The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources K9 unit. Left to right: Lt. Phil Mohs and K9 Mack; Conservation Officer Mike Krauel and K9 Bolt; Conservation Officer Mike Fairbanks and K9 Fennec; Conservation Officer Adam Seifermann and K9 Jet; and Conservation Officer Luke Gutzwiller and K9 Earl.
District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2024-01-08
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and completed Division training. Fishing on the southwestern side of Lake of the Woods was fair, with yellow perch being the primary species in the bag. Most outfits on Lake of the Woods are still waiting for consistent ice to resume normal ice fishing activities.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent time checking area anglers, participated in an ice rescue on Lake of the Woods, and trained (staged) at Upper Red Lake with an airboat preparing for ice rescues. Violations encountered this week were no license in possession, garbage on the ice, and possessing dressed fillets on the water.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the majority of the week working angling activity on Lake of the Woods and Upper Red Lake, as well as practicing airboat operation. Enforcement action was taken for using an extra line, taking fish without an angling license, taking fish after revocation, and providing a fictitious birthdate to law enforcement to avoid enforcement action. It is strongly recommended (and the law) to provide your real name and date of birth. Fontes reports that the colder weather appears to be making ice, and he is cautiously optimistic this will continue given the foreseeable forecast.
CO Jamus Veit (Baudette East) spent the week working angling activity on Upper Red Lake and Lake of the Woods, as well as following up on various complaints. Veit assisted the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office with an ice rescue on Lake of the Woods. Enforcement action was taken for taking fish without an angling license.
CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time working ice fishing on the Red Lake River, where anglers saw mixed success. Time was also spent assisting Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge conduct a bird count. A law talk was done at a local snowmobile class.
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) reports checking area anglers out on the ice. Bruesewitz also spent time assisting a local law enforcement agency with a call for service. A snowmobile safety class was attended in Lancaster.
CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck South) reports checking trapping activity and anglers on special regulation lakes throughout the past week. Time was spent following up on cases from this past deer season, looking into TIP information, issuing possession permits for car-killed deer, handling reports of an incidental catch of a fisher in a mink set and monitoring area recreational vehicle trail activity. Violations encountered and addressed this past week included anglers trespassing, trappers failing to tend traps and placing an illegal trap set on public land/water.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck North) reports slower fishing success on Upper Red Lake. Time was spent working ATV, angling, and small-game trapping activity.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2024-01-08
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports attending a snowmobile safety class in Crookston. Time was also spent checking ice anglers and ATV operators. Predator-hunting activity and the landowner deer shooting permit area near Climax were monitored.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) checked anglers on area lakes. The ice conditions continue to slowly improve with the colder weather. He responded to an incident on Lake of the Woods where several individuals were not able to make it back to shore after a large ice sheet pushed out, causing a crack approximately 100 feet wide.
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) conducted aeration inspections while monitoring ice conditions and angling activity. Angler success has been variable, but a few folks have found limits of crappies and northern pike. Questions about nighttime coyote hunting were frequent this week with fresh snow and a clear sky making conditions favorable for the activity.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week working on some trapping cases and checking anglers. He also worked on some training and follow up on several other cases. Ice conditions continue to improve and with more cold weather in the forecast, area lakes should continue gaining ice.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week following up on reports of incidentally taken furbearers, checking ice anglers, and continued work on a background investigation. Ice conditions averaged around 9 inches, but a fair number of areas have less and open-water areas refroze on Jan. 6. Anglers should still be very cautious on the ice and give the upcoming cold snap time to heal and add depth.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling activity. Colder weather has improved some ice conditions, but people are reminded to use caution when venturing out. Mandatory training was completed. Information was provided about tribal deer seasons.
CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) spent time on trapping and fishing enforcement. Ice thicknesses vary widely, sometimes within a short distance. The area received 2 to 4 inches of snow over the weekend, and for those inquiring, snowmobile trails are legally closed for other off-highway vehicle traffic. Enforcement action was taken for various fishing and ATV violations.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) focused on follow ups on property left on public lands and questions about boundaries around a state game refuge. Ice fishing checks were conducted with lots of spearing activity in the area. Enforcement action was taken on no angling license and no licenses in possession. ATV registration and display enforcement was also handled. Assistance was also given to other agencies throughout the week.
CO Brett Fox (Bemidji #2) spent the week patrolling for ice fishing activity. Fox is also conducting investigations into trapper harassment and big-game violations. Violations this week included failure to register a deer and no fishing license in possession.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2024-01-08
CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week continuing to work on her background investigation. Time was also spent on following up on TIP complaints, and some trainings.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) spoke to a snowmobile safety class on laws and ethics, checked ice anglers, trappers, and ATV riders. Coyote hunters were out with a fresh dusting of snow ad finding some good success. A background investigation is ongoing.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) spent most of his enforcement efforts on ATV riders and anglers. Time was also spent on ongoing cases and a snowmobile safety class in Hoffman. Enforcement action was taken this week for taking fish without an angling license and leaving equipment on a wildlife management area.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, ATV riders and pheasant hunters. Animal-possession tags were issued, and a complaint of trespass was received. Ice thickness throughout the area varies and anglers should be cautious when traveling on the lakes.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) spent time this week monitoring anglers and a few ATV riders. Ice conditions vary, and there are questionable areas. Znajda spoke at the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention, where she answered various questions. She responded to reports of incidentally trapped animals.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working on background investigations for the Division. Calls were answered and a local school meeting was attended.
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking trappers, anglers, and ATV operators. Additional time was spent attending training, a TEP meeting, and investigating a potential public waters violation. Many area lakes still have open water and ice conditions vary greatly.
Wheaton vacant.
Pelican Rapids vacant.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2024-01-08
CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) checking fishing and trapping activity. She investigated trapping, fishing, and trespass complaints. Enforcement action was taken on damage to a beaver lodge.
CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) used a state airboat throughout the week and weekend for ice rescues and to monitor ice conditions. Ice conditions in the area remain very poor in spots, with several lakes still having open water. Anglers should use caution when venturing out on area lakes.
CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked trapping and ice angling. Equipment maintenance was conducted. Work was also continued on a background investigation.
CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports conducting a background investigation on a potential new hire candidate.
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) checked ice anglers and ice conditions. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license. A report of someone shooting from the roadway was handled. Assistance with directing traffic at a motor vehicle crash was given.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily worked on a background investigation of a CO applicant. Some time was spent checking anglers. The ice is still shockingly poor in spots, including some open water areas that are still present. Recreational vehicles are still breaking through in weak ice locations. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and ATV violations.
ATV rec officer vacant.
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