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District 6 - Two Harbors
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this past week checking anglers and ATV operators. Ihnen also spent time patrolling for snowmobiling activity.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports ice angling activity increased over the week as ice conditions slowly improved. Despite nights well below zero, ice depths were found to vary as much as 6 to 17 inches on the same lake. Violations included failure to transfer ATV registration and angling without a license in possession.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked the week on ATV, snowmobile, angling, and ski pass enforcement. The hard, icy snow has hampered most winter activities. Enforcement action included expired snowmobile registration, no lights on a snowmobile being operated after dark, too many passengers on an ATV, and no cross-country ski pass.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked a detail in the BWCAW for the trout opener. Some nice lake trout were seen on the ice. He responded with area officers on snowmobiles to a call regarding two individuals stranded on a remote unplowed Forest Service road where they buried their car. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time working in the BWCAW checking anglers who were out chasing lake trout. Time was also spent working on an investigation involving multiple violations from the fisher/marten trapping season.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on ice fishing enforcement over the busy BWCAW trout opener. Time was spent working on investigations from the recent trapping season. Anglers found decent ice conditions for the opener and those who were willing to get away from the crowds found better success.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working trapping and angling activity this past week. Anglers reported a slower bite on Rainy Lake and the Rainy River. With minimal snow on trails and lake surfaces, snowmobiling activity has been minimal across the area.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports spearing and angling activity continue to bring people into the outdoors. Although ice thickness continues to increase, consistency is still questionable. Even with consistent below-zero temperatures, the quality of ice is less than expected. Anglers are reporting moderate success, and the spearing crowd has reported seeing fewer pike than expected. Ongoing investigations from this fall were worked on.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports snowmobile activity remains nonexistent due to lack of snow. Fishing activity over the week was minimal on station lakes, and ice conditions remain variable. Forest roads and public water access sites were checked, and equipment work completed.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this past week checking anglers and monitoring trapping activity. Not as many people were out this week with the cold weather. Those who were out fishing reported mixed success with a slow bite. Ice heaves and cracks are popping up around the lakes, so be cautious when venturing out. Snowmobiling continues to be nonexistent with only a dusting of new snow received this week.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling enforcement. He spent time checking anglers over the BWCAW trout opener. Several anglers were having success catching lake trout. Violations included glass in the BWCAW and angling license violations.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked fishing and trapping activity. Frigid weather and a continued lack of snow resulted in limited recreational activity. Additional time was spent presenting at a snowmobile safety class and fielding a variety of calls.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time completing administrative tasks and routine maintenance on issued equipment. He also followed up on a trapping case and took several phone calls regarding the upcoming trout opener.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring ice fishing and spearing activity. Few anglers were encountered this past week. Anglers reported limited success. Ice conditions are improving due to colder weather and lack of snow on area lakes. Snowmobile trails are still waiting for more snow.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Brainerd) provided flight training to two other conservation officer pilots. In addition, flights were conducted for the annual elk Survey.
CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) flew multiple training flights in preparation for upcoming survey projects. Gray also started the annual elk survey, flying Wildlife staff in the northwest part of the state.
CO Pilot Ryan Hanna (Grand Rapids) conducted training flights to maintain FAA currency. He continues to work towards department mission certification. In between training flights, Hanna responded to an animal-related complaint and an ice fishing complaint.
NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) worked on fixed-wing review, mission planning material, and GPS review of moose plots. Helicopter preparation for the moose survey and administrative tasks were also done.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) continued work on the helicopter training syllabus and related materials. Multiple discussions were had about the timing of several surveys as the recent warm weather has impacted snow coverage and delays are necessary.
Enforcement Education
Please check the DNR website 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 online for the online course information. (It’s also at www.mndnr.gov.)
Please check the DNR website www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Youth and Adult Snowmobile Safety Courses and instructor training sessions.
Please direct questions to 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.
Reminder: Anyone born after December 31, 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 December 31, 1976, who operates a snowmobile in Minnesota must possess a snowmobile certificate. Two options are available to complete certification. Ages 11 and older can take the online course and hands-on day or attend the traditional youth course. Those 16 or older can take the online course.
Reminder: Anyone born after July 1, 1987, who operates an ATV on public lands and waters in Minnesota must successfully complete the ATV Safety Training online course. People under age 16 must complete the ATV online course and riding component before riding on public lands. Please direct questions to 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.
