WEEKLY DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Conservation officers report unsafe ice on many bodies of water

Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwest Minnesota for Dec. 27:

District 1 - Baudette area

CO Larry Milbridge (Warroad) reports that ice on western Lake of the Woods is not safe. Multiple cracks have reopened with strips of open water limiting access. There have been numerous reports of all types of motorized vehicles falling through.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) continued to monitor ice angling activity and late season archery hunters. He responded to an injured snowy owl complaint and is assisting the Illinois DNR with an ongoing investigation. Black smoke billowing from a farm yard caused CO Woinarowicz to investigate and he found the homeowner burning rubber hoses, plastic, insulation, paint, and furniture. Enforcement action was taken for burning prohibited materials.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) checked anglers on the Red Lake and Thief rivers. A call of a fire on a WMA was received and an investigation is ongoing. ATV usage was monitored on trails and frozen waters. CO Warren followed up on a possible wetlands violation with local government units. Equipment maintenance was performed.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) checked on a report of a dead bull moose that appeared to have died of natural causes. ATV activity was monitored as well as area fishing. The walleye bite has been slow but anglers have been picking up perch. Enforcement action for the week included license violations and extra line violations.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing activity throughout the week. Anglers continue to report good fishing on area lakes. Lake of the Woods ice conditions have declined on the western portion of the lake and no travel is advised on that side of the lake. Anglers are strongly encouraged to check with local guides, bait stores, and resort prior to venturing onto the ice. Enforcement action taken during the week included fishing violations.

Blackduck #2 - vacant.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.

District 2 - Bemidji area

CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) reports more anglers taking to the ice of area lakes. There are still open water areas on some lakes. Archery deer hunters are taking advantage of the final days of the season. Enforcement action was taken for litter, trespass, and alcohol violations.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) checked anglers and investigated a wetland alteration complaint. Malinowski attended background investigation training.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) checked anglers and fish houses. Many anglers were out in the open, enjoying the mild weather. Vollbrecht attended background investigation training.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) checked anglers, fish houses, trappers, and ATVs. Up to 12 inches of ice is being reported by anglers. Anglers also report a pretty good walleye bite.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) focused efforts on a background investigation of a conservation officer applicant. As many as 10 unoccupied fish houses went through the ice in one area of Buchanan Lake in Otter Tail County.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reminds anglers and others traveling on the icy lakes to use caution. Ice conditions vary from lake to lake and spot to spot. Some open water areas remain on the lakes. Complaints of encroaching on WMA property and license fraud were investigated. Seefeldt attended background investigation training.

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) checked anglers and fish houses. A litter complaint was investigated. Stattelman attended background investigation training.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) attended background investigation training and an officer safety workshop. Anglers were checked, and car-kill deer permits issued. A person called about a missing dog. Because it was dark outside, the caller thought a helicopter would be helpful to locate the dog.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) checked anglers, fish houses, pheasant hunters, predator hunters, trappers, and ATVs. Forsberg assisted with a person and ATV that went through the ice. The person was in the water for approximately 20 minutes before being rescued by the Pelican Rapids Fire Department. The person was treated for hypothermia. Complaints of illegal trapping and a dead swan were investigated.

Water Resource Officer Traci Hanson (Northwest) worked on invasive species education and Wetland Compliance Act enforcement. Hanson assisted the Becker County Sheriff's Office with a lost hunter in the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.

Bemidji #1 - vacant.

Natural Resources Pilot John Heineman (Bemidji) attended a quarterly pilot meeting and training on self-entry timesheets.