DNR Report: Nuisance bears reported in multiple districts, mayflies and weather slow angling

Jun. 20—CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports spending time working area lakes and rivers. Nuisance-animal complaints were handled throughout the week. He also assisted local agencies with various calls for service. ATV activity was monitored throughout the week as well.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports boating and angling were again popular activities on area waterways. Problem-bear complaints and a variety of other wild animal-related concerns were heard. Information for deterring bear activity can be found on the DNR website. Equipment maintenance was tended to. Assistance was provided to other agencies for a missing person and domestic assault.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports between wind, rain and hail over the past week, he was able to get to area lakes. Area forest roads were checked, and ATV activity continues to be monitored. Bears and beavers continue to cause problems.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this past week checking anglers and monitoring boating activity on area lakes, working ATV enforcement, handling nuisance-animal complaints and working on ongoing investigations. Violations encountered included angling without a license, no license in possession, personal flotation device violations, expired watercraft registration and operating an ATV on a state highway.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and ATV activity. He spent most of his time on Lake Vermilion and the Eagles Nest lakes. Violations were related to angling licenses, boat registration, boating safety equipment and illegal-length walleyes. Larson also fielded questions and took nuisance-bear complaints.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time investigating a birch pole theft case and assisting with scenarios for the CO Academy at Camp Ripley. Additional time was spent attending an event as an Honor Guard member and handling bear-related complaints.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating and ATV activity. Anglers reported limited success this week. Weather appears to have limited the number of anglers and boaters on the water. ATV activity remains constant. Broughten also fielded calls regarding nuisance animals and abandoned property.

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports he again patrolled areas of the BWCA monitoring fishing activity. Anglers reported difficulty catching walleyes, but a very aggressive smallmouth bass bite. Clouds of mosquitoes and biting flies were also noted. Violations included angling without a license in possession, failure to display watercraft registration, and no personal flotation device on a watercraft.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) checked anglers, boaters and ATV operators this week. He also spent time patrolling for aquatic invasive species violations around area lakes.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking anglers and ATV riders. Problem-bear complaints were handled. Enforcement action was taken for boating, angling and ATV violations.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) reports nuisance bears continue to be problematic throughout the area. ATV riders, anglers and boaters were checked during the week. Time was also spent patrolling in the BWCA.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports teaching at the Conservation Officer Academy and preparing material for future instruction. Squad maintenance was completed. Bear-related calls have been common. Time was spent on a couple occupying public land. They moved all their belongings and a camper onto the property and erected a chain and "No trespassing" signs. A citation was issued for posting public property, and steps were taken ensure the removal of personal property. Additional time was spent on water patrol, with three individuals found with 21 walleyes over their limit. Citations were issued and the fish were seized.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked boating and angling activity during the week. Most anglers reported more bugs than fish biting this past week. Enforcement action was taken for licensing violations. Murray also handled nuisance-bear reports and investigated a wetland violation.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) responded to numerous wildlife-related calls involving bear complaints and injured/orphaned animals. Time was spent checking anglers, focusing on invasive species enforcement, and making boat safety checks. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without fishing licenses and fishing in closed areas.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV riders 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, monitored off-highway vehicle activity, and handled nuisance/injured-animal calls. Area lakes have been very good for anglers, with many different species of fish in the bag. Fairbanks also attended training in preparation for upcoming U.S. Police Canine Association K9 trials. Enforcement action was taken for possession of illegal-length fish, license issues and illegal operation of an ATV by a minor.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked anglers over the week. Many tourists are beginning to show up to enjoy the great fishing in the area. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, operating an unregistered watercraft and for a jet ski operating over a slow/no-wake speed within 150 feet from shore. Sutherland also took many complaints of bears doing damage in the area. It seems the bruins aren't finding enough natural foods and are getting into bird feeders and garbage.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked anglers and recreational vehicle activity during the previous week. Time was also spent investigating a Turn In Poachers complaint and checking minnow trapping. Holt worked a detail in the BWCA. Enforcement activity involved angling violations.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) reports working angling, boating, ATV, and aquatic invasive species activities throughout the surrounding areas. Several nuisance-animal complaints were fielded and addressed. Enforcement action was taken for various boating violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) spent time monitoring a variety of outdoor recreation, including fishing, boating and ATV activities. Various calls were followed up on and enforcement action was taken for angling in a closed area on several different occasions.

CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) patrolled area lakes and trails for recreational activity. The bite is still slow for some anglers on area lakes and water sports are picking up with the warmer weather. Various complaints regarding wildlife and recreational vehicles were fielded. Enforcement action for the week included failure to display registration, careless/reckless operation, taking fish without a license and illegally operating a personal watercraft.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent time this week on ATV and off-highway motorcycle patrol in the St. Croix and Chengwatana state forests. Time was also spent on boat patrol checking anglers and safety equipment. Traveling boats were also observed to ensure they were not transporting aquatic invasive species.

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) took numerous complaints of animal carcasses being dumped on public lands. He fielded calls regarding nuisance animals. Juveniles operating ATVs unlawfully was the most common type of violation observed this past week. He urges parents and guardians to make sure they are following the regulations regarding where juveniles are allowed to operate ATVs, as well as making sure they have the appropriate safety equipment, properly fit the ATV, and the ATV is in safe operational condition.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) monitored angling and boating activity this week. Nuisance-animal-related calls were handled. Fishing success has slowed a bit on most station lakes with the mayfly hatch, but leeches seem to be getting the most action. Enforcement action for the week revolved mostly around watercraft-registration violations.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) attended multiple outreach events throughout the week, including a firearms safety class law and ethics talk, a first responder event for youth in Moose Lake, and presenting an ATV instructor award. Time was also spent following up on a complaint of a structure erected on public land and contacting people making use of area waterways and trails.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) continued working a couple wetland and public water concerns. This included doing some site visits and working with some local government units. He followed up on Turn In Poachers complaints on local waterways involving extra lines and possible overlimits. Duncan also worked on a wolf depredation.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit — Duluth) answered questions related to commercial charter activity and the licensing and operation of charter boats for guiding anglers. A guide license for such is required on all Minnesota waters of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Estuary. Anglers are still finding good success with walleyes in the St. Louis Harbor, and lake trout are spreading north along the shore. Preparations were made for upcoming instruction at the Conservation Officer Academy. Enforcement action taken for watercraft violations.