DNR Report: Feb. 10

Talk about it

Reports filed Sundays by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers.

Lake County

Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) reports that anglers are taking to Lake Superior, both from shore and by boat. Catches of salmon and herring have been common and the large numbers of anglers have caused crowding and some flared tempers along the Two Harbors break water. Inland angling remains slow, but warm weather has kept people out enjoying themselves. Responded to a call in which a wolf was accidentally caught in a snare set for fox and coyote.

Brad Johnson (Silver Bay) checked anglers and a few snowmobilers. Responded to a report of a car kill wolf that turned out to be a coyote. Observed a doe that did not have a tail. She was with her two year old fawns that had normal tails.

North Shore

Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) and other officers checked snowmobilers during the Cook County Ridge Rider’s Snowmobile Club Fun Run. The violation rate for trail stickers and registration was very low and only two people were stopped for speeding. The riders and club are to be commended for putting on a very good event and stressing safety. Came across another group of snowmobilers with no snowmobile safety certificates. They were made to return to the motel and take the online course. The proud graduates were encountered later that day with their new certificates in hand.

Mary Manning (Hovland) checked anglers on area lakes. Slush has been problematic with the temperature warm up. Checked cross country ski passes and patrolled state parks. Patrolled sled trails and found good compliance for both registrations and trail stickers.

Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent the week checking anglers on area lakes and working snowmobile trails. Trout fishing has slowed but the crappie bite has picked up on a few remote lakes. While watching trout anglers from shore, the officer observed one fisherman walking to three different areas on the ice. As the officer approached the angler, the fisherman quickly threw his jacket and Carhartts over the extra lines he had down. Appropriate paperwork was issued. Questions about the potential wolf season have increased. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile, motor vehicle, and angling violations.

Lake Superior

Marine Unit

Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers along the North Shore and in the Duluth Harbor. Handled the disposition of a timber wolf to DNR Wildlife staff. Attended a Cub Scout convention in Duluth dealing with boating and water safety. North Shore anglers were catching kamloops and some coho salmon. Anglers are taking advantage of the mild winter temps and getting out on Lake Superior in boats.

Troy Ter Meer (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers fishing the shore of Lake Superior, on the ice at McQuad Harbor, and boats coming off the lake. Some AIS work on boaters was also done. Ice anglers were also checked on Superior Bay and the St. Louis River. Seeing more undersize fish kept on the St. Louis River than he has in the past. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile, ATV, AIS, boating, and angling violations.

Aviation

John Heineman (Bemidji) continued the annual moose census between periods of fog and low ceilings. This warm weather is welcomed by most but often contributes to poor flying conditions.

Brad Maas continued working on the northeast moose survey. Unusually warm winter weather has made for poor flying conditions. Nearly half the plots are completed, and snow cover has been good enough to meet sighting model thresholds. Cow/calf numbers are good thus far, with higher density plots to come.

Tags: two harbors, outdoors, news