Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Jan 27, 2026 05:28AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - January 27, 2026
Last updated: 2026-01-26
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports extremely cold weather hit the Ely area with low temperatures approaching 40 below. Angling and snowmobile activity slowed but a fair number of people were still checked through the week. Violations included spearing without a license, taking illegal-length fish, and operating an unregistered snowmobile.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week checking ice anglers and spear fishers. Ihnen also patrolled for snowmobiling and ATV activity. Additional time was spent monitoring fish house compliance on area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week patrolling on snowmobile checking anglers and snowmobilers. The trails are shaping up very nicely. With the extreme cold weather, anglers did not last long on the lakes. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports arctic temps hit the region over the week slowing down fishing and snowmobiling activities. Time was spent patrolling area lakes and trails. Station equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) continued to spend time on case work. A few snowmobilers riding despite the frigid weather were checked, as were a few anglers. Enforcement action included snowmobile registration violations, loud exhaust on a snowmobile, and angling without a trout stamp.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring ice angling activity. Cold weather made for rough conditions out on the ice, but many anglers still braved it. Time was also spent monitoring snowmobile activity across the area.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and snowmobiling activity for the week. Pockets of slush remain on many area lakes. The midwinter cold reduced activity but a few fish were checked among those who timed the weather and were prepared for it.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes. Time was also spent completing equipment maintenance. Time was also spent training with K9 Jet.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week checking ice anglers and spear fishers. Ihnen also patrolled for snowmobiling and ATV activity. Additional time was spent monitoring fish house compliance on area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week patrolling on snowmobile checking anglers and snowmobilers. The trails are shaping up very nicely. With the extreme cold weather, anglers did not last long on the lakes. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports arctic temps hit the region over the week slowing down fishing and snowmobiling activities. Time was spent patrolling area lakes and trails. Station equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) continued to spend time on case work. A few snowmobilers riding despite the frigid weather were checked, as were a few anglers. Enforcement action included snowmobile registration violations, loud exhaust on a snowmobile, and angling without a trout stamp.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring ice angling activity. Cold weather made for rough conditions out on the ice, but many anglers still braved it. Time was also spent monitoring snowmobile activity across the area.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and snowmobiling activity for the week. Pockets of slush remain on many area lakes. The midwinter cold reduced activity but a few fish were checked among those who timed the weather and were prepared for it.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes. Time was also spent completing equipment maintenance. Time was also spent training with K9 Jet.
