District 5 – Eveleth area

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports continued monitoring of area lakes and waterways. Area Forest roads were checked and ATV activity monitored. Spare time was spent visiting public access sites. Numerous phone calls and questions were responded to on the up coming seasons over the week.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking anglers and monitoring boating activity. The bite continues to be hit and miss, however a few anglers were able to get it figured out and get decent fish. Time was also spent monitoring bear baiting activity, ATV activity, and check area forest roads. CO Cannon also checked local wild rice areas, which are looking great, a night and day difference from last year.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling enforcement and ATV activity. He also spent time checking wild rice in the area. Wild rice remains fairly green and one violation was found regarding harvesting green rice. He also spent time checking on bear baiting activity and working a dumping case.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) and his trainee, COC Jacob Peterson, worked a bear baiting case and handled nuisance bear calls during the first week of field training. They also worked boating and angling enforcement on Lake Minnetonka over the weekend. Additional time was spent assisting local police departments and working a case with a neighboring Conservation Officers in the area.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating, and ATV activity. Fishermen reported moderate success. ATV activity was higher than past weeks. CO Broughten fielded calls regarding injured animals, trespass, and bear bait regulations. CO Broughten also assisted local law enforcement on scene with a fatal ATV crash.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: he focused on bear baiting and monitored wild rice activity over the weekend. Nuisance bear activity continued to be reported through the week and visitors and residents are encouraged to be mindful with their food and garbage. Violations included: litter, harvesting green wild rice, and incomplete information on a bear bait sign.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) focused on fishing and boating activity this week. Officer Ihnen also monitored AIS compliance near area lakes and public accesses. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) started field training a newly hired Conservation Officer candidate. One day was spent assisting with a district firearm safety field day. A few examples of station activity include angling, ATV, and bear baiting enforcement. Time was also spent working within the BWCA for a few days.