MN DNR K-9 Conservation Officers
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and assisted the Roseau Port of Entry with an over limit of walleyes and sauger that came from the Northwest Angle. Other violations for the week included angling with extra lines and angling without a license.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent time checking area anglers. Violations encountered were an overlimit of walleyes/sauger, no license in possession, and angling without a license. Forty walleyes and sauger were seized from a pair of anglers.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent a large portion of the week participating in training. Most notably, Fontes participated in an airboat training in Winona where airboats were operated on thin, breaking ice and cold-water airboat rescues were simulated.
CO Jamus Veit (Baudette East) spent the week monitoring angling activity on Upper Red Lake and Lake of the Woods. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines, walleye and sauger overlimits, and possession of fillets on the ice.
CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time working ice fishing enforcement, small-game enforcement and recreational vehicle enforcement. She also assisted other agencies. Time was spent working a coyote tournament, where hunters saw good success. Time was also spent working an ice derby at Lake Bronson State Park. There was a good turnout but limited success. Enforcement action was taken for unattended lines and operating an unregistered ATV.
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) continued work on ongoing big-game cases from previous deer seasons. Time was also spent on Lake of the Woods working fishing enforcement. Bruesewitz was invited to speak at a local rod and gun club, where conversations regarding new regulations were had. Enforcement action for the week included overlimits, extra lines, and possessing fish fillets on the ice of a special regulation lake.
CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck South) reports working angling activity and shelter checks on special regulation lakes this past week. Regas noted anglers having varied success, but the crappie and bluegill bite picked up during the weekend on a couple of lakes. Time was spent working an ongoing deer-hunting case. Violations encountered and addressed this past week included litter on the ice and angling license violations.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck North) reports more chaos on Upper Red Lake. Prachar was made aware of two more vehicles that broke through the ice. All occupants made it off the ice safely.
Baudette West vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2024-02-12
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports spending time this week checking anglers and ATV operators. Time was further spent working on a deer-hunting case from the 2023 season.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) checked anglers on area lakes. Most people have removed their shelters from the lakes. An investigation continued from the firearms deer season.
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) monitored angling and coyote-hunting activity throughout the week. Rain events deteriorated some public accesses, reducing fishing pressure to portables on many area lakes. A sizable group having an overnight get-together was checked during the weekend and commended for their efforts to comply with the new ice litter law. From a trailered porta-potty to a designated food shelter and an elevated fire pit, the group was committed to leaving the lake as they found it. Additional time was spent working fire enforcement and looking for a reported invasive mute swan.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week checking ice anglers. Luckily, conditions in the area did not suffer too much from the warm weather and rain, and many anglers were able to get out on the lakes throughout the week. Fishing remains steady on most lakes, with most success coming from anglers who are targeting panfish. Other time was spent working on online training.
CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) spent time working the lakes, handled miscellaneous complaints and questions, and completed training. As they have been for most of the season, ice conditions are questionable in areas. Enforcement action for the week included fishing and shelter-related violations. A stolen snowmobile was recovered.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking anglers. Warm weather and rain have done a number on ice conditions and accesses, limiting most people to walking or using ATVs. Anglers are encouraged to treat conditions like new ice, as a lot has changed on area lakes. Anglers checked reported a poor bite for all species.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) worked angling activity, with anglers reporting a slow bite. Ice conditions continue to vary with some accesses having deterioration. Area wildlife management areas and waterfowl production areas were patrolled for activity. ATV activity was worked. Information was provided to anglers about area lakes and accesses.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) conducted angling checks. A good number of lakes in the area had minimal activity and many fish houses were removed. Public lands were also patrolled for activity and ATV registration issues were addressed.
CO Brett Fox (Bemidji #2) spent the week patrolling for ATV and ice angling activity. Fox also completed assigned POST training. Violations this week include no license in possession, ATV registration issues, and no state park permit on a motor vehicle.
Pelican Rapids vacant.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2024-02-12
CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week focused on angling enforcement and follow up from the deer season. Ice concerns are a main topic among anglers with reports of widely varying thickness among area lakes. Extreme caution should still be used when venturing out on the lakes.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) spent time on invalid deer license purchase investigations. Hunters are reminded that bonus deer licenses have a waiting period if purchased during the season after shooting hours. Ice conditions and ice anglers were monitored, with minimal activity on area lakes.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, ATVs and fish houses. Fish house/shelter complaints were received and investigated. Open water on some lakes has made the ice unsafe and anglers need to be very cautious when on the ice. A few permanent houses remain on area lakes.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) continued to monitor the little ice fishing activity that?s out there. Foot traffic is most common, but a few ATVs were spotted as well, although ice is less than 7 inches in some spots. Multiple citations were issued for angling with extra lines to a pair of spear fishers. A law enforcement career fair was staffed with CO Wood at the Alexandria Technical and Community College, where more than 100 agencies from the Midwest were in attendance trying to help fill their departments? vacancies.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working on various tasks for the district. Questions and complaints from the public were also fielded.
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking anglers and trappers. Additional time was spent attending training and checking ATV operators. Ice conditions around the area continue to be poor for this time of year, with a few anglers walking out on area lakes.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) spent her time monitoring anglers and the deteriorating ice conditions. Many of the lakes in her station have very inconsistent ice with most anglers not taking the chance with ATVs but walking out instead. A few ice shelters were located partially going through the ice. Moderate reports of fish in the buckets.
Wheaton vacant.
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