District 6 - Two Harbors
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling success appeared to slightly improve over the week as cooler weather meant more recreational activity in the Ely area. Problem-bear reports also have begun to pop up around the Arrowhead. Residents and visitors are reminded to be cautious with bird feeders and outdoor food. Violations included angling without a license in possession and failure to display current watercraft registration.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) patrolled his station this week for ATV and OHM activity. He also spent time checking anglers and watercraft operators. Additional time was spent monitoring AIS compliance near area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checkinganglersonremotetroutlakes;somenicefish were seen in the bag. Time was spent working ATVcomplaint areas and responding to wildlife-related calls. Enforcement action was taken for illegally transporting fish and license and registration violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling, boating, and AIS enforcement this week. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license, no PFDs, and transporting a watercraft with the drain plug in place. An individual was found after going off the road into a wet ditch and was subsequently arrested for DWI.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring angling and ATV activity. Time was also spent at the AIS booth at the Fisherman’s Picnic in Grand Marais. Enforcement action was taken for watercraft- and ATV-related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes. Block worked with partners and attended community events. Time was also spent training with K9 Jet.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working area lakes and rivers this past week and helping with instructing at Camp Ripley. Anglers reported some success this week fishing Rainy Lake and the Rainy River. Enforcement action taken consisted of boat and water safety equipment violations, possessing illegal-length walleyes, license violations, and being in possession of an overlimit of walleyes.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) assisted with instruction at Camp Ripley for CO Academy training on the topic of trapping enforcement. He monitored complaint locations at area campgrounds and dayuse areas.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports outdoor activities remained light over the week. Boater, angler, and camper numbers appear down from previous years. Fishing remains generally slow with little observed being caught. Area forest roads continue to be checked, as do water-access sites.Time wasalsospent assisting other DNR divisions.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking anglers and monitoring boating activity. He also monitored ATV activity and checked area forest roads. Some time was also spent on equipment maintenance and responding to wildlife-related calls.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and ATV enforcement. He spent time checking anglers on Lake Vermilion and other smaller lakes in his station. Violations were primarily related to safety equipment, registration, and angling without a license. He also spent time working wolf complaints and AIS enforcement.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV, angling, and boating activity. In addition, time was spent attending training at Camp Ripley and presenting at a firearms safety class in Hibbing. Violations encountered included speeding, insufficient safety equipment, and license/registration violations.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time assisting other DNR divisions with investigating possible lakeshore and camping violations. A nuisance-bear complaint was handled, anglers were checked on local lakes, and patrol on ATV was also completed throughout the week.
CODukeBroughten(Aurora)spenttheweekmonitoring fishing, boating, and ATV activity. Anglers reported limited success. A few days without rain brought out boats and ATVs. Broughten also fielded calls regarding nuisance animals and a moose killed by a train.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Brainerd) conducted a training flight with CO Pilot Hanna. Rescheduled flights were cancelled because of smoke over the project area. He prepared for upcoming surveys and trainingflights.Heattendedaquarterlypilotmeeting.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) continued flying aerial spray for invasive cattail eradication. Several work areas were finished.
CO Pilot Ryan Hanna (Grand Rapids) patrolled from the air for wild rice health and early harvesting. Wild rice appears to be coming in nicely around the areas flown. Plenty of water around the wild rice will prove to be beneficial when harvesting.
CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reports flying a station flight for a recently hired CO. Violations of illegal hydraulic jet usage and possible illegal herbicide usage were located. All other flights were cancelled, so anglers and ATV trails were checked. Enforcement action was taken on one operator for operating on a closed forest road.
Enforcement Education
PARK
Please check the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Education Courses and instructor training sessions.
If you missed a fall class and are over 18, check online for the online course information. (It is also LAKE
VIEW
at www.mndnr.gov.)
PleasechecktheDNRwebsitewww.mndnr.govfor a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Youth andAdultSnowmobileSafetyCoursesandinstructor training sessions.
Please direct questions to 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.
Reminder: Anyone born after December 31, 1979 cannot purchase a license to hunt in Minnesota without first taking a DNR Safety Training Course and receiving a certificate. In addition, many states have even more stringent mandatory Hunter Education requirements. Check before you go!
Reminder: Any resident born after December 31, 1976, who operates a snowmobile in Minnesota must possess a snowmobile certificate. Two options are available to complete certification. Ages 11 and older can take the online course and hands-on day or attend the traditional youth course. Those 16 or older can take the online course.
Reminder: Anyone born after July 1, 1987, who operates an ATV on public lands and waters in Minnesota must successfully complete the ATV Safety Training online course. People under age 16 must complete theATVonline course and riding component before riding on public lands. Please direct questions to 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.
