MN DNR Conservation Officer
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) spent the weekend patrolling snowmobile trails and lakes. A few snowmobilers were out, but trail conditions haven’t recovered from the heat wave, despite recent snow. Anglers have shifted to targeting panfish, with decent success. A few fish houses were observed that haven’t been moved recently, with concerning ice conditions surrounding the shelters. Goodman reminds folks of the upcoming shelter removal deadline and to plan for unpredictable weather and ice conditions.
District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2026-02-23
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and attended emergency vehicle operation training at Camp Ripley. Anglers were cited for possessing too many walleyes/sauger, angling without a license, and having no shelter license.
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week at Camp Ripley participating in annual training. Time was spent checking anglers on the river and patrolling for recreational vehicle violations. Enforcement action was taken for multiple ATV violations.
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, overlimit, possession of dressed fillets on the ice, and minor in possession of alcohol.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) focused on patrolling Lake of the Woods. Fontes spent time all over the lake and was pleasantly surprised to see more angler success compared to the previous weeks. Enforcement action was taken for using an extra line and overlimit of walleyes.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports consistent fishing pressure on Lake of the Woods. Time was spent working snowmobile activity on local trails.
CO Bobby Stringer (Thief River Falls West) reports favorable ice conditions on the Red Lake and Thief rivers. Some fish houses have been removed, with most anglers following the “leave no trace” approach. Stringer patrolled the river and noted several large pieces of lumber, debris, and other trash left behind. Please help keep the river clean for future outings. Enforcement actions for the week included angling with an extra line, litter on the ice, and multiple snowmobile and ATV violations. Additionally, Stringer investigated a case where several wild turkeys were maliciously killed by a motor vehicle.
CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time working angling activity on Upper Red Lake, where the bite was slow. Time was also spent working the Thief River Falls area and Argyle area for recreational traffic. Enforcement action was taken for extra lines, filleted fish on a special regulation lake, failure to stop at an intersection, failure to display registration, and no helmets on a juvenile while in an ATV.
Baudette East – vacant.
Blackduck South – vacant.
Blackduck North – vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2026-02-23
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports checking snowmobile operators on area grant-in-aid trails. Time was also spent checking anglers and ATV operators.
CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #1) spent the week patrolling area snowmobile trails and monitoring angling activity. Snowmobile trails were busy over the weekend, and most anglers reported a slower bite throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile registration, extra line violations, filleted fish on ice, operating an off-road vehicle while prohibited, taking fish with unattended lines, and shelter on the ice without a license.
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) spent the weekend patrolling snowmobile trails and lakes. A few snowmobilers were out, but trail conditions haven’t recovered from the heat wave, despite recent snow. Anglers have shifted to targeting panfish, with decent success. A few fish houses were observed that haven’t been moved recently, with concerning ice conditions surrounding the shelters. Goodman reminds folks of the upcoming shelter removal deadline and to plan for unpredictable weather and ice conditions.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week training with the K9 Unit in the Brainerd area. Other time was spent doing emergency vehicle operations training and working on ongoing cases.
CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) worked the final weekend of the walleye/northern pike season with a slow bite reported. The snowmobile trails have improved with the recent snow and are ridable in the northern part of the station. Aeration inspections were also completed.
CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on spearing and angling activity. Ice angling derbies were monitored, and snowmobile activity was worked. A call about possible feeding of deer in a no feed area was received and follow up continued on open cases.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking anglers in the Moorhead station. The last weekend of walleye season provided slow fishing, but law compliance was high. Landmark would like to remind anglers south of Highway 10 that houses will have to be removed by March 2 at 11:59 p.m. Time was also spent talking about law and ethics with young trappers at the Minnesota Trappers Pelt Day at Hough Furs. The young trappers learned about animals and how to skin, flesh, and put up their own furs.
CO Grey Corbus (Pelican Rapids) spent the week monitoring snowmobile trails, checking ice anglers, and investigating illegally disposed wildlife. Corbus reports varying success, with most anglers struggling to find a consistent bite. Corbus would like to remind anglers to be mindful of ice conditions when moving or removing their ice houses, as the warm weather has created some unpredictable ice.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) addressed big-game license violations and property left on public lands with enforcement action. Lakes and accesses were patrolled this week as well. The fishing report overall was still slow, with northern pike being the main catch. Annual training was also completed.
CO Ryan Schaefer (Bemidji #2) spent time this past week checking local anglers and monitoring snowmobile activity. Follow up on illegal dumping in a county memorial forest was investigated. He also assisted other local law enforcement agencies with a variety of calls for service. Enforcement action was taken/documented regarding failure to display an ice shelter tag and expired ATV registration.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2026-02-23
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) spent the week focusing on fishing enforcement and a wetland violation case. A fishing tournament was worked with anglers enduring the cold and catching fish. Some lakes have soft spots due to recent warmer weather, and a vehicle broke through at a public access. An ATV was reported through the ice. There were no injuries.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports angling has slowed, and ice is increasingly becoming more unstable. Several fish houses have been reported breaking through the ice. Use extreme caution if you are venturing out. Brown also assisted his neighboring partner with a snowmobile safety class in Brandon.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, fish houses, and ATVs. A snowmobile safety class riding exam was conducted at the Brandon School. Deer possession permit was issued.
CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) attended EVOC training this week. Calls were handled in the station regarding fish houses sinking with the warm weather.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) reports receiving numerous complaints of ice shelters partially through the ice with unsafe conditions as she patrolled angling activity. She continues to remind anglers that ice is never safe. She noticed minimal activity over the weekend due to uncertain ice conditions, with many shelters being removed from her lakes Unfortunately, she also observed an unreasonable amount garbage left behind on the ice.
CO Curtis Jepson (Wheaton) spent the week monitoring ice angling and ATV activity around the area. Fishing remains slow on area lakes. With last week’s spring-like melt, large pockets of open water can be found in multiple spots on Lake Traverse. Use caution. He also fielded numerous questions this week related to the Light Goose Conservation Order. A free permit is required, but a $2.50 application fee applies.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) worked fishing and recreational enforcement. Weather and ice conditions have slowed activity levels, with not many fish being seen throughout the week.
CO Andrew Ladzinski (Glenwood) spent his time on ice angling enforcement. A few walleyes were seen in the bucket, with anglers reporting a slow overall bite. Enforcement action was taken for no license in possession, no shelter license, and angling with unattended lines. He investigated a report of a snowmobile that went through the ice.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2026-02-23
CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked angling and snowmobile patrol. He also attended and completed training. Enforcement actions were taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) spent the week patrolling area lakes as the walleye season ended. Ice conditions remain fair with the colder weather. People are reminded the deadline to remove shelters is fast approaching. Time was also spent taking miscellaneous wildlife-related calls.
CO Patrick McGowan (Cass Lake) worked Leech, Winnibigoshish, and Cass lakes over the weekend. McGowan also worked area snowmobile trails, with numerous riders out enjoying good trail conditions. Enforcement action was taken for numerous angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Jack Lien (Walker) patrolled area lakes and trails after a good amount of snowfall. The recent snow accumulation has brought many people out for late February outdoor activities. The snowmobile trails were in great condition and multiple ice anglers were checked. Many snowmobile registration violations were noted.
CO Corey Sura (Remer) assisted with training at Camp Ripley. Sura spent time patrolling snowmobile trails in the Finland area over the weekend. Enforcement action was taken for riders with expired registration.
CO Levi Brown (Staples) checked anglers on Fish Trap Lake this week. Anglers reported having some success with walleyes. Brown also attended training at Camp Ripley.
ATV rec officer – vacant.
Comments