District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2024-02-20
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) did follow-up investigations from a fishing over limit, as well as conducted training and inventory work.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers, following up with various complaints, assisting with a snowmobile safety course, and participating in a career fair at the Warroad High School. Violations encountered were no license in possession, failure to yield, littering, and failure to display a shelter tag.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week patrolling Lake of the Woods, following up on miscellaneous cases, and assisting local agencies. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license in possession. Additionally, Fontes assisted with a snowmobile safety class at the Warroad High School.
CO Jamus Veit (Baudette East) spent the week monitoring angling activity on Upper Red Lake and completing online training. Numerous angling related questions were answered. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines, angling without license, and possession of fillets on the ice.
CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time working ice fishing and big-game enforcement. Ice fishing has significantly slowed down on the Red Lake River, with many people removing their houses. A case was worked from last deer season. Time was also spent working on annual trainings.
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) primarily worked ice angling enforcement throughout the week.
CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck South) reports checking anglers this past week on special regulation lakes. Time was spent working an ongoing big-game case and handling a call regarding a deceased wolf, which was found on the shoulder of a township road. Angling license violations topped the list of violations encountered and addressed.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck North) worked ATV and angling activity. Numerous reports of successful crappie and walleye fishing on Upper Red Lake have brought a significant amount of activity to the lake.
Baudette West vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2024-02-20
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports checking anglers on area lakes. Time was further spent contacting ATV operators. Miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints were also received.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) monitored angling activity on area lakes. Ice conditions remain poor on Lake Bemidji, with ice thickness varying from 8 inches to 16 inches. Anglers should use caution when traveling on area lakes.
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) worked the extended holiday weekend for anglers and ATV activity. Many people who braved the wind early reported a slower bite, while those angling later in the weekend had better success. Additional time was spent assisting the county with suspicious activity calls and answering general questions from the public.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week checking ice anglers around the Detroit Lakes area. While ice conditions remain good, the ice is starting to break down along area shorelines. Plenty of anglers were checked during the week, but not many were having success. Other time was spent assisting Becker County and the Detroit Lakes Police Department with calls for service.
CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) worked on sport fishing activity in the area, which is much slower than normal for this time of year. Time was also spent in the Smoky Hills and Two Inlets state forests.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking anglers in the Moorhead and Pelican Rapids Stations. Ice conditions favor recreational vehicle traffic and walking traffic on most lakes. The wind and the warm weather over the weekend have pushed up ice ridges at access points and on some lakes opened up cracks. Anglers should continue to use caution when venturing on area lakes. Unfortunately, fishing success has been poor with the walleye bite dying down and the spring panfish bite not yet picking up. Enforcement action was taken for illegal-length crappies on a special regulations lake, angling with extra lines, angling without a license in possession, and ATV registration violations.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling and ATV activity, with a few anglers out and about. Itasca Park activity was worked, as were wildlife management areas and waterfowl production areas. Mandatory training was also completed.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) addressed phone calls and questions about nuisance animals and big game. Follow up on deer license violations were also conducted. Enforcement action was taken for angling and ATV violations. Public lands were also patrolled for coyote and small-game hunters.
CO Brett Fox (Bemidji #2) spent the week patrolling for ATV and angling activity. Fox also assisted a neighboring officer with deer license-related investigations. Violations this week included using an invalid bonus permit and no state park permit on a motor vehicle.
Moorhead vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2024-02-20
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports checking anglers on area lakes. Time was further spent contacting ATV operators. Miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints were also received.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) monitored angling activity on area lakes. Ice conditions remain poor on Lake Bemidji, with ice thickness varying from 8 inches to 16 inches. Anglers should use caution when traveling on area lakes.
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) worked the extended holiday weekend for anglers and ATV activity. Many people who braved the wind early reported a slower bite, while those angling later in the weekend had better success. Additional time was spent assisting the county with suspicious activity calls and answering general questions from the public.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week checking ice anglers around the Detroit Lakes area. While ice conditions remain good, the ice is starting to break down along area shorelines. Plenty of anglers were checked during the week, but not many were having success. Other time was spent assisting Becker County and the Detroit Lakes Police Department with calls for service.
CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) worked on sport fishing activity in the area, which is much slower than normal for this time of year. Time was also spent in the Smoky Hills and Two Inlets state forests.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking anglers in the Moorhead and Pelican Rapids Stations. Ice conditions favor recreational vehicle traffic and walking traffic on most lakes. The wind and the warm weather over the weekend have pushed up ice ridges at access points and on some lakes opened up cracks. Anglers should continue to use caution when venturing on area lakes. Unfortunately, fishing success has been poor with the walleye bite dying down and the spring panfish bite not yet picking up. Enforcement action was taken for illegal-length crappies on a special regulations lake, angling with extra lines, angling without a license in possession, and ATV registration violations.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling and ATV activity, with a few anglers out and about. Itasca Park activity was worked, as were wildlife management areas and waterfowl production areas. Mandatory training was also completed.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) addressed phone calls and questions about nuisance animals and big game. Follow up on deer license violations were also conducted. Enforcement action was taken for angling and ATV violations. Public lands were also patrolled for coyote and small-game hunters.
CO Brett Fox (Bemidji #2) spent the week patrolling for ATV and angling activity. Fox also assisted a neighboring officer with deer license-related investigations. Violations this week included using an invalid bonus permit and no state park permit on a motor vehicle.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2024-02-20
CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the past week focused on angling enforcement and follow up from the fall deer season. Even with the week?s colder temps, many area lakes have spots of open water. Take extra caution if venturing out as conditions are rapidly changing.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports horrible ice conditions with several reports of equipment items breaking through the ice. Time was spent checking the few anglers who braved it out on area waters. Reminder to all anglers to check ice thicknesses as much as possible, especially with warmer weather on the forecast.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, fish houses and ATV riders. Osborne responded to a grass fire in Otter Tail County. Deer-violation investigations were conducted.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) focused attention this week on the few panfish anglers out on area lakes. Numbers of contacts were significantly lower than a normal mid-February week, but conditions are very unusual this year. A meeting in St Paul was attended as well as planning for upcoming training at Camp Ripley.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) is continuing to check anglers out on the ice with fish in the buckets. Some are still utilizing ATVs, but most are walking. Several ice shelters partially fell through due to inconsistent ice. Violations were encountered during the week, with various enforcement action taken.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working on various tasks for the Division and attending a training regarding turtle poaching. Questions and complaints from the public were also fielded.
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were focused on checking anglers and ATV operators. Foot travel continues to be the best option on area lakes. Additional time was spent attending training and checking trappers.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2024-02-20
CO Michael Cross (Lake George) working angling, completed training, and followed up on big-game cases. Enforcement action was taken for angling and big-game violations.
CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) checked fishing activity. Current weather has changed ice conditions. Use caution when traveling on the ice.
CO Corey Sura (Remer) completed commercial inspections and monitored angling activity in the area. Folks targeting panfish in the area are still finding decent success. Enforcement action was taken for expired ATV registration.
CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) worked Leech Lake throughout the week. Ice conditions on Leech Lake continue to deteriorate, and numerous heaves, cracks, and open water have formed. Enforcement action was taken for numerous angling violations.
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) spent time monitoring coyote-hunting and ice fishing activity. Panfish fishing has picked up on area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for burning without a permit and burning prohibited materials. People are reminded to be cautious when burning as the weather conditions have been dry with high winds.
CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports attending monthly K9 training as well as attending an outdoor Special Olympics carnival at Camp Confidence Learning Center with K9 Jet, CO Brodin and area Wildlife staff. DNR employees had the TIP trailer, K9 Jet and furs on display for youth to interact with.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) continues to primarily check ice anglers. Some time was spent working on Bear Committee-related items. An injured-deer complaint was received. Enforcement action was taken for angling and ATV violations.
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