District 1 - Baudette area

CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) assisted U.S. Customs at the Warroad Port of Entry with returning anglers and boaters. AIS compliance was found to be very good. A number of nuisance bear complaints were addressed and state parks and forests were patrolled. The blueberry crop appears to be poor in the Lake of the Woods area this year. Enforcement action taken for illegal operation of ATV’s in a state forest.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) investigated a possible gray wolf depredation and checked anglers on the Red Lake River. Walleye success was excellent for those who fished during an unexpected emerald shiner minnow run on the Red Lake River. A complaint of the unlawful use of public water with an irrigation system was investigated and a Cease and Desist Order was issued. Some problem areas on local WMAs were patrolled and numerous violations by ATV users were found. Enforcement actions for the week included unlawful appropriation of public water and operate ATV in closed area of WMA.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) checked angling and boating activity on Upper Red Lake and area experimental lakes. Area ORV activity was monitored. Enforcement action for the week included angle without license and no ATV registration.  

Blackduck #2 - vacant.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.

District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) spent time on fishing, boat and water safety, and invasive species enforcement on Rainy Lake and Lake Kabetogama. Several ATV issues/complaints were handled, along with nuisance animal complaints. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license in possession, transport unidentifiable fish, over limit of fish, transport watercraft with drain plug in, operate watercraft without proper navigational lights, and PFD violations.

CO Dan Starr (Tower) finished up on the final details of a background investigation for the next hire. Jay Cooke State Park security detail was worked. Fishing has slowed, while boating activity is on the rise. A busy weekend for ATV and other recreational vehicles, illegal juvenile operation was the most frequent violation found. A reminder to ATV owners that anyone under 18 must wear a helmet while riding.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked the state park, anglers, boaters, ATVs, and a work a detail at Jay Cooke State Park due its closure from flooding. The officer heard a county radio call of a subject that was wanted by police on felony warrants. The officer found the subject on an ATV and stopped it; however, the man fled on foot into a swamp. The officer engaged in a foot pursuit and captured him, but not before both had ended up in chest deep water in a ditch. The man was arrested on the warrants and cited for fleeing on foot, driving after revocation, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. Other enforcement action was taken on angling without an angling license in possession and a number of boating and ATV violations.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) checked anglers and boaters on Virginia area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for insufficient PDFs and failure to display a current registration decal. CO Frericks provided security at the Jay Cooke State Park.

Ray - vacant.

I. Falls # 2 - vacant.