Weekly DNR Conservation Officer Reports

District 5 – Eveleth area
Monday, January 23, 2017 — CO John Velsvaag (Cook) checked anglers and snowmobilers this past week. Trail conditions deteriorated this weekend a lot and fishermen found themselves fighting slush in most areas.

CO Velsvaag also followed up on a trapping complaint and took several calls on angling and spearing.

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports warm weather and rain have put a damper on the snowmobile activity. Fishing activity on Rainy Lake has also slowed since the rain has created a lot of slush. Equipment maintenance and meetings rounded out the week.

CO John Slatinski (International Falls #2) reports the recent weather has created differing opinions from people enjoying the outdoors. While the warmer temperatures have allowed people to be outside for longer periods, it has created challenging conditions on local trails and lake surfaces. A complaint was received in regards to frequent instances of garbage being left on the ice surface when people pack up and leave. Not only does this create a bad image of the fishing community but the reminders show back up when the snow melts in the spring.

CO Colleen Adam (Ray) checked area fishing spots. Snowmobile activity has been steady on the lakes. Local trails and park trails are getting routine grooming but locations along the state trail are still rough around swamps. Enforcement action taken for extra lines and trail passes.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports snowmobile trails have deteriorated rapidly with rain and above freezing temps. Exposed dirt and rocks have appeared due to lack of snow cover. Snow is rapidly being lost on area lakes as well. Angling and snowmobile activity were monitored.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers with an emphasis of anglers on trout waters, snowmobiles, and ATV’s. Some nice stringers of trout continue to be had. A remote trout lake was checked via snowmobile with two anglers present. Their snowmobile broke down so the officer towed them the three miles back to their pickup over rough terrain and downed logs. At the end of the day they had no fish, but got their snowmobile back safe and sound. Enforcement action was taken on angling without a license, angling without a license in possession, angle with more than one line on a designated trout lake, unmarked fish house, unregistered snowmobile, unregistered ATV, failed to display snowmobile registration, and wrong way on a one way on a divided highway.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) attended annual training and patrolled area lakes and snowmobile trails checking anglers and snowmobilers. Warm weather combined with heavy traffic has caused snowmobile trails to deteriorate rapidly. Violations of operating unregistered sleds were encountered and dealt with.

.

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) checked anglers throughout the week and worked a detail on Kabetogama and Namakan lakes. Rain has caused trail riding to be rough and slush has appeared on area lakes. Violations of expired snowmobile registration, fail to displace shelter ID and no shelter license, no angling license, and unattended lines were found.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports snowmobile activity has dropped and snow and trail conditions are poor after a week of very warm weather. Trails are still passable but more slush has started to become a problem on many lakes after several days of rain. Violations included operating an ATV on a roadway without a driver?s license, failure to tend traps, and fishing without a license in possession.

CO Marty Stage (Ely 2) worked with other officers in the Orr station focusing on snowmobile and angling activity. Recent warm weather and rain had created more slush on lakes and eroded trail conditions.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) patrolled by snowmobile most of the week. Lake conditions are still pretty good with a little slush creeping in, but not bad. The snowmobile trails are also in pretty good condition. CO Fagerman finished up a trapping case with charges pending and dealt with ice fishing and snowmobile violations.

CO Mary Manning (Grand Marais East) checked ice anglers and fishing houses on area lakes. The officer attended a meeting at Camp Ripley to prepare for upcoming statewide training. While patrolling GIA sled trails, the officer stopped to check a lone rider who was separated from his group and heading down a trail going the opposite direction as his destination. After a quick review of his map, he was sent on his way, very happy to have run into the officer.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) assisted with the Babbitt snowmobile safety class. Thanks to the instructors for all their work. Snowmobile trail conditions went from great early in the week to poor by the end of the week. Time was spent testifying in court on an early whitefish netting case. Enforcement action included snowmobile speed and no license in possession.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) checked angling activity this week. Time was spent checking snowmobilers as well. Warm temperatures and rain slowed some activity.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) focused primarily on angling and snowmobile enforcement over the course of the week. Time was spent on lakes in Cook and Lake Counties. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and angling violations.