DNR report: April 9

Talk about it

Reports filed Sunday from area Minnesota DNR conservation officers:

Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) worked North Shore rivers for steelhead and kamloops anglers. Many fish and anglers are in the rivers, with one of the strongest runs in years. There have been several reports of river anglers attempting to snag fish. Most inland lakes have shed their ice with the early spring weather.

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Andy Schmidt (Brookston) spent much of the week working Lake Superior rivers for fish run. Shore and river anglers are reporting a good bite. Assisted with a moose in Duluth that was eventually tranquilized and relocated. A report of an aggressive bear in Duluth was investigat-ed. Schmidt followed up on reports of illegal fires and assisted DNR Forestry with investigations of illegal burning, negligent fires, and unpermitted fires. Equipment maintenance was also performed.

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Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled North Shore trout streams, which saw an increase in angler activity and some success. Checked inland lakes and rivers, including closed fish spawning areas. Seized a very mange infested, road-kill wolf, patrolled forest roads for ATV activity and checked campsites. Some forest roads are worse for wear following the snow melt, so folks are advised to contact area foresters before venturing too far off the county roads. Another reminder: a seasonal burning ban is also now in effect for Cook County and no permits will be issued.

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John Velsvaag (Ely) attended training this past week. Also checked for illegal burning activity along with fishing complaints. Also took several nuisance animal calls.

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Marty Stage (Ely) reports the ice is nearly all gone and one evening (March 31) the officer reports that there were more than 20 mosquitoes circling him at one time. This was all happening during a time that in the past, people would be fishing trout out on the ice.

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Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked anglers along the North Shore streams. As the waters warm, the fisherman are having greater success. Assisted with a wetland case that is under investigation. Ice is melting off the lakes quickly and water levels along the rivers remain low.

Tags: two harbors, outdoors, dnr report