District 3 - Fergus Falls area

Last updated: 2013-06-04

CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) answered questions about and responded to complaints of wanton waste, checked anglers and boaters. Angling pressure has increased with violations found for illegal length fish and over limits. Bowfishing has become very popular along with complaints of rough fish being dumped in road ditches!

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) assisted with an ATV safety class in Battle Lake. Plautz issued a permit for two fawns that were extracted from a car killed doe.

CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) checked fishermen and boaters. Nelson also worked with the local hydrologist and LGU regarding wetland issues. Beaver damage complaints were checked as well as minnow dealers, ATV operators and people shooting geese during closed season were handled. A call regarding someone blocking public water was also checked.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked fishermen, boaters, ATVs and worked AIS enforcement. Nuisance animal calls were answered and ATV operation questions were covered. Fishing complaints were received and investigated.

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) spent time this past week patrolling station lakes for fishing and boating activity. Walleyes are starting to pick up as the panfish bite slows down a little. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license, expired watercraft registration and no navigation lights on after sunset. Questions regarding nuisance raccoons and an injured fawn were answered.

CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) continued to work primarily fishing, boating, and AIS activity on and around area waterways. Numerous dead rough fish continue to be found along the banks of popular bowfishing spots, generating complaints from legal bowfishermen and other members of the public. Follow up work was completed on open investigations and ATV and fire activity was monitored. Additional time was spent dealing with floating bog and nuisance beaver issues.

CO Tony Anderson (Morris) focused enforcement efforts on anglers and boating safety enforcement. CO Anderson and CO Miska (Ortonville) teamed up and worked boating and fishing enforcement in the vacant Traverse County station. CO?s Anderson and Baumbarger found good compliance with boating safety equipment requirements and laws on Lake Emily. Time was spent investigating possible WCA violations with the assistance of the Stevens County SWCD. Time was also spent issuing intrastate minnow transportation permits. Calls were fielded regarding boating safety laws, fishing questions, ATV safety classes and a nuisance beaver complaint.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) checked fishermen, ATV operators, and boaters. Time was also spent on injured animal calls, equipment maintenance, and investigating a complaint of individuals shooting Canada Geese out of season. CO Baumbarger spoke to a group of elementary age students about boat and water safety at ?Kid?s Day? in Glenwood. Enforcement action was taken for over-limit of walleye, shooting geese out of season, fishing without a license in possession, and various boating equipment violations.

Wheaton - vacant.