WEEKLY DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Operation Drywater, Fishing and boating activity etc.

Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwest Minnesota for July 1:

District 1 - Baudette area

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) worked angling and boating activity on Lake of the Woods, Lake Bronson, and area rivers. AIS (aquatic invasive species) checks were performed and questions answered. Areas were patrolled for off-road vehicle activity. Complaints of deer damaging yards in Thief River Falls were received. A complaint of a nuisance bear was investigated. Follow up was conducted in regards to permitted water usage.

CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck) monitored angler activity on Upper Red Lake and ATV activity throughout the week. Enforcement actions for the week included over length walleyes, angling without license in possession, registration violations and disposal of bait in public waters.

Baudette -vacant.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #1 - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.

District 2 - Bemidji area

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) worked mostly angling and watercraft enforcement. ATV operators were checked and a suspected public waters violation site was inspected. Violations included angling and watercraft violations.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) worked angling and boating activities with an extra effort during the Operation Dry Water project. Multiple wildlife calls were taken and multiple assists were given to other law enforcement agencies. Commercial wildlife businesses were monitored and a trespass investigation was completed. The highlight of the week was participating in a Take A Kid Fishing event while the weather and fish cooperated.

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked anglers, patrolled for ATVs and responded to a dead eagle call. The eagle was in fact a turkey vulture.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) monitored angling activity on area lakes throughout the week. Anglers are reporting a good early morning and evening bite for walleye on most area lakes. CO Vollbrecht performed AIS checks at various Lake Bemidji accesses. While sitting at one access a vehicle drove in and parked illegally. Officer went to talk to the driver about moving and smelled a strong odor of marijuana when the window was rolled down. After speaking with the driver for a short period of time it was discovered the driver was smoking methamphetamine and the passenger was smoking the marijuana. The driver was arrested and charged. CO Vollbrecht called to assist Beltrami County with a standoff with a suicidal individual. Time was spent monitoring ATV and ORV traffic on area roads and trails.

CO Brian Holt (Bemidji) worked angling activity, ATVs and wolf complaints throughout the week. A complaint of ATV's causing damage to a wetland was investigated. Officer Holt assisted local law enforcement with a call and also spent time working special regulation lakes. Enforcement activity for the week included illegal length fish and boat and water safety violations.

CO Chris Vinton (Detroit Lakes) reports contacting several boaters and anglers. He also spent time discussing AIS rules and how to inspect their watercraft. CO Vinton patrolled Detroit Lake for Operation Dry Water. Compliance was very good with only a few minor registration violations discovered. Many of the boaters were aware of the program and had designated operators for the boats. Calls about a snapping turtle in a window well, baby bunnies in a garden and taking snapping turtles once the season opens were taken. TIP investigations of possible over-limits are continuing.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) continued with a depredation case with ongoing heifer loss, worked ATV enforcement, and attended training. Anglers and boaters were checked and a public waters draining complaint was handled.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) spent the week checking anglers and boaters. CO Forsberg reminds PWC owners to familiarize themselves with juvenile operation laws and hours of operation. Complaints of unattended traps and taking snapping turtles out of season were investigated. CO Forsberg assisted Wilkin County Deputies with flood duties in the city of Wolverton after they received almost nine inches of rain.

Wetland Resource Enforcement Officer Joe Stattelman followed up on questions regarding trespass, WCA, APM and AIS questions and cases.

Perham - vacant.

Natural Resources Pilot John Heineman (Bemidji) flew wolves and marten telemetry. Heineman also flew a night training flight.