District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) assisted officers along the North Shore with the Lake Superior and tributaries trout opener. Fishing conditions were poor on rivers and streams, with very little current flow and generally still ice-covered. Several anglers checked did report success with both rainbow trout and steelhead.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) spent most of his time focusing on checking anglers this week. He also spent time patrolling for ATV operators. Additional time was spent monitoring spring trapping activity CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking anglers along the U.S./Canada border. A few remaining snowmobilers were also checked.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time earlier in the week completing annual training at Camp Ripley. Angling activity on border lakes was patrolled via snowmobile. Spring trapping and steelhead angling opportunities have yet to appear with the abundance of ice and snow.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) completed several days of annual training requirements. Lakes were patrolled to check late-season panfish anglers. The ice will soon become unsafe, putting the ice fishing season near the end. Some equipment maintenance was performed. COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring snowmobile and stream angling activity. Warm weather and rain have greatly deteriorated trail conditions throughout most of the area. Many portions of the rivers and streams also remain frozen with few areas outside of the mouth that are currently suitable for fishing. CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on late-season ice angling and snowmobile activity for the week. Snow and ice conditions are highly variable across the area and caution is advised. A public outreach event was attended, and many students were excited to see some of the equipment COs use. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling and snowmobile related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time checking anglers in the area. Block also spent time monitoring ATV activity in the area. Block continued training with K9 Jet.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) attended annual in-service training at the beginning of the week. He worked angling and watercraft safety activity along the Rainy River. Several anglers were in the area as weather improved, with most anglers reporting low success. Kennedy also took phone calls for several rule and regulation-related questions. Enforcement action was taken for various watercraft and angling related violations.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working the Rainy River this past week. Many anglers traveled to the Rainy River this past week.Fishing reports improved throughout the week. Time was spent checking anglers and working boating enforcement.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) attended annual in-service training at Camp Ripley. Slatinski prepared seasonal equipment for use and worked on the Rainy River, where several hundred boats with eager anglers were chasing trophy fish during the catchand- release opportunities. The catch rate did not seem to be as good as many had hoped.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports angling activity continues to be monitored on area lakes. Forest roads, ATV activity, and spring trail closures were monitored. Seasonal equipment work continues. Administrative tasks were completed.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent most of the week at Camp Ripley for annual training. Some time was also spent monitoring ATV activity, which is picking up, and working on equipment.
CO AaronLarson(Tower) worked primarily trapping and ATV enforcement. Larson spent time on forest roads checking for ATV activity and checking rivers and ponds for spring beaver and otter trapping. Time was also spent checking for panfish fishing activity and at annual training.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and trapping enforcement. In addition, time was also spent at Camp Ripley for in-service training and attending a sportsman’s club banquet in Chisholm.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing and trapping activity. Few anglers were encountered this week. Ice is slowly deteriorating. Broughten fielded calls regarding ATV trails, state forest regulations, and turkey hunting.
District 7 - Grand Rapids CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked ice anglers, monitored ATV and trapping activities, and patrolled state forest areas on ATV. Calls involving wildlife were taken and follow up with ongoing cases was conducted. Brown worked with CO Fairbanks providing extra boat and water patrols on the Rainy River. CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV, small game, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails and campgrounds.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) instructed at in-service training and worked a boat and water detail this week. Enforcement action was taken for equipment violations. CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked last-minute ice anglers with the panfish bite still very good. Ice conditions have deteriorated quickly and even foot travel isn’t recommended. Sutherland took enforcement action for angling without a license, operating an ATV down the main travel lane of a roadway, and operating an unregistered ATV.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) worked sport fishing and recreational vehicle activities. Enforcement action was taken for several ATV and big-game violations. Annual division training was completed as well.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) monitored recreational vehicles throughout the previous week. Time was also spent checking trapping activity and armoring division firearms at Camp Ripley. Holt assisted with a local firearms safety class and gave a presentation on laws and ethics.
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.
