2/1/10 Report (Dist. 6-11)

[Woody]

District 6 - Two Harbors area
Last updated: 2010-02-01



CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers this past week as well as a few snowmobilers. Area trail conditions have improved but slush is getting worse. CO Velsvaag followed up on a litter complaint and took a call on a dead deer.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked snowmobile enforcement and ice fishermen throughout the week. The slush has returned, but is manageable. The good weather and new snow made the trails much better. Officer received a call about a collared wolf under a bridge along the snowmobile trail. According to the tracks, the wolf had crawled under the bridge and then died. He had what appeared to be bite wounds that were probably inflicted by another wolf. The wolf was in poor shape and was missing a lot of hair due to mange. Mange is a density dependant mite that affects the wolf’s skin and hair and is spread by animal to animal contact. It is especially common when the animal numbers are high. Another wolf that showed no fear of vehicles was encountered walking down the road south of Ely.

CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) took a report of a timber wolf that was struck and killed by a vehicle in the vacant Silver Bay station, but the animal went missing before the CO could retrieve the carcass. CO Thomasen could clearly see where the animal had laid and then had been picked up from the roadside by someone who had passed by in a vehicle. Unknown to CO Thomasen, a roadway maintenance crew had picked the animal up and called DNR Wildlife managers and CO Wahlstrom. Snowmobile traffic was heavy in the area over the weekend. CO Thomasen worked the area trails throughout the Two Harbors and Silver Bay stations, finding numerous violations.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked snowmobile trails, including the North Shore State Trail and area Grant-In-Aid trails. Conditions were good as was compliance. Manning also checked area lakes and anglers; slush on the lakes continues to be a concern. The officer also took a call on a dead wolf found on the Pincushion trails by cross-country skiers; the wolf was killed by other wolves and not by a person as was initially suspected. Thanks to the skiers who assisted in the recovery of the animal. CO Manning also handled office and maintenance issues.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that Old Man Winter, and his frigid temperatures, has put the Slush Monster back on his leash. There are some deep pockets of slush, but nothing like earlier in the week. Trout fishing has been very good this winter with few lakes being slow. One group of trouters told the CO that they keep coming to the same lake every year and they never catch anything. The CO told them to find a new lake and offered them some suggestions. Enforcement action was taken for unregistered ATV, ATV operating on a snowmobile trail, and for failing to display snowmobile registration.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) monitored snowmobile and fishing activity last week. The officer saw a few nice trout caught as well as fishermen fighting with the deep slush on some of the lakes. Snowmobile activity was up with the nice weekend. Snowmobilers are reminded that they need a state trail sticker while operating on grant-in-aid and state trail systems.

Babbitt - vacant.

Silver Bay - vacant.


District 7 - Grand Rapids area
Last updated: 2010-02-01



CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling activity in the area with panfishing seemingly slow. The cold weather has led fewer sportsmen to the lake and the catch has been minimal. Snowmobile activity has been up with the latest snow with enforcement action taken for expired registration.

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

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers and worked snowmobile trails, attended training, worked on equipment issues, and assisted with a car injured moose. Enforcement action taken for angling without a license in possession.

CO Jeff Koehn (Grand Rapids OHV Specialist) patrolled for OHV activity. He checked several anglers using ATVs to access fishing locations. He attended alcohol enforcement training. CO Koehn performed some vehicle maintenance and processed monthly paperwork. Time was spent giving a presentation to middle school children on the duties of a Conservation Officer and natural resources law.

CO Jon Paurus (Hill City) patrolled snowmobile trails and area lakes. The trails remained in good condition throughout the week. Some crappies and bluegills were being caught in deeper water. Time was also spent on processing seized firearms from deer season cases and equipment maintenance.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers and patrolled the area snowmobile trails this week. The panfish and perch bite is on the rise while walleye action was poor. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile registration issues and angling license issues.

Bigfork - vacant.


District 8 - Cloquet area
Last updated: 2010-02-01



CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) working winter fishing and snowmobiling enforcement throughout the week. The trails have plenty of snow and are in excellent condition. Officer Duncan received many comments from happy riders reporting that many trails are in the best condition they have seen in years. This is mostly the result of volunteers working many hours keeping the trails clear of overhanging trees, maintaining the groomers, and operating the groomers at all hours of the night. Area officers assisted with a long standing tradition of weighing in fish at the United Northern Sportsman ice fishing contest on Island Lake. The contestants all seemed to have a good time.

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) spent time checking anglers and snowmobilers. Snowmobile trails remain in excellent condition throughout the area. The biggest problem encountered was getting those registration and GIA stickers to adhere during the cold weather. Several calls of injured animals were also dealt with.

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) spent the week working snowmobiles and anglers. The officer reports plenty of ice, few fish, and an abundance of slush. Snowmobile trails were in great shape and traffic was steady. The officer received a complaint regarding dogs chasing deer. Schmidt also assisted with a local fishing tournament.

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cloquet) reports working angling and snowmobile enforcement throughout the week. Anglers were reporting a slower panfish bite. Some nice northern pike were observed. Snowmobile activity was moderate to heavy at times. Violations included ATV and snowmobile operation, registration/permits, fish house shelter license/identification, no angling license possession, no x/c ski passes. CO Humphrey signed several complaints at the court house. Several citizen complaints and questions were received about youth snowmobile operation, angling license, shelter removal, and trespass.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) worked fishing and snowmobile activity this past week. Not a lot of fish are being caught in the area. Several fish houses were marked for follow up on garbage left on the ice and other violations. Enforcement action was taken for angling without license in possession, and no reflectors on fish houses left on the ice over night. Lots of snowmobile activity in the area this past week. Trails are in good condition and complaints of speed and trespassing were worked. Enforcement action was taken for speed, trespassing, and license violations.


District 9 - Brainerd area
Last updated: 2010-02-01



CO Cary Shoutz (Crosslake) reports fishing success getting better on area lakes with some nice catches of panfish, walleye, and northern pike. Shoutz took enforcement action on several snowmobile violations including illegal road operation, registration issues and youth operation without a safety training certificate. Shoutz also dealt with an accidental catch otter from a beaver trapper.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) checked area lakes for angling and snowmobile activity. Violations for unattended lines and no angling license in possession were addressed. Officer Guida received complaints of snowmobiles operating on posted property, off trail, and on agricultural land.

CO Tim Collette (Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area) spent time with the pilot looking for a lost radio collared wolf, and checked anglers and snowmobilers. Anglers reported fishing was slow, but last week’s light snow helped with snowmobile trails. Enforcement activity included possession of marijuana, angling with extra and unattended lines, no snowmobile safety certificates, burning prohibited materials, and registration issues for ATVs and snowmobiles.

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) assisted the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Dept with a call. A trespass case was handled when anglers chose to walk directly past a “Posted” sign to get onto a lake.

CO Brent Speldrich (McGregor) assisted with the snowmobile traffic in the annual vintage sled run in Tamarack on Saturday. An estimated 250-300 vintage sleds were present despite the cold weather. During the ride, a very aggressive snowmobiler was observed operating his sled on the trail with those vintage riders and was stopped for the driving behavior. The operator was subsequently found to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. The operator admitted that he was driving too aggressively for the situation and felt that the alcohol consumed affected his driving behavior. CO Speldrich worked with other officers and issued citations for no angling license, angling with extra lines and over limit of fish.

CO Chad Sherack (Pequot Lakes) checked anglers, snowmobilers, and followed up on complaints such as trespass and litter. Officer Sherack found little snowmobile activity and few fish in the bag. Officer Sherack took enforcement action for possession of drug paraphernalia, no license in possession, failure to display ATV registration, and litter.


District 10 - Mille Lacs area
Last updated: 2010-02-01




CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley), along with CO Wynn, checked a couple tip-up anglers on a remote area of the Kettle River that were caught off guard. The two anglers scrambled to remove 4 of the 8 tip-ups they had out before officers saw them but didn’t quite make it in time. Time was also spent checking anglers and working an ice racing event and radar runs in the area. Citations and warnings were issued for careless driving, speed, and angling with extra lines

CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports working fishing and snowmobiling enforcement throughout the week. The fishing on Mille Lacs is still spotty with a few walleyes and perch being seen. Patrol on the trails found quite a few sleds out even with the colder temps. The trails were groomed and in great condition. He attended a meeting with the LGU, SWCD and WEO to look at ongoing cases and updates. He also met with the Mille Lacs area wardens and District Supervisor. Enforcement action for the week included various snowmobiling and fishing violations.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) patrolled area lakes and snowmobile trails. Fishing has been slow. Trail conditions were good to excellent with few riders seen. Croatt attended a wetlands meeting and finalized some cases. Enforcement action taken on snowmobile violations.
CO Dan Perron (Onamia) taught field sobriety testing classes in Bemidji and Hibbing during the past week. He also taught an invasive species class to the 5th grade science in Isle and attended a meeting in Aitkin. He checked anglers on Mille Lacs where the bite continues to be slow.

CO Mike Lee (Isle) continued checking anglers on Mille Lacs Lake with very poor success being reported for both walleye and perch. Snowmobile activity was also slow due to the lack of snow. Enforcement action was taken for angle with extra lines, no fishing license, and no snowmobile registration.

CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) checked anglers on area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, angling with extra lines, angling with a treble hook not attached to artificial lure and an ‘any use of alcohol’ probation violation. Heaton attended a meeting, followed up on a trap tending complaint and worked on equipment maintenance.

CO Greg Verkuilen (Garrison) worked local snowmobile traffic. Sled activity was up due to the cold temperatures, a light coating of new snow and a snowmobile racing event on Garrison Bay. Ice anglers were checked including the Aitkin Jaycees fishing contest on Mille Lacs and isolated areas of good panfish bites. He also attended training and answered questions regarding wolf concerns.

CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) spent the week attending meetings in preparation for the MNUSA Snowmobile Rendezvous and Governor’s Ride. CO Wynn also attended an enforcement meeting in Sandstone and worked snowmobile and ice angling enforcement through the week and weekend. Fishing in the area has slowed. Numerous anglers were checked through the week with mixed results and most of the results were poor. Enforcement contacts included snowmobile speed, angling with extra lines, no shelter licenses, no snowmobile safety certificates, and registration issues.


District 11 - Albany area
Last updated: 2010-02-01



CO Robert Haberman (Little Falls) checked anglers on local lakes and rivers. Angling activity is down, with cold temps and the fish not cooperating. CO Haberman patrolled local snowmobile trails and followed up on trespassing complaints.

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) reports area snowmobile trails are groomed and in good shape, but continue to see little use. CO Kuske conducted checks of anglers and shelter houses in Morrison and Crow Wing counties. One angler that was checked found that a little structure on the lake bottom can help make the fish bite. His camera found an old steel dock, wheels and all, submerged in 20 feet of water. The number of fish using this structure was incredible. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines, no license in possession, and no ID on shelter house.

CO Keith Bertram (Sauk Centre) spent the week checking snowmobilers and fishermen. Enforcement action was taken for license violations, registration violations, and no ID on shelters. CO Bertram also assisted at a snowmobile safety class trail ride.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) continued to follow up on the coyote hunting complaints, especially trespass.

CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked anglers and snowmobilers. TIP calls were handled for over limit of crappie, resulting in citations issued. Overall success on area lakes has been slow. Enforcement action for the week included: angle with extra line, over limit of crappie, snowmobile registration violations and fishing license violations.

CO Mike Martin (St. Cloud) dealt with litter on area lakes and equipment issues during the last week. Officer Martin checked anglers and snowmobilers in local counties. One angler delayed allowing CO Martin into his fish house, but then offered him a freshly brewed cup of coffee. While the angler was pouring coffee, Officer Martin looked into the hole where the angler was sitting and found fishing line floating on the surface of the water. CO Martin pulled up the line. The line had been burned with a cigarette (pig tailed) and had a jig and wax worm still attached. The line, in addition to two rattle wheels still down, resulted in the angler having too many lines in the water. The angler said he “just wasn’t thinking” and burned the line when CO Martin knocked. He was cited for angling with an extra line and littering. Enforcement action included: no state trail sticker on a GIA trail, angle with extra line, litter, and taking muskie out of season.

CO Brian Mies (Annandale) checked anglers in Stearns and Wright counties. CO Mies worked on an injured animal call. CO Mies also checked sleds and ATVs last week.

CO Rhonda Keniston (Long Prairie) checked anglers and snowmobilers. Angling success remains slow. In spite of the better weather over the weekend, there was less recreational activity than expected. Shelters were checked for owner identification, shelter licenses, and reflective material. Enforcement action was taken for angling without an angling license in possession, angling without an angling license, and transporting a snowmobile-hit deer