This week’s Minnesota DNR
Conservation Officer reports
District 6 - Two Harbors
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports fire crews have made progress on containment around many of the wildfires inside the BWCA. Burning restrictions are still in place and residents and visitors are encouraged to check them before open burning. Violations included angling without a license, failure to display watercraft registration, and angling without a license in possession.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent most of the week continuing to provide security for out-of-state resources brought in to assist with local firefighting efforts. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators. Ihnen also returned and responded to various calls for service.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers and ATV riders. A detail was worked with the Marine Unit on Devil Track Lake. Enforcement action was taken for license violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling area lakes and trails. Fishing remains inconsistent for anglers. Nuisance-animal calls were handled, as were questions about the upcoming bear-hunting season. Ledeen also attended training at Camp Ripley.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) assisted with activity associated with the area wildfires. Cases were followed up on, and area lakes, trails, and BWCA entry points were patrolled. Time was spent working with the county attorney’s office on several cases. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without licenses, insufficient PFDs, failure to transfer watercraft ownership, litter, and AIS violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring angling activity. Time was also spent attending training at Camp Ripley and investigating a public waters complaint. Franzen continues work on a background investigation to assist with the CO hiring process.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling, ATV, and boating enforcement for the week. Assistance was given to local agencies on a variety of calls and training was attended. Fire danger has lowered in the area recently, but caution is still advised as conditions can change quickly.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes. Block also focused efforts on boat and water safety enforcement. Time was also spent training with K9 Jet.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) reports a busy week working angling activity. Area lakes were patrolled as the week went on. He received several calls about the new online license system and upcoming bear season. He also attended training at Camp Ripley in the middle of the week. He assisted local law enforcement with the removal of a canoe and related property from a remote area. Enforcement actions included angling without a license and no angling license in possession.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) attended training at Camp Ripley and followed up on state campground-related complaints. Calls have started to come in about the upcoming fall hunting seasons and related license system changes. He received questions about changes to the hunting and trapping regulations booklet.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports computer training is ongoing. Administrative tasks continue. Equipment work was completed. Other time was spent monitoring boating and angling activities. Fishing success remains poor with little observed being caught. Boating activity remains light. The start of high school sports is around the corner, as is the shift towards fall outdoor activities CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking anglers and monitoring boating activity, with area lakes being very busy over the weekend. The bite continues to be hit and miss, but most anglers were able to find some fish to keep them busy. Time was also spent monitoring ATV activity and attending training.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and ATV enforcement. He spent time investigating complaints on Lake Vermilion. He addressed camping related complaints and attended training. He also spent time checking for illegal fires as fire danger remains very high.
