District 7 - Grand Rapids area

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked anglers and patrolled area lakes. Wildlife-related calls and complaints were answered, and shoreline-related complaints were investigated. Enforcement action was taken for no watercraft navigation lights after sunset, no fishing license in possession, fishing in a closed area, and possession walleyes within the protected slot.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV riders and anglers. He patrolled campgrounds and trails. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored OHV activity, and handled nuisance-animal complaints. Panfish anglers did very well, while the walleye bite was a little slower this week on area lakes. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec also assisted in locating a suspect who fled into the woods and out into the lake. Fairbanks and CO Brown waded into the water and followed the suspect down the shoreline, where he eventually surrendered. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license in possession, angling without a license, possessing illegal-length walleye, no navigational lights after sunset and arrest for outstanding warrants.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked a busy Memorial Day weekend with many anglers and recreational boaters on area lakes. Sutherland worked with Marine Unit CO Matt Miller over the long weekend on Pokegama Lake. The newly established statewide Marine Unit is traveling to areas with high recreational activity and will be very visible to Minnesota water users. Enforcement action was taken for not having an angling license, expired watercraft registration, having plugs in boats on public roadways and for a motor vehicle on a state trail.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) worked a busy holiday weekend focusing on angling, boating, ATV, and AIS activities. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, angling with extra lines, and several boating violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) monitored ATV, boating, and fishing activity. The walleye bite in the area is good but the panfish bite seems to be outstanding on most lakes. Several violations were addressed over the busy Memorial Day weekend, including juveniles not wearing approved helmets on ATVs, angling without licenses, and illegal-length fish.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) worked boating safety and monitored AIS compliance during the previous week. Time was also spent following up on shoreline and public waters complaints. Holt worked a busy Memorial Day weekend in the Grand Rapids area and on Lake Winnibigoshish. Enforcement activity involved boating and angling violations.

NE ATV officer vacant.

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