District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2025-07-07
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked boaters, anglers, ATV and off-highway motorcycle riders over the busy Fourth of July weekend. A district meeting was attended as well. Violations for the week included anglers using extra lines, ATVs displaying no registration, as well as other minor boating safety infractions.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers, monitoring local ATV traffic, and following up with various complaints. Violations encountered were no license in possession and angling with extra lines. Anglers have reported the bite has slowed.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week patrolling Lake of the Woods and the Beltrami Island State Forest, as well as assisting with the current CO Academy. Enforcement action was taken for the use of an extra line and no angling license in possession.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports significant activity in the area over the Independence Day holiday. Time was spent working ATV complaints, AIS activity, and OHM activity. Enforcement action was taken for illegal operation of OHMs, allowing illegal operation of ATVs by juveniles, and operating an ATV on the Zippel Bay State Park beach. Prachar worked with CO Kennedy on two separate third-degree DWI arrests and one reported bar fight at a local resort.
CO Paul Kennedy (Baudette East) continued working angling and ATV activity throughout the week. A few anglers were contacted trying their luck for sturgeon along the Rainy River. He responded to assist neighboring agencies with various calls over the Fourth of July weekend. Several remote trails were checked after severe storms moved through the area. Enforcement action for the week included angling with extra line, unattended line, illegal-length fish, failure to transfer watercraft, driving while intoxicated, and several minor watercraft-safety violations.
CO Bobby Stringer (Thief River Falls West) reports a decrease in angling activity on the Red Lake River and local waterways due to recent warmer weather. Canoe and kayak activity is increasing throughout the area. Stringer wants to remind everyone that PFDs are required on canoes and kayaks and are always better worn than stored. Enforcement actions for the week included a variety of ATV violations and no lifesaving device immediately available on a watercraft as required.
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the holiday weekend working watercraft and angling enforcement. Safety equipment violations were addressed, and information was given regarding the new boating safety law.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) monitored angling activity on Upper Red Lake. The bite has slowed as the fish have spread out. Most fish being caught are under 17 inches. He worked with a neighboring officer on Leech Lake during the Fourth of July. Time was spent patrolling for ATV activity. Operators are reminded to have passengers under 18 wear a helmet.
CO Brianna Shaw (Blackduck South) spent the week patrolling for angling and recreational vehicle activity. Additional time was spent working boat and water enforcement with CO Veit and CO Manteufel over the Fourth of July weekend. Enforcement action was taken for various watercraft-safety equipment violations and expired registration.
or on board. Boating operator permits were discussed with youth and parents and PWC rule stickers were passed out to owners for their machines. Violations addressed were ATVs operating without headlights on, operation on a US highway, and no PFDs on kayaks and paddleboards.
CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) worked the busy Independence Day holiday patrolling local lakes and trails with neighboring officers, focusing on boating and ATV safety enforcement. Plenty of people took advantage of the nice weather over the weekend to spend time with friends and family on the water. Some of the violations encountered were angling without a license, extra line violations, no PFDs, and no helmets on juvenile ATV riders.
CO Curtis Jepson (District #2) spent much of the week on ATV, recreational boating, and angling activities. Even with the high winds over the Fourth of July, boaters made the best of it and got on the water. A common boating safety violation was not having a personal flotation device on board a non-motorized watercraft. Enforcement action was also taken for a Class 1 ATV operating on a county highway and an 8-year-old passenger without a helmet.
boating and ATV safety enforcement. Plenty of people took advantage of the nice weather over the weekend to spend time with friends and family on the water. Some of the violations encountered were angling without a license, extra line violations, no PFDs, and no helmets on juvenile ATV riders.
CO Curtis Jepson (District #2) spent much of the week on ATV, recreational boating, and angling activities. Even with the high winds over the Fourth of July, boaters made the best of it and got on the water. A common boating safety violation was not having a personal flotation device on board a non-motorized watercraft. Enforcement action was also taken for a Class 1 ATV operating on a county highway and an 8-year-old passenger without a helmet.
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District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2025-07-07
CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week focused on recreational vehicle and angling enforcement. Time was spent on the water over the weekend with Otter Tail County boat and water deputies in a cooperative effort to keep the lakes safe.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) spent the holiday weekend focusing on boating safety, with some fishing enforcement. A call was handled of a nuisance snapping turtle on a beach. ATV activity was monitored, and invasive species enforcement was worked. Assistance with a one-vehicle crash was given to local authorities and CO Academy scenarios were evaluated.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports spending his enforcement efforts on angling and boating throughout the week. He observed a lot of boaters out recreating during the holiday weekend. Various boating and angling violations were encountered. The common themes: Lack of life jackets on board and children under age 10 not wearing life jackets.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, ATV riders, boaters, and lake shore owners over the Fourth of July weekend. Life jackets, safety training requirements, and aquatic plant management violations were encountered. CO Academy training was given to conservation officer candidates.
CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) helped instruct at officer water survival for the current CO Academy. Time was also spent working a busy Fourth of July weekend in the station. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of watercraft violations. Additional time was spent assisting Douglas County with a Class 2 ATV accident.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working fishing and boating activity. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license and various PFD and registration violations.
Wheaton – vacant.
Glenwood – vacant.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2025-07-07
CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked area lakes and trails throughout the week. Many calls for service were answered. Enforcement action was taken for angling, boating, and recreational vehicle violations.
CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the local lakes and ATV trails over the holiday weekend. He observed many boaters enjoying the great weather and local fireworks displays. Anglers were having varying success on local lakes. Baum took enforcement action on numerous boating and angling violations.
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) worked area lakes for angling and recreation activity over the busy Fourth of July weekend. A report of a fawn being shot out of season was taken in Wadena County. People are encouraged to contact State Patrol Dispatch with any information regarding the incident.
CO Patrick McGowan (Cass Lake) worked a busy Fourth of July weekend in the Cass County area. Cass County lakes were worked and boating activity levels were high. Enforcement action was taken for numerous violations.
CO Corey Sura (Remer) spent the holiday weekend working angling, boating, and ATV enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for violations including a walleye overlimit, registration violations, and youth ATV rider/operator violations.
CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) received calls regarding trespassing and nuisance bears. Enforcement action included various boating, PWC, and ATV violations.
CO Levi Brown (Staples) saw a busy weekend on the water and on the trails. Fishing reports were positive, with many anglers keeping fish. The walleyes in the area still seem to be elusive, but panfish and northern pike have been hungry. Enforcement action was taken for equipment, registration, and license violations.
Walker – vacant.
ATV rec officer – vacant.
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