Conservation Officer Weekly Report

Minnesota’s Northland Reports – March 10, 2025

District 1 – Baudette area

Last updated: 2025-03-10

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and patrolled Hayes Lake and area wildlife management areas. Enforcement contacts included an angler in possession of an illegal-length walleye and anglers in possession of fileted, frozen walleye fillets on a special management lake.

CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers and following up on various complaints. Violations encountered were an overlimit of walleyes, angling with extra lines, no shelter license, no owner information on shelter, litter, unattended lines, possessing fillets on the ice, and no license in possession.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) attended a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators officer water survival course.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports continued angling success on Lake of the Woods. Enforcement action was taken on numerous anglers for angling with extra lines.

CO Paul Kennedy (Baudette East) assisted at an officer water survival class held in Staples earlier in the week. As the week continued, he focused on angling activity on area lakes. With warmer weather moving in, several access points on lakes are starting to see poor ice conditions. Enforcement action for the week included wanton waste, angling with extra lines, angling without a license, litter, and no shelter license.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) assisted North Dakota Game and Fish with an investigation and worked a detail on Lake of the Woods. He saw moderate angling success. Enforcement action for the week included angling without a valid license, possessing an illegal-length walleye, angling with extra lines, angling with unattended lines, no shelter license, and a nonresident purchasing a license restricted to residents.

CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week investigating violations that occurred during the previous deer season. Enforcement action was taken for the use of an invalid bonus permit that resulted in an overlimit.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) continued to check ice anglers on Upper Red Lake. Most shelters have been removed from the lake and individuals are chasing schools of crappies around. Most of the snow in the area has melted over the past week with the warm weather.

CO Brianna Shaw (Blackduck South) spent the week patrolling for outdoor recreational activities. The warm weather has put spring cleaning into full effect. A friendly reminder to check burning regulations and restrictions for your area.

District 2 – Bemidji area

Last updated: 2025-03-10

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports working on several hunting related violation cases. Time was further spent checking anglers and ATV operators. Various public land access sites were also checked.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) dedicated his recent patrols to enforcing fishing regulations, with the close of the walleye season. As fishing licenses expired on Feb. 28, he caught anglers casting their hopes into the twilight for that elusive late evening burbot bite. Enforcement action dealt with angling without a license, no license in possession, and a variety of ATV-related violations.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) checked a good number of anglers chasing panfish over the past week. Folks were educated on the new special regulations for crappie and sunfish limits in the area and were reminded to buy a 2025 angling license. Additional time was spent on ATV enforcement, responding to fires, and following up on deer-hunting cases.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) attended K9 training with his K9 partner Axel.

CO William Landmark (Moorhead) field-trained COC Jepson. Much of the week was spent checking anglers on local lakes. Warm weather and good ice conditions got anglers on the ice, but most reported a slow bite. The officers worked the Red River Valley Sportsman Show and had the TIP Wall of Shame on display. The officers also worked on some ongoing deer-related cases and enforcement action was taken for failure to register deer and taking a deer without a hunting license.

CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling activity. Fish house removal is in full swing. Please remember to take all items with you when you leave the lake. ATV activity was worked and appears to be the favored mode of transportation on area lakes. Warren also assisted DNR Wildlife with a call of a dead moose and patrolled WMAs and waterfowl production areas.

CO Matthew Boyle (Pelican Rapids) spent the week checking ice anglers and following up on litter violations from the week prior. Area lake accesses are in poor condition after the warm weekend. ATV traffic is steady on several lakes. Boyle would like to advise people to use caution and travel at your own risk with coming ice conditions.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) attended the officer water survival trainers course this week. Area lakes were checked for activity and for any fish houses remaining. Manteufel would like to remind anglers about the deadline for removal (11:59 p.m. on March 17 for inland waters in the northern one-third of the state) and stress its importance. ATV registration display and operating without lights violations were addressed and a fish house left at an access in the area was investigated. Wildlife-related questions were also answered.

District 5 – Eveleth area

Last updated: 2025-03-10

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports ice fishing on Rainy Lake continues to be the focus of work activities. He also handled a few animal-related complaints. People are encouraged to start thinking about shelter removal on Rainy Lake and remember there is no such thing as safe ice.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working area lakes this past week checking anglers. If they have not already, Simonson would like to remind people to consider or make plans to remove shelters from area waterways and make sure nothing is left behind.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) checked on dock work and other waters-related projects. Slatinski fielded questions on fishing zone regulations, attended training, and attended to equipment maintenance.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports the snowmobile season appears over with minimal snow cover noted. Angling activity continues to be monitored, with little activity noted. Area forest roads were checked. Logging activity has slowed with spring break up around the corner. ATV riders have reappeared. Forecasted temps in the 40s to low 50s and rain this upcoming week should change the landscape.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling enforcement. He primarily spent time checking trout lakes and backwoods/walk-in lakes. Time was also spent checking for ATV activity and working on yearly training.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked angling and ATV enforcement. With the seasons changing, recreational activity took a huge dip over the week as people prepare for spring and summer activities. More ATVs are being seen as the snowmobile trails are now mostly unnavigable. A reminder that the ice shelter removal date for inland waters in northern Minnesota is March 17, but with temps in the 50s this week, it is recommended that they be removed sooner than later.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring ice fishing activity. Anglers reported moderate success with panfish. Recent warm weather has deteriorated area snowmobile trails. Without any new snow snowmobile season may be over.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

Last updated: 2025-03-10

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports some snowmobile activity continued around the Ely area over the week, and several complaints were taken of ATV and truck use on the snowmobile trails. Residents and visitors are reminded that there are still snowmobiles using the trails and no other motor vehicles are allowed to travel on any designated snowmobile trail. Violations included angling with unattended lines, angling with no license in possession, and operating a motor vehicle on a designated snowmobile trail.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked snowmobilers and anglers on area lakes. Wahlstrom and other area officers helped at the Cook County Middle School exploratory ice fishing day. The students had a great day on the ice and landed several nice splake to take home and enjoy. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent time patrolling fishing and snowmobiling activities. Recent warm weather is going to take its toll on the snowmobile trails. Fishing remains slow for anglers, but plenty of ice on the lakes will keep the season going for some time.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports a busy week of working complaints and responding to calls. Enforcement action included several instances of driving vehicles on a grant-in-aid snowmobile trail. Trails are still snow-covered and will be for some time and will be strictly enforced. Additional violations encountered were fishing without a license, litter, no shelter tag, and failure to display snowmobile registration.

CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring snowmobile and ice angling activity throughout the area. Snowfall during the week helped to save the local trails as the weather warmed. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile-related violations.

CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on ice fishing and snowmobile enforcement for the week. Many snowmobilers were out enjoying their last ride of the season. Enforcement action was taken for various snowmobiling and angling related offenses.

District 7 – Grand Rapids area

Last updated: 2025-03-10

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked late-season ice anglers taking advantage of good perch and panfish bites. Calls about new fish limits and trapping regulations were answered. A large unattended fire was located and was spreading into a field towards the woods. The property owner arrived and was able to extinguish the fire. Enforcement action was taken for no open burning permit and unattended fire.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked snowmobiles, small-game, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints. ATV trails are closed and complaints of operation on closed trails were taken. Clubs do not want to have their trails closed, so please honor the trail closure signage. Violators will be cited.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, handled wildlife-related complaints, and investigated trapping complaints this week. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec also assisted in the search for evidence in an ongoing investigation. Enforcement action was taken for license violations.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ice angling activity with many anglers enjoying the warm weather. Sutherland gave a career talk at a local high school where youth were educated about the job duties of a conservation officer. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a current license, not having a shelter tag, not having proper identification on a permanent angling house, and for having an overlimit of crappies.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on late-season ice angling, ATV, and snowmobile activities. Numerous late-season ice anglers were contacted enjoying the warmer weather over the weekend. Enforcement action was taken for several angling, snowmobile, and ATV violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) spent the week training in Staples. The focus was on officer water survival. Out-of-state instructors provided members of the DNR Water Survival Team with training and a certification to the standards of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked anglers and shelters remaining on the ice. Dark houses, fish houses, and portables must be off the ice no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 17 on inland waters in the northern part of the state. Time was also spent on miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints and recreational vehicle activity. Enforcement action involved angling license violations.

NE ATV officer vacant.

District 8 – Duluth area

Last updated: 2025-03-10

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) focused enforcement efforts on ice anglers chasing the panfish bite on area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for ATV, off-highway motorcycle, and angling license violations. He also provided a ride-along opportunity for an individual interested in learning more about the role of a conservation officer.

CO Sara Mooers (District 8) continued to monitor snowmobile and ATV traffic in southern St. Louis County. Mooers also responded to several TIP complaints. Office time was spent conducting follow up on cases and completing required annual training.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) worked ice fishing. Various license violations were encountered. Ongoing cases were also worked this week. The first nuisance-bear call of the season was fielded. A bear had been pilfering bird feeders and trash between naps in its den, which was in an old root cellar 70 feet from the house of the complainant.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) worked ATV/OHM, sport fishing, and fire enforcement this week. Time was spent contacting recreational ATV/OHM riders enjoying the warmer weather. With the temperature increasing, forest road and trail conditions have worsened. Spring closures are expected and can be found by searching for forest road and OHV trail closures on the DNR website.

CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) spent the week checking ice anglers and monitoring ice conditions. ATV and OHM riders spent a lot of time on the trails with the warm weather. Trail conditions are beginning to deteriorate in some areas and Nemadji State Forest trails will likely close this week. Updated trail closures are on the DNR website and posted at trailheads.

CO Gabriel Soriano (Hinckley) checked area lakes for fish houses left out after the removal deadline. He found a few. Luckily, the owners were located nearby and were assisted with removing their shelters. Time was spent working on administrative duties this week and exploring the Hinckley station with experienced officers. ATV riders are beginning to appear around the county and riders are encouraged to review their ATV safety requirements before hitting the trails and roadways.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent time this week taking care of miscellaneous tasks and cases. Time was also spent checking for trapping, fishing, and recreational vehicle activities. Please remember that you may not store items, such as shelters, at public accesses. Time was also spent on training materials and recruiting efforts.
Statewide Marine Unit
CO Joe Kulhanek (Marine Unit – Metro) spent the week instructing officers from Minnesota and Wisconsin in an airboat operator course. He also spent time preparing equipment for open water and returned calls to the public.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit – Duluth) attended airboat training on the Mississippi River with officers from Minnesota and Wisconsin. A call was received about a deer stuck in a deck railing. Quick thinking by a State Trooper and a sheriff deputy helped Miller quickly and smoothly release the animal. Ice conditions are quickly deteriorating, and anglers need to be very vigilant if they still choose to go on the ice.

CO Mitch Lawler (Marine Unit Alexandria) continued to monitor area lake ice this week as warm weather continued. A few full-sized trucks were seen on lakes, but most anglers are using ATVs or walking out, which is the wise choice. Summer equipment was prepared and shuffled around as open-water season is just around the corner.

District 9 – Brainerd area

Last updated: 2025-03-10

CO Emmitt Winkels (Brainerd Lakes Area) focused on ensuring all fish house owners were complying with removal deadlines. Winkels also monitored ice fishing activity. Time was also on ATV violations.

CO Luke Belgard (Pine River) worked anglers and ATV operators this week. Some anglers are still making their way to the ice. Ice conditions have continued to deteriorate, especially at access points. Angers are encouraged to use caution with more warm weather predicted.

CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) checked anglers throughout the week. They were catching panfish and some sunshine. She also stopped ATVs for various violations. Enforcement action was also taken for taking walleyes out of season.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd #2) worked sport fishing and completed some armor training this week. Guida investigated a suspected Wetland Conservation Act violation that was provided by the DNR Aviation Unit. The landowner created an earthen berm by moving soil and rocks out into a pond to watch the geese and waterfowl feed. There was visible erosion of soils into the water because of snow and ice melt. The landowner could be responsible for the restoration of the wetland.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) continued checking anglers targeting crappies and sunfish.

CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time checking panfish anglers, with most anglers checked having success. Anglers are reminded to purchase new fishing licenses before heading out to fish. Enforcement action included license violations and shelters left out after the deadline.

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) handled nuisance-wildlife calls and checked ice anglers and ATV riders. Enforcement action was taken for ATV-related violations.

CO Matt Brodin (Brainerd #1) attended the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators air boat training. The course was five days and consisted of operating air boats on land, ice, and water. Brodin also completed aeriation inspections.