District 1 – Baudette area

Last updated: 2024-12-16

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) monitored trapping activity throughout the week and attended investigations training at Camp Ripley. A trespass call was taken, firearms evidence was returned from the deer season, and a dead owl was collected.

CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week working on a pre-employment background investigation and responding to various complaints.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) reports a busy start to the Lake of the Woods ice fishing season, as well as the fisher/pine marten trapping season. Fontes spent the week following up on various cases and complaints.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports mixed angling success on Lake of the Woods. Time was spent working ice angling activity, trapping activity, and snowmobile patrol.

CO Paul Kennedy (Baudette East) reports colder weather in the middle of the week resulted in fewer anglers on the ice. He worked with neighboring COs on nearby lakes as the warmer weather moved in. Anglers reported varied success and it seemed to pick up as the week went on. Enforcement action for the week included operating an ATV without lights, no license in possession, and an overlimit of walleyes.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) attending training at Camp Ripley, removed illegal deer stands from wildlife management areas, continued follow-up investigations, and checked area anglers. Bitterly cold weather kept all but the hardiest hunters and anglers indoors during the middle of the week. Enforcement action for the week included failure to register deer and unlawfully leaving a stand in a WMA.

CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time working the trapping and muzzleloader seasons. Time was also spent at a Shop with a Cop event. With the cold weather, ice seems to be improving on the river leading more people to venture out.

CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) reports checking anglers on the Red Lake River They were having some success. Nuisance-animal calls were handled throughout the week.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) continued field training with COC Sara Mooers. They worked Upper Red Lake, checked ice anglers, and encountered violations including overlimit of walleyes, 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, underage consumption of alcohol, and litter.

Blackduck South vacant.

Weekly CO report

District 2 – Bemidji area

Last updated: 2024-12-16

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports spending time checking ice anglers and deer hunters. Various open cases were closed out.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) reports checking ice anglers following another bitter cold snap. Ice conditions remain variable, but up to 11 inches have been found on small lakes and early ice bays. Education on ice litter was provided to many anglers out for the first time in two years, along with enforcement action for fish limits and sizes. Additional time was spent on trespass and wildlife-related complaints and public access issues.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week checking ice anglers and catching up on reports. Area ice conditions are good, with some anglers starting to drive out on to the ice. Fishing has been good but changing weather made it difficult for some anglers to get the fish to bite.

CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) worked fishing related activities, as ice conditions improved with the recent subzero weather. Time was also spent on forestry-related investigations and monitoring the end of the muzzleloader deer season. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of fishing and recreational vehicle-related violations. All outdoor users would benefit from reading a rule book before engaging in outdoor activities as regulations often change from year to year.

CO William Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking ice anglers, muzzleloader hunters, and trapping activity. Area lakes are averaging around 8 inches of ice and all fish species have been active. Time was also spent teaching the law and ethics portion of snowmobile safety classes hosted by the Clay County Trailblazers and Midnite Riders.

CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) reported working angling activity and monitoring a local panfish tournament. Ice conditions have improved but ice thickness on the same bodies of water varies greatly. Deer-hunter checks were performed, with hunters reporting seeing plenty of deer. Area WMAs and waterfowl production areas were patrolled for pheasant- and small-game-hunting activity. Warren spoke about rules and regulations at a snowmobile safety class.

CO Matthew Boyle (Pelican Rapids) reports increased ice fishing activity, with some lakes having as much as 12 inches of ice. Boyle wants to remind people that just because you see a vehicle on the ice, does not mean it is safe for you to drive. Always check the ice conditions for yourself.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) observed and checked a good number of muzzleloader deer hunters. Questions about ponds and lakes near road rights-of-ways and accesses were answered. If you are unsure, ask for landowner permission to cross or call area officials, DNR, and consult the regulation book for guidance. A class of 20 youth was spoken to about snowmobile safety and ethics. A deer-possession tag was issued and ATV operation with no headlights on was addressed.

CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) spent the week checking area and Upper Red Lake anglers. Ice conditions continue to improve with the colder weather throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for walleye overlimits, ATV registration, unattended lines, extra lines, and a shelter on the ice without a license.

Weekly CO report

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

Last updated: 2024-12-16

CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week focusing on angling and game enforcement. She would like to remind people that they are not allowed to store fish houses (or other property) at public water access sites.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) investigated a litter complaint, checked ice anglers, found some pheasant hunters out, and checked deer hunters. A complaint of camping at a public access was handled and training was attended.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) received a complaint of dogs chasing deer in Douglas County. Equipment inspections were conducted. Ice use in the area has increased with more permanent houses on the ice.

CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling angling activity in Douglas County. Time was also spent patrolling for trapping activities in the county. Area lakes are starting to pick up with angling activity.

CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) spent time checking muzzleloader hunters and anglers. She took complaints of road hunters and trespassing. She stresses caution to those venturing out on ice, and reminders anglers that ice is never 100% safe.

CO Bobby Stringer (Wheaton) reports continued muzzleloader success throughout the station as the season comes to an end. Recent CWD confirmation and an associated news release has generated many phone calls and information related to testing. Ice thickness on Lake Traverse is increasing with multiple new fish houses spotted. Stringer wants to remind anglers that recommended ice depth for fish houses and heavy-duty trucks is 20-plus inches. Enforcement action for the week included multiple people hunting small game while not meeting the blaze orange/pink requirements, ice shelter license violation, and investigations into dogs chasing deer.

CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working muzzleloader deer, pheasant, and fishing activity. Enforcement action was taken for operating an ATV in a WPA. Work was also done on a background investigation for the division.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking anglers and deer and pheasant hunters. Additional time was spent following up on baiting and road-hunting complaints. Ice conditions on area lakes continue to improve but caution is still urged as some people are starting to drive cars on the ice. Walking or ATV use his encouraged over cars at this point.

Weekly CO report

District 4 – Walker area

Last updated: 2024-12-16

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) primarily worked angling activity on area lakes. Equipment maintenance was completed, and time was spent on annual training. Bobcat and fisher trapping has started. Trappers are reminded to review the trapping regulations prior to trapping.

CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) continued field training with COC Tshungtsim Thao. The officers spent time working Upper Red Lake and assisted another agency with airboat operations. Enforcement action was taken for numerous overlimits of walleyes, extra lines, unattended lines, and ATV/snowmobile violations.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked ice anglers. Ice continues to thicken with some areas up to 11 inches. Still, some poor-ice areas are present, and heaves and cracks are showing up. Please use caution. Mathy also spent time working on items related to the new licensing system and followed up on a lake restoration order.

CO Corey Sura (Remer) patrolled ATV, ice angling, and trapping activities over the weekend. Enforcement action was taken for taking illegal-length northern pike and expired ATV registration. She followed up on investigations from the deer season.

CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) assisted in recovering an angler who fell through the ice. She reminds everyone to always check ice conditions prior to travelling onto the lakes.

CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports checking archery, muzzleloader, and small-game hunters. He continues to follow up on investigations and TIP reports. Seifermann reports attending the Shop with a Hero event in Little Falls with partnering agencies.

ATV rec officer vacant.