Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
May 12, 2026 06:10AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - May 12, 2026
Last updated: 2026-05-11
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - May 12, 2026
Last updated: 2026-05-11
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports a cold, windy, occasionally snowy start to the spring fishing season in the Ely area. Despite the weather, it was one of the busiest openers in memory. Angling success was generally good although most anglers checked reported only spending a few hours on the water. Lake County deputies were also assisted with a wildland fire investigation.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week focusing on checking anglers and watercraft operators. Ihnen also monitored AIS compliance near area public accesses. Additional time was spent checking ATV riders.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the cold and snowy fishing opener. Some lakes were still completely frozen over in the area. Enforcement action was taken for fire and ATV violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time working angling activity over the regular season fishing opener. High winds, blowing snow, and general cold conditions didn’t stop anglers from hitting the lakes. Fishing was extremely slow with most folks only having one or two fish to show for their efforts. Calls were answered about nuisance bears looking through trash cans and bird feeders.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked a busy and very cold fishing opener weekend, with only moderate success noted. Time was also spent working those pursuing smelt in the Duluth area. Enforcement action included no fishing license citations, taking smelt in a closed river, extra line, insufficient PFDs, and expired watercraft registration.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring angling activity across the area. Time was also spent assisting with EMT training in Camp Ripley. The weekend of fishing opener was cool and windy, but several anglers were still found on the lakes braving the snow. Anglers, however, reported limited success.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling enforcement over the busy opening weekend. Time was spent checking anglers and handling nuisance-bear-related calls. Cold and windy weather conditions kept many anglers fishing from shore or around the campfire. Boat operators are reminded to review the condition of their PFDs. If they are torn and tattered, please replace them.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes and streams. Block also assisted other law enforcement agencies with a K9 search and a fire investigation. Time was also spent patrolling for ATV activity.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week focusing on checking anglers and watercraft operators. Ihnen also monitored AIS compliance near area public accesses. Additional time was spent checking ATV riders.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the cold and snowy fishing opener. Some lakes were still completely frozen over in the area. Enforcement action was taken for fire and ATV violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time working angling activity over the regular season fishing opener. High winds, blowing snow, and general cold conditions didn’t stop anglers from hitting the lakes. Fishing was extremely slow with most folks only having one or two fish to show for their efforts. Calls were answered about nuisance bears looking through trash cans and bird feeders.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked a busy and very cold fishing opener weekend, with only moderate success noted. Time was also spent working those pursuing smelt in the Duluth area. Enforcement action included no fishing license citations, taking smelt in a closed river, extra line, insufficient PFDs, and expired watercraft registration.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring angling activity across the area. Time was also spent assisting with EMT training in Camp Ripley. The weekend of fishing opener was cool and windy, but several anglers were still found on the lakes braving the snow. Anglers, however, reported limited success.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling enforcement over the busy opening weekend. Time was spent checking anglers and handling nuisance-bear-related calls. Cold and windy weather conditions kept many anglers fishing from shore or around the campfire. Boat operators are reminded to review the condition of their PFDs. If they are torn and tattered, please replace them.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes and streams. Block also assisted other law enforcement agencies with a K9 search and a fire investigation. Time was also spent patrolling for ATV activity.
