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One ATV ended up in Birch Lake when the driver was surprised by open water at an ice ridge.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports ice conditions were found to be varied and unpredictable on many of the lakes patrolled over the week. One ATV ended up in Birch Lake when the driver was surprised by open water at an ice ridge. More complaints were taken of ATV use on grant-in-aid snowmobile trails. Again, ATV riders are reminded that the absence of snow on snowmobile trails does not necessarily mean it is open to ATV use. Violations included angling without a license in possession, no helmet on a juvenile ATV passenger and operating an ATV on a grantin- aid snowmobile trail.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers on area trout lakes and along the border. Time was also spent patrolling in the BWCAW.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent the week focusing on angling activity. Fishing remains slow and ice conditions are deteriorating rapidly on area lakes. Ledeen had the honor of attending the funeral service for officer Elmstrand, officer Ruge and firefighter- paramedic Finseth.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling enforcement throughout the week. Anglers are doing fair on trout and panfish in the area. Foot travel is good yet difficult with no snow to pull a sled, and swamps and areas of current are thawing quickly. Enforcement action for the week included angling with more than one line on a designated trout lake and no trout stamp. Remember to pick up your 2024 licenses if you haven’t already.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) attended the memorial service for Burnsville first responders Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, and Adam Finseth.
District 5 - Eveleth
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports recent snowfall allowed for some snowmobile activity on the lake surfaces, however that was short-lived with rain and warmer weather. Most people have been using ATVs to access fishing areas. People are encouraged to think about ice shelter removal before the deadline as ice conditions are deteriorating and change throughout the day. Enforcement action was taken for license issues. People are also reminded that new fishing licenses are needed.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports spending time this past week checking anglers on area lakes and rivers. Recent weather has started to deteriorate the ice on area lakes and rivers in some spots. On the Rainy River, more open water is showing up every day from International Falls to Baudette. For anglers preparing for spring fishing on the Rainy River, it’s never too early to take a look at your boat registration to make sure it’s not expired and to go through you boat and make sure all of your safety equipment is up to date and onboard before hitting the open water this spring. Simonson would also like to remind people to get out and renew their fishing licenses for the before hitting ice or water.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports ice conditions continue to deteriorate in the area. An ATV went through the ice on Lake Kabetogama. The two individuals involved were contacted as they were walking back to the public access in the dark. Although wet, tired, and after walking about 2.5 miles, both were without injuries. The ATV was retrieved the next day. They said the ice was fine in the morning when they went out and open when they were on their way back. Lack of current registration on snowmobiles and ATVs continues to be common. ATV use has again started to shift towards hunting shacks and cabins.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area lakes and checking angling activities. Ice conditions have rapidly deteriorated as rapid melting has begun. Area forest roads were checked. Equipment was worked on along with various administrative tasks completed.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking ice anglers, with some finding good numbers of panfish and crappies. Some area lakes have become impassable with poor ice conditions, while others remain good for ATV travel. Time was also spent monitoring ATV activity and area forest roads. Cannon also assisted St. Louis County on a medical call, and spent time on an ongoing investigation.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling, ATV, and trail enforcement. Larson spent time checking for anglers focusing on trout lakes and other small lakes. Ice conditions are degrading quickly with warm weather and rain. Larson also patrolled for spring trapping activity.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked angling and ATV enforcement. In addition, time was spent training at Camp Ripley and preparing for upcoming in-service training. Ice conditions on local lakes continue to become less reliable and more dangerous. Anglers heading onto the ice should exercise extreme caution and bring all necessary safety equipment with them.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time investigating a possible big-game violation from the previous archery season. Zavodnik and CO Cannon discovered that the hunter in question had harvested and transported an antlerless deer without a deer hunting license and had taken a second deer that day that was also in violation. Both COs also assisted with the hands-on portion of the snowmobile safety class during the weekend. This was the second course of the year where artificial snow was utilized thanks to a local snow cross center.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing and ATV activity. Lake ice is slowly deteriorating but with the lack of thick ice it won’t take long with warmer weather for lakes to start to open. Broughten contacted several anglers who were out trying their luck with the warmer weather. Anglers reported limited success. ATV activity has started to increase with the lack of snow. ATV operators are reminded to check trail status prior to operating on them. Broughten also fielded calls regarding license requirements and youth ATV operator rules.
