1/25/10 Report (Dist. 1-5)

[Woody]

District 1 - Baudette area
Last updated: 2010-01-25




CO Ben Huener (Roseau) monitored snowmobile and angling activity throughout the week. Lake of the Woods was checked with Officer Milbridge and multiple over limits were found. Officer Huener finished follow-up investigation on a case from the firearms deer season involving two juveniles shooting seven deer at night.

CO Larry Milbridge (Warroad) spent most of the week working on Lake of the Woods checking angling and snowmobile activity. Fishing is still good on west side. CO Huener assisted with angling enforcement. Enforcement action taken for angling, fish house, and ATV violations.

CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) found that ice and slush conditions have caused dramatically changes on Lake of the Woods. Warm weather and rain has caused new ice heaves and large slush areas. Anglers need to use common sense and caution on the lake. Enforcement action was taken on angling violations during the week. CO Birchem gave several elementary school presentations on fur bearing animals.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) checked local anglers and snowmobilers. Calls were answered concerning injured animals and follow up was conducted on a WMA trespass complaint. He performed equipment maintenance and prepared for upcoming safety classes.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck ) monitored angling activity on Upper Red Lake and snowmobiling activity in the Kelliher area. While approaching one fish house CO Vollbrecht observed an individual through the fish house windows moving swiftly from one hole to the next. After being invited into the house, CO Vollbrecht observed three rattle reels with no hooks attached to the line. There were black braided lines floating in each of the holes. The individual later admitted to angling with five lines and cutting three of them with a knife before answering the door. The walleye bite was slow during the week, but a few larger northern pike were caught. Other violations included possess small amount of marijuana and angle without license in possession.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing and snowmobile activity throughout the week. Snowmobiling activity was up with the warmer weather and long weekend. Snowmobilers are reminded that they need to have a state snowmobile trail sticker when operating on the trail system. Fishing on Upper Red Lake continues to be good, with a strong afternoon bite. Enforcement action taken throughout the week included fishing and snowmobiling activity.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.


District 2 - Bemidji area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) reports angler success remains low. Snowmobile activity slowed with the unseasonably warm weather. The officer spoke to the Red Lake County Sportsman Club about natural resource issues. Several motorists were assisted during the snow and freezing rain.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) assisted other law enforcement agencies with cars in the ditch and crashes. Anglers and snowmobilers were checked. A complaint of altering a river was investigated. The winter storm slowed all outdoor activity.

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked anglers and snowmobiles. Activity levels changed as the weather conditions changed.

CO Mike Hruza (Bemidji) investigated a snowmobile water skipping complaint. The recent rain caused snowmobile trail conditions to deteriorate. Patrolling of lakes, snowmobile trails, and snowmobile races on Lake Irving was done. The officer testified in an ATV DWI trial.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) checked anglers and snowmobilers. Angler success has been poor but some perch reports have been pretty good. Warm temperatures and rain caused snowmobile trails to deteriorate, and left lots of water on lakes, making travel difficult.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports weekend rain caused snowmobile trail conditions to deteriorate. Some snow after the rain may help the trail conditions. A law enforcement student rode with the officer. Anglers and snowmobilers were checked. The officer assisted an agency with an investigation.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports poor driving conditions on snowmobile trails and area lakes. Lakes have a lot of slush and water on top of the ice. Fish house owners are reminded to check their houses and take precautions to prevent freeze in. Injured deer, minnow transportation, and snowmobile trespass complaints were investigated.

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) checked anglers and snowmobiles. Snowmobile trails are in poor condition. Angling pressure remains steady but success has been slow. The officer spoke at the Dark House Association Meeting.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) assisted DNR Wildlife personnel with turkey and deer depredation complaints. Anglers and snowmobilers were checked. A snowmobile trespass complaint was investigated. Angler success catching crappies and northern was pretty good.


District 3 - Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) checked anglers and snowmobiles. Snowmobile activity increased after some weekend snow. The officer spoke at the Underwood Lions Club meeting about law changes and answered questions.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) checked anglers and snowmobilers. Angling activity remains steady but success is slow. The snowmobile trails have deteriorated after the warm temperatures and rain.

CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) investigated complaints of litter on the ice, over limits of fish, and snowmobile trespass. Anglers, fish houses, and snowmobiles were checked. A snowmobile fatality occurred in Ashby. A teenage snowmobile operator struck a truck. Snow condition on trails has deteriorated, and there is lots of water on the lakes between the ice and snow.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers and snowmobilers. Complaints of fish over limits, trespass, and litter were investigated. Preparations for a Snowmobile Safety Class in Evansville were completed.

CO Mike Shelden (Alexandria) reports lots of slush on the lakes due to the unseasonal rain. Anglers, snowmobilers, ATVs, and coyote hunters were checked. Angler activity and success has slowed. The snowmobile trail condition has deteriorated.

CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) focused enforcement efforts on angling and snowmobile activity. The recent rain made traveling on lakes difficult. Time was also spent checking ATVs and predator hunters, and patrolling state trails and WMAs. An assist to the sheriff’s department was also completed.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Wheaton) reports slushy conditions on area lakes, making travel on the ice difficult. Anglers, ATVs, snowmobiles, and predator hunters were checked. A complaint of vehicles operating in a WMA was investigated. The officer assisted the West Fargo PD by recovering a snowmobile trailer with two snowmobiles and a snow blower on it. The owner of the snowmobiles and trailer has been contacted. The owner of the snow blower is trying to be located.

CO Tony Anderson (Morris) checked anglers, snowmobiles, and fish houses. Complaints surrounding snowmobile operation were investigated. Snowmobile activity dropped-off during the weekend rain. Fish houses without identification continue to be observed.

CO Kurt Nelson (Glenwood) reports warm weather and rain took its toll on area snowmobile trails. Angler success has slowed but activity remains high. Slush and water on top of the ice has made traveling on lakes difficult.


District 4 - Wadena area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) monitored angling, snowmobiling, and ATV activity in the station. He also handled a complaint regarding a public waters violation. Enforcement action included possessing an illegal length fish, no ice shelter license, no shelter identification, no reflective material on ice shelter, and ATV operator under 18 without a helmet and carrying a passenger.

CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) checked anglers on area lakes. Some panfish are being caught in the area. The warm temperatures and rain took their toll on the snowmobile trails, but they remain in decent condition. CO Oldakowski received a call at 2 AM from the sheriff’s office regarding an injured snowmobiler that was lost on a trail. After several hours, the snowmobiler was found by rescuers with head injuries. The operator was transported to the hospital, and preliminary alcohol results showed over 4 times the legal limit. Please don’t drink and drive.

CO Gary Sommers’ (Walker) primary enforcement efforts this past week focused on ice fishing and snowmobile activity. In addition, he handled a TIP call in the Longville station which resulted in charges for the possession of an illegal length fish and assisted the sheriff’s department with a call that a truck had struck a fish house causing extensive damage. The license plate of the vehicle was torn off at the scene, which resulted in charges being filed by the county attorney.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) checked anglers and snowmobiles. Perch fishing appears to be slowly improving over the area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.

CO Larry Francis (Remer) completed follow-up on a case from the deer season. This case will be referred to the county attorney for charges. He also took a report of a bobcat acting strangely, checked ice fishermen, and monitored snowmobilers out riding in the rain.

CO Duke Broughten (Longville) continued to monitor winter recreation activity; however, poor weather conditions limited activities. Anglers and spearers are still having limited success. Snowmobile trails are still in poor shape and in need of new snow. Enforcement action included no angling license in possession, no ID on ice shelter, and illegal operation of a snowmobile by a youth.

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) monitored snowmobile and angling activity in the area. He also assisted at the Gull Lake Ice Fishing Contest.

CO Colleen Adam (OHV Recreation Officer Park Rapids) patrolled snowmobile trails and checked fishing activity in the area. She also assisted the county and state patrol with a search in the early morning hours for a lost and injured snowmobiler. Snowmobilers and skiers were out this weekend enjoying the recent snowfall.


District 5 - Eveleth area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) continued to spend time on snowmobiling and ice fishing activity within area. Enforcement action was taken for no shelter identification, no current angling license, no snowmobile registration, and operating on roadway. CO Kittelson also assisted Koochiching Co. Sheriff’s Office with theft and vandalism of approx. 20 fish houses on Rainy Lake. Assisted area volunteer snowmobile safety instructors with a snowmobile safety class in Littlefork using the new CD format course.

CO Lloyd Steen (Ray/Kabetogama) patrolled area roads and trails checking snowmobilers. Light activity was observed during the week as well as few fishermen.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports decent weather continued this past week and a few anglers were observed. Mostly northern and panfish were caught. Not much for snowmobile activity. The trails were in poor shape; however, snow on Sunday night should improve the trails.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) spent most of the week working trout anglers and snowmobiles. A number of trout anglers were going about fishing designated trout lakes all wrong. On a remote lake, a pair of anglers were cited for no trout stamp and angling with extra lines. On another lake, a pair of anglers racked up 6 violations to include a fish house violation, no trout stamp, with both being in possession of live minnows and angling with extra lines. As with many fishing violations, taking the time to read the fishing regulations would have been a wise move to avoid the ensuing enforcement actions and resulted in a more enjoyable outing and sustainable use of the resource .

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) checked fishing activity on area lakes and found a number of people out enjoying the warm weather. A number of people were found to be well beyond the 200 feet from tip-ups with one over 800 ft. In that instance the man stated he didn’t think that it was too far but, acknowledged he never saw the officer walk out to the tip-up and stand by it for a period of time. Fredin was also called on a possible poaching case.

I. Falls # 2 - vacant.