District 6 - Two Harbors
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports: hot, dry weather continued over the week into the weekend. ATV and angling activity were again heavy although fishing success seemed to have waned since the holiday weekend. Violations included: angling without a license in possession, and expired watercraft registration.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week focusing on fishing and boating activity. Officer Ihnen also checked ATV operators. Additional time was spent monitoring AIS compliance near area lakes and PWAs.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked angling, boating and ATV enforcement. The Officer responded to several bear complaints. Time was also spent following up on past investigations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time patrolling area lakes for angling and boating activity. Time was also spent patrolling ATV trails and forest roads. Several nuisance bear complaints were received and every complaint dealt with had a food source available that attracted the bears. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked angling and boating enforcement on Birch Lake and in the BWCAW with CO Larson. Border lakes and lakes with easier access were busy, with interior lakes being much quieter. Fishing success was fair to good for several species. Enforcement action included lack of PFDs, no trout stamp, expired watercraft registration, cans and glass in the BWCAW, and litter.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring angling and ATV activity across the area. Time was also spent completing commercial inspections. Beautiful weather and moderate temperatures brought many people to the area for the weekend.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and ATV enforcement for the week. A district meeting was attended and equipment maintenance was conducted. Fire danger remains high, use caution
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week patrolling area lakes for angling activity. Block focused efforts on working with K9 Jet on zebra mussel detection at local accesses. Time was also spent on boating enforcement.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Paul Kennedy (Int’l Falls #1) assisted local partners with a water emergency reported early in the week. Several agencies assisted in the response including State, County, and local emergency service crews. He and CO Slatinski staffed a TIP trailer at an outdoor education day held for local students and later helped local volunteers with an ATV Safety Class and field day. Kennedy monitored angling and ATV activity throughout the area with some avoiding the trails due to the high temps and dry conditions. Enforcement action included angling without a license, expired ATV registration, operating OHM and ATV on State Hwy, and permitting unlawful operation of an OHM.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Warmer weather and calmer conditions led to increased angling activity on area waterways. Several boats contacted had fish in the boat and remarked they wished they were catching smaller ones so they could keep them. Time was spent at ISD 361 outdoor education day where approximately sixty fifth grade students attended. Assistance was given to local instructors to provide opportunity for thirty youth to meet the requirements for their ATV safety certification.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports working on equipment over the week. Time was spent monitoring boating and angling activities. ATV riding continues to increase locally. Public access site issues were monitored. Beaver and bear problems continue. Free time was spent returning phone calls.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent the majority of the week checking anglers and monitoring boating activity on Vermilion and other area lakes. Activity remained high on Vermilion through the week. Time was also spent monitoring ATV activity through the area, and working on getting all vehicles and property at the Moccasin Point access cleared out for construction.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and ATV enforcement. He spent time on the prospector ATV trails around tower and worked several days in the BWCAW with CO Bermel. Violations encountered were angling with no license in possession, no trout stamp, fail to tag minnow trap, fail to have a life jacket on a boat, fail to display boat registration, and cans and glass containers in the BWCAW.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV, angling, and boating safety enforcement. In addition, time was spent investigating/following up on complaints, maintaining station equipment, and attending a wildlife management meeting held by Range Regional Airport.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) time was spent investigating several lakeshore and wetland violations over the week. Additional time was spent working ATV patrol and fielding various complaints throughout the station.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating, and ATV activity. Fishing activity was lower than expected. Anglers who were encountered yielded moderate success. ATV and boating activity increased this week with the warmer temperatures. CO Broughten fielded calls regarding boating safety requirements, abandoned ATV, nuisance animals, and public water access.
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.
