Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
May 27, 2026 05:46AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - May 27, 2026
Last updated: 2026-05-26
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - May 27, 2026
Last updated: 2026-05-26
CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: after a slower start to the normally busy Memorial day weekend warmer weather arrived and so did huge amounts boating and atv activity. Assistance was given for several water emergencies involving canoes and motorboats inside the BWCA. Violations included: operating an OHM on a public roadway, expired watercraft registration, and burning prohibited materials.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) spent the week monitoring ATV and OHM operators on area trails. CO Ihnen also checked anglers and watercraft operators. Additional time was spent patrolling for AIS violations near area lakes and public accesses.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the busy Memorial weekend in the BWCAW with Officer Oberg and Officer Schottenbauer. The officers worked the Sea Gull River opener and spent time working area fish closures. Enforcement action was taken for angle without a license, fish in a closed area and watercraft violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time patrolling angling and boating activities over the holiday weekend. Nuisance bears continue to be a problem. People are reminded to keep their homes and properties clean of items that attract bears. Enforcement action was taken for various angling violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked the busy Memorial Day weekend with plenty of boat and ATV traffic in the area. A large case file from the fall was completed with the case being charged out by the county attorney’s office. Time was spent on several other investigations. Enforcement action was taken for no ID on minnow traps, no trout stamp, no helmet on youth ATV passenger, and a variety of minor boating violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week checking anglers and monitoring ATV activity. CO Franzen assisted with an ATV detail in Pine County where multiple officers patrolled local trails throughout the evening and night over the holiday weekend. Time was also spent patrolling the boundary waters with other local officers.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and boating enforcement for the week. Time was spent working area angling closures and BWCAW activity over the busy Memorial day weekend. Water temperatures remain cool and angler success varied considerably. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling and ATV related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week checking anglers on lakes. Block also assisted with working road closures for the Stewart Trail fire. Time was also spent performing equipment maintenance and training with K9 Jet.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) spent the week monitoring ATV and OHM operators on area trails. CO Ihnen also checked anglers and watercraft operators. Additional time was spent patrolling for AIS violations near area lakes and public accesses.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the busy Memorial weekend in the BWCAW with Officer Oberg and Officer Schottenbauer. The officers worked the Sea Gull River opener and spent time working area fish closures. Enforcement action was taken for angle without a license, fish in a closed area and watercraft violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time patrolling angling and boating activities over the holiday weekend. Nuisance bears continue to be a problem. People are reminded to keep their homes and properties clean of items that attract bears. Enforcement action was taken for various angling violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked the busy Memorial Day weekend with plenty of boat and ATV traffic in the area. A large case file from the fall was completed with the case being charged out by the county attorney’s office. Time was spent on several other investigations. Enforcement action was taken for no ID on minnow traps, no trout stamp, no helmet on youth ATV passenger, and a variety of minor boating violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week checking anglers and monitoring ATV activity. CO Franzen assisted with an ATV detail in Pine County where multiple officers patrolled local trails throughout the evening and night over the holiday weekend. Time was also spent patrolling the boundary waters with other local officers.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and boating enforcement for the week. Time was spent working area angling closures and BWCAW activity over the busy Memorial day weekend. Water temperatures remain cool and angler success varied considerably. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling and ATV related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week checking anglers on lakes. Block also assisted with working road closures for the Stewart Trail fire. Time was also spent performing equipment maintenance and training with K9 Jet.
