CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked ice anglers and a few snowmobilers. The trails are in poor condition and are in need of snow. A few walleye are being caught but overall fishing is slow. Wildlife and ice fishing calls were handled.
CO Mary Manning (Grand Marais East) checked area lakes and trails. Cold temperatures are improving ice conditions, but folks are urged to check before venturing out, especially on bigger lakes. Additional snowfall has been non-existent so snowmobile trails are still a bit rough. The officer also assisted Cook County and the 1854 Treaty Authority with an injured moose and answered questions about landowners taking nuisance beaver.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that the weather couldn’t have been better for ice anglers. Many lakes froze up quickly to make 6-10 inches of good ice. Some of the lakes that were frozen before the snowfall have some slush, but not bad. Snowmobile trails should be ready soon.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) responded to a report of a moose that was struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, numerous pieces of the car bumper were found; moose tracks and some chunks of hair were located too. Despite a search of the area no significant signs of injury to the moose were found. Moose 1, car 0.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) assisted with a medical situation in which a bow hunter fell from a stand and possibly had a broken leg.
CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) found a person who drove a large car and wheel house out onto a lake. He asked if they felt comfortable driving out on eight inches of ice. The officer was sharply corrected and told there was 8½ inches and that was good enough.
Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News- Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules!
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