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

[Woody]

District 6 - Two Harbors area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers and snowmobilers this past week. Fishing was slow and trails are marginal. CO Velsvaag finished up on a deer season complaint and a litter complaint.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked snowmobiles and ice fishermen. Some more work was done on a case leftover from deer season and a patrol of the lakes in the Isabella area was done. The snowmobile trails were passable, but poor with lots of rocks and gravel exposed. A moose was hit by a car and had to be dispatched. Officer assisted wildlife with traffic control while they took various samples for the moose study. Lake trout opener outside the BWCAW and stream trout in and out of the BWCAW is this coming weekend so fishermen are reminded to get their trout stamps.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports some slow fishing for the start of the BWCAW lake trout season. A few more people wandering out as the temps start to rise. The average size of the lake trout caught has been small. People have been reporting 4-6 inches of ice on the deeper trout lakes that freeze up later. Pretty easy walking in the BWCAW so far. The portages are packed down and most of the lakes are slush free.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) attended a shoot-house certification training course at Camp Ripley. The Officer completed equipment maintenance on his patrol snowmobile. Another moose was hit in the Isabella area. Wahlstrom, along with Officer Miller, field dressed it and collected samples for the biologist to continue their study on the moose heard. The meat was salvaged and donated. Wahlstrom checked anglers, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.

CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) took numerous calls relating to car-hit deer. Winter has finally pushed the deer herd down toward the shore of Lake Superior, which is a historic wintering and yarding area for deer, many of which spend the rest of the year far inland. With this yearly deer migration comes an increase in car-deer collisions, with the deer loosing most of the encounters. CO Thomasen worked several of the area lakes for ice fishing activity and found most anglers struggling to catch fish. Slush conditions on lakes seem to be improving, making it easier for ice anglers to get around. Enforcement action was taken on an individual who was possessing a ruffed grouse illegally after the season had closed. The violation was discovered by a state trooper during a traffic stop.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked BWCA lakes and trout anglers; one group left a large fire scar on the shoreline that will be there long after they’ve gone. Manning also checked anglers and fishing shacks. The officer found good compliance on cross-country ski trails. Snowmobile trails inland were in found to be in mixed condition. Sledders are reminded that some trails are located on forestry roads where logging operations are in full swing and trucks are likely to be encountered.

Babbitt - vacant.

Silver Bay - vacant.


District 7 - Grand Rapids area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked snowmobiles, trappers, fishermen and state parks. He also patrolled ski and snowmobile trails during the week.

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers on area lakes, patrolled snowmobile trails, handled a trespass complaint, processed a car-killed bobcat, and investigated a complaint of illegal use of a snowmobile trail. Enforcement action taken associated with snowmobile activity for failure to stop at a road crossing and speed.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling activity over the past week with some success had by area sportsmen. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license and no shelter license. Snowmobile activity was up with many sleds visiting the area for weekend getaways.

CO Jeff Koehn (Grand Rapids OHV Specialist) conducted follow up on a trespassing case from the deer season where charges have been filed. He patrolled the Grant In Aid snowmobile trails for illegal ATV activity. CO Koehn answered several phone calls from the public. Enforcement activity for the week included trespassing, operate snowmobile without registration and operate snowmobile without GIA trail permit.

CO Jon Paurus (Hill City) worked snowmobile and fishing activity. Fishing continues to be slow on most area lakes. Snowmobile trails are in fair to poor condition.

Bigfork - vacant.


District 8 - Cloquet area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) spent much of the week assisting Colorado Wildlife regarding an illegally taken bull elk. The officer worked snowmobile traffic in the area and assisted in a work detail near McGregor. Snowmobile trails in the area were in good shape but a little snow would improve the trails. Schmidt followed up on a wetland violation and a report of stolen traps.

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cloquet) reports working angling and snowmobile enforcement throughout the week. Ice conditions on area lakes averaged from 10-15”. Slush was still a problem. Anglers were reporting mixed success. Some nice speared northern pike were observed. Snowmobile activity was light to moderate in the area. Trail conditions varied. Several speeding and licensing violations were handled. A fatal snowmobile accident occurred near Cloquet over the weekend. CO Humphrey conducted a taxidermy inspection with assistance from CO Troy Ter Meer. Follow up on firearms deer season complaints continued.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) attended firearms training at Camp Ripley, patrolled fishing and snowmobile activity. Fishing activity is slow in the area and snowmobile activity was fair. Trails are in fair to good condition. Enforcement action was taken for speed and no safety certificate. Assistance was given to the sheriff’s office at a fatal snowmobile accident where the operator was travelling down a township road went off the road and hit some trees. Area ski trails were also patrolled at Jay Cooke State Park. Enforcement action was taken for no ski pass.

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports snowmobile trails are in excellent condition throughout the area. Along with excellent trail conditions sometimes come excessive speeds. Two snowmobilers were stopped for speeds in excess of 90 mph, both were carrying children under 10 year of age as passengers. There have been several reports of illegal motorized vehicles (Trucks) venturing down snowmobile trails. One person paid over five hundred dollars to the local trial groomer for a tow and faces a citation to boot. Speed, driving too fast for conditions, no snowmobile safety permit, failing to stop and trail/registration violations were commonly encountered.


District 9 - Brainerd area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) reports anglers were checked with very limited success. Spearers are getting a few northern but panfish and walleye action remains spotty to slow. Enforcement action taken for no ID on fish house, no angling license in possession, expired snowmobile registration, no snowmobile safety certificate and no trail permit while operating on a designated trail. A complaint was taken involving timber wolf damage with cattle.

CO Cary Shoutz (Crosslake) checked fishing and snowmobile activity around the Breezy Point and Crosslake area. Shoutz found several snowmobiles operating without valid registration and trail permits. Operators without snowmobile safety certificates were found as well. He also checked several nice catches of crappie and sunfish on area lakes.

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) checked snowmobile and ski trail complaints. Numerous contacts were made for no ski passes and illegal use of ski trails such as walking, snowshoeing, and dogs. Area fish bites and fishing activity in general have slowed down.

CO Tim Collette (Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area) checked snowmobilers and anglers. Other activities included following up on a big game case, equipment maintenance, and monitoring a truck removal from under the ice. Thanks to a TIP call, charges are pending for an individual that shot a deer out of a house window, at night, with lights, and over bait. Other enforcement activity included expired registrations, allowing illegal juvenile operation of ATV, possession of drug paraphernalia, minor consumptions, and several citations for angling with extra lines.

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked angling, spearing and snowmobile enforcement throughout the week. He gave a law presentation at the Aitkin Snowmobile Safety class. He also took a call on the possible illegal taking of a hen turkey which turned out to be unfounded.

CO Chad Sherack (Pequot Lakes) checked ice anglers, snowmobilers, and followed up on trespass complaints. Officer Sherack took enforcement action for no ATV registration, fail to display snowmobile registration, careless operation of snowmobile, illegal passengers on ATV, speeding on snowmobile, and using extra lines to angle. Officer Sherack was working with neighboring officers during the Breezy Point Ice Fest and encountered a juvenile out riding in 10-below weather Friday evening without a helmet and wearing shorts.

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) reported angling was slow due to the cold temps, but a few managed to find fish a few anglers out catching some fish. He received reports of anglers dumping garbage on the ice and complaints of unlicensed unmarked shelters on the ice. With good trail conditions, snowmobilers report trails in fair shape with the heavy use. Some violations observed again were riding on the shoulder of the roadway, fail to stop at road crossings and speeding.


District 10 - Mille Lacs area
Last updated: 2010-01-11




CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports seeing a fair number of people out fishing and sledding throughout the week. Area trails are in pretty good condition and most have been groomed several times. Speed still seems to be the common violation that is seen. In one case a party was clocked at over 94 mph. When asked why he was going so fast he said he was just in a straight stretch and decided to open it up a little, enforcement action was taken. Also, please remember to stay on the trail when riding. A case of off trail riding had a landowner so upset he now will not let the trail go through his property. CO Fitzgerald also observed several spots where the trail should be 20 to 30 feet wide and now is over 200 feet wide. Remember off trail travel could mean a trespassing citation and even worse we could lose our trails. On Mille Lacs Lake the bite has slowed a little. Most anglers reported they were marking fish but could not get them to bite. Some equipment maintenance was also performed. Enforcement action for the week included: snowmobile speed, fail to display snowmobile registration, no fishing license in possession, and no fishing license.

CO Dan Perron (Onamia) checked anglers throughout the week on Shakopee and Mille Lacs Lakes. The bite was slow on both lakes. So slow that CO Perron found one angler who thought he would change his luck by using a perch for bait. When asked, the angler said he put the perch on because he was bored! CO Perron also gave a presentation to a 5th grade science class about invasive species and their effect on the ecosystem.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) checked anglers on Mille Lacs Lake. A few walleye and perch were seen. Croatt has noticed several areas were garbage was left on the ice and urge fishermen to clean up after themselves. Complaints of fishing etiquette are popping up. Most popular is drilling holes next to other houses and crowding. Croatt also worked area snowmobile trails. One party was clocked going over 90 mph. Fishing and snowmobiling violations were dealt with.

CO Greg Verkuilen (Garrison) worked snowmobile trails where the existing snow pack is getting icy and a lot of vegetation and dirt is exposed. Speed, lack of road crossing stops, and registration were enforced. A lot more people were taking their trucks out to fish after a long stretch of below average temperatures. Verkuilen also worked on equipment maintenance and processed some confiscated furs.

CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) followed up on trap tending investigations and registered furs for area trappers. She worked area snowmobile trails following complaints of snowmobiles with studded tracks on paved trails and speed issues. Heaton worked on equipment maintenance and attended search and rescue training in Moose Lake.

CO Mike Lee (Isle) checked anglers this past week with a real slow bite being reported for both walleye and perch on Mille Lacs Lake. The snowmobile trails are still in pretty good shape around the Isle area, but new snow is needed to keep the good base. Enforcement action this past week included possession of drug paraphernalia, small amount of marijuana, extra lines, and unattended lines.

CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) spent a majority of the week checking ice fishermen. Cold weather has improved the ice conditions in the Pine City area, most of the slush and water on top of the ice is now froze. CO Wynn answered numerous questions regarding ice shelters and licensing of them. He also answered questions on snowmobile licensing and trail pass requirements, and worked on equipment maintenance.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) spent time on area lakes and snowmobile trails. With decent snow conditions, complaints are starting to come in involving snowmobilers trespassing on farm fields. Packing the snow down on a newly seeded field can cause damage to the crop. Agricultural land does not need to be posted. Operators caught snowmobiling on farm fields can be responsible to pay damages for the crop in addition to fine amounts.


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



CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked anglers, snowmobilers and coyote hunters. Ice conditions on most lakes are good with many people driving vehicles. Angling success is picking up. Warmer weather brought out many snowmobiles over the weekend with violations detected including no trail sticker, no registration, speed, and illegal juvenile operation. Enforcement action for the week included extra line, no angling license, no ATV registration, and snowmobile violations.

CO Brian Mies (Annandale) checked anglers in Stearns and Wright Counties. CO Mies also checked small game hunters and trespass complaints. CO Mies checked sleds and ATVs.

CO Robert Haberman (Little Falls) worked snowmobile enforcement throughout the week. Speeding was a major issue addressed with snowmobiles reaching speeds up to 87 mph on the trails. Fishing activity is slow in the area with ice conditions drivable on several lakes. But caution is always advised when driving onto frozen waters.

CO Keith Bertram (Sauk Centre) spent the week checking anglers and snowmobilers. Enforcement action was taken for license violations, extra lines, unattended lines, and over limit of sunfish. CO Bertram also preformed equipment maintenance.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) received numerous complaints of coyote hunters. Many coyote hunters were given the needed reminder that the trespass laws and many other laws do apply to them. Snowmobile trespass was also a common complaint. Enforcement action was taken for operating motor vehicle other than a snowmobile on state snowmobile trail (coyote hunters), trespass, common fishing and recreational vehicle registration violations.

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) concentrated efforts on snowmobile enforcement this past week. Enforcement action was taken for exceeding the speed limit and failing to display registration. CO Kuske, first-responders and several citizens helped a snowmobile accident victim. The snowmobiler hit a bump on the trail and then hit a tree suffering a leg injury. Fishing continues to be slow on area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for unattended lines and angle with extra lines. CO Kuske handled a nuisance animal complaint which involved the disposal of a sick gray fox.

CO Rhonda Keniston (Long Prairie) taught the law portion at the Browerville snowmobile safety class. Angling success seems to be picking up a bit on area lakes. CO Keniston concentrated efforts on snowmobile enforcement this past week. Enforcement action was taken for registration, speed, no trail sticker and snowmobile safety certificate violations.

CO Mike Martin (St Cloud) spoke at a snowmobile safety class in Sartell and worked on litter and snowmobile enforcement during the past week. While out on trails in southeastern Stearns Co., Officers Martin and Thesing encountered two people operating snowmobiles that had not been registered since 2007 and did not have current trail stickers. When the owner was told he was going to receive a summons for one of the violations (not four violations) he wanted to know why the officers couldn’t issue him a warning for that one as well. Enforcement was action for minor consuming alcohol, improper crossing of a highway/fail to stop, operation of unregistered snowmobile, operation of a snowmobile on a state trail w/o state trail sticker.