District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) continued focusing on angling and snowmobile activity. Both were noticeably slower as snow conditions varied greatly throughout the area and angling success seemed to slow. He also assisted local responders with an emergency medical event inside the BWCAW.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week focusing primarily on fishing activity. Ihnen also patrolled for snowmobiling and ATV activity. Additional time was spent monitoring fish house compliance on area lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marias) spent the week checking anglers and snowmobilers. With the warm weather, slush is deep on most lakes. He conducted a snowmobile safety field day with area officers in Cook County.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling angling and snowmobiling activities. Resent warm weather and rain showers have reduced area snow levels a fair amount. Ledeen and other local conservations officers held a snowmobile safety field day for about 50 kids who earned their safety certificate. Enforcement action was taken for varying violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) focused this week on angling enforcement in and out of the BWCAW. Winter trail conditions continue to deteriorate, although there is still very deep snow in the woods. Enforcement action this week included expired snowmobile registration and glassintheBWCAW.Areaofficers assisted with a medical emergency in the BWCAW.
COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring snowmobile and ice angling activity around the area. Freezing fog came to the shore late in the week, followed by rain on Friday and high temperatures over the weekend. Trails saw the impact of the weather, and riders are urged to slow down and use caution under the current conditions.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on snowmobile and angling enforcement for the week. Cook County’s youth snowmobile safety field day was completed with other area officers. Sun and warm weather are beginning to degrade area trails especially near the shore. Equipment maintenance was conducted.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes. Time was also spent working snowmobile activity. Block also spent time training with K9 Jet.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) monitored angling and snowmobile activity throughout the week. Some anglers were reporting more northern pike being caught throughout the week. Ice conditions have deteriorated in some areas and anyone venturing onto the ice is reminded to check ice conditions as they go. Kennedy also attended the Northwest Sportshow held at the Minneapolis Convention Center over the weekend.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working angling, snowmobile, and ATV activity. Anglers reported having some success throughout the area. Snow conditions have continued to deteriorate with the warmer weather.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports snowmobilers were eager to squeak out another weekend of riding and anglers took advantage of the nice weather as well. Unless we have a change in the weather, trails will have about reached the end of their seasonal life. Vintage snowmobile enthusiasts gathered for a ride in the northern part of the area while other riders headed south to radar speed runs.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports the snowmobile season appears over. Another week of no snow and above-freezing temperatures and rain, rocks, mud, and grass are now prevalent on most trails. Area lakes were checked, with minimal activity noted. ATVs have once again appeared. Area forest roads and logging sites were visited.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spenttimethisweekchecking ice anglers. Some who were chasing crappies were having some luck. Cannon also monitored snowmobiling in the area. Trails have too many bare areas to be rideable, but lakes remain an option. Time was also spent working on equipment and monitoring area forest roads.
COAaronLarson(Tower) worked primarily angling and snowmobile activity. Most snowmobile trails are in poor condition with many spots with no snow. The lakes remain fair. Larson spent time working angling activity in the BWCAW and assisted with a rescue from the wilderness area.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) reports snowmobile activity has drawn to a close and ATV activity started to pick up over the week. Zavodnik responded to many calls, one of which resulted in an individual burning prohibited materials. Station inventory and additional training were also worked on.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring ice fishing activity. Anglers reported limited success. Warm weather and rain have deteriorated area snowmobile trails. Without more snow, snowmobile season is over. Broughten also fielded calls regarding license requirements and collector snowmobile registration.
District 7 - Grand Rapids CO Vinny Brown (Northome) answered wildlife-related calls and calls regarding possible fishing violations. Numerous anglers were out taking advantage of the nice weather. Two anglers were seen throwing undersized fish away onto the ice and said it was “for birds.” Both anglers failed to get new fishing licenses and were cited for taking fish without a license. All the fish they caught were released.
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV, snowmobile, small-game, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails and campgrounds. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.
COMikeFairbanks(Deer River) checked anglers, monitored trapping activity, and finished annual training. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec also responded to a search for a missing child and trained with area K9 teams. Enforcement action was taken for license violations and littering.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ice anglers on area lakes. The panfish bite is going well and ice conditions are good. Area lakes with tullibees in them are beginning to see many anglers out targeting these fish over deep water. Sutherland took enforcement action for angling without a license for multiple individuals who forgot to buy their new licenses after March 1.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on late-season ice angling, snowmobile, and ATV activities. Enforcement action was taken for various angling and ATV violations.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) reports that with the recent warmer weather, the snowmobile trails in the area are officially unusable. A lot of people were out trying to find a good panfish bite, and some were successful. Enforcement action was taken for several violations including expired snowmobile and ATV registrations and failure to transfer ownership of an ATV.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked angling and recreational vehicles during the previous week. Time was also spent following up on open cases and completing required training. Holt monitored designated trout lakes and checked trails.
Aviation Section
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) began preparing equipment for the spring fire season. Zeller also prepared presentations for middle schoolers to teach them about how the DNR uses aviation to help manage wildlife.
CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) attended to training and maintenance issues.
CO Pilot Ryan Hanna (Grand Rapids) mission planned for conducting wildlife flights. Multiple times the flights were attempted but had to be cancelled to snowstorms or low cloud ceilings.
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Brainerd) attended yearly FAA unit inspection. He continued flight training with Unit pilots and prepared for upcoming training flights.
CO Pilot Brianna Shaw (Brainerd) assisted CO Pilot Ryan Hanna on an air support mission staging aircraft. Shaw and the other Brainerd pilots welcomed an interested candidate to the Brainerd hangar and provided insight to the position and a tour of the stationed fleet. Additional time was spent undergoing flight simulation under IMC conditions.
Enforcement Education 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 at www. mndnr.gov.)
Check the DNR website www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of DNR Enforcement Youth and Adult Snowmobile Safety Courses and instructor 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.
Reminder: Any resident born after Dec. 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 the ATV online course and riding component before riding on public lands. Please direct questions to 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.
SCHEDULED INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SESSIONS If you are 18 or older and would like to become an instructor for Snowmobile Safety, ATV Safety, Firearms Safety, Trail Ambassador or one of the Advanced Hunter programs, contact your local conservation officer or regional safety training officer.
