Weekly CO report

District 11 - St. Cloud area

CO Stephen Westby (Little Falls) patrolled area lakes and rivers for boating and angling activity. Several shore anglers were checked with limited success in areas. Investigations with Morrison County Sherriff?s Office continued on a complaint from last fall. Several turkey hunters were checked with many hunters that were able to bag a tom.

CO Andrew Struffert (Pierz) continued to work angling and recreational vehicle enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for numerous ATV violations, no angling license in possession, burning prohibited materials during a burning ban, and a throwable personal flotation device (PFD) not immediately available on a watercraft. Officer Struffert would like to remind ATV riders that many ATV trails are still closed until May 1st. A comprehensive list of ATV trails, conditions, and closures can be found on the DNR website. Officer Struffert also attended and presented a law and ethics presentation at an area ATV safety class.

CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) spent time during the week assisting with Park Ranger training at Itasca State Park. Testimony was also provided for an ongoing criminal case Silgjord assisted Todd County Sheriff?s Office with. A law and safety presentation was also given at a youth ATV safety training event.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) worked area shore anglers. Fishing is picking up with more activity being seen daily. The officer worked and took calls on the Mississippi River for boating and fishing activities. Vehicle maintenance was also lined up for future repairs.

CO Chad Ziegler (Albany) spent the week checking anglers, turkey hunters and ATV enforcement. Ziegler fielded a complaint for a potential illegal taxidermy. Enforcement action was taken for failing to display registration on ATVs. Ziegler assisted in searching for a vehicle involved in a theft at a monument at a boat launch.

CO Adam Stennett (Annandale) reports the crappie bite has turned on so be sure to check your area lakes for special regulations. Two separate fishing parties were contacted on Clearwater Lake which has a special regulation for sunfish and crappies. One boat had an over-limit of crappies and another an overlimit of sunfish. Enforcement action was taken. CO Stennett responded to a TIP call of two fishermen using multiple lines each on the Mississippi River in St. Cloud. After contacting the group, citations were issued for using extra lines and being over-limit on channel catfish. The caller was advised of the outcome and thanked for his observations and the call to the TIP line. Multiple ATV?s were contacted and the laws regarding roadway operation were discussed.

CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) spent the week checking fishermen, boaters, ATVs, and a beaver trapper. Enforcement action was taken for license violations and snagging fish. A potential wetland violation was also investigated.

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