8-25-2025

District 5

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area forest roads and lakes. Public access sites were visited. Outdoor activity continues to slow as school is around the corner and high school sports kick off. ATV activity was checked. Phone calls at all hours have again become common as the fall seasons are upon us.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time monitoring bear-baiting activity this week. Berries and other natural food sources are still abundant, so bears might not yet be as cooperative as last year. Time was also spent checking anglers and monitoring ATV activity. A regional meeting was attended as well.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) spent time checking anglers and following up on complaints. Larson spent time investigating illegal camping, prohibited firewood, and a dog off leash. He also investigated other complaints in state parks. He spent time checking anglers, which resulted in license violations and safety equipment violations. He also spent time at a regional meeting.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) and his trainee, Conservation Officer Candidate Jacob Peterson, patrolled local lakes and checked anglers over the week. They also worked a wolf-depredation investigation and continued to investigate a trespassing case. They assisted local law enforcement departments with calls, helped with an ATV safety class, and attended a community outreach program. 

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating, ATV, and bear-baiting activity. Outdoor recreational activity slowed as summer is winding down. Anglers still reported moderate success. Bear baiting is underway. Bear hunters report there is a lot of natural food for bears, which may limit contact with their baits. Broughten also fielded calls regarding ATV registration, injured animals, and questions related to wild rice.

District 6

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) patrolled areas of the BWCA over the weekend. Angling activity was low between alternating downpours and driving rain. Violations included angling without a license and failing to display watercraft registration. 

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled this week for fishing and boating activity. Ihnen also checked ATV and off-highway motorcycle operators. Time was also spent working bear-baiting activity.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) continued field training with COC Kris Ryan. They worked primarily angling, boating, and ATV enforcement this week. Time was also spent in the BWCAW. Enforcement action was taken for cans/glass in the BWCAW, no PFDs, unlicensed watercraft, fishing license violations, and camping longer than 14 days in a state forest. Officers assisted with a rescue in the BWCAW.