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District 6 - Two Harbors
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports many of the larger lakes in the Ely area are beginning to open after a stretch of warm weather. ATV use was high, and a heavy emphasis was put on enforcement as trails opened. Violations included operating motor vehicles on a designated ATV trail, failure to display registration, and trespass.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers alongtheNorthShore.Withalltherain, theriverswereflowingfastandmuddy. He checked traps and monitored ATV complaint areas.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling angling and trapping activities. Heavy rains earlier in the week brought almost every river and stream into a flood stage, and several roads throughout the county were washed out. The good news is that the rain should speed up the ice melt on the inland lakes.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily ATV enforcement and spring fish run activities throughout the week. A complaint of someone posting public property was investigated. Enforcement action for the week included several instances of not having a fishing license.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent most of the week monitoring angling activity on local rivers and streams. Anglers report an increase in success rates after recent warm weather. The warm weekend has also thawed out many of the local lakes, ensuring there will be open water for the upcoming fishing opener.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling enforcement for the week. Steelhead anglers were out in full force rain or shine. Trapping activity and lake conditions were monitored. Anglers are reminded to review their licenses,registration,boatsafetyequipment, and PFDs prior to the upcoming fishing opener.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls#1)reportssturgeonfishingonthe Rainy River continues to be the main emphasis of the work activities, along with ATV enforcement and boat and water safety. People are reminded that burning permits are required and need to be activated prior to burning. The forecast looks to be dry, so use caution and be prepared for the unexpected.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working the Rainy River this past week. Sturgeon anglers reported having success. Trapping activity was monitored along with ATV activity. High water levels on the Rainy River brought many challenges throughout the week for anglers.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports sturgeon anglers were out in force after a bit of a reprieve caused by unfavorable weather. Rainy River water levels increased by close to 6 feet in a matter of days from recent rainfall. The rapid rise in water caused large amounts of debris to be flushed out of the tributaries, creating navigational hazards. Assistance was provided to one boat operator whose boat began taking on a large amount of water, forcing them to shore. Many of the popular shore angling locations were not accessible with people forced to stay higher on the banks, casting between trees. Overall, success reports were positive. Trapping activity was also monitored as beavers have once again become active.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports ATV activities were monitored over the week. Forest road and spring trail closures continue to be checked. Some station lakes have opened, others remain ice covered. Wildland fire activity continues to persist. Check local burning restrictions. Numerous inquiries were responded to over the week on a variety of outdoor topics. Black Bears have appeared and are on the move.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking anglers and spearers targeting suckers along area rivers, monitoring trapping activity and fish spawning activity, along with working ATV enforcement. Ice is nearly gone and will most likely be all gone by early week, from Lake Vermilion and other
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lakes. Some area lakes are already icefree, andareaATVtrailsarenowopen, soboating,anglingandATVactivityin theareaisrapidlyincreasing.Timewas also spent meeting with area snowmobile clubs to discuss this past season.
CO ShaneZavodnik(Virginia)spent time assisting with deputy boating training at Camp Ripley over the week. Deputies from all over the state came to participate in a specialized boating school to home in on skill and knowledge building for the upcoming summer on the water. Zavodnik and surrounding COs also spent the weekend working an OHV detail in the Virginia station. He continues to work various trespass complaints around the area.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, trapping, and ATV activity. Lakes in the Aurora area are open. Recent rain raised waters significantly and created soft trail confusion. ATV activity was high over the weekend. ATV operators are reminded to consider their impact with thewetconditions.Multiplecomplaints of ATVs driving off trail were received. Broughten also assisted with afirearms safety range day.
District 7 - Grand Rapids area
CO Vinny Brown (Northome) spent time patrolling walleye spawning areas, checkingshoreanglers,andtaking wildlife-related calls. Time was also spent monitoring trapping activities as well as OHV activities. Enforcement action was taken for allowing youth passengers on ATVs without helmets, expired ATV registration, no fishing license in possession, and transporting more passengers on an ATV than allowed.
COJaysonHansen(Bigfork)worked ATVs, OHVs, small-game, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails. Numerous gameandfish-relatedquestions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) investigated TIP complaints, monitored OHV activity, checked anglers, and responded to wildland fire calls. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec also attended a United States Police Canine Association trial where they certified in fish and game detection.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) wasbusywithearlypanfishangling with many anglers out getting their boats ready and catching some crappies and bluegills while at it. Enforcement activities were conducted for trapping and road-killed deer tags were issued. Sutherland reminds people that even with the warmer weather, water temperatures are still low, and caution is advised while venturing out.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) reports working angling, boating, AIS, ATV, and trapping enforcement activities. Questions regarding the upcoming fishing opener were fielded andanswered.VanAschalsospokeata local youth firearms safety class and a TIP complaint was investigated, as well.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) continued to patrol the area for boating and fishing activities. A couple of days were spent at Camp Ripley assisting with training water patrol deputies in watercraft operations. Various current calls were handled, and some older violations were investigated.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) focused on boating safety and angling activity during the previous week. Time was also spent on trapping and miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints. Holt worked a detail on the RainyRivercheckingsturgeonfishing. Enforcement activity involved angling and boating safety violations.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reports continued training of camera operators. During these flights, apotential aquatic plant management violation was located.
CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) finished flying for the TFO training and prepared for an upcoming waterfowl survey. He also mentored a new CO regarding beaver trapping.
