DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT 1/7

[Lee Borgersen]

            WEEKLY DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT:

Mixed bag for ice fishing, Poor trail conditions
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) said anglers continue to report good fishing on Upper Red Lake, but slow fishing on Lake of the Woods.
By: Minnesota DNR,

 
Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwest Minnesota for Jan. 7:

District 1 - Baudette area


CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods. Fishing success remains spotty, with some limits being seen. Violations during the week included angling with extra lines and angling without a license.


CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods. Ice conditions continue to improve, but still lots of unsafe ice, especially a few miles out. Overall fishing success has been poor. Assistance was provided to the Wildlife Division with registering bobcat and otter. CO Birchem continues to work with local resorts on littering issues.


CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) responded to calls of both an incidental fisher and gray wolf caught in bobcat traps, checked area bobcat hunters, dispatched three injured car struck deer, and checked local anglers. Lake Bronson State Park was patrolled, checking anglers and snowmobilers. The public is reminded that a park permit is required to enter and fish within the park boundaries. Enforcement action for the week included numerous no State Park permit, angle with extra line, and no snowmobile registration.


CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) checked anglers and other activity on Upper Red Lake and area experimental regulation lakes. The panfish bite has been good and Red Lake continues to be the main destination for walleye anglers. Snowmobile and trapping activity was monitored. Enforcement activity for the week included angling license violations.


CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing and snowmobiling activity throughout the week. Anglers continue to report good fishing on Upper Red Lake, but slow fishing on Lake of the Woods. Numerous TIP calls have been investigated and numerous over limit cases have been made throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for over limit of walleye, illegal length walleye, immeasurable walleye, angle without license, angle with extra lines, unattended lines, failure to submit fish for inspection, expired ATV registration, and possession of drug paraphernalia.


Blackduck #2 - vacant.


Karlstad - vacant.


Warroad #1 - vacant.


Warroad #2 - vacant.


District 2 - Bemidji area


CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports spending time checking anglers, snowmobile operators, and ATV operators. A deer violation case from the 2012 deer season was completed. Violations included no angling license and no snowmobile registration.


CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) monitored ice angling, answered calls concerning fur registration and vehicle deer accidents and attended a local sportsman’s club meeting. Anglers are reminded that they need their license in possession while angling and shelters left on the ice overnight unattended need identification and a shelter license. Ice thickness on area lakes varies from 12-24 inches.


CO Tim Gray (Bagley) completed reports from the firearms deer season and hunting while intoxicated investigation. Time was also spent with angling, trapping and fur registration issues.


CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) and Conservation Officer Candidate Regas monitored cross country ski, snowmobile, and ATV and fishing activity. CO Vollbrecht and COC Regas worked an Upper Red Lake work detail checking anglers which resulted in citations issued for extra lines and angling without a license. The Officers met with an area Minnesota Trappers Association representative and donated five Fisher and one Bobcat to the MTA fur project. They did follow up interviews as part of an illegal burning investigation and citations were issued. Enforcement action for the week included registration violations, unmeasurable fish and angling licenses not in possession.


CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports investigating several calls of vehicles driving onto WPAs. Anglers should be reminded that motor vehicles are not allowed on federal properties including frozen lakes. A dogs chasing deer complaint was investigated and the owners of the dogs contacted. Car killed deer permits were issued. Anglers and trappers were contacted and the officer met with both the Otter Tail and Becker County Attorneys reference ongoing cases. Violations included no spearing license in possession, failure to mark shelters and ATV issues.


CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports good ice conditions on area lakes. Angling success has slowed but numbers of anglers remains high. Snowmobile trail conditions remain very marginal with a lack of snow. CO Seefeldt completed a trespass investigation resulting in enforcement action for shooting a coyote on private land without permission. He also investigated a report of an angler having unattended lines in a fish house. Assistance was provided to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in a search for a missing person. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines and no ATV registration.


CO Al Peterson (Osage) monitored ice fishing, trapping and snowmobile activity. Fishing activity has slowed but compliance was good. Snowmobile activity is still light. Complaints of car kill deer and an incidental trapped fisher were handled.


CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) spent the week checking fishermen, snowmobiles and ATVs. Trail conditions remain poor and fishing success is spotty. A complaint of illegal encroachment into a WMA was investigated.


WREO Joe Stattelman spent the week with follow up on open WCA case files. Restoration orders were looked at and deed restrictions considered. Time was also spent on a complaint of a muskie that was caught and kept out of season. The fishermen were located and the fish seized. Enforcement action was taken for the illegal fish.


Perham - vacant.


Bemidji #2 - vacant.


Natural Resources Pilot John Heineman (Bemidji) started the helicopter moose survey out of Ely. Heineman also had the skis put on the Cessna 185 based at Bemidji.