District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports: ATV activity increased over the week with mild temperatures and only occasional heavy rain. Smelting picked up, and several netters were checked. Violations included: angling without a license in possession.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week checking anglers and watercraft operators. Additional time was spent monitoring ATV and OHM activity. He also attended division training.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week monitoring fishing closures in Cook County. Anglers were checked fishing the Lake Superior tributaries along the North Shore. Training was attended in Grand Rapids.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports steelhead anglers are starting to hit the shore. River conditions are at an extremely high flow state and water clarity is almost zero. Time was spent inspecting commercial minnow traps along with spring beaver trapping sets. Ledeen also attended a region-wide training.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked OHM complaints andATVenforcement as well as spring fish run. 23 youths were certified in ATV safety – thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the class a success. A DWI refresher training was attended. An investigation led to a citation for failure to register bear baits. Assistance was provided to other agencies with calls and investigations. COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring stream angling activity. Time was also spent attending training. Due to snowmelt and recent rain, rivers were running heavy and anglers were reporting low success.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on trapping and angling enforcement for the week. Time was spent patrolling the woods and trails on ATV. Ice conditions on area lakes are quickly deteriorating due to recent rain and warm weather, caution is advised.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors)Spenttimethisweek patrolling the area for angling activity. Recent rainfall has made conditions challenging for angling.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) worked ATV and angling activity this week. Sturgeon anglers had some success reporting the bite was slowing down from previous days. He took several calls regarding ATV operation as trail conditions improve. Enforcement action included angling without a license, unattended lines, and various watercraft safety issues were addressed.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working the Rainy River this past week. Sturgeon anglers reported a slower bite over the weekend. Trapping activity was monitored throughout the area as well.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) completed training on alcohol enforcement and processing. He also monitored state forest areas and trails closed to motor vehicle use during the spring thaw. Fielded questions on ATV classification as well as questions about trapping and site tag use.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports handling numerous incidental otter catches over the week from local trappers. Area forest roads and spring trail closures were checked. Streams and creeks were walked looking for activity. An illegal minnow trap was seized. Spare time was spent returning phone calls, responding to questions from the public and working on equipment.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) Spent time this week monitoring ATV activity, spring trapping activity, and the spring fish run. Outdoor activity is ramping up quickly, and will continue with ice out nearing on all area lakes. Timewasalsospentattending training along with a meeting with area snowmobile clubs and DNR parks & trails staff. COAaronLarson(Tower) worked primarily ATV, trapping, and angling activity. Ice out is approaching quickly with many small lakes clear of ice, and larger lakes with much of the ice gone. Larson worked on ATV complaints, attended training, and found angling violations related to licenses.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and trapping activity. Time was also spent attending a regional training in Grand Rapids and maintaining station equipment. Nuisance bear complaints have started filtering in and homeowners are reminded to remove all food sources (garbage, bird feeders, etc) until natural food sources are available in order to reduce conflicts with wildlife.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) responded to fire that was initially started by burning a piece of tissue paper. Due to extremely dry conditions and wind, the individual was unable to put the fire out. The fire eventually spread and burned over ten acres of land, including several uninhabited outbuildings on the property. CO Zavodnik also worked on the Rainy River over the weekend. Boating safety and angling violations were encountered throughout the detail. Sturgeon fishing was slower compared to past years.
