Weekly fish & game reports

[Lee Borgersen]

                                      From the DNR:

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) checked anglers, completed background investigations and responded to TIP calls. CO Vinton collected a wild turkey, at the request of DNR Wildlife staff, after he received a call that the bird was “acting sick.” Though the bird appeared healthy, it did allow CO Vinton to approach within feet of it and made no effort to get away. The bird was dispatched and collected for DNR Wildlife to test.

 

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) checked ATVs and angling activities. Training was also attended in Thief River Falls. Walleye have been running in area rivers and a tip led CO Mathy to some violators. Two anglers were found catching and hiding walleye under nearby rocks. The investigation revealed the anglers took walleye on previous days as well. Enforcement action was taken for take walleye in closed season, angle without license, and wanton waste.

 

(Pierz) A person mentoring a nine-year-old boy took him turkey hunting; by accident the youth killed three jakes in one shot. After experiencing the thrill of the hunt, the mentor showed the boy what to do when mistakes are made and promptly called the CO to report the incident. No enforcement action was taken and the extra birds will be donated.

 

CO Sean Williams (Ely) assisted the St. Louis County Rescue Squad after they received a report of a severely ill backpacker near the Devils Cascade in the BWCA. Starting at 2am Officer Williams and three members of the squad hiked six miles to try to reach the patient while a separate team came in by boat. The boat team reached the site and found the hiker had succumbed to his illness. Officer Williams was impressed with the team’s professionalism and their willingness to hike through the night in rapidly deteriorating weather to assist a stranger.

 

 

 

District 1 – Baudette area

 

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) attended training and firearms qualifications in Thief River Falls. Investigations were conducted regarding multiple fire cases. Assistance was given to the Greenbush Firearms Safety Class. CO Huener investigated a dead calf and determined it had been killed by gray wolves.

 

CO Eric Benjamin (Warroad) worked boat and water safety as well as angling and ATV enforcement. The keep season for sturgeon opened this past weekend and most anglers were finding it a challenge to hook into one, the bite is slow but it is hopeful that it will change with the weather. Anglers are still reporting success with the pike off of the Warroad Lake Street public access. CO Benjamin also responded to a reported wolf depredation. The fire danger remains high in this area, a caution to adhere to broadcasted and posted burning restrictions (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html). Enforcement action was taken for the following: angling without a license in possession, insufficient PFDs, no throwable legal life saving device and failure to display a valid registration on a watercraft.

 

CO Hannah Cowden (Warroad) focused on angling, ATV, and fire enforcement. The opening of the sturgeon “keep” season was worked on the Rainy River, with little success seen. Annual firearms training was attended and a calf depredation was investigated in the Strathcona area. Enforcement action was taken for no fire extinguisher on watercraft, fail to affix registration to watercraft, fail to control permit fire, no state park pass, fail to display ATV registration, and fail to transfer title of ATV.

 

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette) attended training in Thief River Falls for annual firearms qualification. With a busy weekend on the Rainy River and a short time until the end of the sturgeon season CO Prachar anticipates a large amount of anglers to the area in the next couple weeks prior to the walleye opener. Remember to pull drain plugs and empty all water out of your boats and other water related equipment prior to transport.

 

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) attended firearms training in Thief River Falls, investigated the shooting of a snowy owl, and monitored area turkey hunting. A wildfire in Kittson County was investigated and the area was patrolled for ATV violations. Enforcement action for the week included burn without permit, juvenile passenger without helmet, and ATV registration violations.

 

CO Traci Hanson (Thief River Falls) worked fire and ATV enforcement. The law and ethics portion was given at a firearms safety class as well as attending annual spring training. CO Hanson had the honor of presenting a 40 year firearms safety instructor award and also introduced a 49 year instructor to the parents of the Thief River Falls students. Many men and women volunteer several hours a year to ensure the youth of our state receive safety training in firearms, ATV and snowmobile use. We are very grateful to have many citizens in Minnesota care so much about their sports to volunteer to instruct others.

 

CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck) reports monitoring ATV trail activity, spring beaver trapping, angling activity, spring fish run and boater AIS compliance throughout the week. Follow up was completed on an OHM violation with enforcement action taken for allowing a juvenile to operate an OHM on local roads. Assistance was provided to a neighboring officer with an investigation of anglers taking walleye out of season. CO Regas assisted firearms safety instructors with the Blackduck and Kelliher Firearms Safety Field Day where 25 earned their Firearms Safety Certificates. Time was spent handling reports of accidentally caught otters, attending district training and investigating a report of trap tampering. Enforcement action for the week included OHM and AIS violations.

 

Baudette #2 -vacant.

 

Blackduck #2 – vacant.

 

Karlstad – vacant.

 

District 2 – Bemidji area

 

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports responding to several wildfires. Time was further spent checking anglers, working AIS enforcement, and checking watercraft operators. Commercial minnow trapping activity was also checked. Violations encountered included take/possess fish over-limit, no angling license, angle with extra lines, and fail to control permit fire.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) monitored angling, fire, boating and leeching/minnow trapping activities. He also attended mandatory training.

 

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked anglers, investigated two wolf depredation complaints and assisted with the spring in-service training.

 

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) monitored fish run activity throughout the week. Anglers are catching suckers in the Mississippi River in most areas. Time was spent monitoring ATV activity on area trails. Complaints of ATVs operating on closed trails was taken and investigated. Nuisance bear calls were taken as well as a call regarding an individual dumping large boulders into a lake where people land their boats. The individual was attempting to stop people from accessing the lake. CO Vollbrecht worked with area DNR Fisheries staff on a follow up investigation that involved a local business importing fingerling fish into the state and operating without proper permits. Time was taken to investigate wildfires.

 

CO Brian Holt (Bemidji) checked sucker spearing and bow fishing activity. ATV activity was also monitored. Officer Holt worked a TIP call with neighboring officers involving two individuals who were taking walleyes out of season. Time was spent working on a background investigation on a possible candidate for the next CO academy.

 

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) checked anglers, completed background investigations and responded to TIP calls. CO Vinton collected a wild turkey, at the request of DNR Wildlife staff, after he received a call that the bird was “acting sick.” Though the bird appeared healthy, it did allow CO Vinton to approach within feet of it and made no effort to get away. The bird was dispatched and collected for DNR Wildlife to test. Enforcement action was taken for; no angling license in possession, fail to display and unregistered ATV and allowing illegal operation of an ATV. Complaints of night bowfishing and suckers that had been speared and left on the banks were also investigated.

 

CO Al Peterson (Osage) attended training, responded to two trespass calls and checked open water anglers.

 

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) spent the week working fishermen and fishing tips. Time was also spent at a training session, working on waters violations and assisting with the field day of a firearms safety class. Turkey hunters were also checked.

 

CO Angie Warren (Detroit Lakes) worked angling and boating activity on area lakes. Areas of fish run activity were monitored. ATV activity was worked. CO Warren assisted Becker County Sheriff’s Office with a boat and water safety class. Calls were received in regards to nuisance beaver, illegal fire activity and questions related to angling. CO Warren attended use of forces training in Thief River Falls. Boats were checked for AIS compliance.

 

CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week monitoring turkey, fishing, beaver trapping, and fire activity in the station. Turkey hunters are seeing birds, but so far it has been tough to put one in the bag. The spring panfish bite is starting; however, small fish make up the majority of the bag. A firearms safety class was taught in Felton and the officer attending the spring district shoot in Thief River Falls.

 

WREO Joe Stattelman spent the week focusing efforts on AIS training for local law enforcement. Clearwater and Hubbard county deputies were trained on AIS laws and rules. Time was spent attending and assisting with district shoots and Use of Force training. Several field officers were assisted with WCA cases. Phone calls and discussions were held with several county AIS coordinators regarding the upcoming boating season. Several calls from Lake Associations and COLA groups were fielded regarding info on inspector training.

 

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

 

CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) reports a busy week of typical spring activities. Angling pressure along with bow fishing was active over the weekend. Richards participated at the Ducks Unlimited Green Wing Duck Fair at the Fergus Falls Community Arena. Fish run continues to be monitored along with AIS compliance. Turkey hunters report inactive birds and fewer numbers.

 

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) finalized a background investigation and spoke to two firearms safety classes on rules and regulations. Plautz followed up on turkey hunting complaint and complaints of suckers being left on the banks of the river after being speared.

 

CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) checked anglers, spear fishermen and bow fishermen. Complaints were handled of individuals fishing for walleye and northern pike before season. Turkey hunters, minnow dealers, AIS and boating enforcement were also monitored. Additional time was spent checking ATVs.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked fishermen, ATVs and burning complaints. Complaints were received of individual’s bow fishing game fish in area streams and leaving suckers along the banks of streams. Bow fishing complaints have increased over the past couple of years of bow fishermen leaving fish along streams after being speared.

 

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) worked quite a bit of shore panfish angling activity, despite cold and wet conditions. One angler in a boat was out after sunset with no navigation lights while admitting to having no luck fishing; however, when asked to look inside a bucket, he had three largemouth bass in possession. He had his reasons for keeping them but a citation was issued. An investigation into a turkey being shot led to enforcement action for illegally using cell phones in order to harvest it. Lawler also attended and spoke at a junior Vikings Sportsmen’s club meeting.

 

CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) worked fishing enforcement, including open water anglers, spear and bow-fishermen and fish run activity. Additional time was spent checking turkey hunters and beaver trapping activity, patrolling for ORV and fire violations, and following up on possible waters and wetland violations. AIS activity was monitored throughout the weekend, with a lot of boats moving around with the nice weather. A division background investigation was completed and preparations were made for an upcoming FAS class.

 

CO Tony Anderson (Morris) focused enforcement efforts on anglers, boating safety and AIS law compliance. Anderson spoke with one individual about a complaint of possible early taking of walleye and northern on an area lake. Presentations were given to about 500 children on Boat and Water Safety and Aquatic Invasive Species during the Morris Safety Day Camp. Anderson set up and taught the Morris firearms safety class; classroom and field day. Computer and RMS questions were handled for several Conservation Officers. Calls from the public were handled regarding FAS classes, a tame deer and nuisance beaver.

 

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) checked fishermen, boaters, and ATV operators. Additional time was spent assisting CO Anderson with the Stevens County firearms safety class, and the safety day camp where 500+ kids were talked to about boat and water safety. CO’s Baumbarger and Osborne patrolled the Red River and encountered several boaters and fishermen. AIS compliance was also monitored.

 

Wheaton – vacant.

 

District 4 – Wadena area

 

CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) patrolled forest closures for motor vehicles and ATVs. Officer Hunter participated in annual training held in Thief River Falls. CO Hunter received a call of possible hunter harassment

 

CO Gary Sommers (Walker) focused on sport fishing and ATV activity with nothing unusual to report. He attended Hackensack firearms safety training and range day, answered questions regarding bear hunting regulations, and checked rough fish spearing activity.

 

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) checked ATVs and angling activities. Training was also attended in Thief River Falls. Walleye have been running in area rivers and a tip led CO Mathy to some violators. Two anglers were found catching and hiding walleye under nearby rocks. The investigation revealed the anglers took walleye on previous days as well. Enforcement action was taken for take walleye in closed season, angle without license, and wanton waste.

 

CO Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the week focusing on angling, ATV, and spring trapping activity. CO Broughten worked spring fish run activity and completed a commercial taxidermy inspection. CO Broughten also assisted local law enforcement with a domestic and a grass fire.

 

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) handled bear, beaver and ATV complaints. Trespass case investigated on turkey hunters on posted land. Crappie fishing is picking up with the warm sunshine weather. Halverson displayed fur collection to Pillager “K” classes and worked TIP trailer for Arbor Day at Pillager Schools.

 

CO Colleen Adam (ATV REC) gave law enforcement refresher for OHV laws to county deputies and assisted an agency with a search for a subject sought for an alleged theft. She attended the annual Use of Force refresher and firearm qualifications. Patrolled area trails and contacted groups for no ATV registration, youth without helmets, trout anglers, sucker spearing action and turkey hunters.

                              Continued.................

[Lee Borgersen]

          Continued....................                   

    Weekly fish & game reports


CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports busy week with sturgeon harvest season open on the Rainy River, lots of people out enjoying the nice weather. Enforcement action was taken for no current angling license in possession, extra lines, illegal length sturgeon, and no Type IV throwable PFD. ATV enforcement and fire investigations were followed up on, along with attending annual training at Hibbing firearms range.

CO Jim Van Asch (International Falls) monitored many anglers out trying their luck on the Rainy River for the 2015 sturgeon season opener. Anglers enjoyed great weather conditions, though the water level throughout the area is low. Sturgeon anglers were seen having a high success rate both in the boat and from shore. Several youths were eager to share fishing stories about their first ever sturgeon caught that day with officers. CO Van Asch also attended training in Hibbing. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines, illegal length sturgeon, no angling license, fail to display valid watercraft registration, no Type IV PFD, and fail to display valid ATV registration.

 

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports attending training, monitoring area forest roads, checking public access sites, and working on watercraft.

 

CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) dealt with a moose that was killed by a vehicle, along with Officer Velsvaag. Much of the week was spent on ATV enforcement. Officer participated in firearms training and qualification at the Hibbing gun range. A report was also taken on a gray wolf in the Lake Vermilion area that was hanging around during daytime hours.

 

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked stream trout and rough fish anglers, beaver trapping, a trespass complaint, ATVs, and attended firearms requalification training. The officer investigated a grass fire that was started by an individual carelessly handling a lighter. Three individuals were seen drinking beer along a river with one deciding to throw his empty beer bottle into the rapids, followed by manning his fishing pole to catch a fish without a fishing license. Enforcement action for the week was taken on angling without a license, no angling license in possession, littering, unregistered ATV and careless/negligent acts resulting in a fire.

 

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) attended annual firearms training and spent time preparing equipment to summer use. A TIP call of a minnow trap located in a lake was investigated. The trap had been stolen and will be returned to the owner. ATV activity continues to remain high. Enforcement action was taken for burning during a burn ban. Spring fish run was monitored. Low water levels appear to be seriously hampering spawning efforts of some species.

 

Ray – vacant.

 

District 6 – Two Harbors area

 

CO Sean Williams (Ely) assisted the St. Louis County Rescue Squad after they received a report of a severely ill backpacker near the Devils Cascade in the BWCA. Starting at 2am Officer Williams and three members of the squad hiked six miles to try to reach the patient while a separate team came in by boat. The boat team reached the site and found the hiker had succumbed to his illness. Officer Williams was impressed with the team’s professionalism and their willingness to hike through the night in rapidly deteriorating weather to assist a stranger.

 

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) spent the week working on the wildfire investigation team. Several fires were investigated including some suspicious fires. Enforcement action was taken for negligent/carless fires, burning during a burning ban, and open burning of garbage and prohibited materials. Associated costs for fires that get out of control can be staggering.

 

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) handled a report of a nuisance wolf in the city of Grand Marais. The officer helped with spring firearms and defensive tactics qualifications in Hibbing and attended three ECHO emergency response training at Cook County School.  CO Manning also helped teach Firearms Safety class, conducted commercial inspections and worked a detail with CO Schottenbauer.

 

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt/Ely) worked spring fish run activities, assisted the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office with an underage drinking complaint, and checked anglers, minnow, and beaver traps and trappers. Reports were also completed for upcoming court cases. Water levels are extremely low in many areas. Several grouse were observed out in the nice weekend weather.

 

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity. Time was also spent on firearms instruction for officer qualification.

 

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers along the North Shore. The Officer helped the volunteer instructors out with covering the law and ethics curriculum at the firearms safety class. Wahlstrom assisted running the firing line for handgun, shotgun and rifle qualifications in Hibbing.

 

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked spring fish run activities, beaver trapping, and attended a qualification shoot during the week. Murray also attended a critical incident training session in Grand Marais. Fire danger is still high along the North Shore.

 

District 7 – Grand Rapids area

 

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers and fish run activity, patrolled for illegal ATV operation, attended firearms qualification training, and worked with DNR Forestry on fire related issues. Enforcement action was taken for operating ATVs on a public roadway.

 

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) assisted with divisional use of force and firearms training, and conducted commercial inspections. He also did small game enforcement, checked anglers, and patrolled state parks, campgrounds, and forests. Violations included fail to display placards, ATV on roadway, and no retail bait license.

 

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) and his k-9 partner Si checked anglers, monitored OHV activity, assisted the county with locating a burglary suspect that fled into the woods, assisted Conservation Officers with the execution of a search warrant, did a K-9 demo at the children’s event in Grand Rapids, investigated a deer taken out of season and attended the United States Police Canine Association detection trial. Enforcement action was taken for shoot from motor vehicle, take deer during closed season, DWI, transport illegally taken big game animal and fleeing on foot.

 

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked spring shore fisherman with the sucker run and crappie bites on. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license and operating a recreational vehicle in a wetland. Yearly training was also attended last week and a youth ATV safety class was given a law talk.

 

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, spring beaver trappers, ATVs and waters complaints. He also taught a firearms safety class and attended a regional training session during the week.

 

CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) spent the week working ATV and fishing enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license, possession of drug paraphernalia and having passengers under 18 without helmets. CO Wichmann also investigated a trespass complaint.

 

CO John Velsvaag (NE Region ATV officer) checked ATV complaint areas. CO Velsvaag also responded to an injured bald eagle call. CO Velsvaag attended training and checked several creeks for fish run activity.

 

District 8 – Duluth area

 

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) followed up on ATV complaint areas and made numerous enforcement contacts related to ATV operation. Trespassing complaints were investigated. Time was spent on the North Shore rivers and some kamloops are cooperating. Smelting activity has been monitored and the success rate has been on the rise. Officer Schmidt attended use of force and firearm training in Hibbing. The officer also assisted the State Patrol with a pursuit and wrong way driver that was ultimately arrested for DWI.

 

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) attended firearms training and qualification. He also participated in several work details focusing on spring fish run activity and smelting. Two poachers were apprehended for attempting to illegally spear trout. Windy conditions have hampered smelters but some buckets full are being reported.

 

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent the majority to the week working fishing enforcement along North Shore tributaries. Other enforcement work involved wildlife investigation, ATV, watercraft, and smelting. Some violations encountered included illegal use of a fish seine and spearing rainbow trout. Officer Duncan also attended division training, assisted local law enforcement, and completed a radio interview about wolves.

 

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked angling, OHV, turkey hunting and fire enforcement throughout the week. CO Humphrey patrolled the FDL State Forest enforcing the temporary road/trail closure. CO Humphrey assisted other district officers with checking shore anglers on Lake Superior, smelting activity, and monitoring the fish run. CO Humphrey received calls regarding unlawful ATV use, wolf concerns, and Firearms Safety classes. Follow up interviews on trapping and wild fire investigations continued. CO Humphrey attended division use of force and firearms training. Violations for angling licensing, illegal spearing, OHV restricted area operation, registration, and safety certifications were encountered.

 

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) worked fishing and off-highway vehicle activity in the area. Enforcement action was taken for angling without license in possession, fail to display registration, no non-resident trail pass and equipment violations. Assistance was given to local law enforcement agencies in a pursuit with a stolen vehicle, and also on a separate incident where a domestic assault occurred. A K9 demo/talk was done for take your child to work day at the local courthouse. Also, K9 Schody and the rest of the DNR K9 unit tested and certified in game detection in Anoka over the weekend. Annual in-service training was attended in Hibbing where officers received use of force training and qualified with firearms.

 

WREO Mike Scott (NE) assisted DNR Ecological Services with training new watercraft inspectors for St. Louis, Carlton, and Pine counties for staffing area public access inspecting watercraft using area lakes and educating the public on AIS issues. Officer Scott checked anglers on the North Shore. High winds and cooler weather kept a lot of folks home but those that were checked enjoyed the fishing with limited success. Smelters on North Shore and Park Point in Duluth were checked with few smelt seen. The smelters that stayed late into the morning did better than others. Assistance was given to the Minnesota State Patrol in locating several people that fled into the woods on Saturday night after a traffic stop.