DNR Report: Ice-out on some lakes, recreational vehicles cited in closed forests

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports station lakes have deteriorating ice cover and streams and creeks have opened. No angling activity was observed. Area forest roads continue to be monitored while spring road closures are in effect.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time in training, checked ice anglers and monitored trapping and ATV activity.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and trapping. He also and checked for ATV activity and checked crappie anglers who were targeting small open patches of water. Violations included a couple of anglers fishing in a closed spawning area.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) had training and worked ATV and trapping activity.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) investigated several trespass complaints, one of which resulted in enforcement action. He also attended training and reports that ATV activity has steadily increased.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) monitored fishing, trapping and ATV activity and reports that the slow spring warmup has limited outdoor recreational activities. He also fielded calls regarding abandoned property, boat registration and youth safety classes.

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports on angling activity when not attending annual training. Fishing slowed significantly as ice conditions continued to grow more inconsistent and dangerous. Violations included angling without a license in possession and operating an ATV on a closed trail.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely) patrolled for anglers and ATV activity, and responded to questions regarding the upcoming fishing seasons.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) conducted ATV enforcement, attended training and met with neighboring officers and the district supervisor discussing inventory and upcoming work details.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports the inland lakes are holding onto more than 2 feet of solid ice. Some local anglers are still ice fishing for panfish. Steelhead fishing continues its slow start as water temperatures remain in the low 30s.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) attended training and worked anglers on the North Shore. Ice is pulling away from the shorelines, and most people have given up on ice fishing for the season. Enforcement action included fishing without a license or trout stamp and for starting a wildfire with a careless cigarette.

CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) attended training and checking on anglers at rivers and streams. Fishing activity has been increasing, he reports, but anglers are noting varied to little success as water temperatures remain relatively cold.

CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling enforcement on Lake Superior and tributaries. The steelhead bite remains slow with lingering winter-like conditions.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) responded to wildlife-related calls, monitored decorative material activities, attended training and patrolled for trapping activity. Incidentally caught animals were turned in by trappers, and deer-possession permits were issued for road-killed deer.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV, small-game and fishing activities. He answered numerous game and fish-related questions and responded to wildlife-related complaints.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) assisted with in-service training and responded to nuisance/injured-animal complaints.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ice-out activity. Many fish are in area creeks. He worked trapping issues as many spring beaver trappers were out and about. He has also taken multiple questions about chronic wasting disease in the Grand Rapids deer population.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) worked sport fishing, trapping, ATV and boating activity. He also attended training and completed follow-up on an open trapping investigation.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) handled wildlife-related complaints, attended training and gave a law and ethics talk was given at a firearms safety class. Anglers are starting to have some success on rivers fishing for rough fish, he reports.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked trapping and recreational vehicles and attended training. He also followed up on wildlife-related complaints, including nuisance-bear complaints. He recommends that people remove bird feeders and trash cans at night to prevent nuisance-bear activity.

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) reports some area lakes experienced ice-out. He reminds those venturing out in watercraft to make sure they have the required safety equipment and make sure their registrations are current and displayed properly. He monitored turkey hunting and angling activity and investigated complaints of trespassing and failing to immediately release sturgeon in a closed season.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) participated in annual training, conducted turkey hunting and angling patrols, and investigated a trespass complaint.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) attended training and worked ATV/off-highway motorcycle, trapping, turkey hunting, and fishing activity. Off-highway vehicle operators are still being found operating on closed forest roads and trails in the Nemadji State Forest despite closed gates and signage.

CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) fielded numerous complaints of trapping-related violations and operation of recreational vehicles in the closed forest. Smelt details were planned and worked. Success was seen among panfish anglers. Enforcement action was heavy for operation in a closed forest.

CO Gabriel Soriano (Hinckley) saw many anglers out on lakes, streams and rivers. Common infractions were no valid license, taking fish out of season, and wanton waste. He reminds that there is still a burn prohibition and a burn permit is required except for a campfire. Many fires resulted in uncontrolled grassfires, which resulted in enforcement action.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) attended training, checked anglers and turkey hunters, and patrolled for ATV activity and trespassing issues.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit - Duluth) attended annual training and a Harbor Safety Committee meeting was attended in Duluth. He also assisted local agencies with recovery efforts and planning for future water events. Enforcement action was taken for commercial violations.