1/25/10 Report (Dist. 6-11)

[Woody]

District 6 - Two Harbors area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) checked area lakes for angling activity. Travel on most lakes was decent, however rain and snow over the weekend has surely changed the situation. Time was spent in the vacant Silver Bay station checking lakes and snowmobile activity. Enforcement action was taken for unregistered snowmobiles, angling with extra lines and no angling license in possession.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers and a few snowmobilers this past week. CO Velsvaag also took part in a work detail and continued to work on investigations. Snowmobiling conditions were poor this past week and slush is starting to develop on area lakes.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked trout fishermen and snowmobile trails over the weekend. Snowmobilers are encouraged to stay to the right on trails, drive at a safe speed considering trail conditions, and keep hands on the handle bars to ensure control of the machine, and anticipate meeting oncoming traffic at all times.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) continued to check anglers on inland and border lakes, including the BWCA. Slush continues to be problematic on many lakes. Warm weather and lack of new snow has resulted in snowmobile trail conditions deteriorating further. CO Manning worked with USDA Wildlife personnel to dispatch a very sick wolf that had been problematic for more than 2 months. Manning checked cross-country ski trail passes and found good compliance.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers on area lakes in Cook and Lake counties. Snowmobile trails were monitored and are wearing thin around corners with lack of snow. Enforcement action was taken for angling, cross country ski and snowmobiling violations.

Babbitt - vacant.

Silver Bay - vacant.



District 7 - Grand Rapids area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling and snowmobile activity over the past week. Some trout anglers were finding success with a few trout in the bag. Enforcement action was taken for no trout stamp. CO Sutherland also helped out at a snowmobile safety class over the past weekend.

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers and patrolled area snowmobile trails thru out the week. Took calls on injured deer, car-killed deer, wolves, bobcats, and altering the cross section of a lake bed. Enforcement action taken for no angling license in possession.

CO Jeff Koehn (Grand Rapids OHV Specialist) patrolled for OHV activity and ice fishermen using ATVs to access the frozen lakes. He attended an ATV alliance meeting in Itasca County and gave a law presentation. He assisted other COs with evidence processing at the northeast regional headquarters. Time was spent on equipment maintenance.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, snowmobiles, small game hunters and trappers. He also handled several snowmobile complaints during the week.

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) worked snowmobile trails in the area for activity this past week. Many of the trails have large portions of exposed ground due to the lack of snow. But hopefully the forecast will have more snow in the near future. She also investigated the taking of a deer during closed season by archery. Trout fishing is slow along with panfish and walleyes. Enforcement action was taken for big game, snowmobile, and angling violations.

CO Jon Paurus (Hill City) patrolled area lakes checking fishermen. Warmer weather brought more folks out but success was spotty. Slush was appearing on several lakes due to the melting and rain. Snowmobile trails conditions also deteriorated. CO Paurus worked on a timber trespass complaint, checked on a lake shore alteration complaint and processed confiscated fur.

Bigfork - vacant.



District 8 - Cloquet area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Jeff Humphrey (Cloquet) reports working angling and snowmobile enforcement throughout the week. Ice conditions on area lakes became slush filled once again. Anglers were encouraged to block up houses to avoid problems later. Anglers were reporting mixed success with some nice northern pike observed. Snowmobile activity was down with the deteriorating trail conditions. Violations included ATV and snowmobile registration/permits, fish house shelter license/identification, no angling license possession, northern pike over limit, possession of drugs/paraphernalia.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) worked winter fishing around the Duluth area. Snowmobiling activity was also worked. Calls from the public about dogs chasing deer and injured deer have been common. Office time for paperwork and follow through on different cases took time away from the field.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports a very good start to the trout season so far. Some lakes are producing better than others. Some of the designated lakes have been better than anything in the last ten years. A few big brookies were seen as well as some very good action on lake trout. The slush monster is starting to creep in and is something to keep in mind now with the heavy wet snow that we are receiving. The slush monster can swallow a snowmobile in a single bite and put stress on even the strongest of hearts. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobiles failing to stop at crossing, fail to display registration and for no trail sticker.

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) checked anglers and worked snowmobile trails in the area. The officer issued a possession permit for a vehicle struck bobcat and deer. The officer is continuing to investigate a complaint regarding poisoning of domestic and wild animals.

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports a strong angling bite continues throughout area lakes; however, slush is again taking over large areas making travel to fishing spots difficult. Snowmobile trails conditions have deteriorated due to recent rain and sleet. Several violations for driving conduct were again observed on local trails. Driving too fast for conditions, speeding, no snowmobile safety certificate, altered exhaust and no GIA or registration were some of the violations encountered. An incidentally caught otter was turned in.

CO Scott Staples (Cloquet) reports poor weather made for poor snowmobile trail conditions in the area. Some trespass complaints were received and worked. Snowmobilers are reminded to stay on the trails or risk losing them. Fishing activity has picked up on area lakes, but success has been limited. Enforcement action was taken for angling without license in possession, no reflectors on shelter and over limit of crappies.


District 9 - Brainerd area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) worked at the Gull Lake fishing tournament over the weekend. Numerous anglers were out and about. ATV and snow machine registration violations were detected and dealt with. Officer Guida also completed DUI paperwork on a recent case.

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) activity included checking fishermen, cross-country ski trails, and snowmobile complaint areas. A minor fish shelter violation turned into an arrest of an individual on multiple felony drug warrants. The individual also faces a gross misdemeanor charge for giving false identity. Other contacts were made for unattended line, fish shelter, and fishing license violations.

CO Tim Collette (Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area) worked with area officers at the Gull Lake Fishing Extravaganza, where rain, snow, and slush were major factors. Other activities included assisting the county with an auto accident, and monitoring snowmobilers and anglers.

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) focused on angling, spearing and snowmobiling throughout the week. He also attended a deer committee meeting. As the wet snow freezes, dog owners are advised to contain their pets as deer will be at a disadvantage in a chase.

CO Brent Speldrich (McGregor) continued working area lakes. Anglers were reporting a good crappie bite and several anglers were found to be over their limit. Several citations were written as a result of these investigations. Local snowmobile trail conditions were deteriorating quickly as the warm weather settled in and slush was forming on lakes. Officers Speldrich met with county attorney staff and went over case files for upcoming court hearings. He prepared to start teaching the DARE program and met with school officials.

CO Chad Sherack (Pequot Lakes) checked anglers and followed up on complaints. Officer Sherack found anglers with no license in possession and others without ATV or snowmobile license current. He also assisted with other Officers on over limit investigations.

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports that the anglers were out on area lakes and having fair success. He worked with neighboring officers during the Brainerd JCs fishing contest on Gull Lake. The event went well despite the rain and windy weather. Some of the violations observed included recreational vehicles such as too many passengers, speed and expired registration. The snowmobile trail conditions are poor from the heavy traffic and warm rainy weather. Litter on the ice and reports of fish houses that were vandalized and broken into have also come in.


District 10 - Mille Lacs area
Last updated: 2010-01-25




CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports checking fishermen on mille Lacs Lake. The bite is slow with a few perch being seen taken. Snowmobile traffic was also monitored but the officer found the trails are in need of snow and the recent rain took its toll on the trails. A trespass complaint was also investigated. Lots of fishing related questions were also fielded throughout the week. Enforcement action included fishing, snowmobiling and trespass violations.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) checked fishing and snowmobiling activity throughout the week. Fishing activity was slow and trails have deteriorated. Croatt assisted the State Patrol with accidents during the ice storm over the weekend and handled a trespass complaint.

CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) checked anglers on area lakes and snowmobilers. Heaton assisted a neighboring officer with an angling over-limit case. She also attended Search and Rescue Training in Moose Lake.

CO Dan Perron (Onamia) checked anglers on Mille Lacs Lake throughout the week. The bite is very slow for most anglers. He also worked on a DWI training course he is teaching in the upcoming weeks. CO Perron assisted the county and State Patrol with traffic direction during the ice storm this past weekend.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) spent quite a bit of time on area lakes monitoring fishing activity. Unseasonably warm, winter weather allowed anglers to spend long days out on the ice. Anglers in different areas were successful catching their limit of fish and others were caught with more than their limit. There was a decrease in snowmobiling activity throughout the area as warm weather put a hurt on trail conditions.

CO Mike Lee (Isle) continued checking anglers on Mille Lacs Lake with very slow success being reported around the lake for walleye and perch. Due to the weather conditions trails for snowmobiling a worsening. Enforcement action this past week included extra lines, expired snowmobile registration, and no trail sticker.

CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) followed up on TIP complaints and followed up on cases with Wisconsin Wardens. He received calls regarding car-killed deer permits, and questions regarding ice shelters continue on a weekly basis. Ice shelters do not need to be licensed if they are not left out unattended overnight. In addition, ALL shelters placed on the ice must have identification on them, even portables, whether left unattended or not. CO Wynn continued to check area anglers and monitored snowmobile trail conditions as they deteriorated through the weekend.


District 11 - Albany area
Last updated: 2010-01-25


CO Robert Haberman (Little Falls) worked ice fishermen throughout the week. Fishing activity was down and few fishermen had success. CO Haberman also checked on coyote hunting complaints and snowmobile trespassing.

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) concentrated efforts on fishing enforcement this past week. TIP calls of taking over limit were investigated. Enforcement action was taken for fishing with extra lines, no license, and failure to display ID on fish house. CO Kuske attended a Deer Committee meeting to discuss the results of last deer season and upcoming legislative proposals.

CO Keith Bertram (Sauk Centre) spent the week checking fishermen and snowmobilers. Enforcement action was taken for license violations, registration violations, no trail sticker, and litter. CO Bertram also attended a furbearer committee meeting.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) continued to follow up on careless coyote hunters. Numerous complaints continue to come in concerning blatant violations. Trespass, shooting from a motor vehicle, and shooting too close to residence and livestock. One individual stated that a group of coyote hunters said they can’t kill them if they have to do it legal. An investigation into when they do kill them showed someone pitched the unused hide and carcass into an open river.

CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked anglers and snowmobilers. Rainy weekend weather made the lakes slushy again. An injured swan call was handled in St. Joseph. Enforcement action for the week included extra line, no license on fish house left over night, no license in possession, and no registration on snowmobile.

CO Mike Martin (St. Cloud) worked on litter issues on area lakes and patrolled for snowmobile violations. Several fish houses were found with garbage and/or building materials outside, on the ice. GPS locations and pictures were taken to ensure proper cleanup. Officer Martin worked a detail on Rush Lake (Chisago County) where multiple violations were found. Enforcement action was taken for operation of an ATV with a passenger under 18 w/o helmet; fail to display valid ATV registration; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a small amount of marijuana; illegal length fish; allow illegal juvenile operation of a snowmobile; no angling license; angle w/extra line; minor consuming alcohol; and minor possessing alcohol.

CO Brian Mies (Annandale) checked anglers in Stearns and Wright counties. CO Mies also checked sleds and ATVs last week. CO Mies also worked on a litter case.

CO Rhonda Keniston (Long Prairie) continued working on equipment issues. The end result of poor weather was slush everywhere. A few snowmobilers were out and said the trails were okay. Some anglers removed houses and some blocked them up, in anticipation of the slush freezing. Fish remain finicky and angling success slow.