Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Mar 11, 2026 05:56AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - March 11, 2026
Last updated: 2026-03-10
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - March 11, 2026
Last updated: 2026-03-10
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) continued focusing on angling and snowmobile activity. Both were noticeably slower as snow conditions varied greatly throughout the area and angling success seemed to slow. He also assisted local responders with an emergency medical event inside the BWCAW.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week focusing primarily on fishing activity. Ihnen also patrolled for snowmobiling and ATV activity. Additional time was spent monitoring fish house compliance on area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marias) spent the week checking anglers and snowmobilers. With the warm weather, slush is deep on most lakes. He conducted a snowmobile safety field day with area officers in Cook County.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling angling and snowmobiling activities. Resent warm weather and rain showers have reduced area snow levels a fair amount. Ledeen and other local conservations officers held a snowmobile safety field day for about 50 kids who earned their safety certificate. Enforcement action was taken for varying violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) focused this week on angling enforcement in and out of the BWCAW. Winter trail conditions continue to deteriorate, although there is still very deep snow in the woods. Enforcement action this week included expired snowmobile registration and glass in the BWCAW. Area officers assisted with a medical emergency in the BWCAW.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring snowmobile and ice angling activity around the area. Freezing fog came to the shore late in the week, followed by rain on Friday and high temperatures over the weekend. Trails saw the impact of the weather, and riders are urged to slow down and use caution under the current conditions.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on snowmobile and angling enforcement for the week. Cook County’s youth snowmobile safety field day was completed with other area officers. Sun and warm weather are beginning to degrade area trails especially near the shore. Equipment maintenance was conducted.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes. Time was also spent working snowmobile activity. Block also spent time training with K9 Jet.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week focusing primarily on fishing activity. Ihnen also patrolled for snowmobiling and ATV activity. Additional time was spent monitoring fish house compliance on area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marias) spent the week checking anglers and snowmobilers. With the warm weather, slush is deep on most lakes. He conducted a snowmobile safety field day with area officers in Cook County.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling angling and snowmobiling activities. Resent warm weather and rain showers have reduced area snow levels a fair amount. Ledeen and other local conservations officers held a snowmobile safety field day for about 50 kids who earned their safety certificate. Enforcement action was taken for varying violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) focused this week on angling enforcement in and out of the BWCAW. Winter trail conditions continue to deteriorate, although there is still very deep snow in the woods. Enforcement action this week included expired snowmobile registration and glass in the BWCAW. Area officers assisted with a medical emergency in the BWCAW.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring snowmobile and ice angling activity around the area. Freezing fog came to the shore late in the week, followed by rain on Friday and high temperatures over the weekend. Trails saw the impact of the weather, and riders are urged to slow down and use caution under the current conditions.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on snowmobile and angling enforcement for the week. Cook County’s youth snowmobile safety field day was completed with other area officers. Sun and warm weather are beginning to degrade area trails especially near the shore. Equipment maintenance was conducted.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes. Time was also spent working snowmobile activity. Block also spent time training with K9 Jet.
