District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: he focused on snowmobile and angling activity over the week. Warmer weather and good trail conditions made for excellent riding. Violations included: angling without a license in possession.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) patrolled his station this week focusing primarily on fishing activity. Officer Ihnen also checked ATV and snowmobile operators. Additional time was spent checking for fish house compliance on area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking snowmobilers and anglers during the trout opener with officers Schottenbauer and Fairbanks. Overall, fish were cooperating, and anglers were happy with their catch. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
COHudsonLedeen(Hovland) reports that people were out enjoying the holiday weekend hitting the lakes and trails. Fishing remained consistent for most anglers and even a few quality fish were caught. Snowmobile trails up the hill from Grand Marais are in great shape. Bobcat trapping season came to a close on Sunday, and trappers are reminded to reach out to register their furs.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked trout opener, snowmobile trails, and ski trails. Additional time was spent on an ongoing investigation. Lots of activity was noted on the trout opener and snowmobile trail conditions haveimprovedwiththerecent snows. Enforcement action included angling with an extra line, angling with an unattended line, no snowmobile registration, snowmobile moving violations, and no cross country ski pass.
COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week primarily working ice angling and snowmobile enforcement. Time was also spent attending training at Camp Ripley. Winter trout opener brought many anglers to the area this weekend, and enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and angling related violations.
COTrentAnderson(Tofte) focusedonsnowmobilingand angling enforcement for the week. Trail conditions were good overall but opening weekendanglersfoundslushy conditions on popular lakes. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of angling and licensing violations over the holiday weekend.
District 5 - Eveleth area CCO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) patrolled several area lakes and trails by snowmobile. Trails were looking better as more snow moved into the area. Kennedy took a report of an incidental catch earlier in the week and issued deer possession permits. He also spent time at Camp Ripley for training. Several calls were taken regarding the upcoming fur registration.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working his area’s snowmobile trails, lakes and rivers. Anglers reported a slower bite through the week. Trails have improved throughout the area with recent snowfall. Registration and license violations were enforced this week.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Angling and spearing activity continue to be popular activities in the area. Snowmobilers are being observed more frequently as conditions improve. ATV use on a snowmobile trail was observed and addressed. A snowmobile trespass complaint was heard. Fur registration was completed for a couple of trappers.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area lakes with angling activity light and little observed caught. Area forest roads and timber sales were checked. Snowmobile trails were monitored. Spare time was spent working on administrative tasks and equipment maintenance.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent the majority of the week monitoring snowmobiling activity along with checking ice anglers. Anglers reported low success rates. Finding fish that were willing to bite remained difficult. Snowmobiling activity picked up sharply, area trails improved withshotsofsnowthroughout theweek.Timewasalsospent monitoring the last week of bobcat trapping.
COAaronLarson(Tower) worked primarily angling and snowmobile activity. He spent time checking trout anglers over the opener and also worked on a spruce-top case throughout the week. He attended a snowmobile safety class and spent time working loud illegal snowmobiles.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked angling and trapping enforcement. In addition, time was spent responding to calls, monitoring local snowmobile trails, and investigating a trespassing complaint. Violations encountered were mostly related to license and registration issues.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) Time was spent assisting several agencies with a cabin fire and investigating an angling harassment complaint over the week. Additional time was spent organizing academy training work for the upcoming snowmobile academy training.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring ice fishing and snowmobile activity. Few ice anglers were encountered this week. They reported limited success. Snowmobile trails are passable but could use more snow.
District 7 - Grand Rapids
CO Vinny Brown (Northome) patrolled area lakes and state forests, checking anglers and checking for illegal birch pole cutting. An incidentally caught fisher was turned in and trapping related questions wereanswered.AstolenATV was recovered at a residence. CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) Worked ATV’s, snowmobiles, small game, and fishing a ctivities. H e p atrolled area trails and campgrounds. Numerous game and fish questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.
COMikeFairbanks(Deer River) worked a trout opener detail, patrolled snowmobile trails, monitored trapping activity and assisted with motor vehicle accidents. CO Fairbanks and his K9 partner also attended training with area k9 teams and located a set of keys lost in a snow covered parking area. Enforcement action was taken for angle without license, extra line and snowmobile registration issues.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ice angling and some minor snowmobiling activity. Winter trout opener was worked and saw some success with CO Sutherland observing some lake trout being caught. CO Sutherland took enforcement action for an individual catching a northern pike by their hands thru a spear hole and for an individual who’s dogs were chasing deer.
