Although the Cook County News- Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News- Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules!
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that some Forest Service roads were still impassable due to snow during the opening weekend of the fishing season. All the lakes were iced over and it’s a good bet that most will be open along with the roads for the second weekend of fishing. Some floating ice could still be present so use caution. It also should be noted that some forest roads will have washouts. Spring beaver trapping activity was monitored and boats readied for when the lakes finally come open. The CO also responded to a nuisance bear call. The bear was attracted by sunflower seeds used to attract birds and bears.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked steelhead anglers in Cook and Lake counties; catching of fish is starting to pick up some as the water clears and warms up. Manning worked fishing opener in both counties as well and found few lakes with enough open water to cast a line. One hardy angler did manage to hook a fish through the ice from shore; he tried to use a float tube to get to the fish, but lost it right near the surface. The officer also checked spring beaver traps, performed invasive species checks, and conducted boating enforcement where boats could be found. Folks in the woods are reminded that spring beaver season has been extended until May 15 in the northern third of the state.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked steelhead anglers along the North Shore and a few fisherman searching for open water during the opening weekend. Most lakes in the Cook County area are still ice-covered. The officer worked AIS, did a commercial minnow inspection, ATV enforcement and completed equipment maintenance on his patrol vehicle.
Sgt. Keith Olson (Marine Unit) reports the nice weather had many anglers on the waters. It was one of the warmer openers he can remember. The overall catch rates were down considerably. North Shore rivers are running fast. Rain will continue to keep rivers swift. Lake Superior is still partially icecovered.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) monitored fish run activity on Virginia and Tower area streams. One angler eager for an early walleye dinner decided it would be a good idea to grab two spawning walleyes from the stream the CO was watching. The young angler quickly learned it was not a good idea when Frericks met him at his vehicle. The angler was issued a citation.
CO Marty Stage (Ely) spent the better part of the past week or more monitoring the walleye spawning beds around Ely. The walleyes were still spawning below the bridges as the fishermen waited for the crack of midnight to begin on Saturday. But tragedy was averted because the walleyes didn’t fall for it. As far as Stage knew, not a walleye was landed at the local bridges on opener night.
Contact local DNR Conservation Officers to report violations or ask questions:
Thomas
Wahlstrom
218-370-0244
Darin Fagerman
218-387-9751
Mary Manning
218-475-0121
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