WEEKLY DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Rainy River, Aquatic invasive species compliance etc.

Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwest Minnesota for April 2:

District 1 - Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked walleye and sturgeon anglers on the Rainy River with CO Milbridge. Assistance was given to local law enforcement regarding a possible stolen ATV. Fire activity in the area continues to be high. CO Huener met with a class at the Badger School for a Q&A session. A law and ethics presentation was given to the Roseau Firearms Safety Training Class.

CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) along with other conservation officers spent time checking watercraft coming from Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River for compliance to Invasive Species regulations. Follow up continued on illegal beaver trapping and litter complaints. CO Birchem and CO Hansen conducted a night patrol on the Rainy River concentrating on navigational lights. Enforcement action was taken on invasive species violations, operating boat without navigational lights and no fishing license.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) taught the law and ethics portion of a Firearms Safety class in Fisher and completed a trapping investigation. Boating, fishing, and Invasive Species enforcement was worked with CO Gorecki on Lake of the Woods. Enforcement action included failure to tend traps, boat registration, and transporting infested waters violations.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) worked trapping activity. A call of a goose dead in a ditch with shotgun casings nearby was investigated. Anglers on the Red Lake River were checked and questions about nuisance beaver permits were answered. CO Warren patrolled areas of recent illegal fire activity. Preparations for upcoming firearms safety classes were performed.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) checked area fish run activity and ATV activity. A number of accidentally taken otter and mink were confiscated. Maintenance was conducted on station equipment and angling activity was monitored. Enforcement action for the week included ATV violations.

Blackduck #2 Vacant

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette #2) monitored fishing and boating activity throughout the week. Anglers are reporting good success on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. Many trophy class walleye were caught and released throughout the week. CO Gorecki and other Conservation Officers focused on Invasive Species regulation compliance throughout the weekend. Compliance levels were very high, but 100% compliance is needed. People are reminded to drain all water from the watercraft and pull all drain plugs prior to leaving the public accesses.

Blackduck #2 - vacant.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.

District 2 - Bemidji area

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) checked trappers and picked up accidentally taken otter. Leech trappers are out, and angling activity is starting. Malinowski spoke to a Firearms Safety Class about laws, safety, and ethics.

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) monitored spring fish movement, checked trappers, and investigated two trespass complaints.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) spent time at the Bemidji Home, Sport, and Travel Show answering DNR related questions. There were many questions and comments about the delisting of wolves and a possible hunting season. Anglers and ATVs were checked, and fish run activity monitored. A litter complaint was investigated and a citation issued.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) reports some crappie anglers looking for fish. The weather was nice but the success rate was low. ATV and beaver trappers were checked. Complaints of dogs chasing deer were investigated.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) checked anglers and ATV riders. Some anglers are out pursuing suckers. WMAs were patrolled and checked for activity. Vinton spoke to a group of Lions Club leaders at a meeting held in New York Mills about AIS issues. In the Officer's travels AIS boat stickers were distributed.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) checked anglers on area lakes and the Red River. Angler success remains low and water temperatures cold. A complaint of ATV trespass and unlawful youth operation of an ATV was investigated. Several accidentally taken otter were turned in by beaver trappers. Seefeldt spoke to Firearms Safety Classes in Hawley and Moorhead about laws, safety, and hunting/shooting ethics.

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) checked anglers and monitored fish movement. Several wetland and public waters alteration complaints were investigated. Fire and burning activity was monitored. Conditions remain quite dry and extreme caution should be used with all fires. Remember to obtain a burning permit.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) reports crappie angler activity and the number of boats on the lakes increasing. Complaints of dead birds and a problem fisher were investigated.

Water Resource Officer Traci Hanson (Northwest Region) attended a spring waterfowl identification school. Hanson worked with local officers near Lake of the Woods and Rainy River checking boats for AIS law compliance. Boats are reminded to pull the plug, drain all water, and remove vegetation from all water related equipment.

Crookston - vacant.

Natural resources pilot John Heineman (Bemidji) flew training flights and worked on administrative tasks. Low ceilings, fog, and ice canceled a week of wetland photos for Forest Assessment. Each year Forestry flies 1,800 wetland photos before leaf out. About every three years the same wetland locations will be re-photographed to measure any change.