Crappie fisherman caught with 76 over limit - MnDNR CO Reports

Area MnDNR Conservation Officer Weekly Reports - August 20, 2018

District 9 - Brainerd area

Mn DNR Conservation Officer Jim Guida (Brainerd East) patrolled lakes for angling activity and assisted with Camp Ripley In-Service Training. A TIP call was investigated on an area lake resulting in an over limit of 76 crappies. Officer Guida worked with area Conservation Officers and State Troopers in a saturation effort around the National Hot Rod Association’s Nationals event resulting in numerous enforcement actions. One ATV operator was charged with Gross Misdemeanor Driving under the Influence. The operator tested over twice the legal limit.

CO Tim Collette (Brainerd) checked for early bear baits, monitored aquatic invasive species issues at public landings, attended annual training, and checked boaters and anglers.

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports activity this week of assisting with a firearms safety program field day in the McGregor area, and checking the wild rice crop and bear baiting activity.

CO Chelsey Best (Crosslake) participated in annual training at Camp Ripley for three days this week. A firearm safety class field day was put on in McGregor with 6 other CO’s. Multiple wildlife and shoreline concerns were fielded throughout the week as well.

CO Eric Sullivan (Pequot Lakes) worked recreational vehicle activity around the National Hot Rod Association drag races at Brainerd International Raceway. The event was very busy and most contacts were made after observing violations that included no headlights, no registration display or illegal transportation of passengers. Others were out vacationing on area lakes fishing and boating. Anglers reported slow catch rates but were enjoying the nice weather. Several subject contacted did not have a personal flotation device onboard their watercraft and enforcement action was taken.

CO Scott Fitzgerald (CCSRA) reports attending a Night to Unite event at Crosby Park where kids and adults were able to see some CO equipment and furs, answered lots of law related questions. The officer started step one FTO training with COC Jacque Hughes. Officers assisted with FAS field day in McGregor. Officers assisted a local agency with call about boat fire and officers patrolled park during Crusher bike event. Instruction was given for use of force during annual in service and fishing and boating related activity was checked in park.

CO Patrick McGowan (Pine River) worked Crow Wing and Cass County for ATV activity. CO McGowan started FTO training with a conservation officer cadet. The officers worked a busy Brainerd International Raceway area for recreational vehicle enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for numerous violations.

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) gave a law presentation at a firearms safety class and assisted with firearm safety field days. A personal watercraft complaint was also worked.

District 10 - Mille Lacs area

CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked lake activity and monitored trailers as aquatic vegetation continuous to flourish this time of year. He also completed some training, spoke at a hunter education class, and helped staff the DNR booth at Game Fair.

CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) received inquiries about shore land work and nuisance animal questions. She also received complaints of ATVs operating on the Willard Munger Bike Trail.

CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked on a wetland complaint and issued two Resource Protection Orders. Heat and dry conditions have hampered fishing activities. ATV travel has been hampered by dust. Enforcement action was taken for no fishing license and angle with extra lines. CO Starr worked the TIP wall of shame in the vacant Isle station.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) attended training during the week at Camp Ripley. Bear hunters were out over the weekend setting up bear bait stations while fighting off mosquitos and other biting insects. Time was also spent teaching laws to two firearms safety classes.

District 4 - Walker area

CO Randy Posner (Staples) reported that he spent most of his time this week on Boat and Water Enforcement. Violations he observed were not enough life jackets and expired registration. He checked anglers on the Crow Wing River and the low summer water levels made difficult fishing conditions. He worked on complaints of careless operation of PWCs and wake board boat. Enforcement time was also spent on AIS complaints generated by AIS inspectors. He also worked on complaints of persons trespassing on SNA lands and digging in a protected water.

CO Colleen Adam (Park Rapids Station) worked on aquatic plant management issues, aquatic invasive species issues and nuisance animal complaints. Patrol area lakes for boating and fishing enforcement. Action taken for no license in possession and insufficient personal flotation devices. Patrol trails and forest areas checking bear baiting issues.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily worked on a background investigation for a CO applicant. Anglers, ATV’s, and boaters were also checked. A video posted to social media showing a person taking a musky from a dock with a dip net on Leech Lake was called in as a TIP. An investigation was started, the netter was identified and located, and enforcement action was taken. Other complaints including aquatic plant management destruction, deceased geese, and an AIS complaint were investigated. Enforcement action was taken for angling and boating violations.

District 11 - St. Cloud area

CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) spent time during the week armoring shotguns and assisting with use of force and firearms training during division in-service. A lake association meeting was attended where CO Silgjord fielded multiple questions regarding lake property, fishing, ATV’s laws, boat and water laws as well as updated laws. Assistance was also provided at a crash that occurred near Sauk Centre.

CO Frank Rezac (St. Cloud) reports attending Division training at Camp Ripley. During the week calls were taken regarding public waters complaints, unlawful aquatic vegetation removal, and nuisance animal problems. Over the weekend a case involving a deer taken out of season was also investigated.

District 12 - Princeton area

CO Mike Krauel (Mora) spent the week checking anglers. CO Krauel also spent time at Camp Ripley armoring department shotguns. CO Krauel also spent time in court on a case from last winter.

CO Angela Londgren (Cambridge) attended a district meeting, conducted a site visit of a public waters violation on the Rum River, and assisted Isanti County in a search. A complaint was received of a family who had a whitetail fawn that they collared and were raising, the fawn was seized and turned over to rehabilitation facility. It is illegal to possess wildlife without the proper permits/licenses, if you find a wild animal leave it be and contact your local Conservation Officer.

Aviation Section

NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) continued working on aerial spraying of hybrid cattail on state wildlife management areas. Working in the Hutchinson area, more units were completed. 21 of 35 units have been sprayed. Aircraft maintenance and aerial fish tank preparations were also completed.

CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reports assisting with the finish of the summer forestry disease assessment flights in the NW Angle portion of MN. Jensen also positioned aircraft for maintenance.

Water Resource Enforcement Officers

WREO Robert Haberman (North Central) spent the week at Camp Ripley for in-service. A FAS field day class was attended in McGregor with 25 students.

--- --- ---

Lisa Dugan, Safety Outreach Coordinator | Enforcement