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 snow is knee-deep to a six-foot man in the higher elevations of Cook County. The snow there is starting to add up. Activity overall has been way down this winter and the trout lakes are starting to slow down a bit after a very good early start. A border detail was worked with COs from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources along remote border lakes. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile registration violations during the week.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) focused enforcement efforts on anglers and snowmobilers. The officer worked remote trout lakes and checked a few anglers on Lake Superior. Wahlstrom followed up on a trespass violation that occurred on state land. A public whitetail deer meeting was also attended.
CO Pilot Bob Geving flew the spotter plane for the moose capture survey out of Grand Marais, and Pilot/CO Chris Lofstuen spent the week flying support missions for the moose capture projects out of Ely and Grand Marais.
CO Beau Shroyer (Remer) cited several anglers for using extra lines and unattended lines. One man received a summons for burning an entertainment center and couch on Walker Bay, sending clouds of toxic smoke downwind into the crowds participating in Eelpout festivities.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) while checking fish houses came across one house with two anglers in it using five lines. When asked how many lines they were fishing with one of the anglers said four and that the fifth line wasn’t really all the way down. When checked it was found that the fifth line was 10 feet down. Kuske informed the angler that 10 feet down was considered fishing.” Enforcement was taken for fishing with an extra line.
CO Tyler Quandt Red Wing) spent time dispelling rumors of a mountain lion siting in the area.
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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