Here’s the weekly update from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwest Minnesota for Dec. 21:
District 1 – Baudette area
CO Eric Benjamin (Warroad) continued working angling along with both big and small game. Outside of Morris Point and Hayes Lake, ice conditions in the area are not yet conducive to recreational activities. Some houses were reportedly put out over the weekend up at the Angle, though not in their normal locations due to ice thickness. Snowmobile activity is expected to start picking up, trails are starting to get groomed; however, in most areas the snow covered slush is showing and making the grooming process difficult. Some trails through the forest are still lacking the amount of snow necessary for a smooth ride, a few more inches of snow and steady below freezing temps should do it. Enforcement action was taken for the following: no state park pass, failure to display current state park pass and operating an ATV in a state park.
CO Hannah Mishler (Warroad) spent the week following up on an ongoing investigation. Time was also spent handling complaints, including car killed deer and failure to submit deer at registration. Enforcement action was taken for failure to validate deer tag and fail to submit deer at registration.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette) found snowmobilers riding some trails and ditches with our newly fallen snow. While the trails are still not up and in operating condition yet there was still enough snow for the dedicated snowmobilers to scratch the itch of the first ride. CO Prachar was assisted by CO Regas on a follow up investigation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources on live bait (minnow) violations. Minnesota residents had purchased live bait here and transported it illegally across the border into Canada. The individuals went as far as forging receipts from a bait store in Ontario to sell the story to a Conservation Officer if they happened to come across one. While the investigation is concluded charges are still forthcoming.
CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck) reports working angling activity on Upper Red Lake and special regulation lakes throughout the week. Time was preparing cases from the deer season for submission to the county for charges, investigating TIP calls and issuing possession permits for car killed deer. CO Regas responded to assist with the rescue of anglers stranded on the ice of Upper Red Lake. CO Regas cautions angler venturing onto Upper Red Lake that the ice conditions very greatly with areas of open water and areas where the open water has skimmed over with snow and slush making it difficult to detect. CO Regas has received secondhand information of various vehicles breaking though the ice. Enforcement action for the week included angling with extra lines, over limit of over length walleyes, unattended lines and angling license violations.
Baudette #2 -vacant.
Blackduck #2 – vacant.
Karlstad – vacant.
Thief River Falls #2 – vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
CO Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the week monitoring trapping and angling activity. Ice conditions remain poor. The Longville area still lacks enough snow for snowmobile activity. CO Broughten handled multiple calls of car injured deer and investigated trapping complaints.
CO Colleen Adam (Rec Specialist) continues work on existing open/pending cases. Snow has blanketed much of the area making things white again. Good for the holiday but not snowmobiling yet. Ice is once again forming during the below freezing nights but very unsafe even for foot travel.
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports speaking at a snowmobile safety class in Red Lake Falls. Time was also spent checking archery deer hunters, trappers, and ice anglers. An accidental catch fisher was seized. A few snowmobilers have been out taking advantage of the new snow. Violations included angling with an extra line and trespass.
CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) took part in a radio talk show and received calls involving car kill deer and bobcat hunter’s running dogs. Anglers were checked and ice thickness monitored. Some late night hours were worked for shining activity along with predator hunters. The first serious snowmobilers were out for the season.
CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked area ice anglers and registered furs. Ice conditions remain very unpredictable and anglers should use caution. CO Gray also attended a training meeting at Camp Ripley.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) patrolled area lakes for ice fishing activity and followed up on big game cases from deer season. Officers also worked with CO Regas on Red Lake after receiving TIP calls of over limit walleye. A COC and CO Vollbrecht completed snowmobile public safety announcements with the local radio station. CO Vollbrecht also did a radio interview about ice conditions on local lakes. CO Vollbrecht would like to remind anglers to use caution when heading out on area lakes as ice conditions are varying greatly from lake to lake. Enforcement action was taken for over limit walleyes, no license in possession, no big game license, and possession of a controlled substance.
CO Brian Holt (Bemidji) checked area angling and trapping activity during the week. Officer Holt continued working on a background investigation on an applicant for the next conservation officer academy.
CO Al Peterson (Osage) worked trappers, attended technology and diversity training, and continued follow-up on ongoing cases.
CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) reports most large lakes in the area just froze over. There are a few fishermen going out onto the smaller lakes but ice conditions are unsafe. Pheasant hunters are still out but success was slow. Time was also spent handling calls about boundary issues and waters violations.
CO Angie Warren (Detroit Lakes) worked angling activity on area lakes. Ice on area waters continues to be variable and anglers are reminded to check conditions daily. Follow up was conducted on complaints of unattended lines, possible possession over limits of fish, wanton waste and trespass issues. CO Warren participated in a television interview on area ice conditions. With the recent snowfall snowmobile activity has increased and checks were performed.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week monitoring ice fishing activity, pheasant hunting activity, and trapping activity in the Moorhead station. A recent cold snap should help ice conditions, but areas of open water were observed after the last snowfall as well as areas of thin ice that is now covered by snow. Use extreme caution if you are planning on ice fishing. A TIP call and a call of a suspicious car kill deer at a local meat locker were investigated. An incidental fisher was also seized from a local trapper. Several snowmobilers have been observed with the fresh snow and complaints have been taken regarding snowmobiles trespassing on private property. The officer encourages snowmobilers to be respectful and stay off private property. Agricultural fields do not have to be posted and snowmobilers need permission to enter agricultural land. The law and ethics portion of the snowmobile safety classes were taught in Moorhead and Hawley with a total of 65 students receiving certification. Assistance was also given to local law enforcement agencies.
