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District 6 - Two Harbors CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports ice fishing enforcement continues to be the focus as snowmobile activity has been mainly restricted to the ice for lack of snow. A large pressure ridge opened in Sand Bay of Rainy Lake. People are reminded to use extreme caution and be prepared for the worst. Animal- related complaints were handled as well.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working area lakes and rivers this past week. Snowmobile and trapping activity were worked as well.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports the area finally received a couple inches of snow, which was welcomed by snowmobilers and anglers alike. Some snowmobilers out for the first ride of the year were contacted due to illegal exhaust. Most aftermarket exhaust systems are not in compliance with exhaust noise regulations. Registration, or lack thereof on snowmobiles and ATVs was also noted. Angling reports have been mixed, with inconsistent weather patterns being blamed.
C O Troy F ondie ( Orr) reports no recreational snowmobile activity observed over the week due to lack of snow. Angling activity remains light on area lakes with little observed being caught. Administrative tasks were completed, as was equipment work.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking anglers and monitoring trapping activity. Most anglers were reporting the bite was still slow. Snowmobiling activity remained nonexistent, however that is expected to pick up with the little bit of snow that was received over the weekend. Cannon also assisted the Cook Timberwolves snowmobile club with a snowmobile safety class.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling, trapping, and snowmobile enforcement. Time was spent following up on cases related to angling, which resulted in several violations. Violations included no angling license, no trout stamp, and fishing while suspended. Larson assisted other agencies with various calls and assisted with a snowmobile safety class.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked angling and trapping activity. Local snowmobile trails remained in poor condition, but ice thickness improves by the day. Violations encountered included unattended lines, angling/shelter license violations, and expired registration.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time checking anglers and monitoring snowmobile activity over the past week. A fresh dose of much-needed snow hit the region over the week, helping to improve trail conditions.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing and spearing activity. More anglers were encountered this past week, but success remains limited. Ice thickness has increased on area lakes. The area received some snow over the weekend, but it is still not enough to kickstart the snowmobile season.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports snow late in the weekend improved the snowmobile trails and again made them and the lakes passable. Angling activity stayed steady, and reports were generally good. Violations included failure to display snowmobile registration, operating a snowmobile on a roadway, and angling after revocation.
C O B rent I hnen ( Ely #2) patrolled his station this week checking primarily fishing activity. Ihnen also checked ATV and snowmobile operators.
C O A nthony B ermel (Babbitt) reports checking anglers, monitoring snowmobile trails, assisting the county and local police department with a couple calls, and putting on a recreational vehicle training for local law enforcement. Investigations from deer season continue. He also worked some Bear Committee items. A few minor violations were documented with warnings. Fresh snow has arrived, which should aid in snowmobile and cross-country ski trail conditions and allow for more favorable conditions for accessing remote trout lakes. CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) continued to check anglers in the BWCAW. Anglers remain happy with easy travel into the BWCAW and the opportunity to bag some nice lake trout. He completed equipment-related matters on his snowmobile. Enforcement action was taken for license violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time checking anglers inside the BWCAW as well as folks fishing for pike and walleyes outside of the wilderness area. Ledeen continued work on a statewide investigation involving trapping violations. Equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on ice fishing enforcement for the week. He continues to work on investigations from the recent trapping season. Vehicle maintenance was conducted. Anglers are reminded to review the angling regulations prior to heading out for the regular trout opener.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent time monitoring local angling activity and responding to wildlife-related calls. Snowmobile activity was slow throughout the week, as the warm weather has had a negative impact on trail conditions. The week ended with a much-needed heavy snowfall, which will drastically improve the local trail network.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reports flying a fish shelter creel survey and a helicopter training flight. On the survey flight an illegal wildlife-feeding location was found as well as one unpermitted aeration system. Three aerators were also inspected for proper signage. Ice conditions on certain lakes allowed for Jensen to land the airplane on the lakes to check anglers. Enforcement action was taken for expired ATV registration.
CO P ilot C harles Scott (Brainerd) conducted flight training with CO Pilot Hanna and the aerial elk survey was completed in the northwest part of the state. Multiple maintenance issues were also addressed.
C O P ilot R yan H anna (Grand Rapids) completed annual training required by the department. Hanna assisted other officers with purchasing items required to maintain a safe and reliable fleet of aircraft.
CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) finished an aerial elk survey for the Wildlife Section. He also prepared aircraft and equipment for upcoming winter flights.
N R P ilot B rad M aas (Brainerd) worked on moose survey equipment and completed a helicopter training flight preparing for the moose survey. He also attended an aviation webinar and completed administrative tasks.
NR Pilot Grace E Zeller (Brainerd) had an airplane training flight cut short due to quickly deteriorating visibility but was able to fly a helicopter training flight as the instructor on a different day. Assigned tasks were completed and Zeller made final preparations for the moose survey as the recent winter storm brought good snow to the Northland.
