CO Report

Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports fishing and boating activity slower with the weather not cooperating. Youth ATV Safety Riding Component was held in the rain this past weekend. Several animal complaints and ATV issues were also handled.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) continued monitoring access sites and lakes in between rain showers, little activities observed. Phone calls were returned and administrative items worked on. Free time was spent working on equipment.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports anglers were checked throughout the week and the fishing is quite slow. A few walleyes were observed caught and most were released due to the slot on Lake Vermilion. The number one question was when are the crappies going to start biting? A few were caught when the sun came out for a couple hours and the crappies were biting in the shallow bays. A couple fires were looked into and the investigations continue. A family of nuisance raccoons was dealt with.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers, boaters, invasive species enforcement, ATV’s, the state park, two littering complaints, a trapping complaint, and a fish over limit TIP call on Vermilion Lake. The officer was working anglers on a fishing pier and checked an angler who had been observed fishing. The angler first said he wasn’t fishing, then said he was, but left his license at home. The angler was asked to walk to the officer’s squad to look his license status up, but fled on foot once near the truck. The officer captured the fleeing suspect and found drug paraphernalia in his possession. The unlicensed angler, turned arrestee also had a $2,000 warrant for his arrest. Had he stayed put, all he would have faced was a citation for no angling license and would have gone home that night. Enforcement action for the week consisted of angling without a license, no angling license in possession, angle with extra lines, no navigation lights, fleeing an officer on foot, possession of drug paraphernalia.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) patrolled the Virginia and Mt. Iron areas for ATV traffic. With school out numerous juveniles have been seen out and have been stopped on ATVs. Parents are reminded that they can be held responsible for what their kids do while on ATVs. Parents are also encouraged to have their kids take the required ATV safety classes. There are several ATV safety classes being offered in the Virginia area this summer.

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) checked fishing throughout the week. Anglers reported catching walleye, but the sizes aren’t as big as earlier catches. Fawns are being born with the reminder to leave them be, Mom’s not far away. Lake waters are high allowing easy navigation on area lakes and rivers.

Ray — vacant.

I. Falls # 2 — vacant.

District 1 —

Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods. Fishing activity has been fantastic, but slowed down with Saturday’s high winds. The Roseau River remains high and fast. Violations for the week include angling without a license, angling with and extra line, and possessing an illegal length walleye.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) worked angling activity on area waterways. Boating safety and AIS checks were performed with information given to individuals on AIS rules. CO Warren investigated two possible grey wolf depredations of calves. A call of a nuisance bear was received and investigated. ATV activity was worked and illegal burning activity was investigated. Preparations for an upcoming safety camp were conducted.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) investigated several over limit complaints, checked area experimental regulation lakes and worked a boating safety detail on Upper Red Lake. Enforcement activity for the week included over limit of fish, license violations, and boat & water safety violations.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing and boating activity throughout the week. CO Gorecki worked a Memorial Day detail with CO Huener on Lake of the Woods where good angling success was observed in 20 to 24 feet of water. CO Gorecki worked with CO Backer on Upper Red Lake. Several nuisance animal calls were handled. Enforcement action taken during the week included over limit of walleye, illegal length walleye, angle with extra lines, angle without a license, and boating safety violations.

Baudette -vacant.

Karlstad — vacant.

Warroad #1 — vacant.

Warroad #2 — vacant.

District 2 —

Bemidji area

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports speaking at a firearms safety and an ATV safety classes. Time was also spent checking anglers, watercraft operators, and working on AIS enforcement. Public water access sites were also checked. Violations included no angling license and fail to remove drain plug.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) worked angling activity, ATVs, AIS, boating, and a waterfowl case. He also assisted other agencies, recovered stolen public access signs and responded to multiple wildlife complaints.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) monitored angling and boating activity in the Bemidji Area. Anglers are reporting a good evening bite for walleye on most area lakes in the evening. Anglers are also reporting an improved pan fish bite with the warming water temperatures. Forest roads and trails were monitored in the Buena Vista State Forest. CO Vollbrecht assisted the county sheriff’s department after a large snapping turtle was discovered in the bed of a truck during a traffic stop.

The turtle was attempting to escape by crawling over the side of the truck bed. The driver was issued a citation for taking the snapping turtle during the closed season and the turtle was safely released at the local state park. Officer continued a summer internship with a local college student and made arrangements for a fur identification booth at the Kraus/Anderson fishing tournament.

CO Brian Holt (Bemidji) worked angling and ATV activity. Many anglers were checked with one found to be over the daily limit on perch. Time was spent in Itasca State Park, which remains busy. There were a good number of ATVs checked in the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest. CO Holt also spent time planning an upcoming Firearms Safety Class.

CO Chris Vinton (Detroit Lakes) reports several calls of people picking up fawns and other baby animals. These animals should be left in the wild and Mother Nature will take its course. A full-sized mobile home was found parked at a public access. Contact was made with the owner to have it removed. Anglers and boater were contacted. CO Vinton assisted the Forestry Division with a litter and ATV trespass issue.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports cool and windy conditions for a good part of the week. Anglers have found a decent evening walleye bite on several lakes. CO Seefeldt reports ATV activity picking up in lakes country. ATV owners are reminded to review juvenile operation laws on public lands including road rights of ways. CO Seefeldt received reports of floating bogs, nuisance bear, and ATV trespass. He also investigated the unpermitted removal of bulrush on an area lake.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) reports a good crappie bite in several areas. CO Peterson investigated a case of a fish overlimit. A nuisance bear was dispatched by a property owner and the animal was utilized. Boating activity was light but some safety and AIS checked were conducted. Follow-up was done on a public waters complaint and litter.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) spent the week checking fishermen. He also issued a resource protection notification for a Local Gov’t Unit (LGU) and followed up on turkey hunting violation.

Perham — vacant.

District 3 — Fergus Falls area

CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) answered questions about and responded to complaints of wanton waste, checked anglers and boaters. Angling pressure has increased with violations found for illegal length fish and over limits. Bowfishing has become very popular along with complaints of rough fish being dumped in road ditches!

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) assisted with an ATV safety class in Battle Lake. Plautz issued a permit for two fawns that were extracted from a car killed doe.

CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) checked fishermen and boaters. Nelson also worked with the local hydrologist and LGU regarding wetland issues. Beaver damage complaints were checked as well as minnow dealers, ATV operators and people shooting geese during closed season were handled. A call regarding someone blocking public water was also checked.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked fishermen, boaters, ATVs and worked AIS enforcement. Nuisance animal calls were answered and ATV operation questions were covered. Fishing complaints were received and investigated.

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) spent time this past week patrolling station lakes for fishing and boating activity. Walleyes are starting to pick up as the panfish bite slows down a little. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license, expired watercraft registration and no navigation lights on after sunset. Questions regarding nuisance raccoons and an injured fawn were answered.

CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) continued to work primarily fishing, boating, and AIS activity on and around area waterways. Numerous dead rough fish continue to be found along the banks of popular bowfishing spots, generating complaints from legal bowfishermen and other members of the public. Follow up work was completed on open investigations and ATV and fire activity was monitored. Additional time was spent dealing with floating bog and nuisance beaver issues.

CO Tony Anderson (Morris) focused enforcement efforts on anglers and boating safety enforcement. CO Anderson and CO Miska (Ortonville) teamed up and worked boating and fishing enforcement in the vacant Traverse County station. CO’s Anderson and Baumbarger found good compliance with boating safety equipment requirements and laws on Lake Emily. Time was spent investigating possible WCA violations with the assistance of the Stevens County SWCD. Time was also spent issuing intrastate minnow transportation permits. Calls were fielded regarding boating safety laws, fishing questions, ATV safety classes and a nuisance beaver complaint.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) checked fishermen, ATV operators, and boaters. Time was also spent on injured animal calls, equipment maintenance, and investigating a complaint of individuals shooting Canada Geese out of season. CO Baumbarger spoke to a group of elementary age students about boat and water safety at “Kid’s Day” in Glenwood. Enforcement action was taken for over-limit of walleye, shooting geese out of season, fishing without a license in possession, and various boating equipment violations.

Wheaton — vacant.

District 4 — Wadena area

Water Resource Enforcement Officer Shane Siltala enforced AIS laws at public accesses over the weekend. Overall compliance was good. He met with area lake service providers to discuss AIS laws and permit conditions. Officer Siltala served on an interview panel for candidates for the Watercraft Inspector Supervisor position. He also checked area fishermen and met with SWCD personnel to discuss WCA issues.

CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) checked remote campsites and trout lakes, handled some nuisance bear complaints, and worked on ATV issues with a local sheriff’s department. He also monitored anglers for compliance with AIS regulations. Enforcement action was taken for failing to remove the drain plug when transporting a boat and numerous boating equipment violations.

CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) checked fishermen and ATV operators during the week. Officer Hunter received complaints of suspicious gun shots at night. She also received complaints of animal carcasses being dumped illegally.

CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) worked at an OHM Enduro event in a state forest, where compliance was good among the many riders. Boat and water safety and fishing enforcement were prevalent as well. He assisted with a countywide ATV safety class and driving test taught to a large number of youth. At the class, an award was presented to a Volunteer Safety Instructor for 50 years of service. The instructor stated that it was all about keeping the kids safe. Thank you for a job well done.

CO Gary Sommers (Walker) primary enforcement efforts this past week focused on sport fishing, OHV, and AIS activity. He assisted Cass County with locating a partially submerged boat on Leech Lake and handled a TIP call in the Cass Lake/Deer River station. Officer Sommers also worked on a complaint of people using lights to take fish and assisted the Longville CO with a call of a boat trapped behind a bog on Big Rice Lake in the Remer station.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) checked anglers, OHVs, and invasive species compliance. CO Mathy also received nuisance beaver complaints and took calls of anglers taking over limits of walleye. Walleye fishing on area lakes was pretty good the past week. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.

CO Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the week focusing on angling, boating, and ATV activity. Fishing success remained good but cool temperatures have restricted recreational boating activity. CO Broughten received a TIP call that resulted in an angler having his fish seized and the angler charged with an over limit of walleye. CO Broughten also responded to a call of stranded fishermen and received calls concerning nuisance bear and beaver. Enforcement action included: no angling license in possession, over limit of walleye, and no type IV PFD.

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) worked fishermen in the area during the week. He also handled bear calls and other wildlife nuisance complaints.

CO Colleen Adam (OHV Recreation Officer – Park Rapids) checked fishing activity on area rivers and lakes. She responded to two nuisance bear complaints, road kill deer issues, and checked trail damage and illegal OHV use in the state forests. The rain and wet trails didn’t deter ATV enthusiasts. Maps and information were provided to those encountered on the trails.

District 6 — Two Harbors area

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reminds people that if you are feeding the birds, you are feeding the bears. Secure your garbage, bird seed, and campsites. Officer Fagerman reports that he is finding many anglers without even the most basic knowledge of angling laws. The DNR prints plenty of fishing regulation books each year; please get one for your tackle box, your back pocket and your vehicle.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) utilized poor weather days to handle office paperwork and equipment issues. CO Manning checked campgrounds, anglers, and boaters. The officer took another report of groups camping and littering on MNDOT land along Lake Superior, handled a call regarding landowner liability issues, and spoke with State Park staff regarding ongoing trespass issues.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked boat and water safety on inland lakes, ATV patrol and responded to complaints in the Silver Bay station. The Officer met with the Forest Service Incident Commander regarding a fire that got out of control. The landowner was interviewed and citations were issued. Wahlstrom also worked on a trapping investigation.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked ATV and watercraft activity in the area during the week. Recent rainfall reduced the fire danger and finally allowed for green up conditions. Several newly born fawn deer are now being seen marking the arrival of summer.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) mainly worked angling, boating, and AIS enforcement through the week. The fish continued to cooperate in some locations. Enforcement action was taken for possession of a slot northern and no fishing license in possession. A nuisance beaver permit was issued for the City of Babbitt.

Conservation Officer Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports he assisted state and county investigators at the site of a fatal fire on a secluded lake cabin on Memorial Day. The cause of the fire was still yet to be determined. Officer Williams spent the weekend patrolling the BWCA by canoe, and saw anglers having success with mostly northerns, small, and largemouth bass. Violations included angling without license in possession.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked ongoing TIP cases for fish overbags and dealt with calls about hunter safety, road kills, bears, and AIS questions. Remember to check your boats for hanging weed debris and pull the plug. No water may be transported in a watercraft in order to prevent the spread of AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species).

Silver Bay — vacant.

District 7 — Grand Rapids area

CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) spent the week working fishing and ATV activity. Wichmann assisted the fishery staff with a muskie assessment on North Star Lake. Wichmann and CO Kahre worked Red Lake over the weekend. Enforcement action was taken for illegal length walleyes, PFDs, and inoperable fire extinguisher.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked ATV activity this past week in the Grand Rapids and Aitkin county area this past week. CO Velsvaag also met with organizers of the Quadna Mud Nationals and assisted the USFS on a complaint.

Water Resource Enforcement Officer Tony Arhart (Grand Rapids) worked aquatic invasive species, boating, angling, all -terrain vehicle and wetland activities. CO Arhart also helped at the annual Take- A- Kid Fishing event, sponsored by the Squaw Lake Fire Department at Round Lake.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling activity over the last week with great success had by fisherman in the area. CO Sutherland took enforcement action for angling without a license, possessing multiple illegal length walleyes, operating an unregistered watercraft and operating a motor vehicle in a wetland. CO Sutherland also attended a training session sponsored by the Itasca County Attorney’s Office.

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers and boaters, investigated an ATV damage complaint, answered calls on nuisance animals, and patrolled for ATV activity.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked boating, angling, and ATV enforcement. He handled several wildlife complaints and issued multiple nuisance beaver permits

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) took a call from a concerned citizen about a fawn that was possibly injured or orphaned. The caller did the right thing by calling and after inspection by CO Sindelir, the fawn was found to be healthy and alert and the doe came a few hours later to pick up her fawn. Spring is the time of year when wildlife has babies. Remembering a few things if you find or see baby critters in the wild can help insure your safety and theirs. Do not touch or pick up wildlife. Do not attempt to feed wildlife. If the animal appears injured or orphaned, call the local DNR Wildlife office or Conservation Officer. It is illegal to possess wildlife without the appropriate permit obtained first. Take a photo or two of the critter and then give it and its family the space it needs.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) checked anglers, boat safety equipment and ATVers. He handled several nuisance wildlife complaints including wolf depredation and orphaned fawn deer.

District 8 — Duluth area

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) worked on three different possible waters violations that include lake levels and working in public waters without a permit. A couple TIP calls were investigated that required continued investigations. Two wildfire investigations were completed with both resulting in negligent acts. Fishing, boating, and invasive species enforcement continues to be worked during the week.

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked angling, boating, AIS, and OHV enforcement. Several enforcement contacts were made for illegal ATV operation, registration, and no safety certification. AIS enforcement/education was conducted with good compliance from boaters and anglers. Anglers were reporting good catches of crappies and walleyes on area lakes with water temps are finally warming up. CO Humphrey assisted CO Mlynar (Aitkin) with a fish over limit investigation which resulted in a number of fish being seized at a residence; charges are pending. Other violations for boating equipment, registration, and angling without licenses were also encountered.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) attended a division K9 training and meeting at Camp Ripley. Time was spent working ATV activity in high use areas. Enforcement action was taken for not having a safety certificate, equipment and registration violations. Fishing and boating activity has been slow in the area. Enforcement action was taken for angling in a closed area, angling without a license, failure to submit fish for inspection, and registration violations. Complaints of three separate waters violations are being investigated in the area for damming up a river, digging in a lake bed, and silt running into a trout stream.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

Sgt. Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers and boaters in the Duluth area. Several abandoned fawn calls handled. Please leave all fawns were you find them. North Shore rivers are still holding kamloops and fishing has been decent. Island Lake is still producing a nice catch of walleyes as well.

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers and boaters on Lake Superior during the annual Western Lake Superior Trolling Association JAWS tournament. Assistance was given to local agencies with in-progress calls, and a possession permit was issued for a young fawn that was found shortly after it died. Enforcement action taken for angling and ATV violations

CO Troy Ter Meer (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers and boaters on Lake Superior and the St. Louis River. He also checked some anglers fishing the North Shore streams. He worked AIS enforcement throughout the week and assisted on some K-9 training. He completed end of the month paperwork. The CO responded to a fire and worked a detail in the Lake Vermilion area. Enforcement action was taken for boating and AIS violations.

District 9 — Brainerd area

CO Mike Lee (Crosslake) checked anglers this past week with good success being reported by anglers for pan fish. Officer Lee received a complaint of a party placing fence posts in the road right of way preventing parties from accessing the lake. Through Crow Wing County Road Department it was determined that the fence posts were placed in the road right of way and will be removed. Officer Lee attended a Motor Boat Noise Laws and Regulations training class held at the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department Water Patrol Office this past week. Officer Lee also assisted with the “Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs” fishing day event. The weather was rainy and cold, but the fishing was excellent and the kids enjoyed every minute of it.

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) checked and observed fishermen throughout the week. He worked with Officer Humphrey on an over limit case which is pending the thawing of fish. Training was attended, as well as a lake association meeting. Multiple complaints came in regarding a fawn that was taken to a residence. The officer brought the fawn to a local rehab center in Garrison.

CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) assisted with the Take-a-Kid Fishing Day in Pine River. Over 60 4th graders had an opportunity to catch fish and win prizes with area volunteers helping out for the annual event. A complaint of removing emergent aquatic vegetation was investigated and enforcement action was taken for illegal ATV operation on roadway.

CO Jim Tischler (Cuyuna Country State Rec. Area) monitored angling, boating and recreational activity in and around the SRA. He also responded to several misc. wildlife related calls and car kill wolf incident.

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reported activity last week included patrol of the Crow Wing State Forest and complaint areas for OHV activity, checking fishermen on area lakes, and responding to several miscellaneous wildlife calls. A case of wolves and coyotes killing livestock was investigated and in another matter some people were found to have illegally picked up a live fawn deer to keep and raise.

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports that he worked on fishing enforcement this past week. The anglers are out and the walleye bit has slowed the water temps are still cold. The pan fish have been cooperative. Violations he observed were transport live fish and no license. He worked on aquatic invasive species prevention on Gull Lake. Plugs in boats, water in livewells and aquatic vegetation on trailers were found. He checked a few turkey hunters who report finding a hen on her eggs but no gobblers. He worked on a report of loud music from a camper at Rock Lake. The music was found and problem was corrected.

CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) checked lots of anglers with buckets full of crappies. The officer also fielded a complaint of sandhill cranes doing crop damage, and a trespassing complaint of people shooting on private land. A ride was given to a lost hiker that had been walking for hours and didn’t know the way back to a cabin she was staying at. And, the officer timed it perfectly, driving by a public boat landing just as two individuals were finishing emptying a pickup load of trash at the landing. While they were picking the trash back up, the officer wrote out litter citations for both.

McGregor — vacant.

District 10 — Mille Lacs area

CO Greg Verkuilen (Garrison) worked local angling pressure which saw a lot of bass getting caught, even by shore anglers. Many boats are still getting on the water for the first time this year. That equates to a lot of missing life jackets, fire extinguishers gone bad, and non-functional boat lights. Verkuilen also monitored ATV traffic, completed reports from the holiday weekend, and assisted with the local “Hooked on Fishing” event.

CO Chris Tetrault (Isle) monitored fishing activity on Mille Lacs Lake. The Officer observed a boat catching nice walleyes. As the Officer approached the boat, one of the passengers was holding an over-length walleye in hand. As the passenger placed it in the water, the officer inquired if there was other fish on boat; both passengers replied “no”. Shortly after, the cooler on board began to move with sound of a flopping fish. The officer then seized two illegal length walleyes, measuring 22 and 24 inches. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports working fishermen on Mille Lacs Lake. A few slot fish were observed, but most anglers were reported catching walleyes outside of the slot. AIS enforcement was also worked around the Mille Lacs Lake area. Please remember to remove all drain plugs, drain all live wells, and remove any aquatic vegetation. ATV traffic was monitored throughout the week and weekend. Follow up was done on a TIP complaint from the previous weekend and assistance was given to the Isle Officer at an ATV Safety Training Class in McGrath. Fishing, ATV, and boating law related questions were fielded throughout the week.

CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) checked anglers and boaters over the weekend. Violations detected included a throwable life saving device so old it wouldn’t float, an inoperable fire extinguisher , no angling license in possession and an over limit of crappie. The angler with the over limit had approximately 30 crappie over the possession limit for his household. Heaton responded to a call of a loon with fishing line wrapped in a manner so that it couldn’t fly. The loon was still able to swim and dive well enough and it couldn’t be caught. Heaton answered nuisance bear calls where bears were damaging bird feeders. Bears are hungry this time of year. If you have food out for them they will continue to come back. Be proactive in solving nuisance bear problems yourself by putting all food sources away for two weeks. Heaton followed up on an investigation from turkey season and wetland issues. Officer Heaton also spent time checking vehicles traffic pulling water related equipment for compliance with AIS laws.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) spent some time at public accesses checking boats and trailers for invasive species violations. Overall, compliance with transporting aquatic invasive species laws was very good. There are still a few boaters that forget they need to pull the plug and drain all livewells on their boat before they trailer it down the road. Wolf complaints were also taken and one farmer did have a healthy, month old calf killed by gray wolves.

CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) spent the answering questions about nuisance animals, and spent time working ATV complaint areas. He also checked anglers and boaters on local lakes. Questions were also taken regarding burning restrictions, campfires, and how to keep bees from building nests on your house. CO Wynn received several bear complaints, with bears coming in and destroying bird feeders. This common occurrence can be avoided by putting away any bird feeders, garbage, barbeque grills, and by keeping pet food inside. Bears are coming to get an easy meal, if they have nothing to eat, they will move on.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) assisted with “Hooked on Fishing and Not Drugs” program. Officers and volunteers took kids from Isle and Onamia schools fishing on an area lake. Even though the weather was not the best the kids still enjoyed the day out. Time was spent patrolling Mille Lacs Lake where the bite remains steady. Lots of larger walleye have been caught and released. Some very nice Small Mouth bass were also seen. Enforcement actions were taken for fishing, boating and wetland issues during the week.

WREO Rob Haberman checked watercraft and water-related equipment at area accesses conducting AIS enforcement. WREO Haberman spoke to adults and youth about AIS rules at the Brainerd Kids Fishing Expo at Lum Park in Brainerd. WREO Haberman also conducted a dam site inspection with area DNR staff at Net Lake in Pine County. WREO Haberman also worked high use ATV areas for ATV activity around the Savanna State Forrest area and checked shore fishermen on local lakes and rivers.

Onamia — vacant.

District 11 — St. Cloud area

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) received a number of complaints about carp and other rough fish being dumped along roadsides. Inspection of these fish found wounds consistent with being taken by bow and arrow. CO Kuske inspected boats and trailers for AIS at a lake that had a bass tournament. CO Kuske patrolled ATV trails and took enforcement action for several violations.

CO Brian Mies (Annandale) checked anglers. CO Mies had two reports of carp dumped from bow fishermen on the side of the road. One of the dumpings was near Clearwater Lake and one by Cokato Lake.

Conservation Officer Mike Martin (St Cloud) checked anglers and ATV operators in the local counties. Officer Martin answered several TIP calls and completed end of the month paperwork as well. Officer Martin spoke at Stride Academy about conservation officer duties and responsibilities and assisted Dist. 12 during a big game investigation.

CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked aquatic invasive species enforcement, boaters, and anglers. Poor weather had many inside over the week. A TIP call was investigated dealing with over limit walleye. Enforcement action for the week included, fail to remove boat plug, lake service provider doing work with no permit, no angling license, no PFD, and illegal parking at boat access.

WREO Keith Bertram spent the week checking boats and anglers. Enforcement action was taken for no registration, no license, insufficient safety equipment, and AIS violations. WREO Bertram also spoke about AIS at the Greater Lake Sylvia Association in Annandale.

CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) handled a TIP call in the St. Cloud station of a group of juveniles catching dogfish, beating them with a stick and throwing them back in the Mississippi River. The juveniles were also found to have a small mouth bass that was an illegal length to keep. A call of a nuisance bear in a woman’s bird feeder was taken and CO Kuske encountered a woman in her yard trying to break up her two pit bull dogs that were fighting. Both dogs were pretty torn up and bleeding heavy. CO Kuske was able to separate them using a large log.

CO Rhonda Friese (Long Prairie) reports weather conditions continued to hamper outdoor activities. As soon as the wind died down, and the sun came out (for one day…), anglers came out to give it a try. There was moderate angling success. A lot of boat lifts remain empty along lakeshores.

CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) checked anglers and boaters on Memorial Day. CO Silgjord had the privilege of checking several military veterans on Memorial Day. A TIP complaint regarding an over limit of panfish on an area lake was investigated. A pair of concerned citizens informed the officer of a bald eagle’s nest that had fallen into an area lake. Upon investigating the nest the officer located two fledgling eagles still occupying the nest. A call was made to the UM Raptor Center and information along with photographs were forwarded to UM staff. CO Silgjord was informed that there was enough nest above water for the young birds to survive. Enforcement action for the week included angle with extra lines, angle without a license and insufficient PFDs.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) reported focusing on seasonal activities. Fishing continues throughout the area with many unfounded TIP calls regarding over limit violations. AIS enforcement was also a focus for the week.

District 12 — Princeton area

CO Angela Londgren (Princeton) worked with officers taking enforcement action on a case where an individual was selling fawns on craigslist. A second case was investigated for an individual raising a deer he took from the wild and keeping in captivity. Time was spent working local lakes and rivers checking anglers and for AIS compliance, ATV enforcement, wetland violations, and speaking at firearms safety classes.

CO Travis Muyres (Cambridge) participated in the Division K9 training at Camp Ripley. The new K9s continued their specialized training in firearms detection. CO Muyres also worked AIS enforcement at area lakes.

CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports a steady stream of anglers on area lakes. Most of the lakes were not producing much beyond small panfish. The St. Croix River fishing has picked up and anglers are starting to catch a lot of fish. An ATV complaint was handled in the area. Several wildlife complaints have been received in the last week. One complaint was on deer eating all of the produce from a farmer’s crop.

CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) worked boaters and anglers during the week. Most activity on the lakes was angling related due to cold water temperatures. Fishing success has improved some in the area. Most anglers are finding some fish. Enforcement action was taken on operating an ATV on highway and boat registration.

District 13 — West Metro area

CO Kevin Neitzke (Ft. Snelling) checked fishermen on metro lakes and rivers. He patrolled for ATV enforcement in Dakota County. CO Neitzke did boating and AIS enforcement at lakes in Burnsville and Lakeville. He also patrolled Ft. Snelling State Park.

CO Steve Walter (Waconia) checked anglers on area lakes and rivers. Several more complaints were investigated on bow fishermen dumping carp on private property, ditches and public lake access sites. Animal nuisance complaints were handled all week.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked mainly shore fishermen near the metro area lakes and rivers this past week. He handled wetland and nuisance animal complaints. He also returned phone calls regarding boat registration, firearms safety classes, and took enforcement action on fishing without an angling license.

CO Brent Grewe (Minnetonka) spent the week checking anglers and enforcing boating regulations. CO Grewe responded to a complaint of a couple of turkey vultures that had taken up residency on a citizen’s backyard deck. Violations included angling with extra lines, no lifejackets and expired boat registration.

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) continued checking anglers and boaters on Metro area lakes. He assisted RTO McBroom with a fishing workshop at the Karen Organization of Minnesota involving a group of about 40 people.

CO Thor Nelson (Bloomington) served a search warrant resulting in a large overlimit of sunfish and crappies. He assisted Dakota County and Hennepin County with the location of a missing person and recovery from the Mississippi/Minnesota rivers. He received calls regarding fishing and animal complaints. The remainder of the week was spent on fishing and state park enforcement activities.

CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) checked fishing activity on numerous lakes in Hennepin County. She followed up on TIP calls about fishermen taking over-limits of fish. She also worked AIS enforcement on Lake Minnetonka.

Minnetonka — vacant.

Prior Lake — vacant.

District 14 — East Metro area

CO Amber Peterson (Maplewood) answered several nuisance animal questions and she received a call of someone dumping tires on a WMA. The caller got the license plate from the vehicle as it left which led to an individual who lived locally and, after being contacted about the violation, returned to pick up the pile of tires. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Patrick McGowan (Hastings) patrolled the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers. Boating activity has increased significantly with the nicer weather. Enforcement action was taken for keep walleye in closed area, angle without a license, and boat registration. CO McGowan also prepared court documents and reports for upcoming court cases.

CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) worked angling and boating enforcement around the metro lakes and rivers during the week. He also responded to injured animal calls and investigated a complaint of a possible removal of aquatic vegetation and other TIP complaints. Violations found included no fishing license, fishing with extra lines, and no life jacket on board crafts.

CO Brad Johnson (Ham Lake) reports that he spoke to a firearms safety class in Ramsey. He checked anglers and boaters during the week. CO Johnson received a complaint of carp dumped in a porta-potty at Coon Lake Beach. He also received a call about a doe with fawns shot by an arrow.

CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) spent the week checking anglers, boaters, and monitoring off-road use in the wildlife management areas. CO Arntzen assisted CO Pril with rescuing 10 ducklings that fell in a storm drain. All of the ducklings were reunited with their parents. CO Arntzen also spoke to the Boy Scouts in Forest Lake about safe boating. Enforcement action for the week included no fishing license, insufficient number of PFDs, no fire extinguisher, and recreational vehicle trespass.

CO Adam Block (Metro WREO) served a restoration order regarding unauthorized shoreline work in Hennepin County. CO Block also investigated a complaint of a lakeshore owner placing debris in the water and a wetland complaint related to new construction of housing both in Washington County. A complaint of off-road vehicles operating in a wetland was investigated in Anoka County. CO Block also participated in the Lakeville PD Journal Kids Patrol segment talking about water safety.

CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) had an intern for a ride along. She worked boating and fishing enforcement on area lakes and streams and handled fawn calls. CO Kruse worked OHM and ORV enforcement in Anoka County and Carlos Avery WMA. She handled TIP calls, nuisance animal calls and worked AIS enforcement at area accesses.

Eagan — vacant.

Metro Officer — vacant.

District 15 — Marshall area

CO Doug Lage (Lake Benton) reports that local Firearms Safety classes are finishing up with classes being taught in Ivanhoe and Hendricks. Fishing has been good with area lakes producing large walleyes.

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working fishing, boating, invasive species, and ATV enforcement. The walleye bite slowed during the week with unstable weather conditions. Time was also spent patrolling Camden and Upper Sioux Agency state parks.

CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week checking anglers and working ATVs. Several area lakes have produced decent fish. Enforcement activity included an over limit of large walleye, plus boating and ATV concerns.

CO Neil Henriksen (Benson) reports the enforcement focus of the week was again directed at fishing, AIS, and off-highway vehicle enforcement. Fishing success and boating conditions improved this week. Local authorities were assisted with severe weather spotting during a warning.

CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reports that crappie fishermen found success over the weekend. An investigation into the illegal take of a sturgeon out of the Minnesota River was conducted. Sturgeons were once common in the Minnesota River. If caught they must be immediately returned to the water.

CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) checked numerous anglers throughout the week. Numerous citations were issued for angling without a license. One individual who was cited for angling without a license was also arrested on an active warrant.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) checked angling, boating, and OHV activity during the week. Angler success has been good in the area. Fishing license, OHV, and boating violations were encountered.

WREO Larry Hanson (Southern Region) checked WCA violations on two sites in Renville County. A site visit was completed on a Public Waters violation in Brown County. Boat and water and invasive species checks were completed on several lakes and rivers. Training was also completed at Camp Ripley. With high winds shore fishermen were having good luck in many areas.

Madison — vacant.

Redwood Falls — vacant.

District 16 — New Ulm area

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) continued to work boaters and anglers with some anglers having limited success but overall success is slow. He checked ATV operators and received multiple calls about a bear in the area. Denz attended training and continued to check and educate boaters for compliance with invasive species laws.

CO Jen Mueller (Hutchinson) monitored angling and ATV activity along the Minnesota River area on Memorial Day and throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken on license violations, an ATV registration violation and a violation for allowing the illegal operation of an ATV by a juvenile. A littering complaint of carp that were taken by bow was also investigated.

CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) spent time working ATV, angling, and boating enforcement. He also followed up on a couple WCA issues. Additional time was spent following up on a trapping case. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license.

CO Greg Abraham (New Ulm) reports numerous calls regarding found fawns. He also checked fishing activity with water temps on area lakes in the low to mid 60s. Abraham also worked public water access enforcement; fires are not allowed on these sites. Invasive species checks, boating enforcement and ATV enforcement also conducted during the past week.

CO Jason Beckmann (Windom) spent time on sport fishing, ATV, and boat and water enforcement. Enforcement action for the week included many fishing violations and trespassing. Assistance was given to the Worthington Police Department with a motor vehicle crash involving a pickup truck and a child.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) worked angling, boat and water safety and the end of the turkey season. Gruhlke completed his weekly radio program discussing topics including area activity, boat and water safety and AIS. He took enforcement action on angle with extra lines and transport fish without skin patch.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) conducted commercial inspections and investigations. Angling activity was monitored. AIS prevention efforts continue with several AIS citations issued. All contacts advised that they were aware of the laws regarding AIS but many didn’t think it pertained to them. ATV activity was monitored and many were checked on grant-in-aid trails with several citations issued.

Willmar #1 — vacant.

Litchfield — vacant.

District 17 — Mankato area

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) checked fishermen, boaters, and ATV operators. Time was also spent monitoring AIS compliance at area PWAs. Officer Ihnen also attended specialized boating enforcement training.

CO Chad Davis (Owatonna) worked angling & turkey hunting activity. The officer also followed up on cases and responded to TIP calls.

CO Luke Belgard (Albert Lea) worked fishing and boating enforcement. TIP calls and a nuisance muskrat call were also investigated.

CO Steve Chihak (Spring Valley) spent the week working the final spring turkey hunting season, monitoring angling, ATV activity, and horse pass compliance on State Park trails. Enforcement action was taken for various ATV violations and burning prohibited materials.

WREO Julie Siems (SE) worked angling, boating and AIS enforcement. Several site inspections were conducted to check for WCA compliance. AIS law review was also provided to a sheriff’s office.

Faribault — vacant.

District 18 — Rochester area

CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports spending most of the week checking fishing activity. A tip call was responded to about some illegal traps being set in a trout stream. The individual setting the traps was trying to catch crayfish. The river is still high but the fishing has been ok. Some fishing and AIS violations were detected.

CO Phil George (Rochester) spent the week checking anglers and watercraft users. Took calls of baby animals people have found. Officer George took a call of an injured deer. Enforcement action for the week was angling without a license and over limit of bass.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports rain and high river water has not stopped the fish from biting. Most of the fishing is on area lakes and river backwaters with good numbers of bass being caught. The mushroom hunters are having one of the best years ever remembered. Hemker investigated an incident where a game farm owner lost deer after a tree fell on his fence The BAH was notified.

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports investigating mushroom hunting trespassers. Time was also spent checking nuisance animal calls and fawn calls. Fishing has been slow as most streams are high and muddy. The turkey season ended slowly with one hunter very disappointed as he finally was able to get a tom within twenty yards and killed a tree instead of the tom.

CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked anglers and rec vehicles during the week. It was a slow end to the turkey season and morel hunters continue to do well. Heyn also had radiological emergency preparedness training.

CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) reports the river is high and the trout streams were flooded. The bluegills were biting in the backwaters. The turkey season ended on a slow note.

Rochester #2 — vacant.

Training Section

Planning is ongoing for this year’s training activities, including ordering equipment and supplies and reserving training areas at Camp Ripley.

Aviation Section

CO Pilot Tom Buker (New Ulm) completed the spring nesting pair waterfowl survey. Aircraft maintenance issues were worked on and training tasks addressed.

CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reports various flights being cancelled due to weather. Jensen did perform a WCA photo flight and attended to hangar administrative duties. Jensen also worked on some ongoing cases for illegal public waters violations.

Enforcement Education

Please check the DNR WEB SITE at www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Education Courses and instructor training sessions

If you missed a fall class and are over 18, check on-line for Adult Home Study or On-Line course information is also located at www.mndnr.gov.

Please check the DNR WEB SITE www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Youth Snowmobile Safety Courses and instructor training sessions. Adult Snowmobile Safety Training CDs are available by calling 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.

Youth ATV Courses (12 to 15 years old) class postings for around the state are posted on the web site at www.mndnr.gov. Students are reminded that they must complete the CD portion of the course before attending the classroom portion of the course. Youth/Adult ATV Safety Training Course CDs are available by calling 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR

Reminder---anyone born after December 31st, 1979 cannot purchase a license to hunt in Minnesota without first taking a DNR Safety Training Course and receiving a certificate. In addition many states have even more stringent mandatory Hunter Education requirements. Check before you go!!!

Reminder---Any resident born after Dec. 31st, 1976, who operates a snowmobile in Minnesota, must possess a snowmobile Certificate. Two options are available to complete certification, 11 and older can attend the traditional youth course. Those 16 or older can take the at home CD course.

Reminder---Anyone born after July 1st, 1987, who operates an ATV on public lands and waters in Minnesota, must successfully complete the ATV Safety Training CD course. Persons under age 16 must complete the ATV CD Course and riding component before riding on public lands. Youth/Adult ATV Training CDs are available by calling 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.

SCHEDULED INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SESSIONS

If you are 18 or older and would like to become an instructor for Snowmobile Safety, ATV Safety, Firearms Safety, Trail Ambassador or one of the Advanced Hunter programs, contact your local Conservation Officer or Regional Safety Training officer. Instructor clinics are scheduled throughout the state and are listed on the DNR Website.

See Also: HtmlResAnchor http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/instructors/training.html

STAFF NOTES:

SW Metro RTO Alex Gutierrez conducted a Volunteer FAS Instructor Clinic in the Rogers / St Michael area. RTO Gutierrez had several people attend, three which were women. One of them from the Corcoran area said she participated in a Becoming an Outdoors Woman event and thought it was a great. She wants to start conducting all women FAS Field Days for online classes in the SW Metro area. RTO Gutierrez also finished some backgrounds from previous clinics and checked anglers and on bass opener weekend.

Northeast RTO Shelly Patten worked on training videos for Firearms Safety Instructors and answered questions and phone calls on Bear Outfitter training requirements. Patten assisted with a Firearms Safety class at Lakeshore Gun Club and trained new instructors to do online Field Day at Wealthwood Rod and Gun Club.

Northwest RTO Jon Paurus spent time processing paperwork from previous training clinics and completing backgrounds for new instructors. New training clinics are being scheduled also. Assistance was provided to the field officers regarding training opportunities and with TIP calls.

West Central RTO Frank Rezac reports planning for upcoming ATV Instructor training, working on Instructor backgrounds, and planning for Instructor recognition award presentations. Follow up work was also done on Instructor complaints.

Recreational Vehicle Coordinator Leland Owens last week assisted with a Youth Firearm Safety Training class in Anoka County. All the youth that attended successfully completed the class. Owens continued helping with the planning work of Trail Ambassador volunteer trail monitors for a large ATV event coming to the Hill City area in June. He represented Minnesota in a national conference call for INOHVAA-International Off-Highway Vehicle Administrators Association one day last week. He also worked on 2012-2013 Snowmobile Fatality/Accident report data. Owens responded to numerous emails throughout the week and took care of end of the month items as well.

Northeast Metro RTO Bruce Lawrence, assisted by other firearms safety instructors conducted a youth firearms safety class for online students at Carlos Avery Wildlife management area. RTO Lawrence worked with RTO McBroom for review and continual update for the revised Bow Hunter Ed Instructor manual. RTO Lawrence assisted the setup of a laser shot system for the Bald Eagle Gun Club for their upcoming open house event that is an annual event. RTO Lawrence attending meetings in St. Paul and responded to phone calls and emails relating to watercraft safety and licensing.

Southern RTO Dan McBroom spent the week on revising the Bow Hunter Education Field Day Instructor Manual and prepared for an upcoming Bow Hunter Education Field Day. A 40 year award was presented to a HEFAS Instructor. Officer Le and Officer McBroom met with members of the Karen community and talked about fishing, hunting and what is required for licenses, species identification, and firearms certification.

RTO PHONE NUMBERS/E-MAIL:

Rec. Vehicle Coordinator Leland Owens 763-753-1887 leland.owens@state.mn.us

NE RTO Shelly Patten 218-244-8051 HtmlResAnchor shelly.patten@state.mn.us

West Central RTO Frank Rezac 320-230-8549 frank.rezac@state.mn.us

NE Metro RTO Bruce Lawrence 651-674-2705 bruce.lawrence@state.mn.us

Southern RTO Dan McBroom 507-251-0041 daniel.mcbroom@state.mn.us

NW RTO Jon Paurus 218-360-0167 jon.paurus@state.mn.us

SW Metro RTO Alex Gutierrez 651-464-7773 alex.gutierrez@state.mn.us

Curriculum Specialist: Vacant

Curriculum Coordinator: Vacant

Education Specialist: Vacant