1/25/10 Report (Dist. 12-18)

[Woody]

District 12 - St. Cloud area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) directed most of his patrol time to checking ice anglers. Warm weather again helped people enjoy their time on the ice but fishing success was limited. Time was also spent checking trash which is being left on the ice. Snowmobile trails are now in poor shape and new snow is needed to get them into shape.

CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) checked ice anglers and snowmobilers. Violations were found for extra lines, no angling license, illegal length northern pike, possess marijuana/drug paraphernalia, and underage consumption of alcohol. CO Musatov received numerous calls of litter left on the ice by anglers.

CO Brian Dobbick (Cambridge) worked angling and snowmobile activity throughout the week. With the warmer weather and some rain over the weekend, snowmobile trails deteriorated and anglers had to deal with slush on area lakes. The law portion of a snowmobile safety class was taught and enforcement was taken for license and registration violations.

CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) worked fishermen and snowmobilers and took enforcement action on a number of violations. He continued with previous big game investigations with a number of charges pending. He did a law enforcement presentation at a DNR snowmobile safety education class in Becker.

CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) gave a presentation at a youth snowmobile class in Silver Creek this week. Reller also checked anglers and snowmobile activity. Angling activity was slower with a slow fish bite and wet weather that moved in over the weekend.

CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports the warm weather ruined the local snowmobile trails but some riders were still out. Anglers are seeing some success on area lakes. Most fish being caught are not keepers but they are still biting. Violations included angle without license, illegal length crappie, no shelter identification and angle with extra line.


District 13 - West Metro area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Steve Walter (Waconia) worked a detail on Lake Minnetonka concentrating on fishing and snowmobiling. Illegal filling of a wetland was investigated. Snowmobile trails were patrolled and anglers were checked on area lakes.

CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) spent the week working angling and snowmobile activity. Many anglers were out enjoying the mild weather. Violations detected included no angling license in possession, fail to display valid snowmobile registration, fail to display trail sticker and operate unregistered snowmobile.

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) worked with CO Walter and Lee on Lake Minnetonka. They checked snowmobilers, ice fishing and a pond hockey event during a rainy day in Minnesota’s January! While on patrol at Fort Snelling State Park, he assisted a patron who got his minivan stuck in an unplowed parking lot. He also fielded a few questions about the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Medallion possibly hidden in the park. He took enforcement action for angling with extra lines, no shelter ID and no vehicle permit in a state park.

CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) worked a pond hockey tournament on Lake Minnetonka. The rainy weather kept a lot of snowmobilers and fishermen off of the lake. She also checked fishermen on Courthouse Lake. A few trout are still being caught. Fishing violations included using live minnows on a designated trout lake, extra lines, no trout stamp, no shelter id and no fishing license in possession. She also prepared paperwork for an upcoming court case and assisted the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office with a Snowmobile Safety Class.

CO Kevin Neitzke (Ft. Snelling) checked fishermen in Dakota and Scott counties. He investigated a TIP call of a possible fishing law violation. CO Neitzke worked with Refuge Officer Brandenburg. He also worked snowmobile and ATV enforcement.

CO Thor Nelson (Bloomington) spent time on snowmobile and ATV enforcement. He also checked anglers and taught a youth snowmobile safety class. CO Nelson received a TIP call concerning making trips and possible fish over-limits. He assisted in locating and assisting a lost ice fisherman.

CO Aaron Kahre (Minnetonka) checked fishermen and ice houses on Lake Minnetonka this past week. He noted that the violation rate for ice house marking on the lake was high. The CO also performed maintenance on station equipment. He assisted the State Patrol with a DWI arrest and worked on several investigations.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked a snowmobile detail on Lake Minnetonka and checked anglers in the metro area lakes. He worked at the Lao Family office answering questions to people in the community on fishing and hunting regulations. He also worked on snowmobile equipment maintenance. Violations found were fishing without angling license in possession, fishing with extra line and no shelter identification display.

CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) checked anglers and snowmobile activity. He also followed up on a report of an injured deer and gave an ice safety presentation to a youth group.



District 14 - East Metro area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Greg Salo (East Metro) participated in a work crew in Chisago County. Several anglers were found in violation and enforcement action included angle without a license, extra lines, possession of marijuana, minor consumption, and possessing northern pike in the protected slot. CO Salo also assisted another game and fish agency with an investigation.

CO Alex Gutierrez (Forest Lake) worked the snowmobile trails as trail conditions quickly deteriorated when it began to rain. The CO received a TIP call of unattended lines in a empty fish house. When the CO responded he woke several people sleeping in the fish house and no one had lines down through the ice.

CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) worked angling and ATV enforcement on area lakes. She handled a couple TIP calls and checked on a wetland complaint. CO Kruse worked snowmobile and WMA enforcement and checked on a commercial fishing operation in the area. Violations encountered included possession of marijuana, no fishing license, extra lines, possession of drug paraphernalia, no shelter identification and no spearing license.

CO Patrick McGowan (Hastings) spent time checking ice anglers. The warm weather has made for slushy conditions on the ice. Anglers are advised to check ice as they go, especially on the river systems where the ice can change very quickly. CO McGowan also worked a detail with other officers in the Rush City area. Enforcement action was taken for angle with extra lines, angle without a license, and an illegal length pike.

CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) patrolled for snowmobiling activity around the metro lakes and trails and checked ice anglers. Several ice anglers were out fishing but only a handful were seen with fish. Officer Pril also investigated a tip complaint of gunshots in Inver Grove Heights.

CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) reports that he checked anglers and snowmobilers. The poor weather kept a lot of folks inside. CO Johnson continued to work on a deer case with the Washington County Attorney. He received calls on towing with ATV regulations.

CO Travis Muyres (Ham lake) worked ice anglers over the week. Several anglers were encountered and enforcement action was taken for various license violations. CO Muyres also worked snowmobile enforcement on the trail system in Anoka County.

CO Tony Salzer (Eagan) patrolled for snowmobile activity in Dakota County. CO Salzer dealt with some snowmobile equipment issues. Due to the weekend rains, snowmobile trails are is extremely rough shape.


District 15 - Marshall area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) patrolled the Lac Qui Parle State Park ski trails. Users are reminded that in addition to the state park permit they will also need to purchase a cross country ski trail pass in order to use the groomed trails. Anglers were checked. Picht assisted with a work crew during a coyote hunt. An investigation is under way on a deer case from the firearms deer season.

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working fishing, snowmobile and coyote hunting enforcement. Rain late in the week has made it even more challenging to get onto area lakes. Coyote hunters continue to have success. Questions were answered in reference to aerators and possible fish die-off’s.

CO Doug Lage (Marshall) reports that coyote hunters were checked with a lot of success. With the rain, the lakes have become somewhat unsafe with 6 -8 inches of slush. Snowmobile runs were canceled due to rain and warm weather.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) monitored fishing, snowmobiling and trapping activity. Recent warm temperatures and rain have the trails in rough shape. Some nice fish have been seen in possession. Infractions for the week: illegal length fish, no identification on fish house, and angling w/out a license.

CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) continued to patrol area snowmobile trails. Local trails were in very good shape until the recent rainfall. Deep slush on area lakes has all but shut down ice fishing in the area. he officer did however follow up on a TIP call reporting an over limit of walleye.

Madison - vacant.

Redwood Falls - vacant.


District 16 - New Ulm area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Jim Steffen (Willmar) spent the week checking fishermen, snowmobilers and other recreational riders. Time was also spent on typing a shooting violation report and getting deer hunting related formal complaints signed. Fishing generally has been slow but lots of anglers have been out trying their luck. Snowmobile trail conditions are starting to deteriorate.

CO Angela Graham (Hutchinson) checked predator hunters, anglers, snowmobiles, and followed up on a wetland violation. Several calls were taken on car killed deer, nuisance animals, and law/trespassing questions.

CO Wayne Hatlestad (Litchfield) checked angling and spearing activity. Additional time was spent checking ATV and snowmobile activity. Trapping and predator hunting activity was also checked. Hatlestad also attended a required meeting.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) completed his radio program with KKOJ/KRAQ discussing topics including pheasants, ice safety and snowmobile law. Gruhlke also visited with the Jackson County Central High School resource class concerning a career as a Conservation Officer and briefly discussed other career opportunities within the department. Officer Gruhlke worked anglers and snowmobile activity this week. Snow conditions deteriorated on Saturday due to the rain. Travel on area lakes is quite challenging

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) continues to receive complaints on predator hunters which have resulted in enforcement action for discharging a firearm within 500 feet of an occupied residence and trespass on posted agricultural land. He also monitored the area lakes and checked fish houses for compliance with identification and licensing laws. Enforcement action was also taken for angling with extra lines and open burning of garbage.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) worked angling and snowmobile activity. Ice conditions for angling is still poor with a lot of slush on top of ice. Many houses are still incased in ice and have informed many to start getting them out now. One report was that it took 8 hours for 4 guys to get one house out. Recent hard rains hindered outdoor recreational activity. Predator hunting activity was monitored.

CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) worked mostly snowmobile enforcement this past week. A predator contest was also worked; very few participated due to poor weather conditions. Enforcement action was taken for no snowmobile registration, no state trail sticker, and trespassing.

Windom - vacant.



District 17 - Albert Lea area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Phil George checked (Mantorville) worked ice anglers and snowmobile operators. The recent rain slowed down the activity on the area trails. He assisted with law enforcement ORV/snowmobile class in Rice County. He also assisted the Steele County Sheriff’s Office with a fatal snowmobile accident.

CO Julie Siems (Faribault) reports working mostly angling and snowmobile activity. Commercial fishing activity was also monitored. An OHV for law enforcement class was instructed as well as a snowmobile for law enforcement class. Trail conditions have deteriorated significantly. Violations include no ATV registration, no angling license, extra lines, unattended lines and minor consumption.

CO Bob Geving (Mankato) worked snowmobiling and angling activities. Both were slow due to weather. Geving also conducted aeration system inspections. Enforcement actions included unsigned angling license and no identifiers on fish shelters.

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) spent time checking area lakes for angling activity. Snowmobile activity has dropped off since the recent rainfall. A detail was worked with local deputies on some lakes in LeSueur County. Several citations were issued with focus being put on underage consumption.

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) checked ice angling and snowmobiling activity. Rain and warm weather have put something of a damper on snowmobile activity. A work party with D17 COs and the LeSueur County Sheriff’s Office yielded enforcement action for alcohol, drug, and angling offenses. CO Howe also attended to repairs of his snowmobile. Aeration inspections were completed on Scotch and Clear (Lexington) lakes.

CO Tom Hutchins (Albert Lea) reports spending most of last week checking anglers on area lakes. Time was also spent working trapping and commercial minnow trapping enforcement. Snowmobile operators were checked. Aeration system inspections were completed.

Spring Valley - vacant.



District 18 - Rochester area
Last updated: 2010-01-25



CO Dan McBroom (Rochester) spent the week on fishing, big game, and snowmobile enforcement. Fishing is starting to pickup in the Rochester area with some limits seen. The warm weather and rain has left the snowmobile trails in poor condition and very few sleds where out. Wildlife complaints continue to increase with wildlife struggling because of the snow and ice. Hopefully the recent melt down will help wildlife to find better food sources, but with the rain and forecasted colder temperatures they could have a rough go of it for the next few weeks. A district meeting was attended and equipment issues are being dealt with.

CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) reports snowmobile trails are in deteriorating fast with the rain and warm temperatures. Sauger and few walleye biting near the dam sites. Bluegill, crappie, northern and bass can be found in the backwaters. Coyote hunters report poor action at bait piles. He attended meetings at both district and St. Paul levels. Enforcement was taken for no fish license in possession and no ID on fish shelter.

CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked anglers and snowmobiles during the week. Heyn also had court on a waterfowl case and attended meetings. Anglers checked were having ok success.

CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports spending most of the week checking fishing activity. Time was also spent attending a deer committee meeting at Camp Ripley, attending a district meeting and working with the county attorney on a complaint for a deer hunting violation. Some fishing violations were detected.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports snow condition on the snowmobile trails is very poor. There are spots below the dams on the river where people had been fishing that are opening up. Hemker continues to see good panfish fishing. He also has seen several people out trying to find shed antlers. He assisted the local law enforcement and the USFWS with a drug complaint related to a fish house.

CO Kevin Prodzinski (Zumbrota) reports working fishermen and snowmobile enforcement this week along with attending a district meeting. Some walleye are still being caught on area lakes but over fishing has slowed. The weekend rain event made area snowmobile trails unusable.

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports getting trespass calls on shed hunters. CO Boyum reminds people who are looking for shed antlers that the trespass law applies to them as well, and permission is needed to access private property. Two subjects were found to be hunting raccoon without licenses as well as trespassing. Enforcement action was taken. Snowmobile activity slowed with the warmer weather and poor riding conditions. Enforcement action was also taken on a subject who dumped trash off of a township road.

CO Scott Moran (Wabasha) reports fishing in the area is poor. The warm weather during the week has turned the snowmobile trails into bare ground, slush, puddles or glare ice. A district meeting was attended that included some training as well as several discussion topics.

Rochester #1 - vacant.