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

District 1 – Baudette area

Last updated: 2025-04-28

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked turkey hunters in Roseau and Marshall Counties, and Pike anglers on Lake of the Woods, with slow activity being reported by both groups.

CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area Turkey hunters and monitored area angling activity.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week monitoring spring beaver trapping and ATV activity. Fontes reports that numerous trappers had good success this week for both beavers and otters. Enforcement action was taken for failure to check traps, trapping without a license, and illegal ATV operation.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports significant angling activity on the Rainy River and 4 Mile Bay. Enforcement action was taken for possession of an illegal length sturgeon and burning without a permit.

CO Paul Kennedy (Baudette East) worked angling activity along the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods into the Sturgeon season. Anglers reported varied success rates with the overall bite being slow. He assisted neighboring COs with a report of illegal dumping and illegal ATV operation in a wetland. Enforcement action for the week included several watercraft safety equipment violations and no license in possession.

CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time teaching the Law and Ethics portion at firearms safety classes in Thief River Falls and Halma. Time was also spent at a career fair in East Grand Forks. Calls were taken regarding a bald eagle and bears. Trapping activity was also monitored.

CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week monitoring Turkey hunting, shore anglers, and wildlife complaints. Time was spent responding to fires throughout the area. Enforcement action was taken for an individual who used an invalid tag during the previous deer season.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) spent time assisting with the local Kelliher/Blackduck annual firearm safety field day. Approximately 50 kids spent the day learning about firearm safety and handling firearms. Officer checked area creeks for spring fish run activity and took accidentally trapped Otter. The animals were donated to the MTA fur project.

CO Brianna Shaw (Blackduck South) spent the week assisting with the youth firearm safety class and field day. Shaw would like to thank all the devoted Firearm Safety Instructors throughout the community for volunteering their time and expertise. Additional time was spent patrolling for angling and recreational vehicle activity.

Thief River Falls West vacant.

District 2 – Bemidji area

Last updated: 2025-04-28

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports spending time checking anglers at various shore fishing locations this week. Time was further spent checking turkey hunting and trapping activity. TIP 411 complaints were received and a Prairie Chicken meeting was attended.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) spent his time patrolling for ATV activity and answering calls for service. Miscellaneous wildlife calls, to include incidental otters and vehicle killed eagles, were handled. He assisted other local agencies on a grass fire. Enforcement action was taken for no headlight use and ATV registration violations.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) worked panfish anglers, sucker spearing and bowfishing activity over the weekend. Various public access and signage issues were discovered. Goodman asks that if you witness someone dumping, destroying, stealing or otherwise defacing public property, please report it immediately. Additional time was spent monitoring fish run and turkey hunting activity.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent time training with K9 partner Axel and fielding calls from the public.

CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) responded to several illegal fires, patrolled the state forests, and monitored the fish run activity. Enforcement action was taken for transportation of loaded firearms, open container, and illegal burning violations.

CO William Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking spring beaver trapping activity and following up with complaints from the public. Calls from the public included complaints of deceased wildlife dumping, nuisance beaver complaints, and reports of various violations. Officer Landmark also assisted with the Mudslingers OHV club?s annual ATV safety training class and assisted with a grass fire. Enforcement action was taken for untagged traps.

CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) worked angling, leeching, and fish run activity. WMAs and WPAs were patrolled. Forest trails were monitored and ATV/off road vehicle activity was worked. Officer Warren assisted Mahnomen County with attempting to locate an individual. Areas were monitored for fire activity and investigation was conducted on a trapping complaint.

CO Matthew Boyle (Pelican Rapids) reports panfish are biting and beginning to stage in preparation for their spawn. Water temps are approximately 53 degrees in several bays. Boyle spent time educating individuals on burn permit requirements and would like to remind individuals that most of the state is currently under restrictions; more info can be found on the DNR website. Boyle also spoke at the Pelican Rapids Pheasants Forever youth turkey hunt. 15 youth were selected for the hunt, 7 of the 15 bagged a turkey the first morning.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) addressed calls about beavers and property damage and patrolled for ATV activity, with some enforcement action taken. Public lands were also checked for turkey hunters and lakes were checked for anglers. A call about spearing and angling in a restricted area was also addressed and A Boy Scouts of America career fair was attended at Camp Wilderness this weekend.

CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) patrolled the state forest for ATV activity, checked individuals spearing and angling for rough fish, and fielded calls from the public.

CO Curtis Jepson (District #2) patrolled State Forest Road closures, ATVing activity, and monitored closed fishing areas, due to the walleye spawning. The officer saw a few people out on Saturday, showing their skill at bowfishing. A career fair was also held for the Boy Scouts of America at Camp Wilderness. It was a huge success; over 300 scouts came by the booth and learned the job duties of a Conservation Officer and how to apply to become one.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

Last updated: 2025-04-28

CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent time on angling, turkey hunting, recreation vehicle, and public waters enforcement. Time was also spent on wildlife complaints.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) spoke to a firearms safety class, monitored fish run activity, and responded to a fire that burnt out of control for several acres. Injured animal calls were handled and more calls regarding dogs running at large were received.

CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports checking angling, trapping and turkey hunters during the week. Time was also spent with miscellaneous animal complaints and wetland investigations.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked fishermen, boaters, ATV?s and spring fish run activity. Fishing activity has increased with warmer temperatures. A reminded to boaters and fishermen that navigation lights must be on at sunset.

CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County. Time was spent following up on ongoing cases and checking shore fisherman. Additional time was spent on station equipment maintenance.

CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) patrolled her area for anglers and ATV operators. She took complaints of dogs at large with the concerns of chasing deer. Znajda took nuisance animal calls and prepped for an upcoming firearms safety class.

CO Bobby Stringer (Wheaton) reports a decrease in boating traffic on Lake Traverse due to windy conditions over the last week. Despite the conditions, anglers have had success on the shore near Reservation Dam WMA. Turkey hunters in the area have seen success with multiple harvests recorded. Trespassing complaints along the Mustinka River have increased as anglers attempt to catch White Bass. Enforcement action for the week included no angling license in possession, operation of a vehicle within a WMA, and several carless acts resulting in fires, resulting in property damage and multiple cabins being destroyed.

CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working turkey and fishing enforcement. Time was spent with our aviation unit training on our new camera system and a firearm safety class was completed certifying 30 local kids.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking fishermen and turkey hunters. Additional time was spent following up on TIP complaints and working on open cases.

District 4 – Walker area

Last updated: 2025-04-28

CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked ATV patrol, trapping, and took calls for service in the area. Time was also spent working on the Rainy River for the Sturgeon opener. Enforcement action was taken for boat and water safety violations, and numerous sturgeon fishing violations.

CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the local area for angling, boating, and ATV activity. CO Baum found many anglers having success on area lakes. CO Baum took enforcement action on various angling, boating, and ATV violations. CO Baum assisted with a DWI in Wadena County. CO Baum wants to remind ATV riders to verify registration and trail openings before operating.

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) Spent the week monitoring ATV traffic; Huntersville Forest roads are now open. The pan fish bite has been picking up on local lakes. The Bow fishing opener was worked, enforcement action was taken for people taking fish without a license. A report of a 330 stolen trap was taken.

CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) worked Cass Co lakes throughout the week for angling activity. Numerous smaller lakes are now ice free with Leech Lake still holding on to some ice. CO McGowan also investigated wildland arson fires. Enforcement action was taken for angling and burning violations.

CO Corey Sura (Remer) checked lakes for spring panfish anglers. A few anglers were out reporting below average success. Sura also continued to monitor spring beaver trapping activity and worked sturgeon anglers on the Rainy River.

CO Levi Brown (Staples) spent time on the local lakes this week. He observed an increase in both shore fishing and angling from the boat. Anglers have been out trying to locate the spring bite however most have reported no luck on the pan fish. Brown would like to remind anglers to ensure they have a current fishing license for the 2025 season.

Staples vacant.

Cass Lake vacant.

ATV rec officer vacant.