District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling activity took a pause over the week, with cooler weather and snow again falling. The few anglers checked had mixed success for crappies and sunfish. Violations included angling without a license possession and operating a snowmobile on a closed trail.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week focusing primarily on checking anglers. Ihnen also patrolled his station for ATV and snowmobile operators. Additional time was spent monitoring spring trapping activity.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked the last few riders of the snowmobile season. Forest Service trails remained in decent shape this past week. He worked on required training and followed up on a variety of calls.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time patrolling angling activities. Winter still has its grip on the area, and all rivers remain locked up. The spring steelhead run will be many weeks away. Deer are congregating along the highway looking for any available food source. People should drive with caution when heading up the North Shore.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) answered numerous questions from the public and continued to work on an ongoing case.
COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring snowmobile activity. Though the grantin- aid trails closed April 1, a fresh round of snow middle and late in the week made it possible to continue riding public lands and open state trails. Grooming operations have ceased, however, and riders are urged to use caution as rapidly changing weather can cause areas to be waterlogged. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile-related violations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on snowmobile and angling activity for the week. Area rivers remain inaccessible, hampering spring trapping and steelheading activity. Equipment maintenance was conducted.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week following up with ongoing complaints. Time was also spent training with K9 Jet and other members of the K9 Unit. Block also completed required training.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) worked angling activity for a majority of the week. Anglers reported a tough go as colder weather and heavy snow hit the area. Kennedy also followed up on a report of property left on a local WMA. Enforcement action for the week included various angling and watercraft violations.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports checking anglers and working boating enforcement this past week on the Rainy River. Anglers reported having some success throughout the week. The river continues to open more daily.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) checked anglers participating in both open-water and ice fishing activities. Less-than-ideal weather has somewhat suppressed enthusiasm compared to recent years. Trails and forests were monitored for authorized use.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports area lakes were checked for angling activity and public access sites and forest road closures were monitored. Assistance was provided to the sheriff’s office and DNR Fisheries. Equipment work is ongoing.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time working on equipment this week. Time was also spent checking area forest roads and monitoring ice fishing activity.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) spent time checking for trapping activity and ATV activity. He also spent time checking for angling activity with the close of the trout season. Ice continues to deteriorate with spots opening around Lake Vermilion that have current.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked trapping and ATV enforcement. With many streams opening throughout the area, beaver traps are starting to be seen again. Snow and sleet made for a tame week, keeping many from enjoying the outdoors while the seasons transition. Ice continues to degrade, especially along the edges of most lakes, and should be approached with extreme caution.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time working on recreational vehicle training material over the week. Various animal-related calls were handled, and he also assisted multiple agencies with a threat call over the weekend. Ice angling and ATV activity were sparse due to a midweek snowstorm that hit the region.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing and spring trapping activity. The return of winter weather limited outdoor recreational activity. Broughten fielded calls regarding burning permits, ATV registration, and sucker spearing.
District 7 - Grand Rapids CO Vinny Brown (Northome) patrolled state forests and checked ice anglers. Wildlife-related calls were taken and trapping related questions were answered. Time was spent working on active investigations.
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV, smallgame, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails and campgrounds. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked angling and recreational vehicle activity throughout the previous week. Time was also spent monitoring closed trails and grant-in-aid trails. Ice conditions have significantly deteriorated throughout the area. Extreme caution is advised if going out on the ice.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ATV, ice angling, and spring trapping activity over the past week. Sutherland took enforcement action for multiple ATV riders traveling down the main traffic lanes of county roads. Work was also done for an upcoming youth firearms safety class.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on angling and recreational vehicle activity throughout the surrounding areas. Work was completed on open investigations. Assistance was also given to local law enforcement agencies, as well.
COMikeFairbanks(Deer River) handled injured-wildlife calls, responded to vehicles off the road, and monitored trapping activity this week. Enforcement action was taken for untagged traps and no license in possession.
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.)
Please check the DNR website www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all 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. 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 the ATVonlinecourseandriding 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. Instructor clinics are scheduled throughout the state and are listed on the DNR website.
