DNR report: June 11

Talk about it

Reports filed Sunday from conservation officers for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Water Resource Enforcement Officer Mike Scott worked with local government offices on several wetland violations in Carlton and Cook counties. Several restoration orders were issued to correct the infractions. Enforcement action was taken for failing to comply with a restoration order from a wetland conservation act violation. Spent time on the St. Louis River and Lake Superior checking boaters and anglers and educating them on VHS and invasive issues. Attended the ALS Walleye fishing contest on Island Lake north of Duluth assisting permit holders with inspecting boats for invasive issues before contestants were allowed to launch their boats.

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Randy Hanzal (Duluth) patrolled area lakes checking anglers and recreational boaters. Numerous boaters were contacted before launching inspecting watercrafts and equipment for invasive species. Most boaters contacted were found to be very conscience of the issues when leaving infested waters.

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Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) assisted with wilderness details. Checked anglers and boat and water equipment. Designated trout lakes were also checked.

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Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time in the BWCAW checking anglers. The lake trout bite was good. A fire was left unattended at a campsite. People are reminded that the fire danger is still high, make sure your fire is dead out. Angling activity and boat and water safety checks were performed on Lake Superior. Nuisance beaver complaints were handled. Enforcement action was taken for no PFDs, angling without a license and extra lines.

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Randy Hanzal (Duluth) Patrolled area lakes checking anglers and recreational boaters. Numerous boaters were contacted before launching inspecting watercrafts and equipment for invasive species. Most boaters contacted were found to be very conscience of the issues when leaving infested waters.

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Kipp Duncan (Duluth) worked some recreation vehicle enforcement north of Duluth. Fishing and boating enforcement continues to be looked into. Several calls of baby deer were received over the week. Some boat accesses were worked with focus on invasive species education and enforcement. Testified at court for a fishing violation that was contested.

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Keith Olson (Marine Unit) spent the week checking anglers and boaters on Lake Superior.

DNR officers promoted

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced the promotion of three conservation officers, including a new district supervisor in Lake, Cook and St. Louis counties to replace Lt. Elaine Loeffler. The station is based in Two Harbors.

Aaron Kahre will take over in District 6. He was a conservation officer in South Dakota for seven years before joining the Minnesota DNR four years ago. He was last stationed in Minnetonka and is the 2009 DNR Boat and Water Safety Officer of the Year.

Mike Shelden was named Fergus Falls area enforcement supervisor, which includes Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Todd and Traverse counties.

Julie Olson is the new St. Cloud area enforcement supervisor, covering Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Sherburne and Wright counties. She has been a northern Minnesota wetlands officer since 2004 and won the Willard Munger Wetlands Award that year.

Tags: two harbors, outdoors, dnr report