Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwest Minnesota for April 9:
District 1 - Baudette area
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) investigated and took enforcement action on an individual that started a non-permitted fire that got out of control. The Roseau River was patrolled and boaters are reminded to use caution as the water levels are very low for this time of the year. CO Huener instructed a class with CO Woinarowicz at CO Academy 13.
CO Larry Milbridge (Warroad) spent the week checking anglers, ATVs, invasive species, and illegal fires. Equipment updates were handled along with calls from the public.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) taught the law and ethics portion of the Firearms Safety class in Argyle and spoke to members of the Argyle Sportsmen's Club regarding new regulations and the gray wolf delisting. Angling activity was monitored as well as area ATV activity. CO Woinarowicz and CO Huener taught classes on GPS, compass use, and Landview to the new conservation officer candidates at the training academy. Enforcement action was taken for allowing illegal operation of ATV by juvenile.
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CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) checked area angling activity on area rivers. The public is reminded that it is illegal target fish including walleye and northern pike during a closed season even if they are caught and released. ORV activity was worked including ATV's and OHM's on area trails and gravel pits. CO Warren assisted the State Patrol with recreational registration issues. Problem areas of illegal burning activity were patrolled and some trapping activity was checked.
CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) monitored fish run activity and area angling activity. Assistance was provided to the sheriff's department with a boating accident on Clearwater Lake. CO Backer worked fire investigations on the Wildfire Investigative Team.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing and fire activity throughout the week. Anglers continue to report excellent fishing despite windy conditions. Fire danger continues to be high due to dry fuels and high winds. Invasive species checks continue to be a top priority and several citations have been issued for violations for those rules. Anglers are reminded to always drain all livewells, bilges, and compartments prior to transporting watercraft.
Blackduck #2 - vacant.
Karlstad - vacant.
Warroad #2 - vacant.
District 2 - Bemidji area
CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) checked anglers, boaters, and leech trappers. A number of nuisance beaver permits were requested. Malinowski spoke to civic clubs about invasive species and boating.
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CO Tim Gray (Bagley) attended Use of Force instructor training. Gray assisted other law enforcement officers with the overturned sail boat and multiple drowning's on Clearwater Lake.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) monitored spring fish run activity. Anglers and ATVs were checked. Litter and taking walleye out of season complaints were investigated. ATV trails and forest roads were patrolled.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) checked anglers pursuing suckers on several rivers, success has been very good. Panfish activity is increasing. OHM and ATV complaints were investigated and extra patrols done in the problem areas. AIS boat stickers were handed out, and the number of calls about AIS laws has increased.
CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports a slow panfish bite in the area. The water temperature has not warmed up much since ice out. Anglers are reminded: You cannot intentionally pursue fish species during the closed season. A complaint of shooting too close to a residence resulted in charges for shooting muskrats, geese, and turkeys during the closed season, and shooting from a motor vehicle, against two juveniles. Seefeldt assisted LOW officers with an investigation of a fish house left on the ice after the deadline. He also assisted with training at the CO Academy, and spoke to a Turkey Hunting Clinic in Moorhead.
CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) reports an increase in angling activity; the activity is primarily people fishing from shore. Several burning complaints and TIP calls were investigated. Two wild fire arson investigations are underway, and wetland and public waters alterations are being checked. Stattelman spoke to two Firearms Safety Classes about laws, safety, and ethics. He also attended Use of Force instructor training.
Water Resource Officer Traci Hanson (Northwest Region) assisted with Lake Service Provider training in Onamia and finalized AIS training for law enforcement officers. Hanson assisted with boating and AIS enforcement efforts on Lake of the Woods and Rainy River. She also handled an ATV violation.
Crookston - vacant.
Natural Resources Pilot John Heineman (Bemidji) flew wetland photos for Forest Assessment and assisted with an overturned sailboat .
