Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Jan 21, 2026 06:02AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - January 21, 2026
Last updated: 2026-01-20
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - January 21, 2026
Last updated: 2026-01-20
CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: he focused on snowmobile and angling activity over the week. Warmer weather and good trail conditions made for excellent riding. Violations included: angling without a license in possession.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) patrolled his station this week focusing primarily on fishing activity. Officer Ihnen also checked ATV and snowmobile operators. Additional time was spent checking for fish house compliance on area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking snowmobilers and anglers during the trout opener with officers Schottenbauer and Fairbanks. Overall, fish were cooperating, and anglers were happy with their catch. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports that people were out enjoying the holiday weekend hitting the lakes and trails. Fishing remained consistent for most anglers and even a few quality fish were caught. Snowmobile trails up the hill from Grand Marais are in great shape. Bobcat trapping season came to a close on Sunday, and trappers are reminded to reach out to register their furs.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked trout opener, snowmobile trails, and ski trails. Additional time was spent on an ongoing investigation. Lots of activity was noted on the trout opener and snowmobile trail conditions have improved with the recent snows. Enforcement action included angling with an extra line, angling with an unattended line, no snowmobile registration, snowmobile moving violations, and no cross country ski pass.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily working ice angling and snowmobile enforcement. Time was also spent attending training at Camp Ripley. Winter trout opener brought many anglers to the area this weekend, and enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and angling related violations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on snowmobiling and angling enforcement for the week. Trail conditions were good overall but opening weekend anglers found slushy conditions on popular lakes. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of angling and licensing violations over the holiday weekend.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time checking anglers on area lakes. Block also spent time assisting other agencies. Additional time was spent training with K9 Jet.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) patrolled his station this week focusing primarily on fishing activity. Officer Ihnen also checked ATV and snowmobile operators. Additional time was spent checking for fish house compliance on area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking snowmobilers and anglers during the trout opener with officers Schottenbauer and Fairbanks. Overall, fish were cooperating, and anglers were happy with their catch. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports that people were out enjoying the holiday weekend hitting the lakes and trails. Fishing remained consistent for most anglers and even a few quality fish were caught. Snowmobile trails up the hill from Grand Marais are in great shape. Bobcat trapping season came to a close on Sunday, and trappers are reminded to reach out to register their furs.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked trout opener, snowmobile trails, and ski trails. Additional time was spent on an ongoing investigation. Lots of activity was noted on the trout opener and snowmobile trail conditions have improved with the recent snows. Enforcement action included angling with an extra line, angling with an unattended line, no snowmobile registration, snowmobile moving violations, and no cross country ski pass.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily working ice angling and snowmobile enforcement. Time was also spent attending training at Camp Ripley. Winter trout opener brought many anglers to the area this weekend, and enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and angling related violations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on snowmobiling and angling enforcement for the week. Trail conditions were good overall but opening weekend anglers found slushy conditions on popular lakes. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of angling and licensing violations over the holiday weekend.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time checking anglers on area lakes. Block also spent time assisting other agencies. Additional time was spent training with K9 Jet.
