MN DNR Weekly Report

[Lee Borgersen]

                   MN DNR Weekly Report
 
Feb 22, 2016




 

District 5 - Eveleth area




CO Jimmy Van Asch (Ray) worked angling and snowmobile enforcement throughout the Rainy and Kabetogama Lake areas. Fishing remains spotty at best on both big lakes. After the winter rain showers halted during the week, the more enjoyable weather brought plenty of snowmobile activity to the area. Inland trails and portages are showing signs of bare/rough patches, with the lake trails still in decent condition. Time was also spent completing a deer case from last season and attending an emergency vehicle operations course meeting at Camp Ripley. The public is reminded that the fish house inventories/litter checks are being completed for all area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license in possession and snowmobile speed.





CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports weekend rain and multiple days of above freezing temps have caused snowmobile trails to begin to deteriorate. Public access sites were checked and monitoring of forest roads is on-going. Fishing reports remain poor and slush on area lakes has returned.






CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) spent the week working snowmobiling and angling enforcement. There were some soggy snowmobilers this week during the rain storm. The officer met with a farmer about wolf concerns in the area and performed equipment maintenance Time was spent assisting in the Ely area with enforcement on snowmobile. The officer also assisted with a snowmobile safety class in Ely.   

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked angling, spearing and snowmobiling enthusiasts and worked fishing and snowmobile activity on Lake Vermilion. Enforcement action was taken on angling with extra lines, and a variety of snowmobile violations. The extra line angler tried to pawn his extra line off on his partner who went to use the restroom; however the partner had not set foot in the fish house at all that day.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) checked the few anglers seen on Virginia area lakes. Two such anglers decided to use seven tip-ups. As CO Frericks was walking with them to retrieve their licenses from their vehicle he detected something else. Once CO Frericks and the two anglers got back to the lake he asked, “Alright, which one of you guys has the weed?” The two anglers looked at each other and one of them raised their hand. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines, possession of small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. A landowner contacted CO Frericks regarding two bred, Angus beef cows that were killed by wolves. Other landowners have contacted CO Frericks regarding snowmobile trespass issues. CO Frericks reminds snowmobilers that agricultural land does not have to be posted and you must have permission to operate a snowmobile across a field.   

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) found little activity throughout the week. Rain made snow conditions slush; however, colder temps have now caused the snow/slush to freeze causing rough traveling on area lakes. Fishing remains slow. 

Cook - vacant.

International Falls #2 - vacant.

District 6 - Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports snowmobile activity was heavy over the week, with several snowmobile events happening over the weekend. Although we did receive long periods of heavy rain the trail conditions continue to be fair to good, although many of the lakes have heavy slush. Violations included: fishing with an unattended line, no identification on an ice shelter, and angling without a license.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked snowmobile and fishing enforcement.  There have been lots of snowmobiles out and the bad slush from the heavy snow was nearly frozen. But then the new slush caused by the recent thunderstorm took its place. Conditions are definitely better than they were, however, with the colder temps, conditions are sure to get better. There has been an increase in snowmobiles running on the roads, which is a violation under most circumstances. Read the snowmobile synopsis to learn about the exceptions.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports a week of tough sledding as slush conditions were bad. A cold spell on Sunday made things better. Most people sledded through it OK with only a couple reports of the slush monster getting a couple of snowmobiles. Fishing was very good overall with some nice sized lake trout caught during the week. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile registration violations.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) continued to get reports of sick or mangy wolves in the Grand Marais and Hovland areas. The officer also checked area lakes and anglers; warm weather and rain have made for more slush and difficult travel. The officer also worked state and GIA snowmobile trails, which generally had good snow amounts, but were hit hard by warm temps and heavy use.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked a busy week of snowmobile and angling enforcement. Violations encountered: crappie over limit, transport fish without a skin patch, illegal possession of a lake trout, no trout stamp, possession of marijuana, and snowmobile registration violations, ATV registration violations, and loud exhaust. The officer also finished up registration cases from deer season.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and snowmobile trail activity. Warm weather, rain, and very high activity have done a number on area trails, making some impassable.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time monitoring snowmobile trails. Trails were busy with snowmobilers enjoying the warm weather. Fishermen were also checked on remote trout lakes. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area

Region 2 ATV Officer John Velsvaag checked anglers and ATVers this past week. Slush on area lakes froze up and then reappeared over the weekend. Snowmobiling activity was up early in the week and conditions are better than expected after the warm up.

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers and minnow trappers. He patrolled area snowmobile trails. Enforcement action was taken for trespassing and no fishing license in possession.

CO Jayson Hansen (Big Fork) worked snowmobile and sport fishing this week. Snowmobile trails are still holding up, they were a little soft Saturday, but temperatures dropped again Sunday. Slush is still an issue on many lakes and ice is still not safe with another truck going through the ice Saturday. Violations for the week included operating ATVs and snowmobiles on the county road, no license in possession , no trout stamp, unattended line, too far from a tip-up, unregistered ATV,  allow illegal operation of an ATV, trespass, youth without helmet on an ATV, and operate a snowmobile against traffic at night. He also assisted the sheriff’s office on calls for service. Three groups were caught trespassing across posted private land to access lakes for ice fishing this week. Remember to check land ownership and ask for permission, entering posted property is a gross misdemeanor in Minnesota.

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) checked anglers this past week. She assisted other local COs with an overlimit case. She attended a dinner showing appreciation to landowners who have allowed access on their property for snowmobile use on the Taconite State Trail. Without their cooperation, the Taconite and other trails would not be in existence for public use.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked anglers and snowmobiling activity over the past week with snowmobile trails degrading quickly with the observed rain. CO Sutherland took enforcement action for leaving an angling shelter on the ice over night without a license and angling without a license in possession. CO Sutherland also attended a snowmobile safety class where a law talk was given to the youth and attended the Taconite Trail’s 30th year anniversary celebration.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, snowmobiles, trappers ski and snowmobile trails. He also worked snowmobile and fishing complaints during the past week.

District 8 - Duluth area

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) worked snowmobile and angling enforcement throughout the week. The officer also staff the Duluth Sport show DNR Wall of Shame booth at the Duluth DECC much of the week.

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) staffed the DNR Wall of Shame booth at the Duluth DECC during the week and continued follow-up on ongoing enforcement investigations.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent the majority of the week working a booth at the Duluth Deer Classic. Time was spent displaying the TIP wall of shame, answering many questions, and visiting with hundreds of people attending the show. Other activities included working winter fishing, snowmobile activity, and continued work on a small game investigation.

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) checked angling activity and worked snowmobile enforcement throughout the week. Area anglers reported mixed results on pan fish and northern pike. Slush and standing water on lake ice created problems for those who didn’t have shelters blocked up. A reminder that shelters and any materials need to be removed by March 7 from Carlton County area lakes. Snowmobile activity observed was fair to poor due to deteriorating trail conditions over the weekend. CO Humphrey assisted other district officers working the TIP Wall of shame at the annual Duluth Sport Show. Angling, snowmobile, and ATV violations were encountered

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) followed up on a litter case and worked fishing activity in the area this past week. Enforcement action was taken for license violations. Extra time was spent patrolling area state parks. Enforcement action was taken for skiing without a pass and operating snowmobiles on closed trails.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) worked the shore anglers along the North Shore, the coho salmon have not been showing up although, kamloops have been getting caught. The Duluth Sport Show booth along with the TIP wall of shame was manned with fellow district officers. The attendance to the show was good and a multitude of questions answered to the sporting public. Slush on inland lakes continues to be an aggravation to anglers and officers alike.