District 1 – Baudette area
CO Eric Benjamin (Warroad) worked ATV, AIS, angling and boat and water enforcement. Operation Dry Water was worked during the weekend on Lake of the Woods
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) worked Operation Dry Water with CO Benjamin at the Northwest Angle of Lake of the Woods. Multiple boaters were contacted during the detail. Enforcement action was taken for no helmets on juveniles riding ATVs, no ATV safety training, no watercraft navigation lights, insufficient PFDs on watercraft, illegal-length walleyes, and no valid angling license.
CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck) reports working ATV enforcement, AIS enforcement, and angling activity on special-regulation lakes. Time was spent working boating enforcement for Operation Dry Water on area lakes and handling various calls about wildlife.
District 2 – Bemidji area
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports spending most of this week contacting anglers and watercraft operators. Various boating and fishing violations were found. Time also was spent addressing various complaints about wildlife.
CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked boaters and anglers. He also assisted with training at the CO Academy regarding watercraft operation.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports patrolling area lakes and trails for anglers, boaters, and ATV riders. Vinton received a complaint about people drinking and littering at a public access and blocking it. People should be reminded that the public water accesses are places where the public may enjoy the lake, but people may not consume alcohol, litter, or block others from using the access.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) patrolled area trails for ATV and off-road vehicle activity. She also performed AIS compliance checks. Warren also assisted White Earth tribal police and State Patrol officers with an injury accident. A complaint regarding illegal leeching activity was worked with White Earth tribal game wardens.
CO Bill Landmark (Pelican Rapids) spent the week monitoring aquatic vegetation violations, shoreline violations, angling, and boat and water safety. Landmark patrolled Pelican Lake for Operation Dry Water during the Rock the Dock event. Activity was high and few violations were observed.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) reports summer is in full swing in Otter Tail County. Time was spent checking anglers and boaters and operators of PWCs and ATVs. Enforcement action was taken for various violations.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) spent part of the week on an interview panel for possible new conservation officers. Plautz also assisted with scenario training with the new recruits at the current CO Academy and focused the weekend work on boating, fishing, ATVing, and invasive species.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) responded to a complaint on Clitherall Lake about a boat lift that had zebra mussels attached. Several weed rollers were checked that are being operated outside the permit requirements.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) investigated multiple illegal weed-removal cases on area lakes, with citations issued. The end result was to have a clear area for swimming and recreation, but removing emergent vegetation without a permit is illegal. A hydro-jet was reported to be installed and operating, blowing heavy currents across multiple properties. The owner said he wanted to remove the weeds and muck from his lake bottom, but using these devices for such purposes is illegal.
CO Brian Holt (Osakis) reports complaints were received regarding nuisance bears and public waters violations.
District 4 – Walker area
CO Randy Posner (Staples) reports working on fishing enforcement this past week. He also worked on aquatic invasive species prevention on the Crow Wing River. The CO also worked a report of loud music from campers at Rock Lake in the Pillsbury State Forest and a TIP report of people shooting at a nuisance bear. Boaters and people floating the Crow Wing River on tubes were out in full force. Watercraft registration violations were observed.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) checked anglers and worked AIS enforcement. A shift was worked on Cass Lake for Operation Dry Water. Several boaters were checked. Mathy also testified in court on a big-game case. Enforcement action was taken for boating violations and possessing an illegal-size bass on a special-regulation lake.
CO Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the week monitoring angling, boating, and ATVing activity. Anglers reported limited success. Broughten also worked compliance with AIS laws, gave a presentation to a local lake association, and attended training.
District 5 – Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports fishing, boating, and invasive species enforcement activities continue to be the main emphasis. Operation Dry Water was worked on Rainy Lake.
CO John Slatinski (Ray) reports focus areas this past week included ATVing, fishing, various complaints about animals, construction activities near shorelines, and invasive species. An AIS checkpoint was worked near Canyon with other officers from the region.
CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) investigated two separate incidents this week involving refusal to allow boat inspection. Enforcement action will be taken. He also assisted DNR Forestry with the eviction of squatters from state land.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers, boaters, ATVers, and state park enforcement. He also removed abandoned property from state land and addressed complaints about an illegal bridge and altering a lake shoreline. Bozovsky also worked Operation Dry Water on area lakes. Bozovsky also rescued a kayaker after the man’s craft capsized and he could not get back on board. The officer helped him get back to shore in one piece.
CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) spent time on the area lakes, checking boaters and anglers. An AIS check station detail was worked. Fishing in the area is slow. The area has been saturated with rain, and nearly every bug known to northern Minnesota is out in abundance.
District 6 – Two Harbors area
CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports performing commercial inspections of Ely-area minnow dealers, retailers, and taxidermists. A very high compliance rate was found at all the businesses inspected.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) worked boating and angling activity during the week leading up to the July 4th holiday. Rain and storms dampened activities for most folks and brought mosquitoes out in force.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted at Camp Ripley with boating-scenario training for conservation officer candidates. Manning also worked an AIS check station and spent a day working Operation Dry Water.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports an AIS check station was worked on Highway 53. A high violation rate was encountered regarding all activities throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for a walleye overlimit, extra lines, fishing without licenses, illegal slot northern pike, expired watercraft registration, and no navigation lights after sunset.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) assisted U.S. Forest Service workers in tree removal in order to access area lakes and campgrounds after severe weather.
District 7 – Grand Rapids area
CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked boaters and anglers, patrolled area ATV trails, took complaints about illegally removing vegetation from area lakes, and worked an AIS check station. Enforcement action was taken for transporting aquatic vegetation and failure to remove plugs before transporting watercraft.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked an active week of outdoor activities. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, angling without a license in possession, operating a PWC after legal hours, and operating a PWC within 150 feet of another watercraft above no-wake speed.
District 8 – Duluth area
CO Jake Willis (Brookston) assisted with watercraft training for conservation officer candidates at Camp Ripley during the past week. Boat handling, nighttime operation, and defensive tactics were covered.
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) conducted extra patrols in local state parks where enforcement action was taken for not having vehicle permits and having pets off-leash. A few bear-related complaints were received.
Lake Superior Marine Unit
CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) worked an AIS check station on Highway 53. Many boats were inspected during the course of the detail. The constant thunderstorms during the week kept fishing success spotty and anglers at bay. AIS enforcement also was a priority during the week along the North Shore, Duluth-Superior harbor, and area lakes north of Duluth. Compliance with boat plugs and water transportation was good.
CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) worked an AIS detail on a busy holiday travel weekend that saw enforcement action for bilge plugs in place, transporting water, and transporting aquatic invasive species.
District 9 – Brainerd area
CO Patrick McGowan (Pine River) reports a busy weekend on area lakes. McGowan spent time instructing boating school at the CO Academy at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for numerous boating violations, including an arrest for boating while intoxicated.
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) dedicated time to training on new computer software this past week. Guida also participated in a large aquatic invasive species detail where public support was evident.
CO Eric Sullivan (Pequot Lakes) assisted with finishing boating training for CO Academy 18 at Camp Ripley. Sullivan also made contact with an ATV operator who was impaired and was arrested for impaired operation.
CO Tim Collette (Brainerd) checked night anglers, recreational boaters, and ATVers, and assisted with a boating accident on Gull Lake.
CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked angling, watercraft users, and ATV activity. A car-killed bear was handled, laws were covered at an MDHA Forkhorn camp, and an invasive species road check was worked.
CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports a busy week, including investigating complaints about shoreline alteration and dumping debris in area lakes, patrol of boating activity on area lakes as part of the Operation Dry Water initiative, working a special assignment in the Duluth area, checking fishing and ATV trail activity, and patrol of the Crow Wing State Forest and Cuyuna Country State Recreational Area.
CO Chelsey Best (Crosslake) worked her first weekend in the Crosslake station. Training was attended for new computer programs, and logistics handled for the station transfer. Best began investigations into ongoing complaints of illegal ATVing activity, shoreline violations, and trespassing.
CO Scott Fitzgerald (CCSRA) reports a call about an injured juvenile eagle was taken, and Fitzgerald responded and secured the eagle and transported it to the Garrison vet clinic for treatment. The CO also assisted a local agency with a medical call and fielded many outdoor law-related questions throughout the week and weekend.
District 10 – Mille Lacs area
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) patrolled complaint areas for ATV violations. Enforcement action was taken for failure to display registration and an owner allowing illegal operation of an OHV by a juvenile.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked fishing, ATVing, and boating activities. PWC violations were found, with juvenile operation issues addressed. Walleye fishing has been good lately. An situation regarding an overturned boat was handled and the two occupants were lucky to have PFDs available when the boat swamped.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) spent a lot of patrol time on the water, checking boaters and anglers during the weekend. Several violations were found, including fishing without a license, insufficient safety equipment in boats, and possessing too many fish. Grundmeier approached one angler who was concentrating on sorting his big pile of sunfish that he had spread out in the grass at a public access. When the angler finally looked up and realized a conservation officer was standing right there watching him sort an overlimit of fish, he looked surprised and eventually couldn’t help but smile and say, “I may as well come right out and tell you I’ve got too many. Do what you got to do.”
CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) patrolled area lakes including Lake Mille Lacs during the week and weekend. ATVing activity was monitored on state lands, and time was spent training on a new computer system.
District 11 – St. Cloud area
CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) spent time during the week monitoring angling and boating activity. AIS monitoring also was conducted at area access sites. A high compliance rate was seen, and most boaters were familiar with the AIS requirements. Silgjord also assisted with computer training at Camp Ripley.
CO Frank Rezac (St. Cloud) reports attending training at Camp Ripley and maintaining equipment. Area lakes in Wright and Stearns counties were patrolled, with a focus on watercraft regulation enforcement.
CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) spent most of the week on the water, checking anglers and boaters. One group fishing from a pontoon could do no right. The group was lacking PFDs, boat registration, and angling licenses. Enforcement action was taken, and then they parked the pontoon for the night.
District 12 – Princeton area
CO Angela Londgren (Cambridge) worked boat and water safety and Operation Dry Water during the weekend. Calls were taken regarding nuisance/injured animals, trespassing, illegal trapping, and boaters harassing wildlife.
CO Trent Seamans (Big Lake) focused enforcement efforts on boat and water safety. Seamans participated in Operation Dry Water and is pleased to report that no intoxicated boaters were encountered. However, enforcement action was taken for various boat and water safety violations.
CO Phil Mohs (Center City) focused on boating activity during Operation Dry Water. An arrest was made for boating while under the influence of alcohol on North Center Lake. Enforcement action was taken for an individual illegally netting fish near the Peltier Lake dam.
CO Mike Krauel (Mora) worked mostly boat and water safety during the weekend. Time also was spent following up on animal-related complaints and checking anglers.
District 13 – West Metro area
CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) patrolled the district for angling, boating, and AIS activities. He also patrolled Fort Snelling State Park, as some areas in the park currently are flooded and closed.
CO Brent Grewe (Minnetonka) spent the week checking anglers, monitoring boating activity, and following up on complaints. Grewe worked Operation Dry Water over the weekend, and at one point made contact with an individual on a personal watercraft who was circling a group of swimmers and making his wake and wash overtake them. The response regarding the violation from the driver was, “That’s OK. They’re friends of mine.” Enforcement action was taken.
CO Tim Maass (Osseo) spent time at Camp Ripley, assisting with training new recruits in boat operation. Maass also assisted with a big-game investigation that originated in Montana.
CO Arnaud Kpachavi (Mound) responded to a motorboat that flipped over after it began taking on water.
CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) continues to focus on fishing and watercraft safety. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license, riding on gunwales, insufficient number of life jackets, extra lines, watercraft registration, and safety equipment violations.
CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) c took a couple of TIP complaints about people trapping squirrels and poisoning rabbits in Minneapolis.
District 14 – East Metro area
CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) spent the week checking boaters and anglers, and doing AIS enforcement. Arntzen also assisted with training for the CO Academy at Camp Ripley and responded to several TIP complaints.
CO Chris Tetrault (Maplewood) reports the St. Croix River is still at no-wake levels. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, angling with extra lines, illegal-length northern, insufficient PFDs, and various PWC violations.
District 15 – Marshall area
CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week checking anglers and working boat safety. Heavy rains continue to pound the area, resulting in widespread flooding.
CO Andrew Dirks (Worthington) spent time checking anglers and watercraft operators throughout the week. Time also was spent at Camp Ripley assisting with the CO Academy.
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working fishing, boating, AIS, and ATVing activity. He spent extra time working Operation Dry Water during the weekend. No-wake restrictions have been put in place by local sheriffs on all lakes in Murray County and East Twin and Yankton lakes in Lyon County due to the severe flooding.
District 16 – New Ulm area
CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) checked anglers and boaters. He educated boaters about AIS laws and also fielded calls about orphaned or abandoned baby animals.
CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) spent lots of time this week working on watercraft safety and angling enforcement. Time also was spent at the CO Academy evaluating the new cadets during scenarios regarding watercraft operations.
CO Dustin Miller (Windom) reports more rainfall was received during the weekend, resulting in continued no-wake restrictions on numerous lakes. Miller also attended training at the regional headquarters in New Ulm. Assistance was given with an out-of-state big-game investigation.
CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) assisted the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office with two boats on Loon Lake that floated free from their lifts due to high water. The CO also worked a boat and water safety detail in Martin County.
District 17 – Mankato area
CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) reports the no-wake restriction came off Le Sueur County lakes, but area lakes and rivers remain extremely high. There are still docks under water, and lots of shoreline is extremely vulnerable to erosion from boat wakes.
CO Jamie VanThuyne (Mankato) focused on fishing and boating activity. VanThuyne also assisted local agencies with several calls and checked boats for AIS compliance.
District 18 – Rochester area
CO Tom Hemker (Winona) assisted a boater who was floating downstream in a 20-mph wind. The boater had just purchased the boat and was not familiar with safety equipment or river navigation markers and had not run the motor earlier.
CO Kylan Hill (Zumbrota) reports taking part in Operation Dry Water. Hill is happy to report that every boat contacted had a sober driver. Violations included operating a watercraft without navigational lights and without a fire extinguisher, and towing with a PWC without an observer. Hill also assisted a local agency with a physical domestic incident in progress, and performed various boating safety checks.
The post Minnesota Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – July 6, 2018 appeared first on Outdoornews.
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