Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Jul 14, 2026 05:36AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - July 14, 2026
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - July 14, 2026
District 6 - Two Harbors area
Last updated: 2026-07-13CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports hot and dry weather over the weekend made for extreme fire conditions. Uncontrolled wildfires burning inside the BWCA made huge gains and smoke columns could be seen from the city of Ely. Residents and visitors are asked to be extremely careful with fires and follow the latest restrictions.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week checking anglers and watercraft operators. Ihnen also patrolled for AIS compliance near area lakes and PWAs. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked area lakes and ATV trails. He responded to wildlife-related and burning complaints. Enforcement action was taken for angling, boating, and burning violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports that dry conditions and high temperatures have put the area at high risk for wildfires. Fishing has slowed tremendously with bug hatches and hot weather. Nuisance bears continue to be a problem. Enforcement action was taken for ATV and BWCA-specific violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports working a busy week of angling, boating, and ATV enforcement. Many anglers have been encountered over the past few weeks fishing without licenses, and that trend continued this week. Other violations encountered this week included no trout stamp, ATV operation on state highways, driving after cancellation inimical to public safety, unlawful youthful off-highway motorcycle and ATV violations, transporting watercraft with the drain plug in place, no navigational lights after sunset, and minor consumption of alcohol.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring angling and ATV activity. Time was also spent assisting local agencies with a recovery call in a state park and investigating a TIP complaint. Unusually hot weather hit the North Shore late in the week. Coupled with low humidity and high winds, fire danger is high across the area.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and ATV activity for the week. Nuisance-bear issues are ongoing. Area fire danger remains high, and restrictions are in place. Please consult the DNR website for additional information. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling and ATV-related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling area ATV trails. Time was also spent working AIS enforcement with K9 Jet. Block also spent time working angling activity.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week checking anglers and watercraft operators. Ihnen also patrolled for AIS compliance near area lakes and PWAs. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked area lakes and ATV trails. He responded to wildlife-related and burning complaints. Enforcement action was taken for angling, boating, and burning violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports that dry conditions and high temperatures have put the area at high risk for wildfires. Fishing has slowed tremendously with bug hatches and hot weather. Nuisance bears continue to be a problem. Enforcement action was taken for ATV and BWCA-specific violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports working a busy week of angling, boating, and ATV enforcement. Many anglers have been encountered over the past few weeks fishing without licenses, and that trend continued this week. Other violations encountered this week included no trout stamp, ATV operation on state highways, driving after cancellation inimical to public safety, unlawful youthful off-highway motorcycle and ATV violations, transporting watercraft with the drain plug in place, no navigational lights after sunset, and minor consumption of alcohol.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring angling and ATV activity. Time was also spent assisting local agencies with a recovery call in a state park and investigating a TIP complaint. Unusually hot weather hit the North Shore late in the week. Coupled with low humidity and high winds, fire danger is high across the area.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and ATV activity for the week. Nuisance-bear issues are ongoing. Area fire danger remains high, and restrictions are in place. Please consult the DNR website for additional information. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling and ATV-related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling area ATV trails. Time was also spent working AIS enforcement with K9 Jet. Block also spent time working angling activity.
