Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Division of Enforcement
15011 Highway 115 (Camp Ripley)
Little Falls, MN 56345-4173
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rich Sprouse
Public Information Officer
800-366-8917, Ext 2511
CONSERVATION OFFICER WEEKLY REPORT
02-23-09
District 1 - Baudette area
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) worked a detail on Lake of the Woods with Lt. Znajda. Fishing was slower with enforcement action taken for snowmobile and angling violations. Woinarowicz spoke to the Stephen area Cub Scouts on animal habitats and mammals of Minnesota. Fur specimens were brought along to show the youth what animals in the area look like. Equipment maintenance was also conducted on his patrol vehicle and snowmobile.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing and snowmobiling activity throughout the week. Fishing on Red lake continues to good with some anglers picking up a few 15” crappies. While checking fish houses on Red Lake, CO Gorecki checked a fisherman who had 1 walleye in a bucket. The fisherman stated that fishing had been slow. After speaking with the individual further, CO Gorecki noticed that his story was not adding up. After a search of the fish house, and the area outside, CO Gorecki found what appeared to be an empty 20lb propane cylinder next to his vehicle. After inspecting the cylinder, CO Gorecki noticed that the bottom comes off. Inside the propane cylinder CO Gorecki found 9 more walleye. Of the 10 total walleye, 4 of them were in the slot limit. Citations were issue for over the limit of walleye, over length walleye, and the fisherman faces license revocation upon conviction. Follow up investigation was done on a wetlands violation. Enforcement action included over limit of walleye, over length walleye, angle with extra lines, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) responded to report of car kill wolf. Wolf had already been picked up by a DOT employee and processed with helpful assist of CO Malinowski. Area snowmobile trails are in great shape with additional snow and cold weather. Fish bite on area lakes continues to be good and fishermen are able to travel most anywhere on area lakes. He also worked a local “end of the season” fish tournament, enforcing snowmobile and angling violations.
CO Larry Milbridge (Warroad) reports most of the week was spent on Lake of the Woods checking anglers. Enforcement action was taken for angling, ice shelter, snowmobile and trail violations.
Officer Ben Huener (Roseau) spent Presidents’ Day on Lake of the Woods checking ice fishermen and snowmobilers. Enforcement action was taken on several illegal length walleyes. Huener looked for an injured elk that had been shot with a shooting permit near Lancaster. Ice fishing and snowmobile work was done on Lake Bronson and elsewhere in Kittson County. Huener also met with assistant manager to patrol Roseau River WMA where a trail camera and feed were found on the WMA.
CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) checked worked anglers on the Red Lake River. Officer Warren is investigating multiple fish houses being left at public accesses. Snowmobile activity was worked with enforcement action being taken on trail sticker, riding on inside slope, failure to stop crossing roadways, snowmobile safety certificates and registrations issues. A call of an injured deer was also received.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck) spent the week checking fishermen and snowmobilers in the Red Lake area. The walleye bite was slow for the last weekend of the season, but several 40-inch plus northerns were caught. Area snowmobile trails are in good condition. Violations included illegal length fish, angle without license in possession, unattended lines, and snowmobile registration violations.
CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) reports vehicle travel on Lake of the Woods has improved since the two days of rain. Fishing appears to be improving. Officer Birchem spent time checking anglers on Lake of the Woods. Enforcement action was taken for extra lines and fishing licenses.
Karlstad - vacant.
Warroad #2 - vacant.
District 2 - Bemidji area
CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) continues to see fish houses being removed from the lakes. Many have experienced some freeze-in, and in some cases removal is difficult. Several calls from people hearing cougars were received, but no evidence of a real animal has been found. Deer antler shed hunters are out. The officer assisted a stranded motorist.
CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) investigated complaints of dogs chasing deer, fish houses left on a public access, and a wolf hit by a vehicle. The officer responded to a call of “officer down” in Mahnomen, where Deputy Chris Dewey was shot. Our thoughts are with Chris and his family. The officer attended a fishing derby sponsored by the Cross Lake Lions/Sportsman Club. The event was a success and fun had by all.
CO Mike Hruza (Bemidji) located the suspect in a litter case. The officer testified in an administrative hearing related to a trespass violation. A lengthy deer poacher investigation was completed and charges are pending. Many game violations were identified and stolen guns and a stolen boat recovered. Angling and fish house removal on area lakes was monitored. The officer assisted with enforcement efforts at the Eelpout Festival.
CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) reports an increase in angling activity with people pursuing walleyes and northerns during the final weekend of the season. Some snow has improved the snowmobile trail conditions and many riders were out. Snowmobile trespass remains a problem. The officer assisted with enforcement efforts at the Eelpout Festival.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) assisted the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Department related to the officer shooting and suspect standoff. Several fishing related TIP Calls were investigated, and a person caught with an over limit of sunfish. The officer assisted with a medical call of a person having a seizure. The officer administered first aid until the ambulance arrived.
CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) assisted neighboring officer with the execution of a search warrant related to an illegally taken deer. The officer assisted Mahnomen County with an officer shooting and suspect standoff. Angling activity has slowed and fish houses are being removed from the lakes. The snowmobile trails received a shot of snow but the base remains rough. Fish house owners are reminded to clean up the area around their fish houses and remove all debris. Leave the ice as clean as you found it.
CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) assisted other officers in Mahnomen during an officer shooting and suspect standoff. Angling activity and fish house removal was monitored. Officers removed parts of a fish house left on Little Detroit Lake creating a safety hazard. Officers pulled the fish house walls to the shore and the Detroit Lakes Street Department hauled it away. Any information related to the abandon fish house would be appreciated and a reward possible.
CO Al Peterson (Osage) executed a search warrant related to an illegally taken deer. The officer assisted a trapper free a wolf from a leg hold trap. The animal ran away with minor injuries. Anglers are removing shelters from the lakes.
CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) monitored fish house removal progress from area lakes. Complaints of fishing violations and fish house floors left on the ice were investigated. Anglers and snowmobilers were checked.
District 3 - Fergus Falls area
CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) monitored fishing pressure on lakes producing some panfish. Anglers were reporting fishing was starting to pick up again for walleyes and perch on Otter Tail Lake. A TIP complaint was investigated with charges pending for a fish over-limit case. Snowmobile activity on the trails was minimal due to poor conditions. Enforcement for the week included different angling violations.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) found new snowfall brought some snowmobilers back to the trails. Plautz assisted the sheriff’s department with a fatal snowmobile accident. Plautz observed several fish houses being removed from the lake and found fishing success to be a bit slower. Plautz is also investigating a wanton waste of fish case.
CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) investigated complaints of litter on lakes, dogs chasing deer, winter kill of fish, abandoned fish house and deer that was recently shot. He also checked fishermen and snowmobiles but trail conditions are poor in the area. He also set up a snowmobile safety instructors' class.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) continued to check on fish house removal on area lakes. Osborne also monitored garbage pickup on area lakes adjacent to fish houses. Osborne did a TV interview on fish house removal, fish house identification, and ice safety.
CO Mike Shelden (Alexandria) spent most of his work time on area lakes marking fish shelters that are either frozen in or have litter issues. The panfish bite is good right now on Alexandria area lakes. Spring FAS classes have been planned and advertised in local media outlets. Snowmobile activity picked up a little with three new inches of snow received last week. Enforcement action was taken for no ID on fish shelters and unregistered ATVs and snowmobiles.
CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) spent time checking fishermen and documenting fish houses for removal and litter issues. A reminder that all fish houses must be off the ice by midnight on March 2nd in this part of the state. Additional time was spent checking a few snowmobilers and predator hunters after the recent snowfall, and intoxilyzer recertification training was attended in St Paul.
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Wheaton) reports that access to area lakes has improved greatly allowing fishermen to drive vehicles around the lakes. Fishing in the area has slowed with few fishermen having success. Enforcement efforts for the week included checking fishermen, ATVs, snowmobiles, fielding calls about fish houses left on public accesses, and assisting the sheriff’s department. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license in possession, failure to display valid snowmobile registration, and leaving fish houses on public accesses.
CO Tony Anderson (Morris) reports, ice anglers were out in force on the Presidents’ Day holiday last Monday. Most anglers took home some panfish. CO Anderson worked on getting together persons that want to attend an upcoming snowmobile safety instructor clinic. Angling was slower over the past weekend. Most people were out taking off their fish house rather than fishing the last days of northern and walleye season.
CO Kurt Nelson (Glenwood) reports fish houses continue to disappear from area lakes as the deadline approaches. Fair numbers of anglers are still out though, most pursuing panfish. Success is hit and miss and seems to depend on the weather. Recent snow wasn’t enough to improve snowmobile trail conditions. Trails remain in poor condition and no sleds were seen last week.
District 4 - Wadena area
CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) completed a littering case, attended a day of training, and checked anglers on area lakes. Many snowmobilers are still enjoying the trails, which are in good condition. Enforcement activity included fish house license and equipment violations, littering, no snowmobile safety certificate, and no license in possession.
CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) attended the Walker Eelpout Festival this past weekend. Officers Hunter and Oldakowski observed an individual fall off the back of a snowmobile while partaking in festival activities. The officers came to the assistance of the apparently injured passenger. When the officers asked if he was OK, he stated, “I think I’m just going to lie here for a minute.” When officers asked him if he needed to see a doctor he stated, “I am one.” Hopefully, he was a chiropractor.
CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) worked at the annual Eelpout Festival in Walker. Several intoxicated individuals were contacted, as well as fishing violations. Officer Oldakowski investigated fishing complaints and assisted a neighboring officer investigate an incident involving untagged traps and snares. CO Oldakowski also provided perimeter security to other law enforcement personnel in Mahnomen.
CO Gary Sommers (Walker) focused on sport fishing, snowmobile, and ATV activity. The annual Walker Eelpout Festival provided ample work opportunity as well as interesting encounters. During one such encounter, Officer Sommers contacted the intoxicated operator of an ATV. When he inquired as to how much they had had to drink the operator responded, “Not very much, I only had 2-2½ drinks. I drink a lot more when I am at college, and I’ve hardly had anything compared to that.” The operator also had some “Jell-O shots” in a coat pocket along with a cooler of beer strapped to the ATV. After testing, the results indicated a blood alcohol content more the double the legal limit. The operator, after being booked into jail, said they were “pretty big drinks from a big cup.” Also while at the festival, Officer Sommers was flagged down by an angler to report a theft of property that had been stored outside his fish house. The victim reported that someone had taken a six-gallon gas can, a 50-quart cooler full of beer, a bottle of liquor, a second cooler with a frozen 12 pack of beer, and some food. It just so happened that a person fishing nearby happened to get a description of the vehicle. Although it isn’t often that the suspects are located in cases like this, with just a vehicle description, the victim found some items on the ice where the suspect’s vehicle had parked. It turns out the suspect dropped some documents which had a name and address on them. Officer Sommers immediately recognized the name on the document and knew what the vehicle looked like. The problem was it drove into the large mass of vehicles and fish houses on the lake and darkness set in so I was unable to locate the suspect or vehicle. The case was referred to the sheriff’s department.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) checked anglers and worked at the Eelpout Festival in Walker. Officer Mathy and Officer Sharp took enforcement action for several recreational vehicle and angling violations. Additional enforcement action was taken for an over limit of walleye, illegal length walleye, angling with extra lines, no fish house license, and operating an unregistered ATV.
CO Larry Francis (Remer) assisted a party with the release of an accidentally caught animal and disposed of evidence from cleared cases. Officer Francis also worked the Eel Pout Festival. Enforcement action taken for ATV DUI, unattended lines, angling without a license, minor consumption, unmarked fish house, and an over limit of fish
CO Duke Broughten (Longville) monitored ice fishing, snowmobile, and ATV activity. Angling and spearing in the area showed some success. Snowmobile trails received some new snow but are still in need of more snowfall. CO Broughten also worked the Eelpout Festival in Walker. Enforcement action was taken on no angling license in possession, failure to display current ATV registration, no ATV registration, careless operation of an ATV, illegal youthful ATV operation, failure to display current snowmobile registration, no adult snowmobile safety, and unattended lines.
CO Colleen Adam (OHV Recreation Officer – Park Rapids) reports some snowmobilers are refusing to give up riding and the recent bit of snow allowed them to get out and ride again this weekend. Officer Adam also noted cross-country skiers were out in good numbers enjoying the winter sunshine. Remember to purchase a ski pass before utilizing groomed ski areas.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) spent time checking ice fishing activity on Rainy Lake and snowmobile activity on area trails. Snowmobile activity has increased with the recent 8 inches of snow. Trails are in excellent shape. People are reminded to slow down and know your driving limitations. STAY TO THE RIGHT! CO Kittelson also attended Koochiching County area wetlands TEP panel meeting.
CO Lloyd Steen (Ray/Kabetogama) patrolled the Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail. A multitude of snowmobilers were checked for compliance with registration, trail stickers, and speed. Several qualified for summons for all of the above!
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports continued work on equipment issues and monitoring angling and snowmobile activity. CO Fondie suggests anglers read the regulation book the DNR puts out yearly for fishing and snowmobiling, most answers to frequently asked questions are found within the pages of this book.
CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports ice anglers have started removing their shelters from area lakes. Some of the snow and slush has disappeared from the surface of the ice, allowing the anglers to drive their trucks directly to the shelter. Many were concerned about the lack of ice. One angler said that there was only about 12 inches of ice in a spot he checked. He blamed the heavy snow blanket for preventing the ice to get any thicker.