District 9 - Brainerd area

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) worked on a wetlands case as well as monitoring trapping activity throughout the station. Enforcement action was taken for various violations related to fish snagging activities.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) worked sport fishing and in-service training at Camp Ripley this week. Anglers are starting to get out and boat. Verbal reminders about registrations, angling licenses, AIS laws, and boat and water safety equipment were given. Compliance was good. One ATV operator was contacted while operating an ATV that was last registered in 2010. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Matthew Brodin (Brainerd) spent time working the Gull Lake chain for a hot crappie bite. Brodin talked to a group of anglers that even before introducing himself recognized his name from the CO reports. Enforcement action was taken for failure to have an angling license, failure to have a license in possession, no fire extinguisher in boat and bowfishing from shore before season.

CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) spent time working trapping enforcement and attending annual training at Camp Ripely. Cook also assisted in teaching a firearms safety field day class.

CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time checking spring panfish anglers and monitoring activity throughout the recreation area for the opening of the trails. Enforcement action included taking bass during the closed season.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Pine River) spent time patrolling for angling and ATV activity. Anglers and boaters were checked on Gull Lake, with a few minor safety violations present. He followed up on a report of a sick/injured racoon at a residence. The panfish bite is picking up right now, with many livewells having decent amounts of crappies in them. Public water accesses are hit or miss currently if they have their docks into the water yet.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) took calls regarding an injured eagle, stolen traps, littering, and targeting bass and pike out of season. He attended training at Camp Ripley. He started seeing many boats and docks being put in for the year.

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