Caption: DNR Assistant Commission Bob Meier (far left), DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen (second from left) and Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director (far right), are pictured here with the 18 new conservation officers who graduated from the CO Academy and now are field training across the state.

Weekly CO report

Featured Update

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) worked on cases from the firearms deer season, monitored muzzleloader-hunting activity, and conducted equipment maintenance this week. Recent warm weather and rain have deteriorated ice conditions. Ice that looked good a few days ago may be unsafe now. Please use caution.

District 1 – Baudette area

Last updated: 2024-12-09

CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week monitoring ice conditions and responding to various complaints.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week patrolling area lands and waters. Fontes reports people are venturing out onto the first ice of the season and urges folks to use caution this time of year. Fontes also attended a Law Enforcement Memorial Association Honor Guard training.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports the south shore of Lake of the Woods, and the south bays, survived the strong winds. Anglers are venturing onto the ice in search of walleyes and northern pike and finding success with both. Remember that ice is never 100% safe. Check with local resorts for current ice conditions before you go, but always check for yourself, too. Ice thickness can vary quickly and unexpectedly.

CO Paul Kennedy (Baudette East) began working his new station assignment this past week. Time was spent with neighboring COs checking early ice anglers and spearing activity. Most walleye anglers reported success later in the week with ice conditions improving with more favorable temperatures moving in. Enforcement action this week included no ATV registration, no license in possession, and fishing with an extra line.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) continued investigation on a deer-out-of-season case, checked area muzzleloader hunters, taught the law and ethics portion of the Warren snowmobile safety class, and monitored early ice angling activity. Enforcement action for the week included possessing illegal-length northern pike, no ID on an ice shelter, and no ice shelter license as required.

CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) worked trapping activity and handled various wildlife-related complaints. A snowmobile safety class was taught in Newfolden. The funeral for Red Lake Officer Jesse Branch was attended.

CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) reports checking ice anglers throughout the week. Time was spent completing annual training.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) continued field training with COC Sara Mooers. The officers worked Upper Red Lake, checked early ice anglers, and encountered multiple violations that included walleye overlimits, illegal length/slot fish, taking fish without a license, failure to display/failure to renew ATV and snowmobile registration, failure to display an ice shelter permit, unattended lines, extra lines, and litter.

Blackduck South vacant.

District 2 – Bemidji area

Last updated: 2024-12-09

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports checking muzzleloader deer hunters this past week. Time was further spent checking goose hunters and anglers. Follow-up work continues on pending deer-case investigations from the firearms deer season.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) spent time checking muzzleloader hunters and anglers braving the early ice. Some anglers are reporting just 3 inches of ice on some lakes. He investigated a TIP on hunters shooting from a motor vehicle at deer.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) reports checking ice anglers, brought out by fair weather over the weekend. Ice conditions ranged from open water to 10 inches of ice, not only lake to lake but within single bodies of water as well. Anglers found the bite also varied based on time of day and ice activity levels. Many gravel and grass public water access parking lots have been significantly rutted up over the past two weeks, from vehicles doing donuts and burn outs. This type of behavior, along with the illegal dumping on state lands, costs the taxpayers to fund repairs and cleanup of these sites, rather than spending time and resources to improve them.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week checking anglers and muzzleloader hunters. Up until the weekend, area lakes were creating good ice and anglers were able to get some houses out and catch some fish. Ice conditions have worsened with rainy, warm conditions. Swedberg also followed up on a few deer-hunting complaints around the area.

CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) primarily worked angling activity on area lakes, but a few lakes still have not frozen over. Equipment maintenance was completed, and time was spent on annual training.

CO William Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking ice anglers, pheasant hunters, and following up on deer-hunting cases. Ice anglers are finding 4 to 6 inches in most cases, but there are still some bigger or deeper lakes that have less ice, so anglers are encouraged to check as they go.

CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) worked area wildlife management areas, waterfowl production areas, and forest areas for small-game-hunting activity. Area lakes were monitored for ice angling activity. Anglers are cautioned that with warmer weather and rain, ice conditions have deteriorated. Areas were worked for muzzleloader-hunting activity.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) checked muzzleloader deer hunters and checked anglers who had started spearing. Reports on some of the small lakes in the area had 4 to 6 inches of ice and sunfish caught. A large fish house was already observed on Pine Lake. Please use extreme caution and be careful if you have any doubt about ice conditions. Phone calls were answered regarding TIPs, deer license questions, and the feeding and attractant ban.

CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) had the honor of attending a funeral for fallen Red Lake Police Officer, former coworker, and friend Jesse Branch. Time was also spent monitoring ice fishing activity and grouse hunters. Anglers are still urged to use caution when venturing out onto the ice.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

Last updated: 2024-12-09

CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the past week focusing on waterfowl and angling enforcement. Some snowmobile activity has started while the goose activity rapidly declined. More and more people are venturing out onto the ice as conditions have been favorable. She would like to remind people to continue to use caution when walking or driving on the ice. A day of training was also attended.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) spent time working deer hunters, pheasant hunters, and early ice anglers. Several smaller lakes were busy with early ice conditions being favorable. Violations encountered were no fishing license in possession and spearing without a spearing license.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked ice conditions on area lakes. Several lakes had ATV traffic on them, and a truck was observed on another. Please check ice conditions before venturing out.

CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County. Time was spent checking area trappers, anglers, and big-game hunters. Additional time was spent preparing for the upcoming fisher and bobcat season. Homan would like to remind individuals that trapping zones have changed, so be sure to check regulations. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling violations.

CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) continues to check muzzleloader hunters and pheasant hunters. Time was spent investigating various complaints including shooting from the roadway onto posted property and trespass complaints. As the cold weather persists, she reports seeing more and more ice anglers. She continues to educate about ice safety.

CO Bobby Stringer (Wheaton) reports increased small-game and ice fishing activity as the weather shifts throughout the region. Although the temperatures have dropped significantly, there is still success among local muzzleloader hunters in the field. Ice thickness on Lake Traverse is holding at 7 to 8 inches in most parts, with a few pressure ridges observed. Enforcement action and investigations for the week included follow-up bear-bait violations, multiple angling without a license in possession violations, hunting small game while not meeting the blaze orange/pink requirements, and several ATV violations.

CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working muzzleloader, pheasant, and recreational vehicle activity throughout the week. A background investigation for the division was also started.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking anglers and pheasant and deer hunters. Additional time was spent on equipment maintenance and checking trappers.

District 4 – Walker area

Last updated: 2024-12-09

CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked late-season deer-hunting and early ice fishing as some foot traffic is now heading out on area lakes. Ice conditions vary greatly around the area with open water still being present on many lakes. Training and equipment maintenance were also completed.

CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) followed up with some accidentally trapped animals during November. Baum has several area lakes with anglers on them. Baum wants to remind ice anglers to ensure they are on good ice before venturing out to fish.

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) primarily checked ice anglers. Ice is forming on area lakes; ice thickness varies throughout the area. Some early ice anglers have had success overall fishing has been slow. A citation was issued to an individual for fishing without a license. The fish the angler had caught were seized.

CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) worked Upper Red Lake throughout the week. McGowan continues to train a new conservation officer for field training. Enforcement action was taken for numerous angling violations including, several walleye overlimits.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked ice anglers. Certain areas of lakes have up to 7 to 9 inches, but caution is necessary as plenty of areas on lakes have weak ice not suitable for travel. Some time was spent checking hunting activity and working on items related to the new licensing system. Enforcement action was taken for ice fishing and ATV violations.

CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) checked hunting and trapping activity. She also assisted at a snowmobile safety class and assisted with multiple vehicles in the ditch.

CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports checking archery and muzzleloader deer hunters and following up on TIP and trespass complaints.

ATV rec officer vacant.