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 Keith Backer (Blackduck) investigated an angler who did not have a fishing license and claimed she was only “practice fishing.” The practice fishing was being done with a rod, reel, bobber, jig and hook. A real ticket was issued to the practice fisherwoman.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) reports that while checking anglers on Lake of the Woods, he spotted two men fishing away from the rest of the boats. When he approached the boat he observed each angler fishing with four lines each. When asked if they knew they could angle with only one line in open water, they stated "yeah, but it is our only day we could go fishing, due to the weather, and we aren’t leaving until we have our limit!" Enforcement action was taken for the extra lines as well as seizure of the fish.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) received a call from an individual who stated that three people were catching bass at a fast pace and throwing all of them into the live well. Once Frericks got to the lake he observed the anglers and watched oneof them catch a large bass then reach into the live well and throw a smaller bass back into the lake and replace it with the larger one. When confronted, the angler admitted to it and a citation was issued.
CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) ran into a funny situation when vehicle traffic was stopped for a Good Samaritan who chased down (on foot) a young pig running down the middle of the road at the entrance to Lake Shetek.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck) investigated a TIP complaint of a group double tripping. With help from CO Koehn (Grand Rapids) and CO Bertram (Sauk Rapids) the group was found to be in possession of nine walleyes over the limit. Vollbrecht was also involved in a short ATV pursuit. He lost site of the ATV, but was able to track the ATV trail through long grass. The ATV was found hidden in a wooded area and was seized. The suspects were known from prior contacts. Charges are pending on the operator.
CO Randy Patten (Northome) removed a snapping turtle that was loitering on the sidewalk in Northome.
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