MN DNR Weekly Report

[Lee Borgersen]

                          MN DNR Weekly Report for Jan. 26, 2015


 District 5 - Eveleth area CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports snowmobilers out in full force even with trails deteriorating because of warmer temperatures. Fishing on Rainy Lake and Lake Kabetogama has slowed with very few fish observed in the bag. Enforcement actions taken for week... Duluth, 55802
Duluth Minnesota 424 W. First St. 55802
2015-01-26 13:55:47
District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports snowmobilers out in full force even with trails deteriorating because of warmer temperatures. Fishing on Rainy Lake and Lake Kabetogama has slowed with very few fish observed in the bag. Enforcement actions taken for week included no snowmobile registration and operate snowmobile in excessive of posted speed limit.


CO Jim Van Asch (International Falls) monitored angling and snowmobile activity in the Rainy, Kabetogama, and Namakan Lakes area. The fishing on area lakes has not yielded great results; however, it has not stopped spear fishermen or anglers from trying. With the nice weather this past weekend and slow fishing, many individuals ventured out onto the snowmobile trails. People are reminded to operate their machines at safe speed according to the conditions and also to keep in mind trail and lake speed limits. Runners for the Arrowhead 135 Ultra Marathon were seen gearing up for the start of this year’s race on Jan. 26. Individuals heading out on the snowmobile trails designated for use by the race should be aware of runners, bicyclist, or skiers on the trails and use caution while operating their machine around race participants. Enforcement action for the week related mostly to snowmobile registration and speed.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring angling and snowmobile activities. Snowmobile trails are in very poor shape with lack of snow and recent warm weather. Public access sites were checked. Forest roads and timber sales continue to be monitored. Equipment work, computer work, and office related tasks are ongoing.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports the few snowmobilers in the area report the trail conditions are poor due to lack of snow. Ice fishing remains poor and very few anglers were observed. A couple meetings were attended.

CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) reported that the warm weather made some of the snowmobile trails in the area a little rough. Even though this was the case, a number of snowmobilers traveled to the area for the Fun Run. The officer worked the Fun Run with a number of other officers from around the region. The officer took a call of a baby beaver in a back yard, but since it was unhurt and mobile it was left so it could make its way back to water. The officer is looking into a case of garbage left out on the ice, and assisted in an ongoing trapping case. Enforcement action taken this week: dressed walleye on experimental regulation lake, unmeasurable walleye, over-limit of walleye, no license in possession, snowmobile registration violations, snowmobile speeding, failure to display registration numbers, and operate a snowmobile without safety certificate.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers, snowmobiles, and ATVs. The officer also finished up two big game cases from November and December and finished the investigation of the shooting of a gray wolf. Enforcement action was taken on angling with more than one line on a designated trout lake, fail to register big game animal, and fail to display snowmobile and ATV registration.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) received a call from a concerned angler who suspected he caught an invasive species called a round goby in a Virginia area mine pit. CO Frericks met with the angler and examined the catch. After close examination of the fish it was determined it was a fish native to Minnesota waters called a sculpin. The angler was contacted and informed of the true identity of the fish he caught and thanked for his concern. The crappie and pan fish bite on area lakes remains steady. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines.

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) checked into the mortality cause of a wolf that was found dead under snow, and determined it was an accidental death. Little to no snowmobiling activity due to lack of snow and poor trail conditions. Fishing was check and most reported poor fishing.

Ray - vacant.

District 6 - Two Harbors area

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports last Thursday through Saturday brought out a large number of snowmobiles, but the warm weather and high traffic took their toll on the trails. Many of those stopped for speeding had excuses such as: they should get a break because they’re a local, their snowmobile wasn’t running right so they needed to open it up and clean it out, it’s too dangerous to look down at your speedometer when you’re going that fast, and they’re an experienced rider. Enforcement action for the week included angle with an extra line, northern pike over limits, no trout stamp, too far from tip-up, no license in possession, possess marijuana, snowmobile speed and registration violations.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) patrolled remote trout lakes by snowmobile. When the rest of the state is without snow cover, many people have a hard time believing we have the snow that we do in the northeast. There wasn’t much for fishing or snowmobiling activity during the week days. The CO encountered a couple of fellows out moose antler hunting during the week as the antlers are beginning to fall as of last week.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) continued to work angling and snowmobile activity in the area. Over the weekend Murray assisted officers in the Ely station with a snowmobile detail. Most riders encountered were courteous and glad to see the officers out enforcing speed regulations. The few that were exceeding the speed limits were not as happy to see the officers when they received citations for exceeding speed limits.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) this past week worked area lakes and snowmobile trails. There were many people out enjoying the mild weather, but fishing was hit or miss. Time was also spent shuffling equipment around the state.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked fishermen and snowmobilers throughout the week. Lots of snowmobile activity during the Ely Fun Run. One member of a mixed snowmobile and ATV group was cited for not having an ATV registration. Then about an hour later, the group was found running down the highway to get from place to place. Time was spent checking fishermen in the BWCAW. The weather was nice so people are venturing into the backwoods. Ice fishermen had been doing well up till now and it is getting more common to find garbage on the lakes, especially where people have moved fish houses. Please bring it all home with you, even the little stuff.

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reported several snowmobile events took place over the weekend in the Ely area including the annual fun run which usually attracts several hundred riders. Officers from all over the State assisted with the large groups of snowmobilers and law compliance was found to be very high. Violations included: litter, speed, operating an ATV on a state grant in aid trail, and fail to display snowmobile registration.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended a meeting regarding a wetlands/public waters violation and pending restoration work. Beaver traps were checked and area lakes, rivers and trails were patrolled. CO Manning also worked a snowmobile detail in Ely for the annual Fun Run. Enforcement action was taken for no snowmobile safety certificate, fail to display registration and fail to transfer snowmobile registration.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked snowmobile and angling activity. The Officer caught a group of ice anglers fishing with extra lines. After the officer issued the proper paperwork and was walking away, he heard one of the anglers address the rest of the group: “When I tell you to reel up the extra lines, I mean it!” The trout bite is still on while walleye fishing has slowed down. Enforcement action was taken for angling, ATV and snowmobile violations.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers on area lakes, monitored trapping activity, and worked on some administrative items. Enforcement action taken for angling without a license in possession.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) checked anglers, worked small game, and took calls about potential fishing violations. Violations included snowmobile on roadway, fail to display snowmobile registration, and angle more than 200 feet from a tip-up.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored snowmobile activity, investigated deer complaints and assisted the local police department with a domestic. The area panfish bite has been good. Enforcement action was taken for license issues, angle with extra lines and arrest for domestic assault.

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) did interviews this past week with two local radio stations where laws and regulations on trout fishing were discussed among other things. She is currently investigating a trapping violation. She cautions people who wish to travel on area lakes with highway vehicles as ice conditions vary due to recent weather and natural occurring springs and water currents. A vehicle was reported as going through the ice off of Stony Point on Pokegama Lake this past week.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked local angling pressure with many individuals out on area lakes. The limited snow cover and thickening ice has made access to most lakes fairly easy. Enforcement action was taken for bluegills over-limit on a special regulation lake, angling without a license, angling without a license in possession, allowing the illegal operation of an ATV by a minor, operating an ATV on a county road and operating an ATV without the required safety class.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) checked fishermen, snowmobiles and trappers. He also conducted a wildlife program at a local library during the week.

CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) spent the week working fishing activity. Enforcement action was taken for possession of marijuana and controlled substance. CO Wichmann also completed reports from small game investigations.

District 8 - Duluth area

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) spent time checking anglers on area lakes and rivers. A timber theft trespass was investigated along with recreational trespass from a snowmobile trail. Complaints of ATV operation on snowmobile trails have been investigated and trail heads worked.

CO Officer Randy Hanzal (Duluth) had another busy week on area lakes. Northern pike and pan fish are being caught. Angle with extra line, angle without license in possession, operate unregistered ATV, operate unregistered snowmobile, operate ATV with improper display, no shelter license, want and waste of a game fish and liter are all violations encountered during the week. The officer also assisted with the recovery of a stolen recreational vehicle.

CO Officer Kipp Duncan (Duluth) continued to work fishing enforcement on area lakes. Some snowmobile enforcement was also worked during the week. Several telephone calls were returned. A trapping investigation continues to be worked. Officer Duncan assisted USFWS Special Agent with an investigation. Officer Duncan also assisted area wildlife offices with miscellaneous wildlife calls and complaints during the week.

CO Officer Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) checked angling activity on area lakes throughout the week. Angler reports varied from a fair to good bite on pan fish and northern pike. CO Humphrey continued to check several traps in the area for compliance. CO Humphrey received calls of an injured eagle and incidental caught fisher. CO Humphrey spent time preparing for a conservation officer career presentation. CO Humphrey processed evidence from a closed big game case. CO Humphrey attended a funeral service for retired Conservation Officer Russ Johannsen. Violations for fish house identification, licensing, OHV and Snowmobile registration, fail to transfer ownership and angling with extra lines were encountered.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) reports angling activity up in the area because of nice weather. There are some fish being caught on area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license and angling without a license in possession. Some snaring activity was worked in the area. Enforcement action was taken for illegally set and untagged snares. One incidentally caught wolf was turned over to the US fish and Wildlife Service. K9 training was conducted with Schody in preparation for an upcoming school.

WREO Mike Scott attended a meeting with other LGU folks reference a WCA and Public Waters Violation in Grand Marias area. Reconstruction of a local road culvert resulted in some impact to area wetlands and public waters. Officer Scott attended the Minneapolis Boat Show staffing an AIS booth with DNR Eco Services and Boat Water folks talking to those at the show about AIS issues and the new trailer sticker training that is on the horizon. Over 500 people stopped by the booth with information shared with all.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

Sgt. Keith Olson (Marine Unit) checked trout anglers north of Duluth, since the warmer weather had many anglers out. However, the trout bite was on the poor side. Olson attended the United Northern Sportsmen (UNS) annual ice fishing contest on Island Lake. For the 20th year this officer helped weigh fish, check license and field DNR questions. The warmer weather helped attendance. Sunday brought out more than 400 anglers to try for 1st place. The winning fish was a 6lb.4oz. catfish. First time in recent history a catfish has been caught in Island Lake.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit) checked ice and shore anglers. An incidentally snared wolf was seized in the city of Two Harbors and turned over to DNR Wildlife for educational use. A meeting was attended for the renewal of the Lake Superior Fisheries Management Plan. Violations of late charter records were handled. Enforcement action was taken for angling and commercial violations.

CO Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) spent the week checking anglers and snowmobilers. He also attended a meetings and completed reports. Enforcement action was taken for various angling violations.