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District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports: very little ATV and angling activity was found over the week. Cool weather and occasional rain have temporarily decreased fire danger during green up. A good number of contacts were made with folks attempting to locate running suckers, but very few fish seen for the opening spearing weekend.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week patrolling for fishing and boating activity. Additional time was spent checking trapping activity.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers along the north shore, trapping activity and monitored fishing closures. The officer talked with students about becoming a Conservation Officer at the Cook County career fair and attended the YMCA healthy kids’ day with other area officers.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais 2) reports spring beaver trappers and steelhead anglers continue to hit the rivers and creeks. Water levels have risen significantly with the recent rain fall. CO Ledeen also spent time talking to students at the Cook County High School Career Fair about the education and career path to becoming a Conservation Officer.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent time checking beaver traps, minnow traps, anglers, ATVs and working the spring fish run. A detail was worked at the Rainy River. Enforcement action was taken for commercial minnow trapping violations, unattended line, and boating safety laws.
CO Trent Anderson
(Tofte) focused on angling and trapping enforcement for the week. Time was spent patrolling area forest roads for ATV activity. Equipment maintenance was conducted.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked North Shore stream angling activities and spring beaver trapping. Recent rainfall has increased water levels in the area making for some fast water on most streams. Enforcement action was taken on illegal burning activity and a wetland violation.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports the sturgeon keep season on the Rainy River is fully under way with lots of people attempting to catch a monster pre-historic fish. Along with fishing enforcement, boat and water safety enforcement was the main focus of the work activities. Enforcement action was taken for boat registration issues, safety equipment violations, fishing license issues, failure to attach sturgeon tag, and transport unmeasurable sturgeon.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports spending time this past week working the Rainy River for the opener of the Sturgeon keep season. Anglers reported some success throughout the week. Safety equipment and boat registration violations remain to be encountered. Enforcement action was taken on ATV’s operating on closed snowmobile trails.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports handling numerous incidental otter catches over the week, nuisance wildlife was dealt with, forest roads and water access sites continue to be monitored.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent much of the week at Camp Ripley for training, other than that time was spent monitoring spring trapping and checking anglers. The spring crappie bite continues to be hit and miss, with things slowing down, most likely due to the colder weather.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and off highway vehicle enforcement. Larson spent time checking for anglers around his station. Larson encountered illegal spearing activity and take fish in a closed area, he also dealt with illegal youthful operation of an OHM. Assistance was also given to the Breitung Township Fire department at a fire in Soudan.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and trapping enforcement. In addition, time was spent maintaining station equipment and responding to a variety of calls, including a report of several stolen traps and a wetlands violation.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time patrolling areas where he fielded multiple complaints of reckless ATV operation. Additional time was spent investigating a wetland violation and where an individual was burning tires on their property. CO Zavodnik wants to remind the public to brush up on the rules and regulations while on the water and when operating ATVs.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating, trapping, ATV activity. Rain limited recreational activity but helped with fire danger. Fishermen reported little success. Spring beaver trapping appears to be going well. Bears are making their appearance. Time to keep all garbage contained and take down the bird feeders. Seeing a bear is common and their presence alone doesn’t mean they intend to cause harm. CO Broughten gave a presentation to local law enforcement regarding off highway vehicle laws. CO Broughten also assisted with youth firearm safety.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reports flying a fisher telemetry flight and an AIS/APM flight with a member of the AIS program. On these flights, possible APM and WCA violations were located and reported.
CO Pilot Bob Geving (Mankato) made preparations for the upcoming annual waterfowl survey and attended to other administrative tasks.
CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) worked on plane maintenance and prepared for upcoming summer survey flights.
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Grand Rapids) conducted a fire detection flight, scheduled upcoming aircraft maintenance, and continued work on the helicopter parts inventory. New equipment was distributed to all aircraft as well.
NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) worked on helicopter forest fire training with the Bambi bucket and completed a fixed-wing recurrent training flight. He also attended an aviation webinar and worked on helicopter avionics upgrades for forest fire work.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) flew a training flight with practice water drops for fire preparedness. She also flew a fixed wing training flight. Zeller also assisted with hangar and spare parts organization/research.
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 di rect 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.
