Highlights:

(Moorhead): Charges were filed regarding an over limit case on Upper Cormorant Lake. On 07/03/2015 an anonymous TIP call was received regarding a possible over limit of sunfish. With the assistance of CO Forsberg, CO Warren, and CO Stattelman six anglers were found with 856 sunfish and crappies in their possession, an over limit of 676 fish

(Hovland): Some of these calls involved humans leaving garbage, food and birdseed in very accessible locations; some just involved yearling bears trying to find a food source. In one case, a bear was apparently not happy with the food selection inside a cabin, so it left a deposit in the bed of the cabin’s occupant. 

District 1 – Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) assisted CO Woinarowicz with the MinnAqua program in Thief River Falls. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations in the Middle River and Detroit Lakes areas. CO Huener and CO Woinarowicz instructed new officers at Academy 16 at Camp Ripley.

CO Eric Benjamin (Warroad) worked boat and water safety, AIS, angling and ATV enforcement. CO Benjamin returned to the farm of a previous wolf depredation due to another calf being taken. CO Benjamin also responded to two separate calls regarding dead and sick seagulls, the first call was in an area south of Baudette and the other came from the Northwest Angle. Several of the dead birds were collected and will be sent for testing. Do not hesitate to call DNR Wildlife or a CO in your area should you come across incidents such as this. Over the past couple of weeks it has been noticed that the amount of unregistered ATVs has dropped significantly, also noticed has been the amount of children now wearing helmets while operating and riding on ATVs.

CO Hannah Cowden (Warroad) patrolled the Warroad area for ATV use. Anglers and boaters were checked on Lake of the Woods and Hayes Lake. Hayes seemed to be producing fish for all the anglers out there. AIS and angling compliance checks were also done at the Warroad Port of Entry. A wolf depredation was also handled. Enforcement action taken for no throwable PFD, no angling license in possession, fail to display watercraft registration, operate OHM without registration, and no ATV safety certificate.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette) reports many Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) contacts this past week. Numerous boat owners were talked with about AIS laws and requirements. Enforcement action was taken on ATV violations as well.

CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck) reports monitoring boater AIS compliance, ATV trail activity, and angling activity on special regulation lakes throughout the week. Time was spent on following up on commercial minnow dealer inspections and a wolf depredation investigation was wrapped up.

Baudette #2 -vacant.

Blackduck #2 – vacant.

Karlstad – vacant.

District 2 – Bemidji area

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports being assigned to work with other officers on a detail out of the area this week. Time was also spent checking anglers and watercraft operators. A suspected wolf depredation complaint was checked. A littering complaint on the Red Lake River was followed up on. Violations encountered included no PFDs and no watercraft registration.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) checked minnow dealers, responded to dead cattle complaints and monitored AIS. He heard concerns about bats in a church and assisted other law enforcement with calls including attempting to find a stolen ATV.

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked anglers and boaters. ATV activity was also monitored.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) monitored boating and angling activity in the area. The bite has slowed some, but boaters are enjoying the warm weather. CO Vollbrecht responded to a complaint of an injured blue heron and prepared for an upcoming MTA convention. Boats were checked for AIS compliance and a follow up investigation was done on a complaint of an individual refusing to allow inspection. CO Vollbrecht responded to a medical.

CO Brian Holt (Bemidji) worked boat and water safety, angling and checked AIS compliance in the area. Time was also spent working ATV activity in the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest. CO Holt assisted a neighboring officer with a commercial minnow trapping violation and spent time working in Itasca State Park. Enforcement activity for the week included boat and water safety violations, angling license violations, traffic violations and ATV violations.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports assisting the MSP with a traffic accident on US Hwy 10 that was blocking traffic. CO Vinton conducted boat patrols and AIS education inspections at area accesses, conducted interviews on a turtle out of season investigation and contacted anglers on special regulation lakes. CO Vinton also worked on TIP investigation. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) worked anglers, wildlife complaints, AIS and assisted w/ academy training. Violations of angle without license and transporting a watercraft with invasive species were handled.

CO Angie Warren (Detroit Lakes) worked angling and boating activity on area lakes. Boaters are reminded that a spotter or mirrors are needed when pulling skiers or tubers behind the boat. CO Warren followed up and investigated complaints of possible public water violations. Calls of injured and or sick eagles were taken. ATV activity was worked and question answered regarding ATV usage. CO Warren monitored AIS compliance. Early goose activity was worked with few hunters out and about due to fields still not harvested.

CO William Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week working AIS activity, ATV complaints, angling activity, and the intensive harvest goose season. Charges were filed regarding an over limit case on Upper Cormorant Lake. On 07/03/2015 an anonymous TIP call was received regarding a possible over limit of sunfish. With the assistance of CO Forsberg, CO Warren, and CO Stattelman six anglers were found with 856 sunfish and crappies in their possession, an over limit of 676 fish. One goose hunter found over the weekend panicked when he realized he forgot his Federal Stamp, but was soon relieved when the officer informed him that he did not need to purchase one until September 1^st.  The officer also conducted commercial minnow dealer interviews with CO Malinowski. Calls from the public included a complaint of gophers being shot from a motor vehicle, a dead eagle on I-94, a beaver complaint on Silver Lake, ATV complaints, and miscellaneous law questions. The officer also attended Hawley’s National Night Out and taught the law and ethics portion of a Moorhead firearms safety class. Enforcement action was taken for failure to remove boat plug.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) checked anglers and answered questions related to the August goose hunting regulations. Time was spent looking at potential aquatic vegetation violations.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week included checking fishermen, ATV operators and boaters, monitoring AIS compliance, and checking weed roller permit compliance. Additional time was spent assisting the division of wildlife posting the feeding/resting area on Mud Lake, assisting the State Patrol with a suspended driver and working on commercial minnow enforcement.

CO Tony Anderson (Morris) focused on the August Canada goose season, anglers and AIS law compliance. CO Anderson checked a number of boaters and AIS law compliance remains high with only a couple of violations found. CO Anderson spent time this past weekend checking a few August goose season hunters.  Goose harvest was low in almost all areas checked. Weekend weather was a factor limiting hunter numbers. CO Anderson and

CO Dan Baumbarger (Glenwood) teamed up for a weekend workcrew for some AIS checks as well as some ATV problem area enforcement. CO’s Anderson and Baumbarger investigated a person with several drivers’ license violations. The incident was handed over to the State Patrol for enforcement action. CO Anderson spent time reviewing and issuing interstate minnow transportation permits. CO Anderson completed an August roadside wildlife count for the DNR Division of Wildlife. CO Anderson handled calls from the public this week about August goose harvest, ATV operation and fishing questions.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) attended mandatory training in St. Paul. Plautz responded to sandhill crane complaints of doing crop depredation, nuisance beaver and bear issues. She also worked fishing and boating activity throughout the week. Early goose hunters were checked and were having good success. ATV activity was monitored in complaint areas. A litter investigation is underway.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) responded to a cattail cutting complaint on Lake Moses. The landowner hired a contractor to cut and remove cattails but neither had a permit to remove emergent vegetation from the lake. Osborne answered calls regarding the early goose hunt and upcoming deer season.

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) focused on fishing and boating activity. Several cases were made involving people fishing without licenses, saying they hardly ever fish and it’s their first time all year. CO Lawler explained how there are inexpensive options, 24 hr. licenses for example, meant for the occasional fisherman and they’re still required to have one if they decide to fish. A citation was issued to an excavation contractor after his work was found to be draining a wetland without any of the proper paperwork or permits required. A report was completed for an upcoming court appearance as well.

Wheaton – vacant.

District 4 – Wadena area

CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) completed a commercial harvesting investigation, executed a search warrant on an active case and checked boats and anglers. Parthun located and interviewed witnesses, took complaints of littering, nuisance bears and began investigating a TIP complaint. Enforcement action was taken for allow illegal use of an ATV, fail to tend traps, numerous boat equipment violations, angling with extra lines and angling without a license.

CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) monitored angling and boating activities. A TIP complaint is still under investigation. Early season goose hunting activities were checked as well, with generally few hunters participating.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) continues to check anglers, boaters, recreational vehicles and AIS compliance. Calls were received about an injured eagle, anglers possibly over limit of fish, and an AIS related question. Bear and early goose season are quickly approaching with some hunters starting to prepare gear and scouting hunting locations. Enforcement action was taken for AIS, boating, and angling violations.

CO Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the week focusing on angling, ATV, and boating activity. Angling success remains poor. Boating and ATV activity slowed. CO Broughten investigated a public waters violation and a complaint of a wetland violation. CO Broughten also gave a presentation to the Forkhorn 1 Camp at Deep Portage Learning Center. Enforcement action included no angling license in possession.

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) assisted Staples PD with a Community Information Fair where the public could come and meet with local Officers. Halverson worked fishermen, and had contacts on extra line and no license.

CO Colleen Adam (Rec Specialist) attended a town hall meeting regarding ATV trails; patrolled area trails and forest roads; and handled nuisance animal calls and reports of harassing wildlife calls

Remer – vacant.

Walker – vacant.

District 5 – Eveleth area

CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) reported that musky anglers from all over the country came to Vermilion to fish the Professional Musky Tournament Trail event. Fishing was good all week for musky and some very large fish were caught. The walleye bite is still spotty; however, the small mouth bite is good. The officer investigated a public water access violation, along with careless boating on Lake Vermilion. WREO Mike Scott and the officer worked Trout Lake portage putting up signs and educating the public on invasive species. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license, extra lines, not enough PFD’s, child not wearing a PFD, registration, operating ATV on roadway, and operating ATV without safety training.

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports a busy weekend with fishing, boating and invasive species enforcement on Rainy Lake and Rainy River. Enforcement action was taken for transporting filleted walleye while on water, failure to validate sturgeon tag, failure to attach sturgeon tag, unmeasurable sturgeon, and no angling license in possession. Assistance was also given to stranded boaters on Rainy Lake when their motor quit working.

CO Jim Van Asch (International Falls) worked angling and boating enforcement throughout the Rainy River, Rainy Lake, and Kabetogama Lake areas. Anglers were finally able to target desired areas of Rainy Lake, with the cooperation of the weather, and have been doing well. CO’s Kittelson and Van Asch towed a group of stranded boaters back to safety after their boat motor quit. CO Van Asch also assisted in a commercial inspection in a neighboring station. Enforcement action was taken for failure to remove drain plug, no angling license in possession, transportation of a fish without a skin patch, and an unmeasurable fish.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports that fishing remains poor with little angling activity noted over the past week. Area forest roads were checked and public access sites monitored.

 

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked angling, boating, and ATV activity. The officer worked a complaint of a Hibbing resident shooting a bear (with two separate shots) within a residential area, claiming the bear was coming towards him two separate times (to include the bear returning after it was already shot or shot at). Witness accounts say otherwise.

Charges are pending. Enforcement action was taken on angling without a license, angling without a license in possession, angle with extra lines, operating an ATV on public highway and numerous boating and PWC violations.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spoke at a Firearms Safety Class and assisted St Louis County deputies with the recovery of a stolen ATV. Boaters and a few anglers were checked on Lake Vermilion. As CO’s Bozovsky and Frericks were pulling up to an area where there were two boats of anglers and the CO’s noticed that one group immediately started to reel up and prepare to leave. The CO’s decided to check that boat first. One juvenile angler in the boat sheepishly said he didn’t have an angling license and said he was 15. CO Frericks informed him he didn’t need an angling license until he turned 16. The juvenile was also unaware of the slot limit on Lake Vermilion. Luckily, there were no slot fish in the live well. CO Frericks advised the young angler to be more knowledgeable about the angling laws before heading out next time.

Cook – vacant.

Ray – vacant.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports fishing pressure was very high over the week and reports have finally started to turn positive with more fish being reported than past weeks. ATV enforcement was also a focus and overall compliance was good. Violations included operating an ATV with no safety certificate, no fishing license in possession, and operating an unregistered motorboat.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked fishermen in the BWCAW and found fishing to be slow. Time was also spent following up on old cases and figuring out the new computer system. Please remember that canoes in Minnesota require a registration before being used on the water.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) helped teach at the academy again this past week. The officer continued to receive reports of bears behaving badly. Some of these calls involved humans leaving garbage, food and birdseed in very accessible locations; some just involved yearling bears trying to find a food source. In one case, a bear was apparently not happy with the food selection inside a cabin, so it left a deposit in the bed of the cabin’s occupant.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked station lakes as well as a BWCA patrol. Enforcement action included a couple instances of fishing without a license, no license in possession, no PFDs, and storing boats on state forest land. One individual apprehended fishing without a license gave a laundry list of excuses to try and get out of the citation; it didn’t work. A loon entangled in fishing line was freed and swam away.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) handled several bear complaints. Much of his time was spent enforcing boating, angling, and ATV/OHM laws. CO Schottenbauer took care of a car hit moose as well.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and invasive species enforcement efforts during the week. Salmon and trout fishing success seems to be picking up on Lake Superior with some nice fish caught. Several nuisance bear calls were handled and questions were answered on Lake Superior boating regulations.

District 7 – Grand Rapids area

CO Randy Patten (Northome) patrolled area ATV trails, checked anglers and boaters, worked AIS enforcement, assisted with a one car rollover, and continued working ongoing cases. Enforcement action taken for operating a class 2 ATV on a public roadway.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) checked anglers, boating activity, and answered various wildlife calls. He patrolled area lakes and campgrounds. He also did commercial enforcement. Violations included incomplete records, and traffic.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) assisted with a K-9 demo and instruction at the Conservation Officer Academy, checked anglers, handled injured animal complaints and responded to K-9 requests from the county and local police department. The recent storms made for a slow bite on area lakes over the weekend. Compliance was good last week.

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) checked boating activity this past weekend. She also took a complaint of an injured/stranded loon on Loon Lake. The caller and she were able to get it back to the water safely. She took a boating complaint on Pokegama Lake.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ATV and sport fishing over the past week. CO Sutherland also worked National Night Out where local law enforcement  officers get out in the community to meet area families. The Wall of Shame was present on site for individuals to view. The Wall of Shame is comprised of poached trophy animals from around the state.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, watercraft, ATVs, state parks and campgrounds. He also participated in National Night Out and attended a training session during the week.

CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) spent the week working fishing and ATV activity.

Wichmann issued a beaver trapping permit. Wichmann also attended a meeting at Camp Ripley.

District 8 – Duluth area

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) worked wolf depredation complaints at area farms with one confirmed complaint. Early bear baiting complaints are beginning to be reported and were investigated. Officer Schmidt worked ATV complaint areas and time was spent at the academy assisting with scenario training. Schmidt also assisted with an area firearm safety field day.

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) spent time checking anglers, ATVers and enforcing invasive species regulations. Many watercraft owners are still transporting their boat with drain plugs in place. An angler, who had expired registration on his boat, tried to pretend he didn’t see the CO standing on a dock, waving and yelling at him to come to shore. The problem is the CO could actually hear the conversation he was having with a second person on the boat telling them to just pretend they didn’t see the CO. Eventually the boater had to come to shore, where contact was made. Officer Hanzal took appropriate enforcement action with the operator.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) continued to work fishing enforcement on area lakes. Time was also spent working ATV enforcement in complaint areas, such as ATV’s operating on county roads. Officer Duncan participated in two youth hunting and shooting events and gave three different presentations to youth groups during the week and attended a district meeting.

CO Officer Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked angling, boating, AIS, OHV, big game and fire enforcement throughout the week. CO Humphrey also received calls and complaints regarding nuisance wildlife. CO Humphrey assisted DNR and FDL Forestry on a fire investigation in the Fond Du Lac State Forest, checked areas for early bear baiting activity, patrolled local wildlife management areas and in the FDL State Forest, checked several area wild rice stands and attended a district meeting during the week. Angling license issues, watercraft equipment and OHV operation violations were encountered.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) spoke to the newly hired officers at the academy about the DNR K9 unit. A talk and K9 demo was also done for kids at a local church in Cloquet. A district meeting was attending with the Duluth district officers. Extra work was done working compliance of aquatic invasive species laws in the area. Enforcement action was taken for leaving the boat plug in while transporting. Other work in the area consisted of checking for early bear baits and working off-highway vehicle enforcement in the area. Contacts were made for careless driving, equipment, and registration violations. K9 assistance was given to local police departments in the Proctor area with finding and arresting a person that fled on foot into the woods who had outstanding felony warrants. Follow up and paperwork was worked on for two separate wolf depredation complaints in the area.

WREO Michael Scott (NE Region Water Resource Officer) conducted a site visit with local government and others in Carlton County where a person had put in a road through a wetland to access their property. The road was one-quarter mile long and was un-permitted. Officer Scott spent time working with the St, Louis County Attorney on a WCA case from 2007 where the person has a deed restriction on their property now wants to know how they can comply with the original restoration order. The county attorney is looking at best options for this individual. Officer Scott worked with CO Hopkins in Tower on Lake Vermilion putting up AIS signs on the trout portage access to Trout Lake. Boaters waiting to be taken across the mechanical portage were talked to about the AIS laws and their requirement to pull their drain plug as well as drain water in boat as they were being portaged to and from Trout Lake.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

Sgt. Keith Olson (Marine Unit) worked Lake Superior with St. Louis County deputies in joint patrols efforts. He attended a district meeting and worked Island Lake. Enforcement actions were taken for watercraft registration and minor safety violations. Fishing has slowed on the Duluth end of Lake Superior. Olson moved watercraft and completed field maintenance on those watercraft.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit) checked anglers and boaters in the Silver Bay area of Lake Superior. A patrol boat was moved to a new location and training attended in St Paul. Questions were answered in relation to upcoming deer seasons and regulation announcements. Preparations were made for upcoming academy instruction.

CO Ter Meer (Marine Unit) worked boat and water, AIS, and ATV enforcement throughout the week. He also attended a district meeting, worked on reports, and equipment maintenance.

District 9 – Brainerd area

CO Patrick McGowan (Pine River) patrolled Cass and Crow Wing counties for angling/boating activity. CO McGowan also spent several days at Camp Ripley assisting with the training of the new CO academy class. CO McGowan followed up on several tip complaints.

CO Mike Lee (Crosslake) provided training at the CO Academy at Camp Ripley

CO Amber Peterson (McGregor) assisted with academy training at Camp Ripley, responded to a complaint of an AIS violation, and patrolled area lakes and the Mississippi river.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) patrolled the station for angling and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) violations. Officer Guida fielded a call from an individual who observed a rare exotic bird in his front yard. The local zoo was called and indicated that they apparently lost the bird during a recent windstorm. Efforts to recover the bird were unsuccessful. Numerous questions were answered at the local county fair. Most people wanted to talk about gray wolves and Mille Lacs Lake.

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) worked on fishing enforcement this past week. The anglers are out and the walleye bite has picked up some. The pan fish have been cooperative and bass has been fair. Violations observed were transport live fish and no license in possession. He worked on aquatic invasive species prevention on Gull Lake. Water in livewells and aquatic vegetation on trailers were found. He worked at the DNR booth at the Crow Wing County Fair. The most frequent questions asked were about the upcoming waterfowl season and the fishing rules on Mille Lacs Lake.

CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) checked anglers on area lakes. Some of the violations he found were no license and an angler attempting to noodle sunfish while swimming (the act of catching fish by hand). No fish had been caught and the angler was getting tired. He explained the rules and advised the angler that he might have better luck with a hook and line. He investigated a tip of individuals taking an over-limit of fish and a report of a calf injured by a wild animal.

District 10 – Mille Lacs area

CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports working the mille lacs lake area and other area lakes for fishermen and boating activities. A few fishermen were trying their luck on Mille Lacs for some small mouth bass and northern pike. ATV activity was monitored in the Malmo station and a permit for the fall deer season was issued. Assistance was given to the Fisheries Division reference to the Mille Lacs Lake walleye closure and many law related questions on this matter were answered. The Officer assisted with physical training and scenario day at the Conservation Officer Academy at Camp Ripley. Some grey wolf related law questions were also answered during the week. Law related questions were answered in regards to AIS, ATV, boating, deer hunting and fishing throughout the week and weekend. AIS was also monitored throughout the Malmo Station.

CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) followed up on a complaint of fencing navigable waters for livestock. She also patrolled local state forests and non-motorized state property for ATV violations. Operation in non-motorized areas was documented. Speldrich checked anglers and enforcement action was taken for no license in possession. She also attended a LEMA honor guard meeting.

CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) took several calls of nuisance and sick animals. He checked on a report of fawns on the freeway, checked ATV complaint areas, and issued nuisance beaver permits.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) investigated a livestock depredation complaint. A calf was killed but only coyote tracks were found in the area. Local area lakes had minimal fishing pressure. Most boaters were enjoying water sporting activities. State forest and WMAs were patrolled for ATV activity and assisted with a security detail on Mille Lacs Lake.

WREO Rob Haberman worked AIS enforcement around his assigned work area. Several zebra mussel calls were addressed. WREO Haberman also conducted AIS Law Enforcement for deputies in Walker. WREO Haberman also spoke at a firearms safety class.

District 11 – St. Cloud area

CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) transferred a TIP trailer to a District 12 officer for another upcoming event. Anglers were checked throughout the station, with limited success being found throughout the areas checked. Time was spent investigating the illegal planting of pink water lilies in an area lake. The investigation is ongoing. A nuisance beaver complaint was fielded and handled. Assistance was provided on a commercial inspection. The early August goose opener was worked, with a lot of birds, but few hunters being seen.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) worked limited hours due to high hours directed toward equipment exchange the previous week. The officer fielded calls concerning bear hunting and deer regulations. Firearms safety instructors were contacted for the opportunity to start a class in the area this fall.

CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked boaters, anglers, ATVs, AIS and early goose hunters.

There weren’t many hunters out, in the Albany area, for the early goose opener, but there was some shooting. Enforcement action included drive ATV on county road, no angling license and no throwable PFD.

CO Brian Mies (Annandale) checked anglers. CO Mies attended training in St. Paul. CO Mies checked goose hunters, along with boaters and ATVs.

CO Rhonda Friese (Long Prairie) checked anglers, watercraft, goose hunters, and OHV activity. CO Friese assisted a toddler in finding her mom. Possible WCA, APM, and Waters violations were checked. A hunter harassment complaint is under investigation.

WREO Keith Bertram spent most of the week assisting officers with commercial investigations. Time was also spent preparing for an upcoming court trial.

St. Cloud – vacant.

District 12 – Princeton area

CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) spent time at camp Ripley helping with various academy items. Time was also spent patrolling ATV complaint areas and shore angling locations. Officer McGaw attended a bear clinic was held in Mora where hunting techniques and laws were discussed.

CO Angela Londgren (Princeton) assisted with the academy at Camp Ripley, spoke at firearms safety classes, worked the DNR booth at the Game Fair, attended a lake association picnic, and assisted local law enforcement agencies with a search for a fleeing felon. Local lakes and rivers were checked for anglers/boaters/AIS inspections, ATV enforcement action was taken, and calls were handled on dogs chasing deer.

CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports a busy week on area lakes. The nice weather had many boaters and anglers on the water. Local accesses were worked for AIS violations. ATV complaints were received and problem areas patrolled. Violations included no license in possession, fail to display registration and fail to remove drain plug.

CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) said it was a busy early goose opener in the intense harvest zone. The goose hunters were met with a bloodletting by the local mosquitos, but most groups did see geese and had some birds in the bag. The most successful groups found harvested wheat fields. One group of six harvested over geese. Enforcement action was taken for hunting without proper licenses or stamps, unplugged guns and taking protected non-game birds.

CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) checked hunters during the early goose season. Violations were found for unplugged shotguns and no licenses/stamps. CO Musatov handled complaints of water appropriation, a taxidermy issue, and beaver/bear calls. CO Musatov spoke at the local sports club meeting about local issues and new laws. Enforcement action was taken on illegal operation of an OHM.

CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) worked fishermen, boaters and goose hunters. He issued summons and written warnings for unplugged gun, no state waterfowl stamp, no life jacket, no watercraft registration, expired ATV registration, operating a ATV on a county road. He attended a Firearms Safety Class in Big Lake where he did a law talk to 60-70 kids. He attended computer training in St Paul. He issued a beaver permit for the Santiago area. He continued answering a number of animal complaints. He assisted a number of agencies. He also is working an investigation with possible charges pending.

Princeton – vacant.

District 13 – West Metro area

CO Steve Walter (Waconia) assisted with getting the TIP trailer to Game Fair. Anglers and boaters were checked on area lakes and rivers. Calls on hunting questions were returned all week. The intensive harvest goose opener was worked in Carver and Hennepin counties checking hunters who were having good success. Shooting complaints on goose hunters were handled. A person who has interest in becoming a Conservation Officer was given a ride along. Enforcement action was taken for no small game licenses, state waterfowl stamps or special goose permits in possession, shooting geese from motor boat in open water and transporting loaded firearms in motor boat.

CO Brent Grewe (Osseo) spent the week following up with complaints and attending community events. CO Grewe attended the national night kick off in Maple Grove and a community day in Robbinsdale. CO Grewe also attended a region safety meeting and spoke to a firearm safety class at Baker Park.

CO Chelsie Leuthardt (Prior Lake) started the week out by helping out during the Scott County Catfishing Derby on the Minnesota River. The youth participating, and their boat captains, enjoyed beautiful weather during the event and numerous catfish were caught. Leuthardt patrolled area lakes for anglers and boaters and found some anglers having success fishing for sunfish, crappies and bass. She also investigated and found the party responsible for dumping a dumpsters worth of car parts in a state park. She wants to remind everyone that littering is a crime and the fines associated can be very substantial. Enforcement action was taken on transporting aquatic macrophytes, dumping of solid waste, and no angling license in possession.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) monitored fishing and boating activities in the Mound station. He investigated a small game complaint in St. Paul and worked the St. Croix bridge detail. He also talked at an Asian youth firearms safety class in St. Paul and returned phone calls on upcoming big game hunting regulations.

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) patrolled Fort Snelling State Park and Bloomington stations for angling and boating activities. He worked the intensive harvest goose opener in district vicinities with CO Walter. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license, failure to remove the drain plug in a watercraft, transported loaded firearms, and hunting geese in open water.

Bloomington – vacant.

Mound – vacant.

District 14 – East Metro area

CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) reports that he responded to several TIP calls during the week. In one case two individuals were cited for no fishing license, and angling with extra lines. Both suspects produced 2014 licenses, and said they didn’t think they had to buy anymore after the first one. They failed to notice the expiration date printed on their licenses. They were also told by the tipster that they could only fish with one line, but continued to fish with both until CO Johnson arrived. CO Johnson spoke to a firearms safety class at The Oakdale Gun Club. He and CO Lee assisted St. Paul Animal Control Officers with an investigation. CO Johnson took calls on injured animals and a nuisance bear.

CO Tony Salzer (Ham Lake) patrolled Anoka County for angling and boating activity. CO Salzer also patrolled Hennepin County on the August early goose season opener. Hunters reported some success with lower numbers of birds being taken.

CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) worked fishing and boating enforcement on area lakes and streams. She worked AIS enforcement at local accesses, set up FAS classes and worked on an aquatic vegetation case. CO Kruse worked on a case for an upcoming trial, did equipment maintenance and handled nuisance animal calls. Violations included no fishing license, fail to display watercraft registration and no fishing license in possession.

CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) spent the week checking anglers, boaters and doing AIS enforcement. He also patrolled the wildlife management areas for off-road vehicle use and investigated several aquatic vegetation violations. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license, no license in possession, navigational lights and PWC violations.

CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) worked boating and fishing enforcement around the metro area lakes and rivers. CO Pril provided a ride along to a law enforcement student and responded to injured animals calls and other calls during the week. Violations included fishing without a fishing license, no fishing license in possession and failure to display watercraft registration.

Eagan – vacant.

Metro Officer – vacant.

District 15 – Marshall area

CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week working boat safety, checking anglers and conducting investigations. ATV and OHM operation on roadways continues are an increasing violation.

CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reported that the channel catfish bite has picked up on the Minnesota River. Multiple limits were observed. One over limit case was made when a couple kept 13 catfish. The limit on channel cats is five with one over 24 inches in possession. Early August goose hunters were checked with a varied level of success.

CO Doug Lage (Marshall) did his weekly radio show on KLOH radio and attended Farm Fest answering questions and comments. He assisted Lincoln County with a robbery suspect that robbed a store in Brookings, SD, crashing their car into a corn field. The suspect was caught later after coming out from the corn field. He responded to a trespassing call of people hunting geese on the sewer ponds by Clarkfield. He taught a firearms safety class in Lake Benton. Transport waterfowl without required wing was also issued.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) checked anglers, boaters, OHVers and early goose hunters during the past week. Goose hunters were met with warm temperatures and hungry mosquitos. He encountered angling, ATV and OHM violations.

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working fishing, boating, invasive species, and ATV enforcement. Time was also spent working the DNR Tent at Farm Fest in Redwood County. Most of the questions answered at Farm Fest dealt with the new hunting regulations, ATVs, and invasive species. Assistance was given to DNR Wildlife with a few WMA related issues.

WREO Larry Hanson (Southern Region) assisted at the new CO academy on K-9s and their role in the DNR. Officer Hanson also assisted all three days at Farm Fest in Redwood County. A WCA site visit was completed on a possible violation in Laq Qui Parle County.

Benson – vacant.

Madison – vacant.

Redwood Falls – vacant.

Worthington – vacant.

District 16 – New Ulm area

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) spent time on commercial investigations. He checked early goose hunters and followed up on complaints of hunters shooting too close to residences. Denz also checked anglers and educated boaters about AIS laws.

CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) spent time working AIS and boating enforcement. Additional time was spent checking wetland issues and weedrollers. Klehr also checked goose hunters and ATVs. A firearms safety class was also attended where he spoke with the students and answered questions. The August goose season started on Saturday with many hunters having some early success.

CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) worked the opening of the summer Canada goose season. Several groups were out trying their luck but not many birds were checked in the bag, but that is not to say hunters did not have opportunities. Enforcement action was taken for license and equipment issues. Oberg also gave a talk to a group of eager students at the Silver Lake firearms safety class. Questions were also answered regarding numerous issues on the upcoming fall hunting seasons.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) completed his weekly radio program discussing topics including the Kilen Woods special youth deer hunt and the August roadside survey. He also completed the two August roadside survey routes in Jackson County. Gruhlke assisted the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office with an ATV accident with injuries, and worked angling and AIS enforcement.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) conducted inspections on anglers and boaters. ATV’s were checked and GIA trails were patrolled. Questions were fielded regarding the upcoming hunting seasons. Public accesses were patrolled. Roadside counts for DNR Wildlife were completed. Survey resulted in poor numbers of pheasants and partridge observed. One adult hen pheasant for 25 miles of survey was observed with excellent weather conditions for the survey.

Willmar #1 – vacant.

Windom – vacant.

District 17 – Mankato area

CO Chad Davis (Owatonna) checked anglers and boaters on area lakes & rivers. A commercial inspection was completed. The officer also monitored AIS activity and ATV activity during the week.

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) worked the Minnesota River for angling activity. ATV activity was checked. Assistance was given to the Division of Wildlife on conducting roadside counts.

CO Steve Chihak (Spring Valley) spent the week checking anglers and monitoring ATV activity. Follow up was completed on a trespass complaint. Requests from the public seeking information were returned.

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) checked angling, boating, AIS, and ATV activity. CO Howe also conducted a Roadside Wildlife count, assisted with the Cops ‘n Bobbers youth fishing event, and investigated a public waters complaint.

CO Luke Belgard (Faribault) worked angling, boating, AIS, and ATV activity. Complaints were taken from the public. Time was spent assisting with roadside wildlife surveys.

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) patrolled for fishing, boating, and ATV activity. Additional time was spent monitoring AIS compliance near area lakes and rivers. Officer Ihnen responded to TIP calls and other complaints as well as worked at the Game Fair where he fielded a variety of questions from the public.

WREO Julie Siems reports following up on wetland and waters complaints. Instruction was also given at the Conservation Officer Academy.

Albert Lea – vacant.

Mankato #1 – vacant.

District 18 – Rochester area

CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) reports completing pheasant surveys. He attended National Night Out with the LaCrescent PD. He gave a presentation to a Boy Scout Troop from Mankato. He followed up on wetland complaint.

CO Kevin Prodzinski (Wabasha) reports working another busy week on the big river. Fishing has been spotty but the panfish action on Lake Pepin has improved this last week. Catfish fishermen are also enjoying some success. Fall hunting season questions continue to roll in as people begin reviewing the 2015 hunting synopsis. Enforcement action included license, registration, AIS, and safety equipment violations.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports checking fishing and boating on the river. He followed up on waters and ATV violations and an AIS complaint. Hemker worked with the USFWS officers and assisted the sheriff’s office by checking on a person sleeping along the highway. He was walking from Vermont and headed to California.  He also attended a meeting with other emergency agencies preparing for possible spills in the river.

CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports spending the week checking anglers, ATV activity, state forest activity, working with the county attorney’s office on a waters case, assisting the Red Wing Police Department with a call, and working on an invasive species case. Some fishing success is getting better in the area with a few more fish seen in livewells. Numerous phone calls were received that were prompted by folks reading through the 2015 hunting and trapping regulations handbook. A local angler reported catching a 32 inch American eel while fishing on the river. Some fishing violations were detected.

CO Phil George (Rochester) worked the week checking watercraft users, anglers and ATV operators. Some AIS work was also done. Enforcement action included failing to pull the drain plug and no PFDs on a watercraft.

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports working ATVs and state forests. Trout fishing was okay and time was spent on fall issues.

Rochester #2 – vacant.