MN DNR Weekly Report

[Lee Borgersen]

MN DNR Weekly Report for March 16, 2015

 












District 5 - Eveleth area


CO Jim Van Asch (International Falls) spent the week monitoring angling activity on Rainy Lake and Rainy River. Ice house removal was also monitored on surrounding lakes with the removal date growing closer. Anglers are reminded to remove all ice house items, including trash and debris. CO Van Asch also prepared for an upcoming firearm safety class.  Enforcement action was taken for angling with unlawful tackle. 

 

 


CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports small streams have started to open, most snow cover is off area lakes, snowmobile trails are down to dirt and rocks with the season all but over. Public access sites were monitored and area forest roads checked.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports the warm weather this past week has melted just about all the snow in the area. A few snowmobiles were observed on the area lakes and they were operating in the water standing on the ice instead of snow. Anglers have done a good job of removing any litter from the ice around fish houses.

CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) worked snowmobile activities on Lake Vermilion. Warm weather has made the snowmobile trails completely unusable.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) monitored the removal of ice shelters from Virginia area lakes. A few crappie anglers were seen out enjoying the nice weather. On one lake, CO Frericks checked two of those anglers who had neglected to purchase an updated angling license.

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) gave a law presentation to youths at a Hoyt Lakes Snowmobile Safety class. Fortunately enough snow was left in the field for the youth to perform the riding requirement. Fish house removal was monitored and anglers fishing in the warm weather were checked. Violations of no angling license and angling with live minnows on a designated trout lake were found.

Ray - vacant.

District 6 - Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports snow conditions deteriorated over the week with the above average temperatures and most snowmobile trails are now impassable. Ice depths varied greatly from lake to lake and several open spots were observed in areas with current. Violations included: fail to display ATV registration, fail to display snowmobile registration, and angle with no license in possession.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) checked trout fishermen in the BWCAW and found many people trying to get in the last trips before the warm weather arrived. Fishing success was slow for most. Several people had forgotten to buy their fishing licenses after theirs had expired a week earlier. Don't forget to get your new licenses.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked trout anglers in the BWCA and other remote areas during the week. Many people are reporting that the lake trout are suffering from a case of  lock jaw as they have become more stubborn in hitting lures as the season goes on. A fisher was the recipient of a couple easy meals as tracks indicated it went along until it found a grouse burrowed into the snow and then went in after it. Although the burrow provides refuge to the grouse from the harsh winter elements, it turns the grouse into a sitting duck when it comes to predators. The CO worked with an Ontario warden regarding an issue on the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile registration and muffler violations.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked many snowmobilers enjoying "one last ride."  The officer checked anglers and met with Emergency Management Director regarding USNG Emergency Trail Marking. CO Manning and CO Wahlstrom also worked a detail in the BWCA.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) assisted officers working perch anglers on Lake Winnie.  Time was spent monitoring crappie anglers on station lakes as well as fish house removal and litter left behind. Clean up after yourself or a citation can be expected. Enforcement action included litter, angle without a license, and unregistered ATV.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area anglers and the last remnants of snowmobile activity. Very warm temperatures have taken their toll on the area trails. Time was spent visiting with the Silver Bay 5th and 6th grades during an ice fishing field trip. Time was also spent working on a couple ongoing complaints that need more follow up.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked area lakes for the ice house removal date. The Officer spent part of the week in the BWCAW for an operation with Officer Manning. Phone calls were returned and the last few snowmobilers were checked before the rain came.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked ATV and angling enforcement during the week. Calls were answered regarding wolf sightings near the City of Two Harbors. Enforcement action was taken for illegal ATV operations and licensing violations.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers, attended the district's volunteer instructor banquet, worked on commercial inspections, answered calls on wolves, and handled complaints on water skipping and public access issues.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) checked anglers, ATV activity, and attended a meeting for the division firearms training. Fish houses are being monitored for litter and the approaching deadline. He also assisted with a commercial inspection. Warm weather has brought some of the first waterfowl and songbirds into the area. Canada geese, swans and mergansers were observed.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored OHV activity, assisted with the district volunteer instructor appreciation banquet and assisted the county with a narcotics investigation where CO Fairbanks's  K-9 partner Si was able to locate evidence that had been hidden by a suspect. The warmer temps last week brought out many anglers. In one instance, CO Fairbanks observed an angler dressed in a T-shirt and shorts operating an auger. Enforcement action was taken for possess over limit of crappie, angle without valid license, fail to display valid registration on OHV and no license in possession.

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) spent time checking anglers and working ATV activity. She also worked a trespassing complaint and checked on a possible wetlands violation. She conducted a radio interview and performed equipment maintenance.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked snowmobile activity early last week, but with the extraordinarily warm temperatures all of the snow has melted by week's end. Pan fishing activity is heating up with the warm temperatures as the late season bite is becoming very good. Ice conditions are deteriorating rapidly and in some places the ice is beginning to pull away from shore.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, ATVs and conducted commercial checks. He also participated in an appreciation dinner for volunteer safety instructors during the week.

CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) spent the week working fishing activity. Wichmann attended training at Camp Ripley. Wichmann also assisted with the volunteer instructor banquet held in Grand Rapids.

CO John Velsvaag (NE Region ATV officer) work ATV complaint areas this past week. CO Velsvaag reports that illegal ATV use in some areas continues to not only be a chronic problem but is increasing. CO Velsvaag also checked anglers and attended training.

District 8 - Duluth area

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reported some litter problems were address after people who removed ice houses failed to remove all debris or blocking associated with the shelter. ATV users need to be aware that snowmobile trails are closed to ATV use even though there isn't much snow left on them. Many snowmobile trails go through private property and the only permission given is for snowmobiles and not ATV's. Officer Hanzal worked with Officer Duncan checking anglers along the North Shore.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent the majority of the week working fishing enforcement along the shore of Lake Superior. A couple ATV complaint areas were patrolled and several return calls were handled. Officer Duncan also assisted local law enforcement with calls for service when available. A couple separate recreational vehicle trespass complaints were also investigated during the week that will require follow up.

CO Jeff Humphrey  (Cromwell) worked off-highway vehicle, fire, and angling enforcement throughout the week. CO Humphrey attended division training on a new records mgmt. system at Camp Ripley. CO Humphrey spent time patrolling the Soo line trail and Fond Du Lac State Forest for OHV activity. Several stops for registration, operation, and equipment violations were encountered. A number of operators were found without ATV or OHM safety certification. A reminder that operators of ATVs born after July 1, 1987 need ATV safety certification to operate on public land, trails etc. CO Humphrey consulted with the county attorney on a contested deer season case resulting in convictions for untagged and failing to register big game.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) attended computer training at Camp Ripley where an introduction into a new records management system was given. Some fishing activity to report in the area, although ice conditions are deteriorating rapidly. Warmer weather brought out lots of recreational vehicle activity in the area. Enforcement action was taken for no safety cert, registration and equipment violations. Equipment maintenance was conducted on station equipment getting it ready for the change in seasons.

WREO Mike Scott (NE MN) provided Lake Service Provider training for those that need it in the Ely area last Wednesday with DNR Ecological and Waters. Officer Scott attended division training for the new records management system at Camp Ripley.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Unit) checked shore anglers along Lake Superior. Time was spent with a group of Silver Bay 5th and 6th grade students on a trout fishing field trip. An ATV detail was worked in Finland for the St Urho's day celebration. Enforcement action was taken for angling and ATV violations.