MN DNR Weekly Report

[Lee Borgersen]

              ... MN DNR Weekly Report

 Apr 18, 2016 
 
District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports busy week with the end of the spring Rainy River walleye season coming to a close. Fishermen were very active with the nice weather and water temperatures increasing which triggered a much better bite. One youth fisherman was extremely fortunate with a catch of a 32 inch walleye; others were not as fortunate as enforcement action was taken against them for failure to display current boat registration, illegal length walleye, transport unmeasurable walleye while on the water, transport fish without 1-inch skin patch, and possession of an over limit of walleye.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Ray) focused most of the week’s efforts on angling, boating, and AIS enforcement on the Rainy River. The spring walleye season came to a closure on the river.  The last few days of the season yielded the season’s best results for anglers. Most of the anglers checked were coming off with their limit of quality walleye in the bucket. CO Van Asch also spent time working an ATV detail with a neighboring district.  Enforcement action was taken for over limit of walleye, illegal length walleye, unmeasurable fish, dressed fillets, no angling license, no angling license in possession, fail to display boat registration, no ATV lights, and fail to display ATV registration.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports working on equipment and answering calls from the public on a variety of outdoor topics. Computer work is ongoing. Public access sites continue to be monitored. Coordinated with DNR Forestry on upcoming fire spring fire season

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spoke at a Firearms Safety Class in Gilbert and did some follow up work on trespass cases. A report of dogs chasing deer was investigated. The owner of the dog was located and warned about the fines and possible outcomes of her pet chasing deer. Nice weather has increased ATV and OHM activity dramatically. Enforcement action was taken for unregistered machines, no helmets on a juvenile, and parents allowing illegal operation of ATVs and OHMs by juveniles. Ice off occurred on most area lakes over the weekend.

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) reports the ice came off area lakes throughout the week and some boaters were seen attempting to find crappies. Assistance was given to the St Louis Co Sheriffs and Rescue in attempting to locate a missing person in the Cook area. ATV’s were out and violations of no registration, expired registration, operate class 1 on county road way, and allow illegal youth ATV operation. A fire that was spotted by plane was investigated; the cause was determined by a truck that got stuck and the wheels spinning/rubbing got hot and started the fire. 

Cook - vacant.

International Falls #2  - vacant.

District 6 - Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports because of very warm weather over the week he focused on ATV activity in the Ely area. Several small lakes in the area have begun to finally open up, but many larger lakes are still completely ice covered. Violations included: operating an ATV in a posted restricted area, ATV passenger under 18 without a helmet, and angling without a license in possession.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports he did his last snowmobile patrol of the year as warm weather made for bad sledding in short order. A few others did get out during the week and enjoyed the last of the snow and warm weather. The CO also checked North Shore streams and found fishing was better as you got closer to Duluth.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) issued a road kill deer permit; spring green-up is just starting and the deer along Highway 61 have been very active and difficult to distinguish from grasses. The officer checked steelhead anglers on Lake Superior tributaries; fishing success was mixed, but all were happy with the nice weather. The officer checked fish sanctuaries near the big lake as well as inland, took several reports of wolves with extreme cases of mange and heard of at least one black bear awake and looking for food. CO Manning also assisted with a firearms qualification shoot at Camp Ripley.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports the warm weather brought lots of people out enjoying various outdoor activities over the weekend.  A juvenile party was busted resulting in alcohol and marijuana offenses. Other enforcement action included ATV operation on a closed trail, no helmets on juvenile passengers, and failure to transfer ATV registration. Fish run was monitored, a presentation was given to a local church group, and two presentations were given to Vermilion Community College law enforcement students.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked steelhead anglers along the North Shore rivers, ATV riders in the area, and wildlife complaints were handled. Enforcement action was taken for ATV and angling violations and driving after revocation.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked a very busy week on area Lake Superior tributaries. Anglers were checked and fish caught. Time was spent tending to some equipment issues as well.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked Lake Superior stream fishing activity and ATV enforcement. The North Shore was busy with spring like weather finally arriving which produced a few fish for those willing to put in the time. Enforcement action was taken for licensing violations and trash dumping complaints are being investigated.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area

CO Sarah Grell (Grand Rapids) spent time checking ATV activity this past week.  She also worked fire enforcement. She presented at the annual taxidermy guild and was able to meet a few of the taxidermists from around the state. Enforcement action was taken for fire and ATV regulation violations.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ATV activity over the past week with many riders out and about. Enforcement action was taken for riding an ATV in a wetland and a public water. CO Sutherland also took in incidental otters throughout the week.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, spring beaver trappers and ATVs. He also taught a firearms safety class and worked a district enforcement project during the week.

CO John Velsvaag (NE Region ATV Officer)  followed up on ATV complaints. CO Velsvaag also patrolled the Mesabi Bike Trail and took several calls about trapping regulations and ATV laws.

District 8 - Duluth area

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) (Brookston) returned phone calls related to trout opener, stream fishing and smelting regulations. Rivers were busy with anglers and the warm weather. A trapping complaint was investigated. ATV complaints are coming in quite regularly. The officer also assisted DNR Forestry with burning complaints.

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) assisted out of state wardens who are cracking down on people who’ve been purchasing resident license in multiple states. The officer also assisted with the delivery of evidence to Canadian Wardens. A few angling license questions were answered during the week.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) continued working North Shore tributaries for the spring steelhead run. Several complaints on area rivers were investigated and monitored.  The common violation encountered was angling without a license. Officer Duncan also worked inland stream fishing, checked inland lakes for early walleye fishing, and checked spring fish run creeks for walleye activity. Night worked consisted of monitoring smelting activity and illegal take of fish during the night. Officer Duncan stopped in at a youth trapping class, received and returned several telephone calls, and worked ATV enforcement when violations were encountered

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) assisted with K9 training in the metro area. The Safari Club International banquet in St. Cloud was attended and a talk was given on the DNR K9 unit. A law enforcement career fair was attended at Fond Du Lac College in Cloquet where interested people were given information on the job of a CO and the hiring process. Extra time was spent patrolling area state parks where enforcement action was taken for being in the park after hours and permit violations. Dry conditions and careless burning resulted in some wildfires in the area this past weekend. Enforcement action was taken for burning prohibited materials. ATV and dirt bike complaints were worked in the area.  Assistance was given to the state patrol on a few different driving complaints where one resulted in a citation for driving after revocation and the other was cited for numerous violations after being stopped for driving 101MPH on the interstate.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) spent time along the North Shore rivers, the warmer weather and river temps has been producing an increase in the number of anglers and fish in the rivers. Night work on the rivers has started. An increase in boat traffic on Lake Superior trying for coho salmon on the Duluth end. Enforcement action was taken for snagging fish in a Lake Superior tributary along with license in possession.

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers along the shore and tributaries of Lake Superior. Nice weather and cooperative fish had many anglers out trying their luck. Some anglers failed to purchase their licenses and trout stamps, and one was found to have a warrant for his arrest, along with previous unpaid fish and game violations. Fire danger is growing with dry winds and sunshine. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.