.jpg)
District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports attending annual training at Camp Ripley during the week. Lakes continued to open around the Ely area and by the weekend several of the larger lakes were now accessible although no boating activity was seen. Other lakes like Burntside still remain almost completely ice-covered.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week checking for fishing and boating activity. Additional time was spent monitoring trapping activity.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking steelhead anglers along the North Shore. Some nice fish were caught and released. He monitored ATV-complaint areas and worked on prepping open-water equipment. CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent time checking steelhead anglers along the North Shore. Fishing remains slow, but a few fish were observed being caught and released.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) attended training at Camp Ripley, responded to trapping and wolf-related complaints, and monitored spring fish run activities. Ice is off most area lakes, bringing out a few boats. Enforcement action was taken for smelting without a fishing license.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) attended annual training at Camp Ripley and participated in a first responder event at Cook County elementary. Many youngsters were excited to talk with area COs and see patrol ATVs and squads in person. As the seasons change, ATV operators are reminded any passengers under 18 are required to wear helmets.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked spring fish run and ATV activity. Area streams are now ice-free, allowing angling access with some anglers starting to hook a few fish. Murray also took a nuisance-bear complaint and investigated an illegal-burning complaint. Division training was attended at Camp Ripley with other officers during the week.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports the walleye catch-and-release season on the Rainy River ended this weekend. This weekend was the busiest it’s been in years, with an estimated 500-plus boats per day. Enforcement action taken for the week included boat registration issues, license violations, and boat safety equipment violations. CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports spending time this past week working the Rainy River and area forest roads for ATV activity. The Rainy River remained busy for the last weekend of the catchand- release walleye season. Boat safety equipment and registration remained common violations, along with angling without licenses.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports the warming weather has lured more people outside to take care of spring tasks. Shoreline and dock projects were monitored for compliance. Angling activity was monitored. The ice on Lake Kabetogama is mostly gone except for some lingering ice in bay areas. Equipment changeover and maintenance filled the week.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring public water access sites, checking local forest roads, dealing with an injured eagle, and taking phone calls on a variety of outdoor topics.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week monitoring ATV and trapping activity, along with checking state forests. Warm weather brought more activity and ice is quickly disappearing from area lakes. Time was also spent checking anglers and monitoring spring fish runs. CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and OHV enforcement. Larson spent time checking anglers who were out and about targeting primarily crappies. Many boats have hit the lakes with the warm weather and the last of the ice disappearing. Larson also spent time assisting other agencies and checking for traps. Violations were related to youth violating OHM laws, attempting to take fish during closed seasons, and the possession of spears near water during closed seasons.
