MN DNR Weekly Report

[Lee Borgersen]

MN DNR Weekly Report for Dec. 29, 2014

District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Jim Van Asch (International Falls) continued to conduct follow up investigation from deer season and monitored angling activity in the area. Preparations for upcoming snowmobile safety classes were taken care of. CO Van Asch also answered questions from the public regarding spearing, angling, and snowmobile regulations.


CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports rain during the week limited outdoor activities and snowmobile trails are down to dirt, grass and exposed rocks. Little snow cover remains on area lakes and snowmobile activity is non-existent.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports not much outdoor activity taking place in the area last week. A few snowmobiles were observed operating on Lake Vermilion; however, the snow conditions remain poor.

CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) spent the week working area lakes, and the bite was pretty slow. A call came in on a possible wetland violation, and flooding issues with the thaw; it is still under investigation. The sentiment in the Tower area is that we need snow so the trails can be utilized by snowmobilers.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) concentrated work efforts on angling, small game and archery deer hunting activity. The officer also dealt with an accidentally caught fisher caught in a bobcat set and responded to a call of an injured wolf.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent time checking anglers on area lakes. Nicer temps earlier last week brought out high numbers of anglers and ice shelters to area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for unmarked or improperly marked ice shelters. Very few snowmobilers were seen out. CO Frericks reminds all owners of snowmobiles to check their registration and make sure it’s up to date before they take their sleds out. CO Frericks investigated the report from a trapper who located several untagged and unchecked snares. After meeting with the trapper and visiting the site, the snares were seized. The owner of the snares was eventually located and admitted he left the trap tags off some of his snares and did not check them as often as he should. The owner of the snares was issued a citation.

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) checked fishing on area lakes and found a few anglers getting crappies. A complaint was received of possible shinning on hay fields. An accidental caught fisher was taken care off.

Ray - vacant.

District 6 - Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports that the long Christmas Weekend saw a sharp increase of activity in the Ely area for both fishing and snowmobiling activity. Although activity was up angling success seemed slower than in previous weeks. Snow conditions are still poor for snowmobiles but most lakes were showing a fair amount of traffic. Violations included operating an unregistered snowmobile, and operating a snowmobile without required equipment.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) reports many visitors were in the Ely area over the Christmas Holiday. Lots of people out riding their machines. Make sure to register your snowmobiles, ATVs, and fish shelters (when required), before riding out into the great outdoors. Fishing was slow, but some people reported doing okay. So far the lack of deep snow this winter should be good for the deer.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) patrolled remote lakes by snowmobile during the week and found fewer people out. Colder weather will help to freeze up the slush that has appeared. The officer prepared for an upcoming work detail for the BWCA stream and lake trout season for lakes entirely within the BWCA which opens on January 1st.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted a Swiss family who tried to drive an unplowed forest road in their car on one of the coldest days this month. The officer located the abandoned vehicle, and then found the family walking about two miles from it. Several folks contacted offered warm vehicles and rides to a nearby dining establishment and a local logger used his skidder to pull the car out and save the day. Snowmobile trails have a nice base and are clear of deadfalls, but remain rough and ungroomed due to lack of snow. Slush is a problem on some lakes, but the weekend cold snap should help get more anglers back on the ice.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked a busy holiday weekend of primarily angling and spearing enforcement. Complaints of ATV’s operating on snowmobile trails and unsafe ATV operation were worked. Enforcement action included angle with an extra line, no shelter license, no angling/spearing license in possession, unregistered snowmobile, fail to transfer ownership, and ATV equipment and operation violations.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked trapping activity and followed up on illegal deer baiting cases. Ice conditions continue to improve and anglers are enjoying the slush free conditions but the lack of snow has kept snowmobile activity to a minimum. Questions were answered on new wolf regulation.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) checked anglers on area lakes. He worked on preparing small game and big game cases for court. CO Hansen also completed some Division training at Camp Ripley during the week.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored spearing activity, worked trapping complaints and assisted the patrol with a search for a person who fled on foot. Angler success was good on area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for give false name to a Peace Officer, driving after revocation, no angling license in possession and an arrest was made for outstanding warrants.

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) checked anglers and trappers this past week. She took several calls concerning car kill permits for deer. She also took a call regarding a four- wheeler going through the ice on Pokegama Lake by Stony Point. Please use caution on the lakes. Even though ice may be sound in one area, there are pressure ridges and other factors that can keep ice thin in other areas. She is currently investigating a trapping complaint.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, trappers and small game hunters. He also handled a littering and TIP complaint during the week.

CO John Velsvaag (NE Region 2 ATV Officer) checked ATVers this past week as snow conditions deteriorated. CO Velsvaag also checked anglers and a few snowmobilers. Ice conditions have greatly improved in the last few days and more trucks are out on the lakes.

District 8 - Duluth area

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports large number of anglers are being seen on area lakes as good ice conditions continue to allow access to most traditional winter fishing spots. Angling without a license in possession, angling without a license, angling with an extra line, spearing without a license, no shelter license, no display of registration and litter were a few of the violations encountered last week. A trapping violation was also worked during the week.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) continued to spend time working on trapping enforcement. Some fishing enforcement on area lakes was also worked. Time was spent following up on a litter complaint about fishermen leaving garbage on the ice after fishing. Telephone calls were also returned.

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) checked angling activity on area lakes throughout the week.  CO Humphrey responded to deer registration, trespass, OHV and trapping complaints, and spoke to students at a snowmobile safety class in Cromwell.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) reports a fair amount of fishing activity in the area. Fishing success is slow, but several anglers are trying their luck on area lakes. Anglers are still asked to be cautious when driving on area lakes. Car kill deer permits were issued and an incidentally taken fisher was taken to be used for educational purposes. An investigation was done on an area trapper that wasn’t checking traps when he was supposed to. Also a report of a deer being poached in the Alborn area was investigated. A deer was shot off the road and taken off of private property. Anyone that might have information on this case is asked to call TIP (800-652-9093) with the information. An investigation is still ongoing with deer parts that were dumped of an area road near Esko. Most of the meat was wasted on this deer.  A trap theft near Nickerson is being investigated. Again, a call in to TIP with any information would be helpful on these cases. If the information leads to an arrest in any of these cases you will be eligible for a reward.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

Sgt. Keith Olson (Marine Unit) checked anglers on inland lakes north of Duluth. Lack of snow continues to keep snowmobilers frustrated and waiting. The ice conditions in the Duluth Harbor have deteriorated considerably making the ice unfishable for the time being. He received a complaint of vehicles racing and driving recklessly at the McQuade road public access.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit) answered several questions about angling and ice conditions on the St Louis Harbor. Until cold weather solidifies the ice, please stay off! Year-end details were handled, and trapping issues wrapped up. Though the season is off to a slow start for snowmobiles, ice anglers are finding many opportunities on inland lakes.

CO Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) worked small game, big game, angling, and ATV enforcement throughout week. He issued some road kill permits and worked on reports. He helped transfer some equipment for a search and recovery.