Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Mar 04, 2026 05:22AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - March 4, 2026
Last updated: 2026-03-02
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - March 4, 2026
Last updated: 2026-03-02
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports trail conditions improved greatly over the week as crews finally caught up. Snowmobile traffic was again high into the weekend following a wild swing in temperatures. Violations included failure to display snowmobile registration and snowmobile speed.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent time this week checking anglers and patrolling for snowmobiling activity. Additional time was spent monitoring fish house compliance on area lakes and accesses. Ihnen also attended training at Camp Ripley.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked a detail along the U.S./Canada border. He attended annual training at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time earlier in the week attending training at Camp Ripley. Ledeen reports that snowmobile trails remain in fantastic condition and several riders were out enjoying the great conditions over the weekend. Enforcement action was taken for varying violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) attended a departmental meeting. Much time was spent this week working snowmobile enforcement with the quality trail conditions and high traffic. Time was spent patrolling with CO Lawler over a large swath of northeastern Minnesota. Bermel is happy to report that all groups encountered seemed to be operating with due care, staying in control, and on their side of the trail. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile speed, no non-resident trail pass, failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to display registration, and many instances of loud, illegal exhaust.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring angling and snowmobile activity. Time was also spent working alongside other officers on Lake of the Woods. Various violations were encountered regarding angling and snowmobile regulations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) spent time patrolling lakes and trails for angling and snowmobile activity. Trail conditions were quite good despite heavy use. Annual training was attended. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of angling and snowmobile-related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling area snowmobile trails. Block also responded to various complaints. Time was also spent completing training.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent time this week checking anglers and patrolling for snowmobiling activity. Additional time was spent monitoring fish house compliance on area lakes and accesses. Ihnen also attended training at Camp Ripley.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked a detail along the U.S./Canada border. He attended annual training at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time earlier in the week attending training at Camp Ripley. Ledeen reports that snowmobile trails remain in fantastic condition and several riders were out enjoying the great conditions over the weekend. Enforcement action was taken for varying violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) attended a departmental meeting. Much time was spent this week working snowmobile enforcement with the quality trail conditions and high traffic. Time was spent patrolling with CO Lawler over a large swath of northeastern Minnesota. Bermel is happy to report that all groups encountered seemed to be operating with due care, staying in control, and on their side of the trail. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile speed, no non-resident trail pass, failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to display registration, and many instances of loud, illegal exhaust.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring angling and snowmobile activity. Time was also spent working alongside other officers on Lake of the Woods. Various violations were encountered regarding angling and snowmobile regulations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) spent time patrolling lakes and trails for angling and snowmobile activity. Trail conditions were quite good despite heavy use. Annual training was attended. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of angling and snowmobile-related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling area snowmobile trails. Block also responded to various complaints. Time was also spent completing training.
