Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports-Jan. 16, 2024

District 1 – Baudette area

Last updated: 2024-01-16

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and coyote hunters and trappers around Roseau and Kittson counties. Enforcement action for the week included transporting a loaded rifle and angling with extra lines. Assistance was given to first responders with a snowmobile accident near Williams.

CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers and following up with various complaints. Ice conditions continue to improve with the recent cold snap, but are still thin in areas. It?s always a good idea to check with area guides and resorts before you go out if you are not familiar with the area. Violations encountered were no license in possession, illegal-length northern pike, angling with extra lines, angling without a license, wanton waste, litter, possessing fillets on the ice, and displaying expired ATV registration.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week working angling activity on Lake of the Woods. Violations encountered included taking fish without a fishing license, and no license in possession. Assistance was given to a snowmobiler who had an accident and required medical attention.

CO Jamus Veit (Baudette East) spent the week working angling and trapping activity. Anglers are reporting slower fishing success with the colder weather. Ice conditions continue to improve, but anglers should continue to be cautious when venturing out onto the ice.

CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time monitoring trapping and ice fishing activities. She also assisted other agencies and wrapped up a big-game case. Enforcement action was taken for not having a burning permit and illegal youth operations on snowmobiles and ATVs.

CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week following up on a big-game case from the previous season. Time was spent giving a career presentation to a local high school class. Enforcement action was taken for multiple ATV violations.

CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck South) reports working trapping and angling activity this past week. Time was spent monitoring ATV and snowmobile activity on the lakes and trails, handling a report of an incidental catch of a pine marten, and working an ongoing deer-hunting investigation.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck North) reports poor ice conditions on Upper Red Lake persist, despite what people are saying on Facebook. Numerous vehicles have gone through the ice, even after the vehicle ban was lifted. Prachar assisted Beltrami County with a call of an ATV that went through the ice where the two occupants were treading water until someone assisted them out of the water. They were extremely hypothermic before they were rescued. Check all ice yourself before venturing onto it.

Baudette West vacant.

District 2 – Bemidji area

Last updated: 2024-01-16

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports checking ice anglers on area lakes and rivers this week. Time was further spent contacting ATV and snowmobile operators. Deer-hunting related complaints were followed up on. A snowmobile safety class in Oklee was attended.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) monitored angling activity on area lakes. Ice conditions continue to improve with the recent cold weather. A few snowmobile riders were observed ditch riding. Trails remain in poor condition with the lack of snow.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) continued aeration permit inspections during the week. Frigid temperatures finally provided firmer and thicker ice for anglers to get shelters on the ice during the holiday weekend. Fishing success was limited for most but a lot of kids were excited to be on the ice for Take a Kid Fishing Weekend. Enforcement action was taken for extra lines and no fishing license.

CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) followed up on deer-season-related cases and spent time on fishing enforcement, as the cooler weather led a few more people to venture out on the ice. Unfortunately, the later ?start? to the ice fishing season wasn?t enough time for people to make sure they had their shelters squared away with identification or licenses. Lack of ATV and snowmobile registration was a common violation over the week. Several trout anglers were contacted and were having success.

CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week working on a background investigation for the 2024 CO Academy. Ice conditions have improved and anglers are starting to get houses out on area lakes, but caution is still encouraged as ice thickness varies. Time was also spent responding to incidentally caught furbearers and assisting with a snowmobile safety class.

CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling activity. Colder weather is helping ice conditions, but caution is still advised and anglers have found fair success. Area wildlife management areas and waterfowl production areas were monitored for activity. Grey wolf activity was reported and information provided. ATV and snowmobile activity on area waters was worked.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) checked trout anglers on an area lake for the winter season opener. Property left on public land was addressed. Investigations into deer license purchases and registration were followed up on, with action taken.

CO Brett Fox (Bemidji #2) spent the week patrolling for ice fishing and snowmobiling activity. During the week, it seemed the cold weather kept some anglers from fishing but there were a number who turned out for the trout opener. Even though the weather has been cold as of late, there are still lakes with only 3.5 inches of ice in places. Anglers should continue to use caution when navigating frozen lakes. Violations this week included no license in possession.

Pelican Rapids vacant.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

Last updated: 2024-01-16

CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week focused on angling and recreational vehicle enforcement. Ice thickness continues to vary. Wood has seen open water on some area lakes and people driving pickups out on others. Ice safety is the responsibility of each individual going out, please take precautions and remember that just because one lake is safe doesn?t mean another is. Ice conditions can vary greatly from one end of the lake to the other end as well. She continued to work on her background and on follow up from the deer season.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) checked ice anglers and fish houses out on the lakes. People are reminded again this year that a shelter tag AND identification need to be displayed on their fish house. Snowmobile and ATV traffic was monitored and a background investigation continues for a potential new employee.

CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports checking anglers who were brave enough to venture out during the cold weather. Angling success has been fairly decent throughout the week. Area waters have finally been showing signs of good ice, although caution is still advised. Time was also spent with ongoing investigations from the deer season and enforcement action was taken.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, snowmobile riders and fish houses. A snowmobile safety class in Evansville was attended and the laws and ethics presentation was given. Questions about fish houses, ATVs through the ice and fish possession and transportation questions were received.

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) continued to monitor vary unpredictable ice around Douglas County. Some anglers were checked walking out, and a few with small recreational vehicles. Slush is appearing in a lot of strange places so caution is strongly advised. Enforcement action was taken this week for multiple ATVs/snowmobiles being operated with expired registration, and a pair of deer hunting buddies were both cited for illegally lending/borrowing their deer licenses.

CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) reports she is starting to see more anglers out each day during the week, but with the wild winds over the weekend, those numbers again dropped. There were various fish in the buckets, with an overall good bite. Ice conditions continue to thicken with the cold weather, but she urges anglers to use caution in areas through the Osakis station.

CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working on background investigations for the Division. Calls from people with various questions were also fielded and meetings were attended.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking anglers and ATV and snowmobile operators. Additional time was spent checking trappers and following up on trespass complaints. Ice thickness on area lakes is still highly variable. Anglers should use extreme caution and check ice conditions often as several ATVs have broken through this past week.

Wheaton vacant.