District 10 - Mille Lacs area

Last updated: 2013-06-04

CO Greg Verkuilen (Garrison) worked local angling pressure which saw a lot of bass getting caught, even by shore anglers. Many boats are still getting on the water for the first time this year. That equates to a lot of missing life jackets, fire extinguishers gone bad, and non-functional boat lights. Verkuilen also monitored ATV traffic, completed reports from the holiday weekend, and assisted with the local ?Hooked on Fishing? event.

CO Chris Tetrault (Isle) monitored fishing activity on Mille Lacs Lake. The Officer observed a boat catching nice walleyes. As the Officer approached the boat, one of the passengers was holding an over-length walleye in hand. As the passenger placed it in the water, the officer inquired if there was other fish on boat; both passengers replied ?no?. Shortly after, the cooler on board began to move with sound of a flopping fish. The officer then seized two illegal length walleyes, measuring 22 and 24 inches. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports working fishermen on Mille Lacs Lake. A few slot fish were observed, but most anglers were reported catching walleyes outside of the slot. AIS enforcement was also worked around the Mille Lacs Lake area. Please remember to remove all drain plugs, drain all live wells, and remove any aquatic vegetation. ATV traffic was monitored throughout the week and weekend. Follow up was done on a TIP complaint from the previous weekend and assistance was given to the Isle Officer at an ATV Safety Training Class in McGrath. Fishing, ATV, and boating law related questions were fielded throughout the week.

CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) checked anglers and boaters over the weekend. Violations detected included a throwable life saving device so old it wouldn?t float, an inoperable fire extinguisher , no angling license in possession and an over limit of crappie. The angler with the over limit had approximately 30 crappie over the possession limit for his household. Heaton responded to a call of a loon with fishing line wrapped in a manner so that it couldn?t fly. The loon was still able to swim and dive well enough and it couldn?t be caught. Heaton answered nuisance bear calls where bears were damaging bird feeders. Bears are hungry this time of year. If you have food out for them they will continue to come back. Be proactive in solving nuisance bear problems yourself by putting all food sources away for two weeks. Heaton followed up on an investigation from turkey season and wetland issues. Officer Heaton also spent time checking vehicles traffic pulling water related equipment for compliance with AIS laws.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) spent some time at public accesses checking boats and trailers for invasive species violations. Overall, compliance with transporting aquatic invasive species laws was very good. There are still a few boaters that forget they need to pull the plug and drain all livewells on their boat before they trailer it down the road. Wolf complaints were also taken and one farmer did have a healthy, month old calf killed by gray wolves.

CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) spent the answering questions about nuisance animals, and spent time working ATV complaint areas. He also checked anglers and boaters on local lakes. Questions were also taken regarding burning restrictions, campfires, and how to keep bees from building nests on your house. CO Wynn received several bear complaints, with bears coming in and destroying bird feeders. This common occurrence can be avoided by putting away any bird feeders, garbage, barbeque grills, and by keeping pet food inside. Bears are coming to get an easy meal, if they have nothing to eat, they will move on.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) assisted with ?Hooked on Fishing and Not Drugs? program. Officers and volunteers took kids from Isle and Onamia schools fishing on an area lake. Even though the weather was not the best the kids still enjoyed the day out. Time was spent patrolling Mille Lacs Lake where the bite remains steady. Lots of larger walleye have been caught and released. Some very nice Small Mouth bass were also seen. Enforcement actions were taken for fishing, boating and wetland issues during the week.

WREO Rob Haberman checked watercraft and water-related equipment at area accesses conducting AIS enforcement. WREO Haberman spoke to adults and youth about AIS rules at the Brainerd Kids Fishing Expo at Lum Park in Brainerd. WREO Haberman also conducted a dam site inspection with area DNR staff at Net Lake in Pine County. WREO Haberman also worked high use ATV areas for ATV activity around the Savanna State Forrest area and checked shore fishermen on local lakes and rivers.

Onamia - vacant.