. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time checking anglers on area lakes. She also focused efforts on snowmobile enforcement. Time also was spent training with K9 Jet.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week checking anglers on area lakes. Ihnen also patrolled his station for small-game hunters and trappers. Additionally, he checked ATV, snowmobile, and off-road vehicle operators.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the BWCAW trout opener with area officers. Some nice limits of lake trout were seen on the ice. A few snowmobilers were out enjoying the fresh snow. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling for angling and snowmobiling activities. Trout season began on Saturday for lakes that are entirely within the BWCAW. Many anglers were contacted and a few even had some fish to show for their efforts. Enforcement action was taken for various violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked angling and snowmobile enforcement and continued to work on decorative materials cases. Time was also spent following up on deer season violations. Enforcement action included expired ATV registration, expired snowmobile registration, youth ATV violations, extra lines, unattended lines, fish house ID and shelter tag violations, and deer registration violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring angling and snowmobile activity around the area. Time was also spent checking trout anglers during trout opener in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Snowmobile trails near the shore remain rough with little snow cover, but recent snow has made the trails farther inland more easily traversable. Caution is still advised.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and snowmobile enforcement for the week. BWCAW trout opener anglers encountered cold weather and mixed success. Ice conditions varied greatly across area lakes. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time checking anglers on area lakes. She also focused efforts on snowmobile enforcement. Time also was spent training with K9 Jet.
