Conservation Officer Hanna Wood in her truck
District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2021-07-20
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) donated seized walleyes to a local non-profit fish fry. A fire near Strathcona was investigated and assistance was given to U.S. marshals in searching for a fugitive near Thief River Falls.
CO Corey Sura (Baudette East) investigated wetland violations, worked AIS enforcement for Upper Red Lake, checked anglers on Upper Red, Lake of the Woods, and the Rainy River, and patrolled for ATV activity. Fishing pressure on Upper Red has decreased significantly in recent weeks. Sura also checked several sturgeon anglers on the river who were having tough luck. Violations encountered this week include numerous watercraft safety violations and possession of a small amount of marijuana.
CO Ryan Brown (Karlstad) continued to provide assistance to law enforcement agencies concerning a homicide investigation. ATV and boating activity was also worked with various violations addressed. Reminder to check on the laws and regulations for boating. A prime example is making sure you have enough life jackets for everyone onboard watercraft.
CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck South) reports working AIS, boating and angling activity on special regulation lakes this past week. Time was also spent patrolling area recreational vehicle trails and working on an ongoing investigation. Violations encountered and addressed this past week included an unpermitted weed roller, possession of protected-slot northern pike, boating safety equipment and angling license violations.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck North) reports mixed acti
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2021-07-20
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) monitored angling and boating activity on area lakes.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports patrolling area lakes for AIS and boating enforcement issues. Calls of injured eagles were taken, as well as orphaned animals. People should be reminded that very few baby animals are ever just abandoned by their parents. Calls were also taken for increased patrols on some lakes for personal watercraft violations. Jet ski operators need to remember to stay 150 feet from docks, shore and swim rafts. Vinton assisted Wildlife staff with a possible dumping violation on an area WMA.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week working sport fishing and boating activity. Fishing improved across the area as temperatures cooled. Several muskie anglers were checked, including a couple who claimed to have caught a near-record fish. Swedberg also assisted Becker County with a welfare check of a nighttime swimmer, who witnesses believed never came back to shore. Thankfully, after an extensive search the swimmer was located safe on shore.
CO Al Peterson (Osage) worked a possible shoreline and aquatic plant violation, a potential trespassing case, and spoke to kids at a firearms safety class. Peterson took additional enforcement action on several ATV violations.
CO Steve Chihak (Moorhead) spent the week working sport fishing, AIS and ATV enforcement. Chihak spoke with members of the Turtle Lake Association at their annual meeting. Time was also spent working the TIP trailer at the Clay County Fair.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling and boating activity, as well as ATV and ORV activity. Leeching activity was monitored and a deceased eagle was transferred to federal wardens. Warren attended the Island Lake Association meeting, provided regulation information, and answered many questions.
CO Bill Landmark (Pelican Rapids) spent the week monitoring boat and water safety, angling activity, AIS, and ATV activity in the Pelican Rapids station. Calls from the public included reports of nuisance animals and watercraft harassing wildlife. Landmark responded to a report of a grass fire, in which an individual ignited a small pile and ended up burning approximately 6 acres, including several acres of a neighboring property. The individual ended up being cited for a careless fire by a deputy on scene. Enforcement action was taken for failure to remove a drain plug prior to transport and gunwale riding on a watercraft.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2021-07-20
CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) reports fishing continues to be strong on certain area lakes. Time was spent working on fishing and aquatic vegetation complaints. Many inquiries about nuisance-bear and -beaver issues were answered. Lake and river levels continue to drop with higher summer temps and no rain. Getting watercraft into the lakes and off of lifts may pose some challenges for some folks.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) followed up on complaints of sick or injured animals, wetland violations and ATV complaints. Plautz worked with county land and resources on aquatic vegetation issues.
CO Andrew Goodman (Elbow Lake) conducted station equipment transfers and training throughout the week. ATV activities were monitored during his travels to the Bemidji area. Additional time was spent checking shore anglers and AIS compliance.
CO Shane Osbourne (Evansville) checked boaters and anglers and ATV and OHM riders. A complaint of a person camping on a WMA was received and investigated. Firearms and ATV safety class questions were answered. Equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Brian Holt (Osakis) checked recreational vehicle activity and AIS compliance. Time was also spent following up on open cases and an aquatic plant management violation. Holt continued working on organizing a firearms safety class. Enforcement action involved APM violations.
CO Dan Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking anglers, ATV operators and boaters. Additional time was spent on AIS enforcement and nuisance-beaver issues.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2021-07-20
CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked boating and angling, and assisted the Aviation Unit on an angling survey. Enforcement activity consisted of angling, personal watercraft, and registration violations. Cross also worked with the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office on an arrest of a boater for BWI.
CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports focusing efforts on ATV, angling and watercraft safety. Enforcement action consisted of youth under 18 not wearing helmets, permitting unlawful operation by juveniles, ATV/OHM registration violations, no angling license in possession and insufficient personal flotation devices. He also continues to work with local governing units in regards to wetland and public water violations.
CO Calie Kunst (Remer) spent time checking anglers, boaters and ATV riders in the Remer area. Various violations were found, including no life jackets, angling license not in personal possession and taking fish without a license. TIP calls were also received. Kunst participated in public outreach at Federal Dams Days.
CO Jacque Hughes (Longville) worked at a community event, investigated fishing and jet ski complaints, and assisted with a DUI arrest.
CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) spent this week patrolling for boat and water safety, recreational vehicles, and fishing activity. Baum took enforcement action on various violations. Baum continued investigation of area shoreline and wetland violations. Baum encourages people to look at the regulation books before operating a recreational vehicle or boat.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked boaters and ATV riders. Time was also spent working on open public water alteration cases and Bear Committee items. Enforcement action was taken for boating, angling, and ATV violations.
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