Conservation Officer Report:

[Lee Borgersen]

       Conservation Officer Report:

  Ice houses must be removed by Monday!

Mar 3, 2017 at 11:52 p.m.

  ......
Conservation officer Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports that he worked on fishing enforcement this past week. The ice anglers are out but many anglers are removing permanent houses because of poor ice conditions and a slow bite. Complaints of garbage and wood blocks left behind were reported and investigated. Some fishing violations observed were unattended lines. Ice pressure ridges continue to be a problem and open holes from the melting this past week. Officer Posner also checked snowmobilers on the lake and assisted one rider who lost his drive belt.

Officer Tim Collette (Crosslake) checked anglers and monitored fish house removals for trash cleanup as many people pull houses off area lakes during the warm spell. The officer also took part in a work crew for the annual Eelpout Festival in the Walker area.
Officer Patrick McGowan (Pine River) worked angling and off road vehicle enforcement throughout the week. Officer McGowan also assisted at the Eelpout Festival in Walker. Enforcement action was taken for ATV/snowmobile registration issues and numerous ATV operators were arrested for DWI.

Officer Jim Guida (Brainerd 2) worked sport fishing and all-terrain vehicle enforcement this week. Shelters are being removed from area lakes. Owners are reminded that they cannot be stored on public water accesses; enforcement action has been taken. Questions about burning permits are coming in and can be directed to the Brainerd Area DNR Forestry office at 218-203- 4300 or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/questions.html for further information.

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked angling, spearing, and ATV activity. Contacts included nonresident anglers with 2017 licenses which hadn't become valid yet, no spearing license, too far from tip ups, extra lines, and possession of marijuana/paraphernalia.

Officer Eric Sullivan (Pequot Lakes) assisted with the Eelpout Festival on Leech Lake. The event was busy with recreational vehicle activity and angling violations. Officer Sullivan made contact with several recreational vehicle operators and addressed registration violations, safety concerns and equipment violations. Impaired operation was prevalent.

Officer Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports checking fishing activity and monitoring fish house removal, giving presentations to high school students on furbearing animals, wildlife forensic science and natural resource law enforcement, and responding to several deer related issues including CWD testing, dogs chasing deer, car kills, and a deer that found its way onto some people's cabin deck, then got spooked and ran into the deck railing breaking its neck. Other enforcement contacts were made for no trout stamps and fish houses stored illegally on a public access. Fish house owners are reminded that the deadline for fish house removal in this area is midnight, March 6.

Officer Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked ice anglers as conditions deteriorate and houses continue to come off early. Even ATV traffic was getting tricky as access points broke up and shoreline ice receded. Some trappers were also checked making use of the open water.

Officer Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) checked area lakes for fish house removal with the deteriorating ice and found a few houses were still out. Calls of nuisance beaver issues, a family member forging signatures on no trespassing signs, and a possible illegal party hunting investigation from deer season were handled.

Officer Rhonda Friese (Long Prairie) monitored shelter removal progress. Wind chills sent people back indoors. The annual Lions fishing tournament had a moderate turnout. They adjusted well for the event, however, providing alternative parking and not allowing parking on the ice.

Overall, recreational activity was fairly low.