Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Feb 18, 2026 05:21AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - February 18, 2026
Last updated: 2026-02-17
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - February 18, 2026
Last updated: 2026-02-17
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports warm weather arrived over the week and plenty of anglers and snowmobile riders took advantage. Angling success was found good, and trail conditions held through the weekend but were generally poor after heavy use and heat. Violations included angling without a license and snowmobile speed.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) continued focusing on checking anglers and snowmobile operators this week. Ihnen also patrolled for ATV activity. Additional time was spent checking for litter and fish house compliance on area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time patrolling on snowmobile along the U.S./Canada border. Time was also monitoring snowmobile trails. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling area lakes and local snowmobile trails, answering calls about nuisance animals, and spending time in the BWCA. Fishing remains inconsistent with some anglers having success and others failing to catch a fish. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobiling and angling violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling and snowmobile enforcement this week. Unfortunately, snowmobile trail conditions have badly deteriorated with the extended warm weather. Enforcement action included use of live minnows on a trout lake, snowmobile speed, and illegal, loud snowmobile exhaust.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring ice angling and snowmobiling activity around the area. Various wildlife-related complaints have been fielded as critters have moved closer to town for the winter. Warm weather this weekend has left the snowmobile trails slushy and eroded. Hopefully, upcoming snow will help them stabilize again.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and snowmobile enforcement for the week. The midwinter thaw its toll on area trails but it didn’t deter many folks taking advantage of the clear skies. Anglers have been reporting varied success. Enforcement action was taken for various angling and license-related violations.
CO Cassie block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling area snowmobile trails. Time was also spent checking anglers on area lakes. Block also spent time training with K9 Jet.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) continued focusing on checking anglers and snowmobile operators this week. Ihnen also patrolled for ATV activity. Additional time was spent checking for litter and fish house compliance on area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time patrolling on snowmobile along the U.S./Canada border. Time was also monitoring snowmobile trails. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling area lakes and local snowmobile trails, answering calls about nuisance animals, and spending time in the BWCA. Fishing remains inconsistent with some anglers having success and others failing to catch a fish. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobiling and angling violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling and snowmobile enforcement this week. Unfortunately, snowmobile trail conditions have badly deteriorated with the extended warm weather. Enforcement action included use of live minnows on a trout lake, snowmobile speed, and illegal, loud snowmobile exhaust.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring ice angling and snowmobiling activity around the area. Various wildlife-related complaints have been fielded as critters have moved closer to town for the winter. Warm weather this weekend has left the snowmobile trails slushy and eroded. Hopefully, upcoming snow will help them stabilize again.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and snowmobile enforcement for the week. The midwinter thaw its toll on area trails but it didn’t deter many folks taking advantage of the clear skies. Anglers have been reporting varied success. Enforcement action was taken for various angling and license-related violations.
CO Cassie block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling area snowmobile trails. Time was also spent checking anglers on area lakes. Block also spent time training with K9 Jet.
