District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Paul Kennedy (Int’l Falls #1) reports fawns have started to make an appearance in the borderland. He assisted local Law Enforcement in moving a fawn that had taken shelter under a squad after officers tried to move it away from a traffic lane. Problem bear complaints were reported throughout the area. Angling and ATV activity was also monitored during the week. Enforcement action included permitting unlawful operation of an ATV, Careless operation of an ATV, operator/passenger under 18 without a helmet, angling without a license, illegal length walleye, and equipment violations were addressed.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) With cooperative weather over the weekend outdoor enthusiasts were eager to get out and enjoy the sunshine while wetting a line. Water temperatures are behind a typical year, leaving many anglers scratching their heads. Off highway vehicle traffic has also picked up leading to an increase in complaints as well. Respecting our neighbors and community members can avoid many of the issues heard.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports area lakes and public access sites were checked. Area forest roads were monitored. Bears and beaver were active over the week resulting in numerous phone calls. ATV activity increased over the holiday weekend with violations addressed. Equipment work continues.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and ATV enforcement. He spent time on area lakes over the holiday weekend. Violations were related to boating safety equipment, registration, angling licenses, and fishing in a closed spawning area. He also addressed violations including ATVs on highways, and state park passes. Larson assisted other agencies with a call related to a capsized boat in the BWCAW. A reminder to boaters heading to Lake Vermilion that Moccasin Point Public Water Access will be closed starting June 1st.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV, angling, and boating enforcement. In addition, time was spent attending a district meeting, responding to calls, and assisting local LE agencies. Memorial Day weekend brought a wide range of weather, from cold rain to unseasonable heat. Local anglers continued to struggle to find a consistent bite, but ATV enthusiasts were grateful for some rain to knock down the dust while riding.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) Time was spent working ATV and boating patrol over the week. CO Zavodnik, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Department, and the St. Louis County Rescue Squad also put on an ATV Safety Field Day at the Gilbert OHV Park. Approximately eighteen students attended and completed the class. Additional time was spent investigating a potential lake shore violation.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring boating, fishing, and ATV activity. Anglers continued to report limited success. Cooler temperatures and rain limited boating activity. ATV activity increased this week. CO Broughten also fielded calls regarding nuisance animals, ATV registration, and youth safety classes.
Int’l Falls #2 – vacant.
District 6 - Two Harbors area
CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: after a slower start to the normally busy Memorial day weekend warmer weather arrived and so did huge amounts boating and atv activity. Assistance was given for several water emergencies involving canoes and motorboats inside the BWCA. Violations included: operating an OHM on a public roadway, expired watercraft registration, and burning prohibited materials.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) spent the week monitoring ATV and OHM operators on area trails. CO Ihnen also checked anglers and watercraft operators. Additional time was spent patrolling for AIS violations near area lakes and public accesses.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the busy Memorial weekend in the BWCAW with Officer Oberg and Officer Schottenbauer. The officers worked the Sea Gull River opener and spent time working area fish closures. Enforcement action was taken for angle without a license, fish in a closed area and watercraft violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time patrolling angling and boating activities over the holiday weekend. Nuisance bears continue to be a problem. People are reminded to keep their homes and properties clean of items that attract bears. Enforcement action was taken for various angling violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked the busy Memorial Day weekend with plenty of boat and ATV traffic in the area. A large case file from the fall was completed with the case being charged out by the county attorney’s office. Time was spent on several other investigations. Enforcement action was taken for no ID on minnow traps, no trout stamp, no helmet on youth ATV passenger, and a variety of minor boating violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week checking anglers and monitoring ATV activity. CO Franzen assisted with an ATV detail in Pine County where multiple officers patrolled local trails throughout the evening and night over the holiday weekend. Time was also spent patrolling the boundary waters with other local officers.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and boating enforcement for the week. Time was spent working area angling closures and BWCAW activity over the busy Memorial day weekend. Water temperatures remain cool and angler success varied considerably. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of angling and ATV related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week checking anglers on lakes. Block also assisted with working road closures for the Stewart Trail fire. Time was also spent performing equipment maintenance and training with K9 Jet.
District 7 - Grand Rapids area
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) Worked ATV, small game, boating, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails and campgrounds. Numerous game and fish questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints including a bear that was caught in a trap set for skunks around a chicken coup. CO Hansen used his rifle to shoot the trap off the bear’s foot and cut a bungie cord that had wrapped around the bears paw in it’s struggles. The bear later left the area unharmed as evidenced by a picture the landowner sent the officer.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling and ATV activity in the area. With the nicer weather and calmer winds many anglers got out on area lakes. CO Sutherland took enforcement action with multiple people who didn’t have their fishing licenses on them and a few who didn’t have a license at all. The crappie, bluegill and walleye bites are all becoming very good with the panfish actively spawning and the walleyes post spawn.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) – reports working a busy holiday weekend monitoring angling, boating, and ATV activities throughout the surrounding areas. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of angling, boating, and ATV violations.
CO Curtis Simonson ( Hill City Station) reports spending time over the past week working ATV enforcement on area trails and checking anglers on area lakes. Anglers reported having some success throughout the week . Area ATV trails remained busy over the weekend with many riders out enjoying the trails. Recent rain fall provided a relief in dusty conditions on the trails for a few days.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) focused on boating safety and angling activity throughout the previous week. Time was also spent patrolling ATV trails and following up on a TIP complaint. Holt worked a busy Memorial Day weekend in the Grand Rapids area. Enforcement activity involved boating and angling violations.
NE ATV officer – vacant.
District 8 - Duluth area
CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) assisted with access control for the evacuation area of the Stewart Trail Fire in Two Harbors. Reports of nuisance bears were received. He focused heavily on ATV activity over Memorial Day weekend, addressing registration and youth helmet violations.
CO Nathan Garza (Duluth West) participated in an ATV detail this week in and around the General C.C. Andrews State Forest for memorial day weekend activity. Time was also spent patrolling local lakes with many anglers seen as weather continues to warm up. Additional time was spent patrolling the estuary and responding to TIP complaints.
CO Rheanna Deal (Duluth East) spent time following up on TIP complaints and other miscellaneous wildlife questions. She also assisted with an ATV detail at the Nemadji State Forest. She patrolled local lakes over Memorial Day weekend. A reminder to boaters to ensure they have the required number of life jackets for all persons aboard.
CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) monitored angling and ATV activity this week. Water temps are still cold, keeping panfish and walleye activity slow on most area waters. Weapons maintenance was conducted. An ATV saturation detail was worked in southern Carlton and northern Pine counties. Warm weather on Sunday brought out anglers and boaters. Water temps continue to warm. Enforcement action was taken for various ATV-helmet violations as well as angling license and PFD violations.
CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) spent time in the ATV and boat for the holiday weekend. Water temps kept most from water sports and fishermen were seen enjoying the quiet lakes. Many large crappie were seen but the walleye were few and far between. OHV enforcement remained high. DOT helmets are required for all under 18 on roads and other public property on an ATV-no exceptions.
CO Gabe Soriano (Hinckley) worked with several COs to patrol the area during high ATV activity. Common violations observed were: failure to display registration, failure to renew registration, no trail pass (non-resident), no illuminated headlights, allow illegal youth operation, and no ATV safety completed. CO Soriano would like to remind people to check the ATV that they intend to ride for deficiencies prior to riding to save themselves a surprise chat with a local deputy or CO. Additionally, with the fluctuating weather, the local bite has been poor. Bears continue to be reported to CO Soriano continuously; CO Soriano would like to remind people to watch their feeders, garbage, and pic-a-nic baskets as they do attract yogi and friends.
CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent time this week continuing to check anglers, boaters, and OHV operators. TIP calls were investigated, and miscellaneous wildlife calls were handled. Over the weekend, many PWC operators were stopped for no wake violations. Many anglers are still reporting a slow bite.
District 9 - Brainerd area
CO Luke Belgard (Pine River) worked angling, boating, and ATV enforcement this week. A busy Memorial Day weekend was reported with activity picking up with the warmer weather. Nuisance animal calls were also addressed.
CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) spent time checking multiple ATV riders and boaters throughout the week. It was a busy holiday weekend and enforcement action was taken for various ATV and fishing violations.
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd #2) worked sport fishing and all-terrain vehicle enforcement this week. Numerous animal complaints were handled. An angler was contacted without a fishing license and enforcement action was taken.
CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) saw a busy holiday weekend on the lakes and trails. ATV use was high, with good trail conditions. The lakes saw the most users for the year so far too. Spoke at a lake association annual meeting with safety reminders for the summer season.
CO Chelsey Collette (Pequot Lakes) worked a busy holiday weekend between fishing, ATV, fire and trapping activity. Enforcement action was taken for numerous trapping violations, ATVS on the highway, no helmets on kids and various license/registration issues.
CO Matt Brodin (Brainerd #1) attended K9 training at Camp Ripley. CO Brodin also patrolled ATV activity during the holiday weekend.
District 10 - Mille Lacs area
CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked lake activity where water recreation had started up despite cold water temperatures. ATV traffic was also busy during the holiday weekend. Lack of registration and juvenile safety equipment were issues. Verkuilen also issued roadkill tags and addressed aquatic invasive species violations.
CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) spent the week and the busy holiday weekend working angling and ATVing activities. Many families were out enjoying the lakes and area trails. Enforcement actions were taken on life jacket violations, possession of illegal length walleye, and fishing with extra lines. A reminder that both fishing and off-highway vehicle regulations are available on the DNR website.
CO Joseph Scholz (Malmo) spent a busy holiday weekend patrolling for ATVing, boating, and fishing activities. Anglers on Mille Lacs Lake reported mixed success for Smallmouth Bass and Walleye while smaller area lakes showed success for Northern Pike, sunfish, Largemouth Bass, and Crappie. A bit of rain kept ATV trails free of dust and provided plenty of mud for ATVers to play and get stuck in. Unfortunately, many violations were observed including angling without a license, no lights on boats after sunset, youth on ATVs without helmets, operating OHMs on the roadway, and failure to obey stop signs on trails. A reminder to all recreational vehicle owners to review the rules on where you and your children may operate.
CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) checked anglers, boaters, and ATV riders in the area. Enforcement actions were taken for various ATV violations, angling without licenses, lifejacket violations, personal watercraft violations, and boat navigation light violations. Benkofske also assisted other local law enforcement agencies on several emergency calls.
CO Kaitlyn Istvanovich (Onamia) spent the week patrolling for ATVing and fishing activities. Enforcement actions were taken for possessing illegal length Walleye, no lifejackets on watercraft, and failure to stop for ATV trail stop signs. Istvanovich would like to remind individuals to pay attention to trail signage while riding.
CO Trevon Mock (Wealthwood) patrolled for anglers on Mille Lacs Lake and surrounding Aitkin Lakes. He also looked for ATV riders and late season turkey hunters. Many violations were discovered on Memorial Day weekend. Violations enforced included fishing without a license, juveniles on ATVs without helmets, operating without ATV safety training, no valid driver’s license to operate an ATV on the roadway, missing life jackets, missing a throwable flotation device, and no fishing license in possession. Many violations were safety related.
District 11 - St. Cloud area
CO Andrew Struffert (Pierz) focused on angling, watercraft, and recreational vehicle enforcement. Violations for the week include no license in possession, insufficient PFDs, unregistered watercraft, no lights used after sunset, and a personal watercraft out past hours. Enforcement action was taken for a juvenile under 10 without a life jacket. Numerous ATV violation were encountered as well.
CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) spent time during the week assisting with equipment maintenance at Camp Ripley. Nuisance beaver complaints were also handled. Assistance was also provided to officers over the busy holiday weekend.
CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) worked angling and boating activity this week. A few turkey hunters are still out and about. Vehicle maintenance was handled this week as well.
CO Chad Ziegler (Albany) fielded various calls including a potential wetland violation, nuisance bears, and multiple assist other agencies. A lot of boaters enjoyed some nicer weather for the holiday weekend with various boating and fishing violations found. Bite overall was still slow but should be improving.
CO Brett Fox (St. Cloud) spent the week patrolling for ATV, angling, and watercraft activity. Fox patrolled the Mississippi River. Violations this week include watercraft registration, fishing without license, no license in possession, and ATV violations.
CO Adam Stennett (Annandale) worked fishing, turkey hunting, OHV and boating activity this week. The water temperatures are finally starting to rise, and the sunfish are getting active. Assistance was provided to wildlife staff while they worked a prescribed burn on a WMA. Assistance was also provided to other agencies on various calls. Enforcement for the week included fishing without a license, allow illegal ATV operation by a juvenile, fail to display boat registration.
District 12 - Princeton area
CO Matthew Boyle (Milaca) Spent time enforcing boating, fishing, and ATV laws. Boyle received several phone calls of bears knocking over or eating from bird feeders. Boyle would like to remind everyone that we are fortunate enough to live in an area with bears. If you remove the feed source from your yard the bears will leave.
CO Trent Seamans (Big Lake) focused patrols on angling and boating activity. Additional time was spent addressing various violations in the Sand Dunes State Forest. Enforcement action for the week included fishing with extra lines, fishing without a license, operating a watercraft with expired registration, and driving off-road in the Sand Dunes State Forest.
CO Justin Frisch (Cambridge) spent the week filling up in some public waters fill/excavating violations. Frisch checked several anglers in the area. Frisch assisted with an ATV detail in Pine County. Several violations were observed and addressed during the detail.
CO Tshungtsim Thao (Buffalo) spent time working angling and boating activity throughout the station. Anglers reported mixed success. Boating and PWC activity has increased with the warmer weather.
CO Koleby Dingmann (Sauk Rapids) spent the week working sport fishing activity in the area. With the warm weather the activity was high. Assistance was given to local law enforcement. ATV activity was monitored.
CO Mike Krauel (Mora) spent the week checking anglers. CO Krauel also spent time at K9 Unit training. CO Krauel also spent a busy Memorial Weekend on the water. Several people were out enjoying the nice weather.
CO Blong Lor (Center City) spent the week checking anglers. CO Lor worked boaters and some AIS checks. Time was spent following up on misc. wildlife calls.
District 13 - West Metro area
CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) worked boating and angling enforcement during the busy holiday weekend. Enforcement action was taken on no angling license, expired boat registration, and child life jacket violation.
CO Mike Lerchen (Bloomington) worked recreational boating, angling, and OHM activity. Lerchen also assisted other agencies. Enforcement action was taken for operating an OHM on a public road, angling without a license, possessing walleye in a catch and release area, and angling with extra lines.
CO Brent Grewe (Minnetonka) spent time this week checking anglers and monitoring boating activity. CO Grewe also followed up with AIS issues and feeding complaints. Violations this week included PWC distance violations and no fishing license.
CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) reports a busy Memorial Day weekend on the lake. Registration violations continue to be the most common violation observed on the water. Several stranded boaters were assisted with mechanical issues on the lake.
CO Jayden Frank (Mound) had a busy week checking anglers, following up on TIP complaints, monitoring boating activity throughout the station, and assisting in the investigation of a violation that occurred on Lake Superior. Outreach also included speaking to a high school criminal justice class and presenting the law and ethics talk at a firearm safety class. Enforcement action was taken for special regulation violations, no license in possession, netting game fish, and various watercraft-related offenses.
Ft. Snelling – vacant.
District 14 - East Metro area
CO Matt Paavola (Ham Lake) patrolled area lakes and rivers for anglers and boating activity. He assisted with an invasive species detail and provided assistance to local agencies. Enforcement action was taken for multiple anglers without licenses and persons operating unlicensed watercraft.
CO Tou Vang (ELCOP-Hmong) conducted liaison work, completed online training, fielded nuisance wildlife and other DNR-related calls from the public, and staffed a DNR booth at the Hmong Memorial Sports and Street Festival in Cottage Grove over the weekend.
CO Thephong Le (Maplewood) patrolled the area for angling and boating activity. He returned calls with questions including nuisance animals, fishing regulations and follow-up on TIP complaints. He worked the district 14 AIS work detail. He observed violations such as angling without a required fishing license, no fishing license in possession, taking waterfowl in closed season, wake in a slow no wake, expired boat registration, insufficient number of PFDs and no required fire extinguisher in a boat.
CO Garrett Thomas (Eagan) primarily focused on boat patrol of the Minnesota River, St. Croix River, and Mississippi River. Angling success has increased in all locations, and the summer boating crowds are starting to come out in large numbers. Many boating violations were encountered throughout the week including many registration issues, PFD issues, gunwale riding, wake violations, and no angling licenses.
CO Steve Chihak (Hastings) spent the week working sport fishing, ATV enforcement, boating enforcement and safety. Time was also spent working an AIS check station with other district 14 officers. Violations encountered included failure to drain live wells and remove drain plugs, transporting zebra mussels, and failure to register a watercraft.
District 15 - Marshall area
CO Derek Daniels (Lake Benton) spent the week primarily working on angling, boat and water, and ATV enforcement. An ATV Safety class was held in Tyler by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. A good fish bite on lakes kept traffic high over the Memorial Day weekend. Enforcement action for the week included angling with extra lines, failure to display Watercraft registration, no license in possession, and taking sturgeon out of season.
CO Mason Bulthuis (Madison) spent the previous week monitoring angling, boating, and ATV activity. Bulthuis saw a busy Memorial Day weekend with numerous anglers checked both ashore and from boats. Bulthuis reminds boaters of the importance of safety equipment, especially PFDs.
CO Jacob Peterson (Redwood Falls) spent the week working angling and boating activity in his station. CO Peterson also worked on angling and ATV enforcement with station neighbors over the holiday weekend, He continued to work on active cases from past hunting seasons as well. Enforcement action was taken for PWCs being out past 1 hour before sunset and lifejacket violations with juveniles.
CO Dustin Roemeling (Worthington) spent the week working sport fishing. K-9 training was attended at the Carlos Avery WMA and Mille Lacs WMA. K9 Cora assisted with an AIS detail in Rochester. Assistance was given to local agencies.
CO Dallas Cornell (Ortonville) spent the week working sport fishing, boat and water safety, and ATV activities. Time was spent working in the Appleton OHV Park over the busy holiday weekend. CO Cornell patrolled area lakes. Boaters are reminded to ensure the correct number of life jackets are present while on the water and to check to verify their registration is current.
CO Danielle Reuss (Benson) monitored area angling activity this week. Many anglers were catching rough fish with some crappies being seen in buckets. ATV activity picked up with the holiday weekend. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of violations including multiple fishing without a license, over-limit on bluegills, operating on grant in aid trails without a non-resident trail pass, and operating ATVs without headlights illuminated. CO Reuss would like to remind people to review the ATV safety certification requirements and ensure they have current registration prior to operating. CO Reuss also assisted area conservation officers.
CO Shawn Wichmann (Slayton) spent the week patrolling area lakes checking anglers and watercraft users. He also talked to students at a local firearms safety class. Violations for the week include no navigation lights, operators or passengers under 18 not wearing helmets, operating PWC during closed hours, and insufficient PFDs. Reminder to all ATV owners that any passenger or operator under 18 are required to wear DOT approved helmets.
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) Worked fishing, boating, ATV, state park and AIS enforcement during the week. Memorial Weekend was busy with a lot of fishing, boating, and ATV activities. Fishing continues to be good on multiple area lakes.
CO Luke Gutzwiller (Montevideo) spent this past week working angling activity around the Lac qui Parle Unit. K9 Earl spent time training with the K9 Unit in the Carlos Avery WMA. Training time was concentrated on detection, tracking and preparing for upcoming USPCA PD1 Trials.
District 16 - New Ulm area
CO Shane Vernier (Willmar-West) spent time over the holiday weekend working boating and angling activity. He gave an animal presentation to area 2nd grade students and a water safety presentation to an area preschool. CO Vernier also spoke at an AIS Inspector meeting.
CO Stephen Westby (Willmar-East) patrolled area lakes for angling and boating activities. CO Westby also met with local AIS inspectors who will be working boat accesses, please be courteous to these to young inspectors. With very warm and clear weather over the holiday weekend many boaters were out enjoying the lakes. Please take time to clean off your boats or other water related equipment coming from storage.
CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) spent the week checking anglers, AIS, boating safety, and working OHV enforcement. The Memorial Day weekend was busy for anglers on the water but not for other recreation and swimming. Some of the violations observed included no angling license, no license in possession, fail to display current watercraft registration, keeping northern pike in the slot limit, not enough lifejackets, and kids under 10 years old not wearing lifejackets.
CO Brett Wiltrout (Hutchinson-West) spent time this week working sport fishing and boat and water safety. Other activities include ATV enforcement and working turkey hunting. Additional time was focused on nuisance animals and AIS.
CO Zachary Larson (Hutchinson-East) reports working a busy holiday weekend. Anglers were out on area lakes and had some good success. Patrol efforts were focused on fishing, boating, and ATV activities.
CO Thor Nelson (New Ulm) took calls clarifying ATV, hunting, and fishing questions. He also received reports of fish and carcasses dumped in public areas. CO Nelson also worked fishing, turkey hunting, boating, and invasive species enforcement activities.
CO Travis Cain (Windom) spent the week working on angling and boating activities. Time was spent working turkey hunting and ATV activity. Additional time was spent patrolling area lakes and rivers for AIS violations.
CO Emma Wehking (Jackson) spent time monitoring anglers, boat and water safety, and working AIS enforcement. She would like to remind everyone to make sure they have the required safety equipment and the required boat operator certificate before heading out onto the water.
CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) checked anglers and boaters, AIS prevention efforts continue at public accesses. Additional time was spent checking turkey hunters and ATV activity was monitored.
District 17 - Mankato area
CO Jeremy Henke (Albert Lea) spent time working angling and boating enforcement over the busy holiday weekend. Henke thanks those that utilized the TIP line to report violations this week. ATV enforcement was also worked on area roads. Please remember youth under age 18 are required to wear a helmet when on an ATV.
CO Jamie VanThuyne (Mankato) focused on boating and angling activities. VanThuyne also check watercraft for AIS compliance and assisted local agencies.
CO Meng Moua (Waseca) focused on fishing, boating, and AIS enforcement. The Memorial Day weekend was busy with many anglers and boaters out on the lakes. A handful of recreational boats were out on the water for the first time this season, boat owners are reminded to make sure they have all the required safety equipment onboard. Anglers continue to report having some success on area lakes.
CO Josephine Homeier (Spring Valley) spent the week patrolling her station, focusing on ATV, spring turkey hunting, and trout fishing enforcement. Miscellaneous wildlife calls were fielded, and follow up was conducted on ongoing cases. Additionally, time was spent assisting district partners with an AIS detail.
CO Mitch Nowak (St. Peter) spent time this week attending training. Time was also spent monitoring angling, boating, and ATV activities. Enforcement action was taken on various violations.
CO Chad Davis (Owatonna) checked anglers, boaters, ATV operators, and responded to calls. Davis patrolled aquatic management areas, wildlife management areas, state parks, and waterfowl production areas.
Mankato #1 – vacant.
District 18 - Rochester area
CO Kristopher Ryan (La Crescent) spent time this week patrolling for turkey hunters, anglers and boating activity. Lots of boaters were seen enjoying the holiday weekend. He also assisted local law enforcement with a missing person search.
CO Brittany Hauser (Red Wing) spent the week patrolling for area boating and angling activity. A busy Memorial Day weekend was worked and many boaters were observed enjoying the warm weather. Enforcement action was taken for various boating violations.
CO Calli Weber (Winona) spent the week patrolling for angling and ATV activity. She attended an ATV work detail in the Nemadji State Forest. Enforcement action taken this week included: Angling without a license, overlimit of bluegill, overlimit of white bass, and various watercraft/ATV violations.
CO Marie Petersen (Wabasha) patrolled Wabasha County, Snake Creek, and the Mississippi River Pools 4 and 5 for recreational activities. Anglers are reporting an increasing bite but not seeing a lot of fish being kept. Increased activity was found throughout the week and Memorial Day weekend. She gave a Firearm Safety presentation in Wabasha this week. Violations this week included: Angle without a license, failure to display valid watercraft registration, failure to transfer ATV ownership within 15 days, multiple watercraft safety violations, operate ATV’s on closed snowmobile, and operate ATVs without required headlights. Enforcement action was taken for violations found.
CO Derek Schneider (Zumbrota) reports a busy Memorial Day weekend on area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for various boating and angling violations. A complaint was investigated regarding a turkey hunter that discharged a firearm within 500 feet of a residence.
CO Ryan Christenson (Rochester #2) reports a busy holiday weekend. Many people were out enjoying the warm weather on the water. Violations encountered were not enough life jackets, expired registration, transporting aquatic macrophytes, and angling without a license.
CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked mainly anglers and boaters during the week. Lots of folks were out over the weekend and fishing success was mixed. Heyn also worked ATV’s and assisted with AIS checks.
Training Section
Planning is ongoing for training activities, including ordering equipment and supplies and reserving training areas at Camp Ripley.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Ryan Hanna (Grand Rapids) worked out of the Detroit Lakes area, Alexandria area, and Grand Rapids Area for an ongoing May Waterfowl Survey. The month-long survey was concluded over the Memorial Day weekend.
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Brainerd) completed a requested enforcement flight. CO Pilot Scott also performed maintenance flights.
CO Pilot Brianna Shaw (Brainerd) continued to plug away on the 2026 Lake Vermillion Open Water Creel Survey Aerial Instantaneous Counts. Additional time was spent attending a meeting with Districts 7 and 9. Shaw would like to thank those who currently serve our county and continue to honor and mourn the sacrifices made for our country’s freedom.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) completed several online training modules and attended to maintenance tasks.
Environmental Enforcement Unit
CO Daniel Baumbarger (SW EEO) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking anglers, boaters, and ATV operators. Additional time was monitoring AIS law compliance, follow up on open cases, and commercial minnow enforcement.
CO Keith Bertram (NW EEO) spent the week working on open wetland cases and attending TEP meetings. Enforcement action was taken this week for OHM and AIS violations. Training was completed.
CO Robert Haberman (NE EEO) assisted with an AIS check station near Hastings over the weekend. CO Haberman also investigated several water resource violations and issued a restoration order. Meetings were also attended.
Statewide Marine Unit
CO Jordan Anderson(Marine Unit - Bemidji) continued to investigate area wildfires. Time was spent on the water over the Memorial Day Weekend in Becker, Otter Tail, and Crow Wing Counties. Enforcement action was taken for various boating related violations with registration and insufficient personal flotation devices being the most common.
CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit - Duluth) attended a pre-Memorial Day Weekend media event with other Unit members. Boaters and anglers were checked on lakes in Cook County. An ATV detail was worked with Duluth district COs in the General Andrews State Forest. Enforcement action taken for ATV and boating violations.
CO Mitch Lawler (Marine Unit - Alexandria) trained with sonar and ROV devices this week, worked angling activity on Upper Red Lake and along with other Marine Unit CO's, assisted Koochiching County first responders on a recovery effort for a drowning victim.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Marine Unit – Grand Rapids) patrolled busy lakes over the Memorial Holiday weekend. Time was also spent attending division wide training and training with other Marine Unit CO’s with search and rescue equipment.
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 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. Instructor clinics are scheduled throughout the state and are listed on the DNR website.
STAFF NOTES:
RTO Corey Wiebusch (SE Metro) assisted with lake patrols over the holiday weekend. ATV activity was monitored throughout the region with high activity. Training curriculum was also reviewed
RTO Brett Oberg (SW Metro) worked a detail in the BWCAW this past Memorial Day weekend. Enforcement efforts were focused on closed spawning areas. The weather started out poorly but gradually got better and the fishing followed. Anglers were checked, were catching nice walleyes, smallmouth bass, and even lake trout. Compared to years past this year there was excellent safety compliance with navigation lights at night.
RTO Jen Mueller (SW MN) attended trainings and meeting during the week. She tested the upcoming ELS system. She worked with parents and instructors on upcoming safety classes.
RTO Dave Schottenbauer (NE MN) worked anglers, boaters, and took wildlife complaints this week. Most of the time was spent with ELS.
RTO Joseph Stattelman (NW MN) spent the weekend checking ATV, boating and fishing activity. Time was spent teaching a HEFAS clinic in East Grand Forks. Several requests for clinics were fielded. 2 Trail Ambassador groups were contacted on State Forest ATV trails and ATV activity worked. ELS meetings were attended.
Recreational Vehicle Coordinator Bruce Lawrence worked along with Conservation Officers from districts 8 and 10 for an ATV patrol and enforcement efforts in Pine County in the General Andrews state forest, Soo Line trail and Nemadji state forest OHV trails. Violations encountered were improper display of registration decals, and expired registrations, and fishing with no license. Other items this past week Lawrence responding to emails and answering questions about all-terrain vehicle operations in roadways and lands not in grant in aid trail routes as well as making revisions to the draft the next off-highway vehicles regulations booklet.
