MN DNR Weekly Report for Jan. 27, 2020

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports conditions on area lakes have made it difficult to access favorite fishing holes. Several anglers reported they spent a considerable amount of time trying to free snowmobiles from the slush. Angling success has been slow but the determined are finding a few. Time was spent patrolling area snowmobile trails, with several operators stopped for illegal exhaust. Instruction was given to a group of youth for a snowmobile safety certification class. Injured-animal calls were also fielded.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports snowmobile activity was monitored. The continued problem of display of registration on snowmobiles continues. Fishing activity was minimal. Lake travel remains difficult at best. Area forest roads and public access sites were monitored.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Cook) spent time checking anglers on a variety of different lakes during the past week. The crappie bite has seemed to pick up the past week, but trout and walleye success has slowed down considerably. Zavodnik patrolled area snowmobile trails. Excessive speed remains an issue of concern. With more deer observed using the snowmobile trails lately, Zavodnik cautions riders to be more vigilant and for riders to follow at further distances. Enforcement action due to excessive speed on snowmobiles was taken over the week.

CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) worked anglers and snowmobilers this past week. There was a fun run this past weekend, and the nice weather brought out a lot of sleds. Hopkins took enforcement action on speeding, registration, loud exhaust, and stop sign violations. He spent time focusing on snowmobilers who took corners too fast and crossed into the opposite side of the trail. One individual was charged with careless driving after he almost hit Hopkins head-on.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked trout anglers, snowmobile riders, a dog-in-a-snare complaint and a deer-hunting case that involved an invalid license. Feeding deer near busy roads has always been a concern for motorists, and the damage can be catastrophic. A feeder within 60 yards of a county road resulted in one deer being cut in half by a vehicle, negating any benefits from the person who was thinking they were helping out. Enforcement action was taken for taking deer with an invalid license, no fishing license or trout stamp in possession and a number of snowmobile violations consisting mainly of registration and speed.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing and snowmobiling activity. Anglers reported limited success. Area lakes still have a lot of slush. High snowmobile activity was observed this past week as snowmobile trails are in good condition. Speed and loud machines continue to be the majority of complaints toward snowmobilers. Broughten also investigated a complaint of a person fishing after his fishing privileges were revoked from previous fishing violations. He was located and enforcement action was taken for fishing after revocation, possession of a small amount of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Virginia – vacant.

International Falls #2 – vacant.

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the annual area snowmobile fun run was well attended. Warm weather and nicely groomed trails made for very comfortable travel, although on some lakes slush was again becoming a problem. Violations included excessive snowmobile speed, failure to display current snowmobile registration, and taking trout with no stamp in possession.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked trout anglers this past week. He also received questions on injured animals, slot-size restrictions and complaints about litter left on the ice by trout anglers.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers on remote trout lakes who were struggling with the slush and a few flowages that have opened with the warm weather. Snowmobile trails remain busy with all the fresh snow. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and fishing violations.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked several days with CO Lawler on snowmobile and angling enforcement. Trails were busy, and moderate angling was activity noted in the area. Enforcement action included no trout stamp, extra lines, and snowmobiles with expired registration, illegal equipment, and riding conduct violations. With the warm weather and snowmobile traffic, the trails took a beating over the weekend.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) spent the past week working trout lakes and snowmobile trails. Time was also spent checking trapping activity.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports conducting equipment maintenance during the week. Hill spent time closing old cases and transferring various wild animals to DNR Wildlife for research opportunities. A radio interview was done with WTIP in Grand Marais. The snowmobile trails were busy during the week and one operator was cited for having an extremely loud muffler that was not in proper working condition. Please watch decibel levels on snowmobile exhausts as landowners do not appreciate the extra noise on the trails.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and snowmobiling activity this past week. Area trails are groomed and in excellent shape. A snowmobile accident that did not result in an injury was investigated and enforcement action was taken for excessive muffler noise.

CO Randy Patten (Northome) patrolled area snowmobile trails and lakes. Travel on lakes remains difficult, even for people riding snowmobiles.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) checked anglers and worked small-game, ATV, and snowmobile activity. Numerous game and fish questions were answered. He also patrolled state parks and campgrounds and assisted with a snowmobile safety class.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, patrolled area snowmobile trails and attended training. The snowmobile trails are in excellent condition but the slush makes it very tough to get out on the lakes. Enforcement action was taken for license issues and operating a snowmobile on the roadway.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked snowmobiling and angling activity with many snowmobile enthusiasts hitting the trails. Enforcement action was taken for failing to register a snowmobile and angling without a license in possession. Slush layers on area lakes have been different depending on the body of water snowmobilers and anglers have been on. Be careful on those areas, as some of the slush pockets are over a foot deep.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) continued to focus enforcement efforts on angling and snowmobile activity. Slow January angling and slushy ice conditions continue to plague anglers throughout the area. Snowmobile activity was at a high over this past weekend. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines, no angling license in possession, failure to display valid snowmobile registration, and allowing illegal operation of an ATV.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) checked ice anglers and continued to monitor trapping activity as the otter and bobcat seasons ended. The panfish bite on most area lakes is good, but people targeting walleyes continue to struggle. Violations included angling without a license and not having a trout stamp on a designated trout lake.

NE ATV officer – vacant.

CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) saw an uptick in angling activity as the ice has become thicker and more stable. Snowmobile activity remains heavy as well with great trail conditions. Enforcement action was taken for no license in possession, failure to display snowmobile registration, and no angling license

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) worked snowmobile activity most of the week. He also checked anglers on area lakes. Snowmobile trails were in great condition and sleds were out in force, but registration and exhaust issues continue. Angling activity is picking up and most lakes are hardening up and becoming more accessible. One angler was excited when he caught a 36-inch northern but was disappointed when he realized it was within the slot and he had to release it back down the hole.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) continued to work snowmobile enforcement on area lakes and trails. Area trails are in great condition with many snowmobilers enjoying them. Mild weather brought out more anglers this past week. Fishing enforcement was also worked during the week. Duncan attended a snowmobile safety class and talked with students about safe operation and some of the regulations. Time was also spent at a local fishing contest fundraiser.

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked snowmobile and fishing enforcement throughout the week. Area snowmobile trails were generally in good shape. Ice on area lakes improved slightly with anglers getting out on foot, sleds, or ATVs. Slush continues to be a problem and ice thickness is not consistent. Violations for possessing slot fish, snowmobile and ATV operation, registration, safety certification, and equipment were encountered. Anglers fishing northern pike in the area are reminded that a 22- to 26-inch protected slot exists, requiring those fish to be released.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) worked snowmobile and fishing activity in the area this past week. Enforcement action was taken for speed, equipment and license violations. K9 Schody spent time training on detecting items and getting ready for upcoming testing. A talk was given to a firearms safety class in the Esko area.

CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) worked snowmobile and fishing enforcement during the week. Trails are in good condition. Many travelers are taking advantage of the trails in the Arrowhead. Violations included registration issues and loud aftermarket mufflers. Angling has slowed on most inland lakes and slush continues to be problematic. Olson attended the United Northern Sportsman 67th annual fishing contest on Island Lake north of Duluth.

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers and snowmobilers during the past week. Deep snow has made things challenging for inland anglers but fun for snowmobile riders. A decent salmon bite has been had by shore anglers and those able to get out in boats. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.

Lake Superior Unit – vacant.