District 7 - Grand Rapids area

Last updated: 2013-06-04

CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) spent the week working fishing and ATV activity. Wichmann assisted the fishery staff with a muskie assessment on North Star Lake. Wichmann and CO Kahre worked Red Lake over the weekend. Enforcement action was taken for illegal length walleyes, PFDs, and inoperable fire extinguisher.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked ATV activity this past week in the Grand Rapids and Aitkin county area this past week. CO Velsvaag also met with organizers of the Quadna Mud Nationals and assisted the USFS on a complaint.

Water Resource Enforcement Officer Tony Arhart (Grand Rapids) worked aquatic invasive species, boating, angling, all -terrain vehicle and wetland activities. CO Arhart also helped at the annual Take- A- Kid Fishing event, sponsored by the Squaw Lake Fire Department at Round Lake.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling activity over the last week with great success had by fisherman in the area. CO Sutherland took enforcement action for angling without a license, possessing multiple illegal length walleyes, operating an unregistered watercraft and operating a motor vehicle in a wetland. CO Sutherland also attended a training session sponsored by the Itasca County Attorney?s Office.

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers and boaters, investigated an ATV damage complaint, answered calls on nuisance animals, and patrolled for ATV activity.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked boating, angling, and ATV enforcement. He handled several wildlife complaints and issued multiple nuisance beaver permits

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) took a call from a concerned citizen about a fawn that was possibly injured or orphaned. The caller did the right thing by calling and after inspection by CO Sindelir, the fawn was found to be healthy and alert and the doe came a few hours later to pick up her fawn. Spring is the time of year when wildlife has babies. Remembering a few things if you find or see baby critters in the wild can help insure your safety and theirs. Do not touch or pick up wildlife. Do not attempt to feed wildlife. If the animal appears injured or orphaned, call the local DNR Wildlife office or Conservation Officer. It is illegal to possess wildlife without the appropriate permit obtained first. Take a photo or two of the critter and then give it and its family the space it needs.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) checked anglers, boat safety equipment and ATVers. He handled several nuisance wildlife complaints including wolf depredation and orphaned fawn deer.