MN DNR Weekly Report.

[Lee Borgersen]

    MN DNR Weekly Report.

March 11, 2019


District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Shane Zavodnik (International Falls #2) spent time working with local law enforcement working out logistics regarding the upcoming spring walleye season for the Rainy River. Looking at the long-term forecast, Zavodnik doesn’t expect the river to be ready for boats anytime soon. Time was also spent working snowmobile and angling enforcement. Anglers checked remembered to buy their new license, which was great to see. Enforcement action taken during the week included excessive speed, failure to affix/display registration, expired registration, and failure to transfer ownership of a snowmobile within 15 days as required.


CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area lakes and snowmobile trails. Fish house removal problems have started for people who chose not to take preventive measures this winter. Warm weather predicted for this week will help those still needing to remove a fish house. Access to lakes can be difficult due to deep snow and slush.

CO Duke Broughten (Cook) spent the week monitoring angling and snowmobiling activity. Anglers reported limited success. Anglers were busy this week removing fish houses. Snowmobile trails are in good shape. Due to the amount of snow, snowmobiles aren’t the only traffic on area trails, as wildlife also are using them to get around. Snowmobilers are reminded to slow down and watch for hazards on the trail.

CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) attended training at Camp Ripley along with new equipment installation. The rest of the week he worked from his snowmobile.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers and snowmobilers, investigated a littering complaint and garbage-burning complaint, and dealt with calls about a train hitting a wolf and a deer stuck in the snow. Assistance was provided to the Hibbing Police Department on an intoxicated pedestrian and a hit and run call. Two individuals were found illegally taking forest products from public land. One of the two gave a false name. The person was arrested for false name and for two felony warrants. Enforcement action was taken for angling with more than one line on a designated trout lake and snowmobile violations mainly consisting of speed and registration.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent time taking GPS coordinates and pictures of ice shelters that remain on Virginia-area lakes. Anglers are reminded to take all garbage with them when they remove their shelters from the lake. Frericks patrolled local snowmobile trails. Trail conditions have been excellent and large numbers of snowmobilers were encountered. Enforcement action was taken on several owners of snowmobiles who neglected to display their current registration decal. One snowmobiler purchased his current registration decal in December 2017. When asked why he never stuck it on his sled the owner replied that he never got a chance to do it.   


District 6 - Two Harbors area
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) worked with area officers focusing on snowmobile enforcement west of Ely. Snowmobile activity was slow at the beginning of the week but picked up with the warming weather over the weekend. Anglers who still have their shelters on lakes are reminded that the deadline for removal is approaching fast and weather conditions later in the week may make it difficult to get them removed.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and snowmobilers this past week. Trail conditions are very good but fishing was very slow. Velsvaag received several calls from fishing regulations to litter.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked snowmobiles and anglers throughout the week.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked snowmobile riders on area trails and lakes. Fishing reports have been mixed, as have slush reports. Local search and rescue squads have been getting a workout this winter. Riders and anglers are encouraged to carry a good map and at least one form of GPS or ride tracker when traveling in areas unfamiliar to them.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports working snowmobile and angling enforcement throughout the week. Trail conditions remain very good. All anglers encountered remembered to buy their new fishing licenses, and anglers had some success with both trout and crappies over the weekend. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile speed, failure to display current registration, and failure to obey trail signs. A ride-along was provided to an intern candidate.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers on remote trout lakes. Deep snow and slush have continued to limit travel for some anglers. He taught a snowmobile safety field day with neighboring officers and volunteer instructors.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked snowmobile and angling activity during the week. Lake Superior anglers are still enjoying good ice conditions on the North Shore and taking advantage of the rare winter angling opportunity. Area trails are still in great shape with plenty of fresh snow. Anglers are reminded of the March 18 shelter removal deadline.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area
CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked area lakes for anglers and fish house removal, patrolled area snowmobile trails, investigated a report of illegal birch pole cutting, and worked ongoing cases.

CO Jayson Hansen (Big Fork) worked snowmobile and fishing enforcement. He also took care of wildlife complaints. Snowmobile trails were still in good shape, with many people enjoying them.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored snowmobile activity and attended training this past week. The recent wind and snow made for harsh conditions on area lakes. Angler success was great this past week. Enforcement action was taken for license issues and an overlimit.

CO Sarah Grell (Grand Rapids) checked snowmobiling activity this past week. Trails are really great right now, especially with the recent snow. The shelter removal deadline is fast approaching, so remember to make time to take shelters off lakes.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling and snowmobile activity with enforcement action taken for operating an unregistered snowmobile and failing to transfer a snowmobile title.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) reports working angling, snowmobile, and shelter enforcement. Snowmobile trails remain in good condition with the additional snowfall over the weekend. Anglers are reporting slow to moderate success rates at best. People are reminded of the March 18 shelter removal deadline.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) monitored the first round of fish house removal in the southern part of his station. Hochstein was very pleased that all the shelters were removed on time and very little debris was left behind. Snowmobile enforcement continues to be worked. Several violations were encountered including an ATV operating on a groomed snowmobile trail.

NE ATV officer – vacant.

District 8 - Duluth area
CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) continues to see significant snowmobile activity around the area. Anglers overall have done a fine job removing shelters before the South Zone deadline and few complaints of shelters left have been received. Enforcement action was taken for an out-of-state snowmobile with no trail pass, failure to display registration and operating a motor vehicle other than a snowmobile on a designated snowmobile trail.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) spent a day at an officer field training class. Field work consisted of checking area lakes for ice houses and documenting the remaining houses on the lakes.  Duncan worked snowmobile enforcement on area trails and checked many people fishing on Lake Superior during the week.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) spent extra time working area lakes to make sure fish houses were removed by the deadline and there was no garbage left behind. Enforcement action was taken for an unmarked fish house. Snowmobile trails continue to be in excellent condition in the area and extra patrols were conducted with enforcement action taken for operating a car on a snowmobile trail and snowmobile speed. A complaint of a bobcat killing house cats was received and information was given to help remedy the situation. Also, a permit was issued to possess a bobcat that was hit and killed by a car.

Lake Superior Marine Unit
CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked ice anglers on Lake Superior during the week. He reports fishing has slowed some and the anglers are spread out on the expanse of ice.  No-license-in possession problems were dealt with but all the anglers checked had remembered to get their 2019 angling license and trout stamps. Snowmobile patrols were worked on the trails and lakes north of Duluth. The snow depth on some parts of the lakes were over this Olson’s knees. Calls about injured owls and deer followed up on by telephone.

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers on Lake Superior as the ice there remains. Changing winds may bring about different conditions and anglers need to be aware of their surroundings at all times. Snowmobiles were checked on area trails, with a general disregard seen for many basic laws of the trail. By planning ahead, using some common sense, and following posted signs, riders can enjoy their trip and leave the trails in good condition for others. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.

Lake Superior Unit – vacant.



For those of you that don't fish in one of these districts.........

 I recommend you visit this site........ https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/enforcement/co_report/index.html

                                  OR!
 
  Just start fishing da areas posted above