District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: heavy snow fell over the week across the arrowhead. Trail conditions were found to be generally good although many areas had lost their base from previous warm weather. Snowmobile activity was slower than previous weeks in spite of the new snow.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked a detail in the BWCAW with area officers. Time was also spent patrolling snowmobile trails and trout lakes. Enforcement action was taken for motors in the BWCAW, live minnows on designated trout lake, license violations and extra lines.
COHudsonLedeen(Hovland) reports that snowfalls earlier in the week revitalized the snowmobile trails, but with warm weather and longer days the snowmobile season is fleeting. Time was spent working a BWCAW detail with CO Anderson and CO Wahlstrom. Multiple anglingandBWCAWspecific violations were discovered and enforcement action was taken.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent time working angling and snowmobile enforcement. Investigations into spruce top theft from last fall continue as well. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile transfer and registration violations. A few trout and panfish continue to be caught.
COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week primarily focusing on snowmobile enforcement. A winter storm midweek brought many snowmobile riders up to the area. Violations encountered included various snowmobile violations.
COTrentAnderson(Tofte) focused on snowmobile and angling activity for the week. Time was spent alongside area officers working a detail in the BWCAW. Snow conditions range considerably throughout the area. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of angling and BWCAW related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors)Spenttimethisweek checking anglers on area Lakes. Block also focused efforts on snowmobile activity in the area. Time was also spent training with K9 Jet.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (Int’l Falls #1) monitored angling and snowmobile activity. He received calls regarding ATV’s operating on snowmobile trails and trespass complaints. Crappie anglers reported some success as the week went on. He also assisted local agencies with various calls for service.
COCurtisSimonson(Int’l Falls #2) reports checking anglers this past weekend. Anglers reported having some success on area lakes. Snow conditions have improved on area lakes and trails with recent snowfall.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring fish house removal from area lakes. Little angling activity was noted over the week. Equipment work is ongoing. Area forest roads were checked along with public access sites.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spenttimethisweekchecking anglers and monitoring area forest roads. The snow we received this week gave some snowmobilers another shot at riding, but that will be short lived with the warm weather we’ve had and that’s coming. Time was also spent working on equipment and on-line training.
COAaronLarson(Tower) workedprimarilyanglingand snowmobile activity. Few anglers were having mixed success finding crappies on Lake Vermilion. With the recent snow it allowed for a fewmoredaysofsnowmobile activity, with conditions on the lakes being excellent for riding. Loud snowmobiles and illegal mufflers was worked. Larson also spent time working a spruce top case.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and angling activity. In addition, time was spent completing online training, maintaining an inventory of station equipment, and checking local lakes for permanent shelters remaining on the ice. CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) Time was spent working on future academy training material over the week. Additional time was spent assisting neighboring officers with an investigation that stemmed from last Fall. CO Zavodnik also worked on administrative tasks and checked ice anglers.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring ice fishing activity. Fishermen continued to report limited success. A recent snowstorm brought some snowmobiles out but it still wasn’t enough to keep the season going. CO Broughten fielded calls regarding injured animals and youth ATV regulations. CO Broughten also assisted with a snowmobile safety class.
