DNR Report: Officers regionwide respond to numerous ATV violations

Mar. 7—Conservation officer Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports ice conditions were found to be varied and unpredictable on many of the lakes patrolled over the week. One ATV ended up in Birch Lake when the driver was surprised by open water at an ice ridge. More complaints were taken of ATV use on grant-in-aid snowmobile trails. Again, ATV riders are reminded that the absence of snow on snowmobile trails does not necessarily mean it is open to ATV use. Violations included angling without a license in possession, no helmet on a juvenile ATV passenger and operating an ATV on a grant-in-aid snowmobile trail.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers on area trout lakes and along the border. Time was also spent patrolling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais 2) spent the week focusing on angling activity. Fishing remains slow and ice conditions are deteriorating rapidly on area lakes. Ledeen had the honor of attending the funeral service for Officer Elmstrand, Officer Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Finseth.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling enforcement throughout the week. Anglers are doing fair on trout and panfish in the area. Foot travel is good yet difficult with no snow to pull a sled, and swamps and areas of current are thawing quickly. Enforcement action for the week included angling with more than one line on a designated trout lake and no trout stamp. Remember to pick up your 2024 licenses if you haven't already.

CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) attended the memorial service for Burnsville first responders Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, and Adam Finseth.

Silver Bay — vacant.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) answered questions related to fishing, trapping and small-game hunting. Time was spent checking ice anglers, patrolling state forests for illegal birch cutting, and investigating a Turn in Poachers call. An angler was checked while fishing without a license. The angler received a citation and his catch of sunfish and crappies was seized.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV riders, small-game hunters and anglers. He patrolled campgrounds and trails. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers and monitored off-highway vehicle activity this week. Fairbanks and his K-9 partner, Fennec, also attended training with other K-9 teams in the area. Enforcement action was taken for license issues.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked ice angling activity in the area with panfish fishing and tullibee action heating up. Sutherland took enforcement action for expired ATV registrations and angling without a license in possession.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) reports working sport fishing and ATV activities throughout the surrounding areas. Burning and nuisance-animal complaints were also fielded and addressed. Enforcement action was taken for several angling violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) assisted the Water Survival Team with instructing to state trooper candidates who are in their current academy. A flight was also done with CO Pilot Scott. A couple violations were detected from the air, a closed state forest was monitored for illegal ATV use, and assistance was given to a sheriff's office in attempting to locate a suspect who fled on foot from a traffic stop.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked anglers and trapping activity during the previous week. Time was also spent on miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints and following up on a Turn in Poachers complaint. Anglers are encouraged to carefully evaluate ice conditions on area lakes if choosing to venture out.

NE ATV officer — vacant.

Conservation officer Derek Peterlin (Brookston) primarily focused on ATV enforcement this week. Some state forest roads and trails are starting to close to motorized vehicle traffic. A common violation has been failure to display ATV registration decals. He instructed the laws and ethics portion of a firearms safety class and checked anglers on the area lakes.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) worked trail and road closures in the Pine County state forests for ATV/off-highway motorcycle violations. He monitored angling activity on area lakes and handled a wolf-depredation complaint involving a dog. Schmidt attended the memorial service for the Burnsville first responders as part of the DNR Honor Guard.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) worked shore fishing enforcement along Lake Superior. He followed up on a possible ATV trespass involving closed areas and hunter walking trails. Duncan investigated illegal operation of motor vehicles on a state snowmobile trail. He also assisted with training new hire state patrol officer candidates with a water confidence course.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) continued work on special projects this week. The official ice shelter removal deadline is upon us. With that, anglers are reminded that trash needs to be securely contained and packed out for proper disposal.

CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) monitored what appeared to be the end of the ice fishing season in her station. Local lakes were verified to be clear of any fish houses as the ice begins to pull away from the shore. She also monitored the uptick in ATV activity in the area. The Nemadji State Forest trails have been closed due to trail conditions.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent time this week continuing to monitor fishing activity. Area lakes have started to open, with some people starting to open-water fish. New angling licenses are required. ATV and off-highway motorcycle activity was patrolled for in the Chengwatana and other areas. Different trainings were attended throughout the week and equipment maintenance was done.

Hinckley — vacant.

CO Arnaud Kpachavi (Marine Unit — Metro) focused on angling activity during the week. In addition to patrolling area waterways, he attended the public funeral for fallen officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and fallen firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth. He also investigated several deer that appeared to have been shot and later dumped in a different location.

CO Joe Kulhanek (Marine Unit- Metro) spent the week monitoring anglers in the area. He also checked areas for illegal off-road activity and answered questions from the public.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit — Duluth) assisted with training new Minnesota State Patrol cadets in officer water survival and drown-proofing. Commercial items were handled, and a complaint was received regarding taking walleyes out of season. Perceived early ice-out has planning underway for open-water work. Enforcement action taken for angling violations.