Conservation officer Tim Collette (Crosslake) checked many groups of late season anglers targeting perch, crappies, and sunfish. Success was fair with some nice bags of fish seen. Remembering to purchase new angling licenses seemed to be a reoccurring issue, with several anglers found with expired ones. One group packed up and left in a hurry when the officer was seen on the ice.
When caught up to and asked why they hadn't purchased new licenses, they said they remembered after they were already fishing but stayed as they didn't think they would get checked.
Officer Eric Sullivan (Pequot Lakes) took a flight to check activity in the station. During the flight angling activity was observed. Officer Sullivan and officer Jensen landed to make contact. One subject was angling without a license and both parties were cited for possession of controlled substances. Officer Sullivan also spoke to approximately 45 students at a Pequot Lakes firearms safety class.
Officer Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) checked fishermen and ATV's. Officer Hunter received information of a possible escaped deer. A reminder to be safe on the ice as temperatures rise and rain falls.
Officer Amber Ladd (McGregor) checked area lakes for fish houses still out and checked several anglers out enjoying the mild weather. She worked a case of northern being taken out of season.
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Officer Ladd also received a couple of calls regarding trespassing, one which involved ATVs going on the snowmobile trail.
Officer Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports activity this week included checking fishing activity, patrol of the Cuyuna Country State Recreational Area, assistance to local law enforcement, handling miscellaneous wildlife issues, and monitoring fish house removal on area lakes.
Officer Jim Guida (Brainerd #2) worked sport fishing and all-terrain vehicle enforcement this week.
Officer Guida received information of illegal dumping of trees and debris on an Aquatic Management Area. The follow up investigation revealed a local building contractor had illegally dumped the debris on the state property as an attempt to save time and money. Enforcement action taken.
Officer Patrick McGowan (Pine River) worked on arrest reports and submitted those to the county attorney's office for charging consideration. McGowan also monitored ice shelter removal and litter issues. McGowan also spoke at a career day at the Pine River high school on the career of a conservation officer.
Officer Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked angling, snowmobile, and ATV activity. A few remaining ice shelters were documented going into the removal deadline.
Officer Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked perch, crappie, and eelpout anglers. Some time was spent recruiting ATV safety instructors and working commercial minnows. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, angle with extra lines, use a spring-like device to hook fish, and marijuana possession.
Officer Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the week monitoring angling activity. Anglers reported moderate success. Ice is becoming unsafe in areas. Broughten assisted local law enforcement with fisherman and an ATV through the ice.
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Officer Jeff Halverson (Staples) checked panfish anglers and ATV activity, many people were out with the nice weather. Turkeys are starting to strut with the 50 degree temps. With calving season coming, officer Halverson had calls on wolf sightings.
