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 time in the BWCAW checking anglers with CO Manning. He worked with several officers over the busy trout opener weekend. Enforcement action was taken for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, and snowmobile and angling violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked anglers during a busy trout opener. Slush was not as problematic as it has been, but it is still spotty. She also worked BWCAW lakes with CO Wahlstrom checking anglers. Snowmobile trails are still in desperate need of snow and many reports have been heard of machines damaged by overly optimistic riders on rough backcountry trails and ditches.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports focusing his efforts on ice anglers throughout the past week. The trout opener came with a fury of people trying their luck for various species. However, multiple people were cited for possession of live minnows on a designated trout lake. Almost all of the anglers knew of the law but used them anyways. One angler decided to throw an extra line in the pot for good measure. Splake, rainbows, and brook trout were seen on the ice. Only two people failed to purchase trout stamps. Remember: Trout stamps make trout fishing possible. Snowmobile violations were documented. Most of them stemmed from anglers using them to access their fishing spot. Snowmobile trails are in bad condition and unless you like a bumpy ride, wait for snow. Hill assisted the Parks and Trails Division on multiple cases throughout the week.
CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) checked an angler on a special regulation lake who stated he didn’t have any fish. A trail of blood in the snow told a different story. The illegal fish was located and the angler apologetically accepted his citation.
CO Eric Sullivan (Brainerd) was accompanied by COC Nicholas Baum and worked ice angling and recreational vehicle activity. Sullivan and Baum observed several violations, including failure to register an ATV/ snowmobile, failure to display registration and numbers, no ATV safety certificate, operating an ATV without headlights, no tow bar when towing passengers, angling without a license, no license in possession, extra lines, illegal-length fish, and underage consumption of alcohol. Sullivan and Baum assisted with a snowmobile accident and want to remind riders of the variable trail conditions and the need to ride with caution.
CO Corey Sura (Baudette East) attended several days of snowmobile training in International Falls. Sura also assisted Koochiching County, Lake of the Woods County, and Border Patrol with a search and rescue of a lost snowmobiler. The rider was located alive and well.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) checked anglers on area lakes. Individuals are catching a mix of panfish, walleyes and northern pike. Individuals are reminded to check shelters for reflective material and IDs before leaving them on the ice. Vollbrecht completed field training with COC Bechel. They assisted with a search on Irving Lake for an individual who went through the ice. They also spent a day checking anglers on Leech Lake.
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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