District 4 - Wadena area

Last updated: 2013-06-04

Water Resource Enforcement Officer Shane Siltala enforced AIS laws at public accesses over the weekend. Overall compliance was good. He met with area lake service providers to discuss AIS laws and permit conditions. Officer Siltala served on an interview panel for candidates for the Watercraft Inspector Supervisor position. He also checked area fishermen and met with SWCD personnel to discuss WCA issues.

CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) checked remote campsites and trout lakes, handled some nuisance bear complaints, and worked on ATV issues with a local sheriff?s department. He also monitored anglers for compliance with AIS regulations. Enforcement action was taken for failing to remove the drain plug when transporting a boat and numerous boating equipment violations.

CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) checked fishermen and ATV operators during the week. Officer Hunter received complaints of suspicious gun shots at night. She also received complaints of animal carcasses being dumped illegally.

CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) worked at an OHM Enduro event in a state forest, where compliance was good among the many riders. Boat and water safety and fishing enforcement were prevalent as well. He assisted with a countywide ATV safety class and driving test taught to a large number of youth. At the class, an award was presented to a Volunteer Safety Instructor for 50 years of service. The instructor stated that it was all about keeping the kids safe. Thank you for a job well done.

CO Gary Sommers (Walker) primary enforcement efforts this past week focused on sport fishing, OHV, and AIS activity. He assisted Cass County with locating a partially submerged boat on Leech Lake and handled a TIP call in the Cass Lake/Deer River station. Officer Sommers also worked on a complaint of people using lights to take fish and assisted the Longville CO with a call of a boat trapped behind a bog on Big Rice Lake in the Remer station.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) checked anglers, OHVs, and invasive species compliance. CO Mathy also received nuisance beaver complaints and took calls of anglers taking over limits of walleye. Walleye fishing on area lakes was pretty good the past week. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.

CO Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the week focusing on angling, boating, and ATV activity. Fishing success remained good but cool temperatures have restricted recreational boating activity. CO Broughten received a TIP call that resulted in an angler having his fish seized and the angler charged with an over limit of walleye. CO Broughten also responded to a call of stranded fishermen and received calls concerning nuisance bear and beaver. Enforcement action included: no angling license in possession, over limit of walleye, and no type IV PFD.

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) worked fishermen in the area during the week. He also handled bear calls and other wildlife nuisance complaints.

CO Colleen Adam (OHV Recreation Officer Park Rapids) checked fishing activity on area rivers and lakes. She responded to two nuisance bear complaints, road kill deer issues, and checked trail damage and illegal OHV use in the state forests. The rain and wet trails didn?t deter ATV enthusiasts. Maps and information were provided to those encountered on the trails.