District 1 – Baudette area

Last updated: 2024-12-30

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) worked the fur registration and checked anglers and snowmobilers on Lake of the Woods. Violations for the week include possess over limit of walleyes/saugers, no ice shelter license and fail to validate pine marten coupons as prescribed.

CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week working on a pre-employment background investigation.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) notes a busy end to the fisher/marten season. Fontes spent the week following-up on related cases and assisting local agencies.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports increased angling activity on Lake of the Woods. Time was spent working ice angling, snowmobile, and ATV activity. Enforcement action was taken on allowing illegal operation of an ATV by a juvenile, no helmet on an ATV, and operating on a public road right of way without a driver?s license.

CO Paul Kennedy (Baudette East) assisted at a local fur registration station earlier in the week. He spent time checking anglers on area lakes with most anglers having fish but reporting a slow bite. Enforcement action for the week included no license in possession, illegal length fish, angling without a license, and no shelter license.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) answered numerous questions on renewal of OHV registrations, received a call of an injured owl, and conducted a follow up investigation from the muzzle loader season.

CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time working ice fishing activity and handling various wildlife complaints. Fur registration was also attended, many people were successful for pine martin. A reminder is issued to use caution on the ice as the weather continues to fluctuate.

CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week checking anglers and individuals snowmobiling. A Great Horned owl was rescued and brought to the Raptor Center for rehabilitation. Enforcement action was taken for registration issues and an angling over-limit.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) spent most of the week on Upper Red Lake. The bite continues to vary depending on the day and the location on the lake. Officer finished up deer farm inspections.

CO Brianna Shaw (Blackduck South) spent the week patrolling for angling and ATV activity. Additional time was spent rescuing an injured great horned owl. Enforcement action was taken for failure to purchase shelter license and no license in possession.

Weekly CO report

District 2 – Bemidji area

Last updated: 2024-12-30

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports attending a snowmobile safety class in Red Lake Falls this week. Time was also spent checking several anglers on area lakes and rivers. Snowmobile operators, archery deer hunters, and a predator hunters were checked as well.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) spent time patrolling local lakes and trails. He followed up with an abandoned ice shelter left on a lake. He took a complaint of ATVs on the Paul Bunyan snowmobile trail. Enforcement action was taken for no spearing license, litter, and various ATV violations.

CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling activity. Anglers checked reported fair success, with ice conditions continuing to vary. With warmer weather and a little rain, the public is reminded to use caution when venturing out. A few snowmobiles were checked on area lakes, but snow conditions continue to deteriorate. ATV checks were performed. Information was provided about White Earth Reservation netting activity.

CO Matthew Boyle (Pelican Rapids) spent time patrolling area lakes for ice fishing activity. The panfish bite has been very good, however the walleyes have been slower. Ice conditions vary in the area. Assisted a local sheriff?s officer with locating a lost snowmobiler.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) checked ice angling and spearing activity and patrolled for snowmobile activity early in the week, before melting started. Ice on area lakes was approximately one foot, however, the warmer weather caused a lot of melting, so please still use caution. Public lands were patrolled for small game, archery, and trapping activity. A trapping incident and violation were addressed with enforcement action.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

Last updated: 2024-12-30

CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week focused on angling enforcement and follow up from the deer season. With the warmer temps, ice conditions on area lakes are changing quickly. Be sure to be smart when traveling out on lakes, your safety is your responsibility.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) reports that ice fishing and trapping activities were monitored, an incidentally taken fisher was handled, and yearly equipment maintenance was performed. Recent weather has changed ice conditions across the area and anglers are urged to use caution on any lake.

CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports checking anglers and hunters throughout the week. Time was also spent with fur registration and annual training. Brown wants to remind anglers to check ice thickness, as there have been reports of vehicles breaking through the ice. Additionally, there were reports of fish houses being left at public accesses and enforcement action was taken. Other violations this week included angling with an extra line, no fishing license in possession and failure to display current ATV registration.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked fishermen, fish houses, ATV?s and snowmobiles. Littering complaint was received and investigated. Fish house identification remains an issue with shelters on the ice.

CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) patrolled surrounding lakes and snowmobile trails. Lots of fishing activity with a variety of success. She continues to get dogs chasing deer complaints. Various violations encountered.

CO Bobby Stringer (Wheaton) reports an active week as anglers continue to push out onto the ice. More ATV activity on the ice was observed with some violations noted. Stringer wants to remind anglers that all youth under 18 must wear a helmet while traveling on an ATV on the ice. Other Enforcement action for the week included no small game license in possession, and no angling license in possession.

CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working fishing and pheasant hunting activity. Ice conditions have worsened, and many are getting their houses off the water in the meantime. Trapping questions were also fielded. Those trapping fisher in the south furbearer zone during the January season are advised to only notch the day and time of their kills, as the month is not being printed on the site validation coupons. Those following this guideline will not be in violation of improperly marking their site validation coupon.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking fishermen, pheasant hunters, and ATV operators. Additional time was spent investigating complaints of fish over limits. Most people have removed fish houses from area lakes because of the warm weather over the weekend.

District 4 – Walker area

Last updated: 2024-12-30

CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked ice angling, continued follow-up on open cases, and continued work on a background investigation throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for angling and shoreline violations.

CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the area for ice angling and recreational vehicle traffic. CO Baum found anglers having varying success throughout the area. CO Baum observed differing ice thickness and recommends anglers to continue to check ice thickness before venturing out. CO Baum took enforcement for angling with extra lines.

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) monitored area trapping and registration and checked local anglers. The Wadena fur registration was attended, numbers were slightly under last year numbers. A couple of accidental fishers were taken after the season had closed. Area lakes have been busy with ice anglers. With the unusual warmer temps? anglers are reminded to keep ice safety in mind while venturing out.

CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) continued field training of a conservation officer cadet. The officers worked a busy Upper Red Lake several times. Enforcement action was taken for numerous angling violations.

CO Corey Sura (Remer) continued to monitor trapping and angling activity. Sura assisted at the first of two fur registrations. Anglers took advantage of the unusually warm weather to get out fishing. There have been some good panfish bites. Enforcement action was taken for taking illegal length northern pike and expired ATV registration.

CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports checking ice anglers and small game hunters. Enforcement action was taken for ice shelter violations, angling license violations and ATV related violations. Ice conditions remain variable, ice depth and quality should be checked daily with the warm temperatures.

ATV rec officer vacant.