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) spent the week working trout lakes along the U.S./Canada border and inland trout lakes. He also checked walleye anglers during the last weekend of the season. Some nice fish were seen on the ice. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and angling violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area snowmobile trails, cross-country ski trails and lakes. She also spoke with concerned homeowners regarding a deer feeding conflict among neighbors.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports getting out and enjoying the sunshine and warm weather during the week. A few hundred miles were put on the snowmobile with some positive contacts being made with riders from all over Minnesota and Canada. One minor registration issue was handled. Hill assisted various agencies with a severe snowmobile crash in Cook County with both riders sustaining injuries. Ski pass compliance is finally getting better with only one citation being issued to a party who knowingly went skiing without a pass. State parks were monitored for vehicle permits. Hill followed up on a big-game case along with an ATV crash from the previous fall.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) spent the past week working snowmobilers and the end of the fishing season. Lots of sleds were out but conditions quickly deteriorated with temperatures around 40 degrees and high sun. A detail was worked on Upper Red Lake and Lake of the Woods with other COs where walleyes were on the minds of anglers. Violations were many and far ranging, but one specific group of 13 anglers all received citations for having many, many fish over their limit. Lots of young anglers were contacted out in the warm, sunny weather with smiles after catching walleyes themselves.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers and snowmobile riders, handled a complaint of someone intentionally blocking a public access with plowed snow, and worked snowmobiles and lake trout anglers in the Ely and Tower stations. Most folks aren’t happy when they receive a citation, but one snowmobile rider was so upset that upon his exit he nearly tipped his snowmobile over twice. Enforcement action was taken for no trout stamp, unattended lines, being more than 200 feet from a tip up, blocking a public access, fish house violations, transporting a loaded/uncased handgun, littering, ATV violations, and snowmobile violations consisting primarily of registration and speed.
CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) worked snowmobile enforcement during the week. The area trails up to the Iron Range are in near-perfect condition and the warmer weather had many people out taking advantage of them. Olson worked the vintage snowmobile run in the Fish Lake area, along with the Yeti snowmobile tour in the Island Lake area. He also checked anglers along the North Shore and Duluth-Superior Harbor as well.
CO Eric Sullivan (Pequot Lakes) worked sport fishing and snowmobile activity this past week. The fishing appeared to be slow for most anglers. Snowmobile trails continued to be in good condition and trail use was high. Sullivan contacted one angler who was very excited about the fact that they had caught a nice northern pike but later realized they had not purchased an angling license.
CO Ashley Whiteoak (Malmo) spent time patrolling ice angling and snowmobiling enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for storing property at a Mille Lacs Lake public access, unattended lines, failure to have an ice shelter license, litter, failure to display an ice shelter license, failure to properly display ice shelter identification, failure to have a fishing license in possession, failure to display snowmobile registration, and operating a snowmobile without a muffler. She spent time teaching kids how to fish for northern pike with tip-ups at a kids’ fishing event in Aitkin. She also spent time assisting the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office on a domestic abuse call.
CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) reports a busy end to the game fish season. One angler thought it was OK to leave his tip-ups out while he ran home 5 miles for a break. Another angler said he forgot his license at home and bought it 15 minutes after Bertram checked him. Unfortunately for him, all licenses are date- and time-stamped when purchased.
CO Derek Schneider (Zumbrota) spent the past week working snowmobile enforcement as many riders were enjoying the trails. Some violations observed were ATVs operating on snowmobile trails, youth riding without helmets and no snowmobile safety certificates. Several complaints were investigated regarding predator hunters discharging firearms near roadways or building sites. Assistance was given to a man who suffered a medical incident while out hiking. Time was also spent working from the boat while checking walleye anglers below the Red Wing dam. Fishing success was limited.
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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