Conservation Officer Report | Sports & Recreation

The Minnesota DNR provided the following summaries of last week's activities by conservation officers:

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent a good part of the week checking winter fishing on area lakes. The warmer weather brought out plenty of people. Snowmobile activity has picked up after our most resent snowfall. Many snowmobiles were checked on area trails with law compliance being very good. Some office work was completed on one of the very cold days. Officer Duncan also took some time and visited with many people at the United Northern Sportsman’s annual fishing contest fundraiser. Many questions from the participants were answered at the event.

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reported anglers and snowmobilers were checked during the week. An illegal trapping case was investigated. Several wounded deer calls were fielded. The officer also helped inspect an area taxidermist during the week. Several ATVs and snowmobiles were stopped and cited for either improper display or no current registration.

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) and COC Silgjord worked area lakes and rivers for anglers. Fishing was slow in the area for most of the week. Area snowmobile trails were worked and sleds were out. Trail conditions are rough with bare spots and limited snow. CO’s followed up on littering complaint from deer season and issued citation for illegal deposit of garbage. CO’s also assisted local officers with a taxidermy inspection. Both officers attended the United Northern Sportsman angling contest on Island Lake.

Sgt. Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked snowmobilers in the Duluth area. The recent dusting of snow has helped little on the area trails. He attended the United Northern Sportsmen annual ice fishing contest on Island Lake. The mild temps compared to previous years had many folks on the ice. Worked area lakes and the Duluth Harbor. A reminder to permanent fish house owners to tend to the shelters that have been frozen into the ice from the recent cold snap.

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked ice anglers and snowmobilers. Snowmobile trails have a decent cover of snow, but corners and the base remain icy. Ice anglers have had mixed success; ice conditions remain sketchy in some areas, even following the cold weather.

CO Troy Ter Meer (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers, ATVs, and snowmobiles throughout the week. Inventory was done on a district freezer and some items were turned over to a natural science museum for educational purposes. A commercial inspection was completed. Enforcement action for commercial and snowmobile violations.