District 10 - Mille Lacs area

Last updated: 2013-05-07

CO Greg Verkuilen (Garrison) monitored the fish run including the opening of rough fish season. Lots of suckers were taken despite the cold water in the creeks. An ongoing trespassing issue was addressed. Verkuilen also followed up on public waters filling complaints, checked turkey hunters, and observed more ATVs out along roadways.

CO Chris Tetrault (Isle) found the station busy with the nice weather. ATV and OHM activity has increased; law enforcement action was taken for OHM violations. Local turkey hunters were checked and it was found that the turkey season is a bit off this year with the delayed spring. The officer also attended in-service training at Camp Riley.

CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports investigating a call of a motor vehicle operating on closed roads in the Solana State Forest. Some ice fishing activity was monitored on Mille Lacs Lake. Lots of phone calls regarding how much ice is left on Mille Lacs Lake were fielded throughout the week. A call of a silt fence blocking a stream and a call of an injured raccoon were addressed. A call of a deer killed in an area resident?s yard was also investigated. The officer also assisted area DNR firefighters with a fire. The homeowner thought they had put out the fire two days prior but with heavy winds and dry conditions the fire re-ignited. The fire burned some of the property owners land and also some of the neighboring property owners land; charges are pending. The officer, the local zoning officer and the local LGU made several site visits in regards to possible Wetland Conservation Act violations. Lots of questions regarding band netting and also fishing law regulations were fielded throughout the week.

CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) investigated a call of trapping out of season. She was interviewed by a local newspaper about tick protection and prevention. Heaton attended in-service training at Camp Ripley and assisted a neighboring officer with a youth ATV safety class. She also issued nuisance beaver permits, responded to a call of an injured deer and checked turkey hunters.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) worked on the St. Croix River during the Wisconsin fishing opener. Cold, windy, rainy weather kept it pretty quiet but several groups of anglers were checked and a few had some luck catching walleye. River anglers and boaters need to be careful due to high, spring water levels and fast moving currents. Ice went out on a couple area lakes and those lakes that were still iced over should be clear by the Minnesota fishing opener. Fire danger in the area continued to be a concern and time was spent investigating a wildfire caused by arson.

CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) spent the week answering questions about lake/ice conditions, turkey season, and nuisance animals. He followed up on ATV complaints, monitored state forests for closures, and spent time with forestry personnel on several fires in the area. CO Wynn spent time on the St. Croix River over the weekend. Windy and cold conditions kept many off the water for the river opener. The officer did see a few nice walleyes in the bags of those that braved the tough conditions.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) attended training at Camp Ripley during the week. Time was spent patrolling closed forest roads in the Solana State Forest and keeping an eye on spawning fish in area creeks. Ice still remains on most area lakes but warm temps should open most.

WREO Rob Haberman checked rivers and streams for rough fish spearing on the opening day of the spear season. WREO Haberman also conducted wetland site visits with fellow officers and county personnel in the Aitkin area. WREO Haberman also investigated a wetland complaint south of the Onamia area. WREO Haberman also spoke to the Minnesota Seaplane Association?s annual safety seminar on AIS rules and their regards to seaplanes.

Onamia - vacant.