MN DNR weekly report

[Lee Borgersen]

          ......   MN DNR weekly report


District 5 - Eveleth area


CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports fishing activity on the Rainy River is in full force with approximately 400 boats each day on the river. Enforcement action taken for the week included no current boat registration, insufficient PFDs, no angling license, invasive species violations, and over limit of fish. Officer Kittelson completed fish shelter removal monitoring on Rainy Lake and some people will be receiving citations along with littering violations.


CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports snowmobile activity continues, and additional snowfall arrived over the weekend. Very little fishing activity is taking place.



CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports monitoring the various outdoor recreational opportunities the area has to offer, however, very few participants were out due to the weather.


CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) worked on following up on wolf depredation investigations and investigations concerning illegal taking of wolves. Some crappie anglers were checked on Virginia area lakes but anglers report a slow bite. An ice shelter on an area lake is being watched very closely after the owner removed all identification from the shelter. Through inquires made at local businesses, CO Frericks was able to obtain enough information to locate the owner. The owner now faces numerous charges plus a seized ice shelter.


CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) received call and obtained photographs of a bobcat coming close to a residence with the owner concerned for their children’s safety. Fredin received photocopies of a cougar taken on a trail camera in the Skibo area. This would be the second photograph of a cougar in this area within the last year and a half. Time was spent investigating a litter dump of dead sheep and goats. Fishermen were starting to catch a few crappies before the new snowfall.


Ray - vacant.


I. Falls # 2 - vacant.




District 6 - Two Harbors area


CO Marty Stage (Ely) checked out some of the litter left after fish houses were removed. The officer was impressed and pleased with how clean the ice was after removal of the ice houses in Lake County. It is one of the cleanest he has seen in years. The ice is still good and it’s hard to believe it’s spring elsewhere. Lakes haven’t lost much if any ice and we just got a new dumping of snow to cover everything. There is very little pan fishing happening. Be careful on the late season ice since it will probably go fast when it finally does.


CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports he responded to a call from a DNR employee who said there was a sick or injured red fox on the side of Hwy 169 outside of Ely and that a passerby was seen petting it. Officer Williams responded to the area and arrived to find people standing near the fox trying to feed it. He would like to remind the public not to approach animals that are normally reclusive, and that strange behavior may be a sign of a significant disease like rabies.


CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked the Rainy River spring walleye season with CO Wichmann. Accesses were very busy, and fishing was relatively slow. Enforcement action was taken for several walleye over limits, possession of illegal length walleye, boating safety and registration violations, invasive species violations, and no license in possession. A boat operator was arrested for boating while intoxicated and an individual was turned over to the county sheriff’s office for possession of an open bottle.


CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked the border lakes for spring walleye anglers. There were a few anglers out and fishing was very slow. The CO also did a snowmobile patrol of area trails and found them to be in very good condition for this late in the year, with a few bare spots on the corners and at the top of the hills. Trail conditions now are day to day. Enforcement action was taken for burning prohibited material.


CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time answering phone calls about owls, wolves and misc. wildlife issues. The Officer patrolled state parks, state trail, and cross-country ski trails. A few fishermen were checked along the shore of lake Superior.


CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) assisted with several vehicle crashes during the winter snowstorm that hit the North Shore over the weekend. The wet wintery mix made for extremely hazardous driving conditions. Spring ice fishing activity is ongoing with most lakes still having good ice conditions. Some snowmobilers enjoyed the extended season due to the winter storm and ATVs were also able to get out on area lakes.


CO Brad Johnson (Silver Bay) reports that he received calls of wolves in and around town in Silver Bay. Some were hunting deer that are congregating along the north shore. CO Johnson checked late season snowmobilers and some north shore anglers. He patrolled at Tettegouche State Park.




District 7 - Grand Rapids area


CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) monitored ATV activity and worked trapping complaints. Enforcement action was taken for ATV registration issues


Water Resource Enforcement Officer Tony Arhart (Grand Rapids) checked anglers, monitored fish shelter removal, prepped spring equipment and tracked public waters cases and incidents. Wetland Conservation Act restorations cases were also tracked. The current thick crust of ice and snow is allowing anglers to get out and fish again via ATVs and snowmobiles. Enforcement action was taken for shelter removal violations. American goldeneyes, Canada geese and great blue herons have returned to open water.


CO John Velsvaag (Region II ATV officer) patrolled on snowmobile this past week checking for ATVs and anglers. CO Velsvaag also attended a couple of meetings about ATV regulations and upcoming ATV events, and fielded calls about owls and spring beaver trapping. Enforcement action was taken for illegal ATV operation on a highway.


CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) monitored fishing and snowmobiling activity throughout the week. CO Wichmann assisted the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office with a subject who fell through the ice on an area lake. CO Wichmann attended an ATV Alliance meeting to prepare for future event in June. Snowmobile enforcement action was taken for unregistered snowmobiles and operating in an unsafe manner. CO Wichmann and CO Bermel worked Rainy River for fishing and boating activity. Enforcement action was taken for over limit of fish, length violation, BUI, and various other boating violations.


CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers and continued monitoring a couple of fish houses still on the ice. He also handled several calls related to wolves.


CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) did a commercial check on a taxidermist this past week. She also attended the Taxidermy Guild with CO Sutherland, held in Grand Rapids, and answered questions concerning taxidermy. She is still investigating the video showing a coyote being pursued by two snowmobiles that was posted on the internet.


CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ice and shore angling over the past week with fish being caught by both methods. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license. CO Sutherland also gave a firearms safety law talk to an area youth group and he also gave a presentation to the Minnesota Taxidermy Guild.




District 8 - Duluth area


CO Randy Hanzal Duluth (Duluth) reported even though we’ve had sufficient snow recently snowmobilers are reminded that all Grant-in-Aid trails are now closed. A few adventurous anglers have been seen out on local lakes but not many fish are being caught. A wounded fisher was collected to be used as an educational display.


CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) continued to work shore fishing along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Fishing activity has been very high this year. Law compliance has been good with only few complaints that are continued to be investigated. Officer Duncan assisted local sheriff’s departments and PDs with various issues during the week. Other activities included returning several telephone calls, locating a Duluth resident for an investigation a Conservation Officer in southern Minnesota is working on, and completing paperwork for people that have found and want to possess various dead critters.


CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked ATV and angling enforcement during the week. Ice on area lakes continues to deteriorate especially along shorelines making access difficult. Some pan fish angling activity was observed during the week. CO Humphrey patrolled the Fond Du Lac State Forest and Moose Lake State Park. CO Humphrey assisted a motorist with a car/deer collision. ATV activity has increased with the spring weather. A reminder to ATV owners to check and renew registration before operating. Calls were received about dogs running at large, wolf depredation, and trapping of nuisance Wildlife.


CO Scott Staples (Carlton) is investigating a case where a bear hide was dumped in the Cloquet area and had a site tag on it from 2010. Litter is not the only problem, the other problem is the person whose name is on the tag did not harvest the bear. The investigation is ongoing. Also a complaint of unchecked coyote snares is being investigated. An incidentally trapped otter was picked up and a permit was issued for a car killed raccoon. A talk was given to the Cloquet Rotary on the DNR K9 unit and another K9 talk and demo was given to Safari Club International in Hinckley.


Water Resource Enforcement Officer Mike Scott (NE MN) reported an after action review for the flooding last summer in the St. Louis-Carlton County area was attended. Discussions on what worked, what didn’t and ideas on future plans for events like this were discussed with representation from local government units, state units and federal units. A state fair committee meeting was attended to work on finalizing this year’s state fair theme and plans. Officer Scott staffed a booth with Minnesota Sea Grant at the Duluth Home and Builders Show. Information was exchanged with the general public reference AIS issues and concerns.




Lake Superior Marine Unit


Sgt. Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers along the North Shore and Duluth breakwater. The recent snowfall should help for spring run- off once the warm weather is here to stay. Assisted Duluth PD with a traffic stop. Assistance was also given to St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office on vehicles stuck on trails north of Duluth. A reminder to North Shore anglers to positively identify the species of fish caught. Reports of steelhead being caught were fielded.


CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked early season anglers launching out of Two Harbors. Some success was seen in the area with catches of lake trout and salmon. Questions were answered regarding upcoming open water seasons. Assistance was given to local agencies with vehicle crashes during a spring blizzard. Hopefully the extra moisture will suppress fire danger in the coming weeks. Enforcement action was taken for angling and ATV violations.


CO Troy Ter Meer (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers along Lake Superior most of the week. Lots of anglers out and some fish being caught. He also patrolled for ATV use and attended a meeting. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.