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 Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers on remote trout lakes. Some nice fish were seen in the bag. Snowmobilers are out enjoying the trails. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and fishing violations.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports the North Shore was packed with people enjoying several different means of outdoor recreation throughout the week. Multiple anglers were contacted chasing trout and few fish were seen. Hill cited multiple people for no fishing license, no trout stamp, extra lines on a designated trout lake, and possessing/using live minnows on a designated trout lake.
Riders hit the North Shore State Trail and other Cook County-area snowmobile trails hard. Compliance was strong, but a few riders went home with citations for expired registration and altered exhaust violations. Cross Country Ski Pass compliance is still struggling and a few skiers were cited after they admitted that although they saw multiple signs on the trail stating they needed ski passes, they decided to still ski without a pass. A snowmobile safety class was attended with about 40 area sixth-graders. A big shout out to the trail groomers and snowmobile safety instructors for putting their time in to help everyone enjoy their time out on the trails.
CO Nathan Benkofske (Milaca) spent the week enforcing fishing and recreational vehicle laws. Citations were issued for registration issues, speed, and youths not wearing helmets. Benkofske also checked anglers on various lakes. Enforcement action was taken for no shelter license, no fishing license, and possessing controlled substances. Minnesota Made Outdoors and Hometown Heroes took a large group of veterans fishing out on Green Lake and Benkofske stopped by to support and say “hi” to all.
CO Derek Daniels (Lake Benton) spent the week working ice angling and ATV enforcement. A fishing tournament held on Lake Hendricks over the weekend reported a great turnout with approximately 350 registered anglers. One recurring question that was asked throughout the week by anglers was about the legality of crappie rigs and multiple-hook setups. See Page 30 of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet for the 9-inch single tackle configuration explanation.
CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) worked snowmobile and ATV enforcement on the lakes while checking anglers. Complaints of coyote hunters trespassing and shooting too close to buildings were taken during the week and are being followed up on. Another call was taken from a farmer whose German shepherd dog was shot at night, possibly by a coyote hunter. Klehr is working with the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office to locate the person responsible.
CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports checking anglers on the Mississippi River. Walleye fishing was good and most boats had fish in the livewell. Shed hunters were out in force as the warm weather made being outside comfortable. Shed hunters are reminded to make sure they have permission before going out on private land. A few trout anglers ventured out and had success as well. Violations encountered were no angling license in possession and failure to display valid snowmobile registration. Coyote hunters have been doing well.
CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reports flying an angler recon flight over Lake of the Woods to gauge the level of activity due to most other lakes in the state having poor ice conditions. Jensen also located bear dens for biologists so they can be located later in the winter for research purposes. Aeration systems were also inspected via aircraft while en route to other locations.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) completed aeration permit inspections in the area and found very good compliance. Anglers are finding areas to access but are still finding a tremendous amount of slush on area lakes. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office and local rescue departments were called to rescue an angler who was stuck in slush on an ATV and whose feet had become very wet. While on snowmobile patrol with COs Jordan Anderson and Troy Richards, Vinton lost the state-issued fuel card and noticed it halfway through the patrol when he attempted to purchase fuel for the snowmobile. Arrangements were made with the local fuel stop and the patrol continued. The COs, late in the day, contacted a group of snowmobilers at a trail rest area when Richards called Vinton over, saying there was someone he should meet. The citizen rider then produced Vinton’s lost fuel card, much to Vinton’s relief! Thank you! Enforcement action was taken for failure to transfer registration, failure to display and expired snowmobile registration. (The group that found Vinton’s card had zero violations!)
CO Hanna Wood (Wheaton) reports working angling and snowmobile enforcement. Enforcement action for the week included angling with an extra line and no license in possession. Several car-killed deer permits were issued throughout the week. Wood is pleased with the amount of deer she’s been seeing in the area. She even saw a piebald deer one evening.
Contact local DNR Conservation Officers to report violations or ask questions:
Thomas Wahlstrom
218-370-0244
Kylan Hill
218-387-4393
Mary Manning
218-387-5285
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