Weekly conservation report

[Lee Borgersen]

         MN DNR Weekly Report

   Apr 4, 2017


 
District 5 - Eveleth area


CO Darrin Kittelson (Int’l Falls) reports a busy weekend on the Rainy River with lots of activity from Int’l Falls to Baudette, however fishermen were having little success as the water clarity was poor and not many fish were being caught.  Enforcement action taken included failure to display current boat registration, non-sufficient number of PFD’s, illegal transport of fish, and over limit.


 






CO John Slatinski (International Falls #2) reports the main focus this past week has been on the Rainy River. Conditions changed since last week which affected angler success. Overall the action seemed to be slower this week with anglers moving from one end of the river to the other. Enforcement action once again included various equipment related concerns along with over length fish and over limit.



CO Colleen Adam (Ray) reports the Rainy River fishing is picking up. Most anglers are finding and keeping their limit.  Forest road and trail closures are on through the thaw in an effort to minimize damage from heavy vehicles.  Please refer to the DNR website Thursdays after 2PM for the most current information.  Enforcement action was taken for illegal equipment.


CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitored area forest roads, ice has deteriorated rapidly on area lakes and access sites were monitored. Fishing remains poor and migratory waterfowl have returned to the area.


CO John Velsvaag (Cook) checked anglers this past week.  CO Velsvaag received several calls about burning regulations and took a call of a dead bald eagle.



CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) worked an illegal deer case this week and enforcement action was taken.  The officer assisted CO Fredin with an illegal birch sapling cutting case and charges were submitted to the county attorney.  A dead eagle was recovered this week and appeared to have died of natural causes.  The officer also took a report of two calves that were missing.  The owner believes they may have been taken by wolves.


 CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked a large amount of litter case that was traced back to a suspect who admitted to dumping the garbage and is to be cited after clean up.  The officer investigated a TIP call of deer carcasses being dumped on state land.  The officer also spent considerable time on an OHM investigation and dealt with individuals trespassing on closed state land.



CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) followed up on reports of litter being dumped in ditches off area roads. Anyone who observes such behavior is encouraged to contact their local conservation officer. Angling activity has picked up on some area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for angling for bass in the closed season. With the warmer weather, numerous people were seen out on ATVs. Citations were issued for allowing illegal operation of an ATV by a juvenile. 


CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) wrapped up a case of decorative birch tree thefts on state land.  Time was spent working angling and boating on the Rainy River, all anglers stated fishing was very slow due to high dirty water.  Lake ice is black and unsafe but that didn’t stop all anglers from venturing out.

District 6 - Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports he and CO Stage spent the last days of the winter trout season inside the BWCAW.  Fishing pressure was non-existent and the officers were the only people in attendance.  Fishing pressure outside the Boundary Waters was high compared to past weeks and success was good.


CO Mary Manning (Grand Marais East) took calls regarding angling on Lake Superior tributaries and checked a few folks trying their luck for early steelhead.  The officer also checked anglers taking advantage of the nice weather for the last few days of the inland trout season. Forest roads in the area are still largely snow covered and drivers are reminded that as snow melts, road conditions will deteriorate quickly so use caution if you venture onto backroads.


CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports rapidly deteriorating ice conditions.  Crappie fishing success has remained slow, although effort is high.  Enforcement action was taken on fishing, ATV, and traffic violations.  Please note the Stony Spur and Jackpot Loop ATV trails are closed for the spring thaw.  Also a reminder that youth 12-15 on ATVs need to be accompanied by an adult while riding on public land and roads.


CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity this week.  Time was spent at Camp Ripley with training meetings and armoring divisional firearms.


CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling activity and investigated a trapping complaint. Spring has arrived on the North Shore with the return of flocks of northbound geese, grouse drumming, and maple trees being tapped. Seasonal closures of ATV trails are in place until trails dry up.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area

CO Randy Patten (Northome) worked on a public waters complaint and patrolled area forests for illegal ATV activity related to spring closures.  Enforcement action was taken for allowing a juvenile to illegally operate an ATV.


CO Jayson Hansen (Big Fork) worked ATV activity and sport fishing. He attended a Use of Force planning meeting.  He patrolled state park areas, state forests, and public water accesses. Ice conditions are unsafe.


CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) monitored OHV activity, attended K9 training, and met with the county attorney. Multiple ATV’s/people have gone through the ice on area lakes this week. Luckily only minor injuries were sustained. Enforcement action was taken for license issues.


CO Sarah Grell (Grand Rapids) checked angling and ATV activity this past week.  Ice is pulling away from most shorelines and isn’t safe to be on.  Please make sure to check the DNR website for burning restrictions as they are usually implemented in the spring due to dryness. Enforcement action was taken for angling and boating violations.


CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ice and open water anglers over the past week. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, operating an unregistered watercraft, and not having enough lifesaving devices on board a watercraft.


CO Jimmy Van Asch (Hill City) monitored angling and ATV activities this past week.  Ice conditions on area lakes are deteriorating rapidly with the warm weather.  Individuals are reminded to check current burning permit restrictions before taking action.  Enforcement action included fail to obtain burning permit and burning prohibited materials.


CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, spring trappers, and ATV’s.  He also handled various calls for service during the week.

District 8 - Duluth area

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) spent much of the week working anglers along the north shore and Lake Superior.   A trespassing complaint involving crow hunters was investigated.  Time was also spent working ATV complaints and spring beaver trappers.


CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) spent the majority of the week working shore and river fishing along the north shore of Lake Superior.  Area tributaries have opened up and are flowing, so fish are starting to access the tributaries.  Lake Superior fishing has been busy during good weather conditions and many people were checked.  Time was spent following up on animal complaints as well.


CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) checked late ice angling activity and conducted patrols in the Fond du Lac state forest.  CO Humphrey received calls/complaints on dogs chasing deer, goose hunting, car killed otter, and late ice angling.  CO Humphrey assisted Cloquet Police with a hunting and theft related case from last fall.  An investigation on an abandoned fish shelter was completed.  The Fond du Lac state forest roads and trails are under the annual spring time temporary closure.   


Brookston – vacant.
Lake Superior Marine Unit
CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) assisted with a black bear underneath a front porch of a residence in East Duluth. Apparently the bear spent the winter underneath the porch without the homeowners being any the wiser. Officers were successful in coaxing the winter resident to move out and on his way. CO Olson assisted Floodwood Police Dept. with a domestic disturbance and checked anglers along the Duluth end of the North Shore.


CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) worked with fisheries on a reporting issue.  Shore anglers were checked, and a complaint investigated regarding a truck operating on a snowmobile trail.  Ice and snow conditions are quickly fading into spring.  Enforcement action was taken for angling and ORV violations.


Lake Superior Unit – vacant.