District 5 - Eveleth area
• CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports fishing opener fairly uneventful on Lake Kabetogama and Rainy River. Weather conditions were favorable except for wind making it difficult to control boats. Invasive species checks at access points were received well, except complaints of rules and requirements changing constantly making it confusing. Most people understand and want to comply. Nuisance bear complaint was handled in Int’l Falls. Enforcement action was taken for transporting boat with drain plug in, state campground violations, extra lines, and ATV violations
• CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports working on equipment needs and research and monitoring ATV and OHM activities in the Orr area. Strong winds kept fishing activities minimal. Forest road and public access sites were monitored.
• CO Brad Schultz (Cook) getting equipment ready prior to the fishing opener. Over the weekend, fishing was good for some and poor for others. A few walleyes were observed. The pan fishermen did quite well. Area rivers were checked but not much activity was found. Area public accesses were checked and boaters coming and going were reminded of the Aquatic Invasive Species rules. All contacted were in compliance. The Lake Vermilion and surrounding area was patrolled by air with the assistance of CO Pilot Lt. Don Murray.
• CO Dan Starr (Tower) worked early season fishing, with some folks found attempting to catch a walleye before the season started. Opener found spotty success at best with a few small walleyes showing up. Some walleye reported to still have the spawn present. ATVs are out in full force with operating on roadways being a common violation. Illegal youth operation is close behind. Aquatic Invasive Species efforts were kicked up with a work crew on Kabetogama. Most are aware of the laws, but a few still need some education.
• CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked the fishing opener, worked an out of season fishing complaint, recovered a dead trumpeter swan, and worked an aquatic invasive species work detail in the Aurora station. Some boat owners are violating invasive species transport laws even when they were fully aware they are in place. Enforcement action was taken on angling without an angling license, angle with extra lines, angle with more than one line on a designated trout lake, a fish transport violation, a motorcycle traffic violation and a number of invasive species violations.
• CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) followed up on litter cases and spent time preparing equipment for use throughout the summer. A row boat that CO Frericks recovered from a local public access last fall was returned to a grateful owner. CO Frericks and the owner suspected that someone had stolen the boat from the owner’s property, rowed it to the access and then was going to pick it up. Fortunately for the owner CO Frericks located it and took possession of it. Anglers and boaters were checked on opening day. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license and no PFDs.
• CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) received a TIP call in the Babbitt station of anglers fishing and keeping walleye the Friday before fishing opener. The fishermen were located. They were tribal members and their season is open to members year around. Lots of people out fishing on opener; very good compliance with boat registration and license in possession. AIS work was done and many complied with the transporting water and pulling of plugs laws, a few had to be reminded.
• Ray - vacant.
• I. Falls # 2 - vacant.
