MN DNR Weekly Report for March 30, 2020

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls#1) reports snowmobiling has come to an end, for the most part, except on the lakes for ice fishing. People were out enjoying the warmer weather ice fishing and starting to open-water fish on the Rainy River. People are reminded to take the Governor’s “Stay at Home” executive order seriously. Get outdoors, but please stay within your local communities and practice social distancing while doing the outdoor activities.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports the recent warm weather has put an end to the snowmobile trails, although some are still being used to access fishing spots on area lakes. Ice conditions can change quickly and caution is advised. He assisted a local law enforcement agency with a domestic incident on the shoulder of Highway 53. As ATVs are removed from storage, remember to check and see if the registration has expired over the winter.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area lakes and checking area forest roads and public access sites. Small streams have opened along with the arrival of migratory waterfowl. ATVs have reappeared. Equipment work is ongoing.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Cook) spent time over the past week presenting local law enforcement with an off-road vehicle refresher class and working ATV and angling enforcement. A fair number of anglers were checked over the week while taking advantage of the warm weather. Many were observed with at least a handful of fish to bring home. Zavodnik also spent time assisting local and state law enforcement on a variety of calls, including a search that involved two ATV riders who fled from the State Patrol. Enforcement action was taken on ATV and angling violations over the week.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked angling and ATV activity, investigated a calf depredation and took part in an online meeting to develop a Living with Bears plan and literature. The Governor’s “Stay at Home” order appeared to be well obeyed with light traffic seen on the roads. A large number of folks were observed walking and hiking outside. Enforcement action was taken on ATV violations.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing activity. Few anglers were observed and the ones encountered reported limited success. Snowmobile trails have deteriorated and the snowmobile season has likely come to an end. Broughten investigated a complaint of a person stuck on an area snowmobile trail with an SUV.

Virginia – vacant.

International Falls #2 – vacant.

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling activity was high for the final weekend of the winter trout season. Many anglers were contacted, including several groups who had travelled hundreds of miles. In line with the “Stay at Home” executive order, enjoy the outdoors but please do so near your home and while practicing social distancing. Violations included angling with extra lines and no trout stamp in possession.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers this past week. Trout fishing was slow but crappie fishing has picked up. Velsvaag also helped out on a BWCAW patrol and checked ATV riders.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area parks, lakes, accesses, forest campgrounds and cross-country ski trails. She also handled calls on bear hunting, road-killed deer, snowmobile traffic and fishing licenses. Park visitors are reminded that social distancing does not mean driving past the unstaffed self-service registration kiosk and avoiding buying a park permit. Please enjoy the outdoors close to home and don’t forget to get your current licenses and registrations.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked a very busy week of outdoor enforcement activity. Time was spent in and out of the BWCAW. Bermel observed the highest number of anglers he’s ever seen on Birch Lake over the weekend. The activity was not due to a hot crappie bite but more to get out and enjoy the outdoors and nice weather. Plenty of enforcement action to report: trapping without a current trapping or small-game license, untagged trap, taking muskrats in a closed season, fishing without a license, expired snowmobile, OHM, and ATV registrations, ATV and OHM operation violations, and operating an aerator without a permit.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and the end of snowmobile activity. He also contacted several groups of young adults from central and southern Minnesota and Wisconsin camping on public accesses and at closed state park campgrounds.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) checked some last-minute trout anglers during the week. Very few fish were seen in the bag but spirits were still high. Anglers are starting to fish the tributaries as the ice is beginning to recede with a longer stretch of warm weather hitting the area this past week. Snowmobile trails in the area are showing mud and rock, so if you plan on snowmobiling be sure to ride as far north as possible on the G-Trail and the X-Trail to avoid beating your sled up too much. DNR facilities and state parks were monitored and Hill noticed high usage with the statewide push to get people outdoors during this time of uncertainty.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked fishing activity and a litter case where a large pile of trash was dumped at a public access. Many people were encountered from out of town venturing outdoors. Although outdoor activities are allowed, do not travel across several counties to get to your favorite fishing hole at this time.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) checked anglers and worked small-game, ATV, and snowmobile activity. Numerous game and fish questions were answered. He took care of miscellaneous wildlife-related calls.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored OHV activity, patrolled state parks and offices in the area and investigated TIP complaints. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Si also assisted the sheriff’s office in locating burglary suspects and assisted in the arrest of a suspect who is wanted for multiple outstanding warrants and domestic assault. Enforcement action was taken for license issues, failure to display snowmobile registration and expired ATV registration.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ice angling activity and finished a birch pole-theft case. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license in possession and for trespassing on public lands where forest products were taken illegally from public lands.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) reports working angling and recreational vehicle enforcement throughout the surrounding areas. Warm weather has increased angling activity on area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for various angling violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) spent a majority of the week checking anglers, working ATV riders, and following up on information calls. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, no trout stamp, and various forestry violations. Assistance was also given to local law enforcement agencies on calls for service.

NE ATV officer – vacant.

CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) still had angling activity in the station and worked snowmobile activity farther north this past week. Registration continues to be a consistent issue with both snowmobiles and ATVs. Enforcement action was taken for an unregistered snowmobile, unregistered ATV and taking an overlimit of fish.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) spent the majority of the past week working along the North Shore of Lake Superior checking shore anglers. Many boat anglers took advantage of mild weather to enjoy Lake Superior. Area lakes still have plenty of ice, which is allowing anglers to chase crappies. Many people are out hiking and exercising on remote roads. Duncan also worked on equipment and continues to prepare for the upcoming open-water season.

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked angling and OHV enforcement, including Fond du Lac State Forest trail closures. Humphrey assisted CO Willis with an overlimit case.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) assisted with K9 training new dogs and spent time patrolling state parks.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) worked shore anglers and anglers on Lake Superior. The bite has been slow, but not for lack of effort. Nuisance-animal complaints were handled and complaints of illegal dumping were handled. Calls concerning public-access use and the upcoming open-water season were returned. He also completed equipment maintenance.

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers, boaters, snowmobilers, and paddleboarders. Snowmobile trails are quickly falling apart with the wet, warm weather, and ice conditions inland are deteriorating. When the wind cooperates, anglers are getting out on Lake Superior for trout and salmon. Enforcement action was taken for angling and state park violations.

Lake Superior Unit – vacant.