DNR Report: April 13

Lake County

Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) continued to monitor fish run activities along North Shore rivers as well as inland creeks and rivers. Attended a high school health fair which is held annually and alternates between Two Harbors and Silver Bay high schools. Students were able to ask questions about DNR safety training programs and had access to their choice of training DVDs and literature. Spent a day assisting St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department in searching for a child who had been abducted by his father. The pair was found several days later by deputies.

Brad Johnson (Silver Bay) reports that he attended the student health fair at William Kelley High School in Silver Bay. He checked anglers on the North Shore rivers. Took calls regarding the new laws on transportation of bait. Patrolled at Split Rock and Tettegouche state parks.

North Shore

Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked anglers, trappers, and installed radios in boats. Took enforcement action for no fishing license.

Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) patrolled Lake Superior streams checking anglers trying their luck for steelhead and loopers. The bite is picking up and some nice loopers were seen in the bag. Spent time at Camp Ripley preparing for the upcoming in-service training. Spring beaver trappers are out in full force, with a few accidental otter takes reported. Enforcement action was taken for angle with illegal equipment and license violations.

North

Marty Stage (Ely) spent time working ATVs and checking early fishermen. Many complaints have come in about early illegal fishing activity that people have observed. Other than the border water for walleyes, there are no places where walleyes can be fished for right now and that is closed in another week. The mosquitos and wood ticks seem to have disappeared again after the little cold snap. Remember that last year’s fishing licenses are expired after April 30.

South

Kipp Duncan (Duluth) continued to work the spring fish run in Lake Superior area tributaries. Clear and low water have been making fishing for steelhead difficult. Some invasive species education and burning violations were also worked during the week. One day was spent assisting the Sheriff’s Department with several local conservation officers. A TIP call reference steelhead fishing was worked each day during the week. Went to Camp Ripley to assist with academy training

Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reported early season anglers were checked throughout the station. A day was spent assisting DNR Fisheries personnel who were conducting fish sampling on the St. Louis River. ATV patrols were made. Several trash dumping incidents were reported and investigated. Participated in a search for a missing boy in the Brookston area.

Water Resource Enforcement Officer Mike Scott (Northeast Region) attended lake service provider training in Grand Marias last Tuesday. Information was presented to those in attendance on the AIS issues with the service that they offer. Many questions were answered and those in attendance were receptive to the information. Attended training at Camp Ripley for the new officers in training. A Restoration Order was issued to a party in the Ely area reference some Wetland Conservation Act violations that are in conjunction with a public waters violation as well. Information about a Public Waters violation and Aquatic Plant Management restoration order were requested by an attorney for the responsible party. The request was forwarded to the St. Paul office for action.

Lake Superior

Marine Unit

Keith Olson (Unit Leader-Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers along the North Shore. More rain is needed for the rivers. Time spent checking boats coming off Lake Superior and reminding boaters of the AIS laws in effect for another boating season. Equipment items were tended to on the marine unit.

Tags: two harbors,  mn, outdoors