DNR Enforcement report: Fishing activity, Wolf depredation etc.

Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwestern Minnesota for May 23:

District 1 - Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked angling enforcement on Lake of the Woods and on the Roseau River. ATV activity was monitored and wildfire arson was investigated near Twin Lakes WMA.

CO Larry Milbridge (Warroad) investigated an illegal dumping in a state forest, investigated a timber wolf depredation at a cattle farm, and investigated an illegal fire in the Roosevelt area. Anglers were checked on western Lake of the Woods and were doing well when the weather would cooperate. Equipment maintenance was completed on boats. Enforcement action taken for the week included angling and burning violations.

CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) checked anglers in the Lake of the Woods area. Fishing remains good for most anglers. Invasive species and boat and water safety were monitored in the area. CO Birchem continued to work with area youth on Firearms Safety Classes. A litter investigation was handled and follow up was conducted on a wetlands violation.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) investigated a gray wolf depredation, answered calls concerning nuisance beavers and checked area anglers. A call of a deer stuck in a muddy field was taken care of and assistance was provided to the sheriff's department on possible intoxicated driver call.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) checked anglers on the Red Lake and Thief rivers. Anglers were having mixed success, with rock bass being common. A few anglers were also able to pick up walleyes, as well. Boats were checked for compliance of safety equipment. Area water accesses were monitored for boating activity and camping complaints. CO Warren patrolled areas for ATV activity, and areas were monitored for invasive species. Maintenance was performed on the station patrol boat. CO Warren continued follow up on a report of an individual burning without a burn permit.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) attended training in Park Rapids, worked a boat and water safety project on Upper Red Lake, and monitored area fishing activity. The walleye bite remains slow, except for Red Lake. ATV complaints were addressed as were complaints of double tripping on area panfish lakes. Enforcement activity for the week included illegal length fish and boat and water safety violations.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck) monitored angling activity on Upper Red Lake. Weather conditions were excellent throughout the week and the bite was just as excellent. Several limits of fish were observed while checking boats. CO Vollbrecht attended a Peace Officer memorial service in Bemidji. He investigated illegal length and over limit complaints. CO Vollbrecht also prepared for an upcoming presentation at the local state park.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing, boating, and commercial minnow operations throughout the week. Fishing continues to be good on Lake of the Woods and Upper Red Lake. A commercial minnow dealer is being investigated after receiving complaints from local landowners. CO Gorecki assisted the local sheriff's office in placing several buoys, attended a juvenile diversion meeting, and assisted a boater having mechanical issues. Enforcement action taken during the week for fishing and boating violations.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.

District 2 - Bemidji area

CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) reports improving angler success on area lakes and rivers. The officer and CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) participated in a live radio program. He also participated in an interview with a regional newspaper about natural resource activities. He assisted the state patrol with an ATV case.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) checked boaters and anglers. Complaints of illegal burning, injured deer, escaped game farm deer, nuisance beaver and a dead swan were investigated. The swan appears to have hit a power line. The officer spoke to a Youth Trapping Class about laws and ethics. He also participated in a live radio program with CO Bensen. Baby animals are starting to appear (geese, fox, deer, etc). Leave the animals where they are.

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked anglers and boaters. The officer spoke to the Bagley Firearms Safety Class about laws, safety, and ethics. Equipment maintenance was performed, and training received.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) investigated several TIP calls involving over limits of fish. ATV complaints are rising and enforcement action taken.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports good success by walleye anglers. TIP calls involving over limits of fish were investigated and enforcement action taken. Complaints of shooting muskrats from a motor vehicle, leech trap tampering and leech trapper issues were investigated.

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) focused enforcement efforts on angling activity. Several TIP calls were investigated involving over limits of fish. Assistance was given to USFWS Officers investigating a wolf shooting. Use of Force instructor training was attended.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) assisted COs Hunter and Oldakowski with a "Hooked on Fishing" Event. Use of Force instructor training was attended. He addressed nuisance beaver and leech trapping complaints.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) checked anglers and boaters. He investigated public waters alteration, leeching, and escaped game farm deer complaints. A fish house left on private property without the owner's consent was also handled.

Water Resource Officer Traci Hanson checked anglers and boaters on Pelican Lake reminding them of the zebra mussel infestation. Many anglers are seeing the mussels first hand when they reel in a snagged weed that's covered with zebra mussels. Law compliance with the requirement to drain water and remove weeds from equipment has been good, but there are some that are still unaware or refuse to comply. The officer attended a wetland contractor training session in Beltrami County. The training focused on contractor compliance to the Wetland Conservation Act. The officer also worked with lake service providers returning docks and lifts to the water on invasive species spread prevention.

Bemidji #1 - vacant.

Natural Resources Pilot John Heineman flew Leech Lake surveys on opening weekend of fishing season.