Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Apr 14, 2026 07:10AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - April 14, 2026
Last updated: 2026-04-13
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - April 14, 2026
Last updated: 2026-04-13
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) assisted officers along the North Shore with the Lake Superior and tributaries trout opener. Fishing conditions were poor on rivers and streams with very little current flow and generally still ice covered. Several anglers checked did report success with both rainbow trout and steelhead.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) spent most of his time focusing on checking anglers this week. He also spent time patrolling for ATV operators. Additional time was spent monitoring spring trapping activity
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking anglers along the U.S./Canada border. A few remaining snowmobilers were also checked.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time earlier in the week completing annual training at Camp Ripley. Angling activity on border lakes was patrolled via snowmobile. Spring trapping and steelhead angling opportunities have yet to appear with the abundance of ice and snow.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) completed several days of annual training requirements. Lakes were patrolled to check late-season panfish anglers. The ice will soon become unsafe, putting the ice fishing season near the end. Some equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring snowmobile and stream angling activity. Warm weather and rain have greatly deteriorated trail conditions throughout most of the area. Many portions of the rivers and streams also remain frozen with few areas outside of the mouth that are currently suitable for fishing.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on late-season ice angling and snowmobile activity for the week. Snow and ice conditions are highly variable across the area and caution is advised. A public outreach event was attended, and many students were excited to see some of the equipment COs use. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling and snowmobile related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time checking anglers in the area. Block also spent time monitoring ATV activity in the area. Block continued training with K9 Jet.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) spent most of his time focusing on checking anglers this week. He also spent time patrolling for ATV operators. Additional time was spent monitoring spring trapping activity
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking anglers along the U.S./Canada border. A few remaining snowmobilers were also checked.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time earlier in the week completing annual training at Camp Ripley. Angling activity on border lakes was patrolled via snowmobile. Spring trapping and steelhead angling opportunities have yet to appear with the abundance of ice and snow.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) completed several days of annual training requirements. Lakes were patrolled to check late-season panfish anglers. The ice will soon become unsafe, putting the ice fishing season near the end. Some equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring snowmobile and stream angling activity. Warm weather and rain have greatly deteriorated trail conditions throughout most of the area. Many portions of the rivers and streams also remain frozen with few areas outside of the mouth that are currently suitable for fishing.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on late-season ice angling and snowmobile activity for the week. Snow and ice conditions are highly variable across the area and caution is advised. A public outreach event was attended, and many students were excited to see some of the equipment COs use. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling and snowmobile related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time checking anglers in the area. Block also spent time monitoring ATV activity in the area. Block continued training with K9 Jet.
