Conservation Officer Weekly Report

Minnesota’s Northland Reports – February 24, 2025

District 1 – Baudette area

Last updated: 2025-02-24

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) worked Lake of the Woods, checking both anglers and snowmobile activity during the busy weekend at the Northwest Angle. Fishing in general is slow. Violations for the week included angling without a license, no shelter license, angling with extra lines, and operating an unregistered snowmobile.

CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers and monitoring snowmobile traffic. Violations encountered were angling without a license, no angling license in possession, no shelter license, failure to display shelter license, and littering.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) attended emergency vehicle operation course training at Camp Ripley this week. Fontes also assisted with a law enforcement funeral.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports increased angling and snowmobile activity. Time was spent on Lake of the Woods following up on complaints of vehicles operating on the grant-in-aid snowmobile trail and patrolling near the Northwest Angle. Enforcement action was taken for illegal operation of an ATV, DWI, and expired registration on a snowmobile.

CO Paul Kennedy (Baudette East) checked on local anglers and patrolled area snowmobile trails with neighboring COs. With the higher temps later in the week he saw an increase in both activities. Warmer weather in the forecast may result in trail conditions deteriorating quickly. Enforcement action for the week included failure to display registration, no license in possession, no shelter license, and unmeasurable fish/fillets on ice.

CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) reports checking anglers on the Red Lake River who were enjoying the nice weather over the weekend. Time was spent speaking to a class of ninth- to 12th-grade students about becoming a conservation officer.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) monitored angling activity on Upper Red Lake. Snowmobile trail conditions deteriorated rapidly over the weekend with the warm weather. Angling success continues to vary on Upper Red Lake depending on where an individual sets up.

CO Brianna Shaw (Blackduck South) spent the week patrolling for angling and recreational vehicle activity. Additional time was spent working Upper Red Lake. Enforcement action was taken for litter and illegal possession of walleyes.

District 2 – Bemidji area

Last updated: 2025-02-24

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports spending most of the week checking ice anglers. More activity was observed on area lakes after the recent warmup. ATV and snowmobile operators were also checked. Various recreational vehicle and angling violations were encountered.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) hit the trails and lakes this week, keeping a watchful eye on anglers and snowmobilers. The panfish were piling up in buckets, but so were the violations. Citations and warnings were issued for no trail passes, fishing without a license, and unregistered shelters. A friendly reminder: Angling licenses expire on Feb. 28.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) returned to Camp Ripley for emergency vehicle operation training during the week. Anglers, coyote hunters, and snowmobilers were checked throughout the weekend. Trail conditions deteriorated quickly, with the balmy temperatures settling into the area. Fish houses and shelters have also begun to disappear from area lakes, with the end of the walleye season and melting snow/slushy conditions. Ice litter, covered by snow, has been exposed and will be an enforcement focus the next few weeks, so anglers are urged to pick up after themselves.

CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) attended training at Camp Ripley and patrolled trails during what could be the last weekend of snowmobile riding of the season. Trail conditions are poor after the warm weather. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile registration and trail sticker violations. Shelters were documented, as the removal deadline for half the station is 11:59 p.m. on March 3.

CO William Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking anglers in the Moorhead station and following up with ongoing cases. Anglers in the station are finding that the panfish activity is increasing. Ice anglers are reminded that fish houses must be removed from the ice, on lakes south of Highway 10, by 11:59 p.m. on March 3. Calls from the public included ride-along requests and a report of snowmobiles trespassing.

CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling and snowmobile activity. Warren finished mandatory online training. Wildlife-permit questions were answered.

CO Matthew Boyle (Pelican Rapids) spent the week patrolling for angling and snowmobile activity. Boyle reports the panfish bite has picked up with the warmer weather.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) patrolled snowmobile trails and checked anglers and ice shelters. A high school recruitment event was attended, as was a local sportsmen club fishing derby meeting. Violations addressed this week were fishing with extra lines and expired snowmobile registrations. Unattended portable shelters were also discovered on area lakes. He would like to remind anglers to remember to purchase their new license after the end of the month.

CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) spent the week patrolling area snowmobile trails and monitoring angling activity. Area snowmobile trails were busy over the weekend with the warmer weather. Many anglers reported a slower bite throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for expired snowmobile registration and not having the required snowmobile trail sticker on state or grant-in-aid trails.

District 5 – Eveleth area

Last updated: 2025-02-24

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports a majority of the week was spent at Camp Ripley instructing officers in emergency vehicle operations and skills, along with a refresher on snowmobile operations and handling. Ice fishing and snowmobiling enforcement continue to be the main emphasis in the work activity. People are reminded that reducing speed can prevent most snowmobile accidents.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working area trails, lakes, and rivers this past week. Enforcement action was taken for excessive snowmobile speed, 19 crappies over the limit, snowmobile registration, unattended lines, and litter. Many people were out enjoying area trails this past week with the nice weather.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports snowmobile activity in the area continues to be high, and crash numbers continue to climb. Training was attended at Camp Ripley.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) continued monitoring area snowmobile trails for snowmobile activity. Angling activity was minimal at best over the week with few anglers observed. Local forest roads continue to be checked, and public access sites visited. Administrative tasks were completed, as was equipment work.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and snowmobile enforcement. Violations were related to snowmobile speed and illegal exhaust. Time was also spent assisting other agencies with vehicle and snowmobile accidents.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked angling and snowmobile activity. In addition, time was spent training emergency vehicle operation at Camp Ripley and assisting with a snowmobile safety class.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time assisting other instructors with a snowmobile refresher class at Camp Ripley over the week. Additional time was spent patrolling area snowmobile trails. Excessive speed was the most common violation observed throughout the busy weekend. Additionally, excessive muffler noise, snowmobile safety, and registration violations were also encountered.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent most of the week monitoring snowmobile activity and checking ice anglers. The trails and lakes were very busy over the week, with seemingly everyone out enjoying the warm weather this last weekend. A couple snowmobile crashes were responded to, with several others reported in the area as well. With all the traffic and warm weather, the trails might be done for the season unless we get some more snow. Fishing success was mixed with some people having great luck and others not catching anything. Many anglers pulled their houses with the end of the walleye season. Enforcement action taken this week included snowmobile speeding, careless operation, registration issues, and various angling issues.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing and snowmobile activity. Fishing activity was relatively low this week. Anglers encountered reported limited success. High snowmobile activity and warmer weather took a toll on area trails. With warmer weather this week and no new snow, trails will be in rough shape. Broughten also spoke to a snowmobile safety class regarding rules, regulations, and ethics.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

Last updated: 2025-02-24

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports trout-fishing activity increased over the warming week. Angler success was generally low, especially for lake trout. Snowmobile activity stayed high throughout the week and several accidents were responded to in the area all involving speeds that were too fast for the conditions or rider ability. Violations included failure to display current registration and snowmobile speed.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week focusing on fishing activity. Ihnen also checked snowmobile and ATV operators. Additional time was spent checking for litter around fish houses.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking anglers and snowmobilers. The trails were busy with snowmobilers and compliance was good. Remote trout lakes were monitored, and anglers were checked.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling angling and snowmobiling activities. Fishing was extremely poor with most anglers not having any success. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of violations.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports the snowmobile trails continue to be extremely busy. With high use and several crashes in the area, speed enforcement was a focal point. Several riders traveling more than 80 miles per hour were stopped and cited this week. Other enforcement action included loud exhaust, failure to transfer ownership, unregistered snowmobiles, and unmarked fish houses.

CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily focusing on snowmobile enforcement. The warm weather brought many visitors to the area, and the trail traffic was heavy. If recreating on the trails, please be considerate of private property and safe trail etiquette.

CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on ice fishing and snowmobile enforcement for the week. Time was spent handling wildlife-related calls. Anglers encountered a slow bite but were enthusiastic about the warmer weather. Enforcement action was taken for various angling and snowmobile-related offenses.

District 7 – Grand Rapids area

Last updated: 2025-02-24

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) patrolled lakes on snowmobile and checked ice anglers. With the warmer weather, anglers have had success and enjoyed a steady bite. A call was received that a fish house was set up too close. It was determined that there was no violation, as the neighboring fish house was 10.5 feet away. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without licenses, no licenses in possession, fishing with extra lines, no shelter license, and depositing rubbish/debris outside a fish house.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked snowmobile, small-game, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails. Numerous game and fish questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored snowmobile activity, and taught EVOC this week. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec provided a meet and greet at the Safari Club International Expo. Enforcement action was taken for license issues.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ice angling activity with northern pike action heating up during the last week of spearing season. Sutherland took enforcement action for angling without a license and not having a shelter license. Sutherland gave a presentation to two local DARE classes where he showed the local youth area furbearers.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on sport fishing, dark house spearing, and snowmobile activities. Van Asch instructed at the annual emergency vehicle operation training held at Camp Ripley. A TIP complaint was fielded and handled as well. Enforcement action was taken for numerous angling and snowmobile violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) attended training at Camp Ripley for emergency vehicle operations. Extremely cold weather came to an end and gave way to a mild weekend. As the weather improved, the snowmobile trails became extremely busy. Most people contacted on the trails were disappointed in the snowmobile year overall but were happy to have the opportunity to get in a couple of rides.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked angling and recreational vehicles throughout the area. Time was also spent investigating a TIP complaint and following up on open cases. Holt worked grant-in-aid trails and snowmobiles and completed required training.

NE ATV officer vacant.

District 8 – Duluth area

Last updated: 2025-02-24

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) monitored angling and snowmobile activity. Snowmobile trails are getting beat up from heavy use and warmer weather. Complaints of snowmobiles operating on non-motorized trails in Duluth were investigated. Wildlife-possession permits were issued, and enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and ice shelter identification violations.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) spent most of the week at Camp Ripley for emergency vehicle operations and snowmobile training. Nuisance-animal calls and injured-owl calls were plentiful, and he worked snowmobile trail heads. Ice anglers were checked at the beginning of the week but catch rates were low with the cold front.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) monitored snowmobile activity and checked ice anglers this week. The panfish bite has been decent on most area lakes following the warmup. Training at Camp Ripley was received.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) worked snowmobile, sport fishing, and public lands activity this week. Time was spent working snowmobile-complaint areas. Complaints over ski trail use were also addressed. As a reminder, groomed ski trails do not allow for hiking or pets, as that activity damages the trail.

CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) worked on equipment maintenance throughout the week. Snowmobile riders were checked on one of what appears to be the better trail riding weekends of the winter. Many anglers were enjoying the warmer weather out on the ice.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) checked anglers and patrolled on snowmobile throughout the week. Time was also spent instructing and training at Camp Ripley. Other miscellaneous wildlife-related calls were handled as well.

CO Sara Mooers (District 8) continued to patrol snowmobile trails and monitor angling activity in the Duluth area. Mooers assisted Lt. Duncan with a discussion about the laws and ethics of trout and salmon. The discussion was hosted by the Lake Superior Steelhead Association and Trout Unlimited and presented to youth anglers at Ordean Middle School.

Duluth East vacant.

Statewide Marine Unit

CO Joe Kulhanek (Marine Unit-Metro) spent the week training officers in emergency vehicle and snowmobile operations. He also attended services for U.S. Border Patrol Agent Maland with the Honor Guard. Enforcement action for the week included license and small-game violations.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit Duluth) took calls of snowmobile trespass and a riparian landowner blocking access to a public river. Training was attended at Camp Ripley. Equipment maintenance was handled for a patrol watercraft. Enforcement action taken for snowmobile violations.

CO Mitch Lawler (Marine Unit – Alexandria) attended out-of-state training this week on marine investigations.

District 9 – Brainerd area

Last updated: 2025-02-24

CO Emmitt Winkels (Brainerd Lakes Area) focused on snowmobile activity on area lakes. Winkels also monitored fishing activity in the area. Time was also spent patrolling local state forests.

CO Luke Belgard (Pine River) worked snowmobile, angling, and ATV enforcement this week. The snowmobile race in Breezy Point was worked over the weekend on Pelican Lake, with numerous snowmobile and ATV violations encountered. Belgard hosted a Central Lakes College student on a ride-along.

CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) checked multiple snowmobile riders throughout the week enjoying the warmer weather. Local trails are in poor condition after the warmup. Cook also checked multiple anglers and found various violations.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd #2) and COC Jepson continued to focus on patrolling snowmobile trails and checking ice anglers. Calls from the public included an injured/sick trumpeter swan. After rallying the swan, it successfully took flight. Surveying the area, it was determined that the swan had collided with power lines and had become stunned. A report of a fawn possibly shot and left in a residence yard was also fielded. Evidence showed the fawn was malnourished, and the cause of death was from a canine.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) attended training at Camp Ripley for emergency vehicle operation. Snowmobile traffic has increased on the trails but looks to deteriorate with the warming weather. He attended two funerals with Honor Guard duties. Greg Turner retired as a Minnesota CO in 2008, ending his career as a lieutenant and captain. U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 20.

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) checked anglers, small-game hunters, and recreational vehicle operators this week. Enforcement action was taken for operating a motor vehicle on a snowmobile trail, no shelter license, and registration issues.

CO Matt Brodin (Brainerd #1) patrolled area snowmobile trails. Time was spent monitoring recreational traffic on Gull Lake for the Gull Lake Frozen Four. Enforcement action was taken for failure to have snowmobile registration, excessive speed, and fishing license violations.