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Fires have begun to pop up all along northern Minnesota following the melting snow conditions and area residents are urged to be extremely careful.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the first smaller local lakes have opened and are ice-free. Warmer weather and wind also took most of the snow cover in the area. Fires have begun to pop up all along northern Minnesota following the melting snow conditions and area residents are urged to be extremely careful.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) spent the week checking anglers. Ihnen also patrolled for ATV activity.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent time patrolling forest roads and trails. Most of the tributaries flowing into Lake Superior continue to show very low water levels and remain iced-up on the banks. Equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) continued to provide ride-along job experience hours to a DNR intern. Bermel patrolled for trapping, ATV, and angling activity. An accidentally caught otter was seized. Time was spent on equipment maintenance.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on snowmobile and ATV enforcement for the week. The recent snow melted quickly, providing much-needed moisture to the area. Equipment maintenance was conducted.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked on a fire investigation and checked ATV activity in the area. Check for area trail and forest road closures this time of year as spring closures help protect these areas during the spring season. Area streams are opening as temperatures rise and starting to provide angling opportunities for trout fishing.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports a busy weekend on the Rainy River with lots of boats stretching from the Birchdale area to Lake of the Woods. Most anglers had success. Enforcement action included license issues, failure to have proper boat safety equipment onboard, and boat registration violations.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working the Rainy River this past week. The nice weather had many people out on the river. Boat and safety equipment checks were a focus this past week. Frequent violations encountered this past week consisted of having expired fire extinguishers, no Type IV throwables or PFDs, boat registration and license violations. Angling with extra lines was also encountered this week. Simonson would like to remind people to continue to check your boats for the proper safety equipment and double check your boat registration before hitting the open water for the first time this year.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports the sunny skies and warmer conditions brought anglers to the Rainy River in high numbers. Time was spent contacting anglers, many for the first time of the year. Deficient equipment in the form of fire extinguishers and PFDs was noted. Even with incessant winds, most anglers were happy to be out enjoying the sun and catching a few fish. ATV activity also saw an uptick with several individuals visiting recreational properties trying to get a jump on spring cleanup activities.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) monitored area forest roads. ATVs have re-appeared. Some lakes have opened, and other lakes are about to open. Angling activity was nonexistent. Equipment work is ongoing.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week patrolling state forests and forest roads, monitoring trapping activity and working ATV enforcement. Time was also spent checking anglers and working on getting equipment ready for open water.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily trapping and wetlands enforcement. Open-water and boating season have officially come, with most of Lake Vermilion and other area lakes opening. Some boating activity was already present over the warm weekend. Larson also checked trappers as small ponds and streams have also opened.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and trapping activity. In addition, time was spent following up on a complaint and presenting at a firearms safety class. Violations encountered included operating off-highway motorcycles on a public roadway, driving after revocation, and allowing dogs to chase deer.
