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.
District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2026-01-05
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods. The bite seems to have slowed. Heavy pressure is being seen on the lake already. Violations for the week included angling with extra lines, garbage on the ice, and no shelter license.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers and following up on various complaints. Violations encountered were no license in possession, angling without a license, angling with extra lines, failure to have owner info on a shelter, no shelter tag, litter, possession of dressed fillets on the ice, and overlimits of walleye/sauger.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week monitoring trapping activity and following up on open cases.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports significant angling activity on Lake of the Woods. Enforcement action was taken for possession of an overlimit of fish, angling with extra lines, and possession of alcohol by a minor.
CO Bobby Stringer (Thief River Falls West) reports another productive week on the ice for local anglers. The afternoon to evening hours has produced measured results for northern pike. Vehicle traffic on the ice has increased due to the ice conditions, but there are still pockets of thinner ice throughout the river system. Enforcement actions for the week included litter on the ice, no shelter license, failure to mark fish houses with identification, no angling license in possession, and failure to properly display a snowmobile registration decal.
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week checking traplines during the week throughout his area. Time was spent checking anglers on the Red Lake River.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) monitored ice angling on Upper Red Lake. It was a busy week on the lake, with several families out enjoying the holiday break. Angling reports varied, but most folks were finding success. Individuals are reminded to renew ATV registration. A deer farm inspection was completed.
Baudette East – vacant.
Blackduck South – vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2026-01-05
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports attending a snowmobile safety class in Crookston. Time was also spent checking ice anglers and snowmobile and ATV operators. Various angling and registration violations were encountered.
CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #1) spent the week patrolling area snowmobile trails and checking anglers on area lakes. Ice conditions continue to improve, and a lot of anglers were reporting a slower bite. Violations encountered were taking fish without a license, failure to display snowmobile registration, no angling license in possession, extra line violations, and shelter on ice without a license.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week checking ice anglers around the area. The bite has been very hit or miss for area anglers, but some lakes are producing walleyes and panfish. Other time was spent checking snowmobilers and following up on a deer case.
CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) worked area lakes and snowmobile trails. Trail conditions vary across the station, and evidence of other motor vehicles operating on trails was observed. Reminder to stay off any designated trails if you are operating anything other than a snowmobile. Enforcement action was taken for various angling, shelter, and recreational vehicle violations.
CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling and ice activity. Snowmobile activity was worked, with most trails improving after the latest snowfall. Follow up on open cases was conducted. Warren assisted the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office with a motorist assist.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the busy holiday weekend focusing on snowmobile, ATV, and angling enforcement in the Moorhead station. Anglers are still having good luck on area lakes, with panfish and northern pike – the latter via spearing – but the walleye bite has died down. Time was also spent hosting a ride along for a future applicant to the CO Academy. Enforcement action was taken for wanton waste of northern pike, angling without a license in possession, litter/feces on the ice outside of shelters, no shelter ID, and a juvenile younger than 15 operating a Class II ATV without a helmet.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) patrolled snowmobile trails this week and checked lakes and public accesses. Questions were answered about trapping, angling, and wildlife. A report of a dog chasing deer was also addressed. Expired snowmobile registration was addressed.
CO Ryan Schaefer (Bemidji #2) spent time checking local anglers and trap lines. Various phone calls were answered from people with questions regarding trapping laws. Enforcement action was taken and documented for individuals failing to have their fishing license in possession and not having proper identification on their permanent ice shelters.
CO Grey Corbus (Pelican Rapids) spent the week checking ice anglers. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, angling with no license in possession, operating an unregistered ATV, littering, and driving while impaired.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2026-01-05
CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week focused on angling and snowmobile enforcement. She also held two snowmobile safety classes.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) spent the week working fishing and snowmobile enforcement. Several fish houses are in violation and owners are reminded to have the shelter tag displayed and identification on the outside of the fish house. Nuisance-animal complaints were handled with local wildlife officials.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) focused his enforcement efforts on angling and snowmobile activity this week. Additional time was spent on an ongoing trespassing case. Enforcement action taken this week included: Angling with an extra line, no angling license in possession, and expired snowmobile registration.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, fish houses, and ATV and snowmobile riders. Questions about fish houses, licenses, fishing regulations, and spearing were received. Permanent fish house license and identification violations persist even though the laws have been in effect for several years.
CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County for snowmobile, angling, trapping, and small-game hunting. Homan checked numerous individuals setting traps in the South Furbearer Zone for fisher. Enforcement action was taken for angling with an extra line, operating an unregistered snowmobile, and operating a snowmobile unsafely.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) worked heavy angling activity throughout the week and over the holiday weekend. Although the fishing bite was spotty, there were lots of fish in the buckets. With snow conditions declining, so has the snowmobile activity. Various enforcement action was taken this week, including possession of walleyes under the 15-inch minimum on Lake Osakis.
CO Curtis Jepson (Wheaton) monitored ice fishing activity and observed anglers catching walleyes and perch. He also assisted neighboring station officers with snowmobile safety classes and trail enforcement. Enforcement action for the week included litter on ice, no angling license in possession, and no shelter information on a shelter. Snowmobile-related violations were no snowmobile safety certifications and expired registration.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working fishing and recreational vehicle activity. Enforcement action was taken for various license and registration issues. Pheasant hunters were checked, with most still finding success to end the season.
CO Andrew Ladzinski (Glenwood) dedicated his time towards snowmobile and ice angling enforcement. Ladzinski is seeing a mixed variety of fish in the buckets, but no limits are being taken home by most anglers. Please stay away from ice pressure ridges, as there were vehicles that broke through near these ridges this week. Enforcement action was taken for no license in possession, expired ATV registration, angling without a license, spearing without a license, and angling with an extra line. Ladzinski assisted other agencies on a traffic accident.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2026-01-05
CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked angling, ATV, snowmobile, and trapping enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for fishing and ATV violations.
CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the local area for ice angling and snowmobiling activity. He observed the area snowmobile trails to be in good condition. Local snowmobile clubs have been out grooming and maintaining the trail system. Baum found many anglers having varying success on area lakes. He wants to remind those travelling on the ice to continue to check thickness and watch for changing ice conditions. Several lakes in the area have created pressure ridges and some have area of thin ice. Baum took enforcement action for various angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) monitored angling activity on local lakes. Several individuals reported mixed angling success. Time was also spent on local snowmobile trails. An accidentally caught fisher was seized. A snowmobile safety education class was attended.
CO Patrick McGowan (Cass Lake) worked Leech Lake throughout the week for angling activity. Anglers are reporting a slow bite overall. Enforcement action was taken for numerous violations.
CO Jack Lien (Walker) worked ice fishing activity and snowmobile riding. Fishing reports have indicated slower success on Leech Lake. Perch were the most-seen species while Lien conducted ice fishing checks. After the recent dustings of snow, more snowmobile riders were seen on the trails.
CO Corey Sura (Remer) patrolled area snowmobile trails and lakes. Trails are ridable but need new snow. Sura checked anglers targeting panfish, northern pike, and walleyes. Enforcement action was taken for fishing with extra lines and expired ATV registration.
CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) investigated concerns regarding fishing, snowmobiling, and hunting.
CO Levi Brown (Staples) checked anglers on local lakes over the weekend. Brown also spoke at a snowmobile safety class about rules and safety. Enforcement action was taken for license violations.
ATV rec officer – vacant.
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