Minnesota DNR conservation officer reports

Reports filed this week from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers.

Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) continued to work on background investigations for upcoming hiring. Angling and boat and water enforcement was worked over the long holiday weekend. Special attention was given again this weekend to aquatic invasive species issues. Nuisance animal complaints ranging from skunks and raccoons to bears and wolves continue to come in on a regular basis.

North

Mark Fredin (Aurora) reports weather went from warm and dry to cool and very wet; rivers and streams are flowing fast. Predictions are for a bumper crop of mosquitos this year. Fishing was slow for a Memorial weekend due to the poor weather. AIS was worked and compliance appeared to be up from opener.

South

Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent the week working on a background investigation for a possible new hire.

Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports several area residents coming across what they believe are abandoned fawns. It’s very normal and a means of protection for the mother doe to leave the well-fed fawn for sometimes up to a day before returning and tending to her young again. Please leave the fawns alone. Mother is usually nearby even though you may not see her. Another invasive species detail was worked in the area. ATV and boating enforcement was also carried out.

Lake Superior

Sgt. Keith Olson (Marine Unit) worked invasives details over the holiday weekend. Good compliance was the overall theme. Checked anglers on inland lakes. The weather was wet, windy and cool for the entire weekend. Patrolled Jay Cooke State Park. The area rivers along the North Shore are running fast and furious. Lots of debris showing up in Lake Superior from all the rainfall as of late.

Matt Miller (Marine Unit) checked boaters and anglers, and worked extra invasives patrols over the holiday weekend. Blustery cool weather had only the diehards out fishing, but those that put in the effort found a few fish. Invasives compliance was very good. Enforcement action taken for angling, boating, and invasives violations.

Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) worked on a background investigation for a potential officer hire. He also worked invasives compliance, fishing, and boating enforcement. Compliance was good overall, and the violations he encountered were out-of-state boaters trailering their boats into the state. One person stated that makes sense, since he lives in an area of zebra mussel-invested waters. Enforcement action taken for evasives violations.

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