Weekly DNR Reports

[Lee Borgersen]

District 5 - Eveleth area
 

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports fishing on the Rainy River continues to be slow as the water clarity is still not conducive for a good walleye bite. Several animal complaints were handled throughout the week and weekend. A regional meeting and training were also attended in Grand Rapids. People are reminded to use extreme caution if they are still planning on venturing out onto the ice.


 





CO Jimmy Van Asch (Ray) spent the week working angling activity on the Rainy River.  The walleye bite continues to be poor at best. The poor fishing report hasn’t stopped anglers from trying their luck and enjoying the nice weather over the weekend. Enforcement action was taken for various angling and AIS violations. 




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CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) The officer attended training in Grand Rapids. The officer investigated a trespass complaint, along with illegal burning, and a dock dispute. A number of calls came in about injured Eagles along roadways. They all turned out to be fine; they were just scavenging road kills.   

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers, investigated a TIP call of a coyote being kept as a pet and attended training in Grand Rapids. All fish houses on area lakes were removed before the deadline. Enforcement action was taken on angling without a license.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) attended a regional training meeting on Grand Rapids and spent time checking the few crappie anglers that could be found. Ice on area lakes is growing weaker but very slowly. A few spring beaver trappers were checked but with low fur prices most trappers have decided to forego the remainder of the trapping season.


Cook - vacant.

International Falls #2 - vacant.
District 6 - Two Harbors area
CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports ice angling activity stayed steady through the week although success was very poor. Ice thickness and quality continues to be fair although many rivers, creeks, and areas with current have opened or become dangerous. Violations included angling without a license n possession.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked ice fishermen and checked on the water skipping activity on Lake Vermilion. The skipping activity seemed to be over since no one was even there on a Saturday. The ice is good on the bigger lakes, but the edges have been eroding and any current areas are bad.  It won’t be long before spring is really here.


CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) attended division computer training and a regional meeting during the week.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended a regional meeting and training as well as an awards and listening session with Commissioner Landwehr and his staff. The officer also checked snowmobilers and some lakes. Warm weather brought out one young man in a pair of shorts who said he was having a very nice ride!

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) attended training and meetings this week.  Time was spent on angling enforcement in and out of the BWCA.  Some snowmobiling is still happening in the Isabella area with nearly two feet of snow still on the ground there.  A group of anglers was checked in the BWCA with 22 violations discovered, including possession of 123 aluminum cans in addition to angling violations such as extra lines, fishing without a license, unattended lines, and targeting fish in closed season.  Appropriate enforcement action was taken.  Enforcement action was also taken on ATV violations.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and ATV activity during the week. Several anglers were out trying their luck on Lake Superior this week with a few nice fish being caught. Spring equipment maintenance was performed and a regional meeting was attended in Grand Rapids.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers, worked AIS enforcement for infested waters, attended division training, and spent time on bear committee issues. Also, responded to a wolf depredation on a newborn calf.

CO Jayson Hansen (Big Fork) worked AIS, ATV, and sport fishing. He attended meetings and assisted in D5 with Rainy River activity. He also patrolled state parks and forest campgrounds.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored OHV activity, attended a Regional meeting and assisted the County with a search for a suspect. CO Fairbanks and his K9 partner also gave a K9 demonstration for the DARE class at the local Elementary School. Enforcement action was taken for license issues and OHV registration issues.

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) checked angling activity this past week and attended division training in Grand Rapids. Itasca County currently does not have any burning restrictions, but there are still laws and rules that must be followed when burning. Burning permits are required to burn brush piles, etc. for spring clean-up. All other burning regulations are in effect. Refer to the information on the MN DNR Forestry page for how to obtain a burning permit and for more information on burning regulations and restrictions.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked open water anglers off of the Mississippi River with some panfish success. CO Sutherland also gave a law talk at an area drug and alcohol rehab center. CO Sutherland attended computer training and gave an ice and tick safety interview for a local TV station.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, ATVs, and closed forest roads. He also attended two meetings during the week.

CO John Velsvaag (NE Region 2 ATV officer) checked ATVers this past week. CO Velsvaag observed illegal ATV use on several snowmobile trails. Few anglers were observed with slush on the lakes and sporadic open water.

District 8 - Duluth area

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent the majority of the week working north shore tributaries and shore fishing along Lake Superior. Officer Duncan handled animal complaints, attended a NE Region meeting/training and assisted with an injured bald eagle that required transport to a Duluth rehab facility and later to the Raptor Center.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) spoke to a firearms safety class in Cloquet and attended a regional meeting in Grand Rapids. Fishing activity in the area is slow. Some anglers are trying to catch suckers in the rivers but they don’t seem to be running yet. K9 assistance was given to a local agency in trying to locate a suspect that fled from a police on foot. After searching the area for some time, the suspect was unable to be located. A call of a DNR fishing pier breaking free and floating down an area river was passed along to the division of trail and waterways. It is assumed that the pier is stored at this location to avoid ice damage during breakup.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked shore anglers. Bear questions and complaints are starting to trickle in; time to pull in your garbage and bird feeders. A regional training meeting was attended and equipment maintenance handled. Enforcement actions were taken for angling and ATV violations.