District 2 - Bemidji area

Last updated: 2013-06-04

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports speaking at a firearms safety and an ATV safety classes. Time was also spent checking anglers, watercraft operators, and working on AIS enforcement. Public water access sites were also checked. Violations included no angling license and fail to remove drain plug.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) worked angling activity, ATVs, AIS, boating, and a waterfowl case. He also assisted other agencies, recovered stolen public access signs and responded to multiple wildlife complaints.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) monitored angling and boating activity in the Bemidji Area. Anglers are reporting a good evening bite for walleye on most area lakes in the evening. Anglers are also reporting an improved pan fish bite with the warming water temperatures. Forest roads and trails were monitored in the Buena Vista State Forest. CO Vollbrecht assisted the county sheriff?s department after a large snapping turtle was discovered in the bed of a truck during a traffic stop. The turtle was attempting to escape by crawling over the side of the truck bed. The driver was issued a citation for taking the snapping turtle during the closed season and the turtle was safely released at the local state park. Officer continued a summer internship with a local college student and made arrangements for a fur identification booth at the Kraus/Anderson fishing tournament.

CO Brian Holt (Bemidji) worked angling and ATV activity. Many anglers were checked with one found to be over the daily limit on perch. Time was spent in Itasca State Park, which remains busy. There were a good number of ATVs checked in the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest. CO Holt also spent time planning an upcoming Firearms Safety Class.

CO Chris Vinton (Detroit Lakes) reports several calls of people picking up fawns and other baby animals. These animals should be left in the wild and Mother Nature will take its course. A full-sized mobile home was found parked at a public access. Contact was made with the owner to have it removed. Anglers and boater were contacted. CO Vinton assisted the Forestry Division with a litter and ATV trespass issue.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports cool and windy conditions for a good part of the week. Anglers have found a decent evening walleye bite on several lakes. CO Seefeldt reports ATV activity picking up in lakes country. ATV owners are reminded to review juvenile operation laws on public lands including road rights of ways. CO Seefeldt received reports of floating bogs, nuisance bear, and ATV trespass. He also investigated the unpermitted removal of bulrush on an area lake.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) reports a good crappie bite in several areas. CO Peterson investigated a case of a fish overlimit. A nuisance bear was dispatched by a property owner and the animal was utilized. Boating activity was light but some safety and AIS checked were conducted. Follow-up was done on a public waters complaint and litter.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) spent the week checking fishermen. He also issued a resource protection notification for a Local Gov?t Unit (LGU) and followed up on turkey hunting violation.

Perham - vacant.