Conservation Officer Report District-5

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports time was spent at Camp Ripley for the Enforcement Division?s annual awards and training program. The weekend was spent monitoring a variety of outdoor activities, including snowmobiling, ice fishing, skiing, shed hunting, and walking as the warm weather brought out lots of people. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and ATV registration issues, but overall compliance was good.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports spending time this week attending training, working area snowmobile trails and checking anglers on area lakes and rivers. Anglers reported some success. The warm weather had many people out enjoying the trails and ice fishing. Enforcement action taken was for ATV- and snowmobile-registration issues.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) attended an annual training event at Camp Ripley. Slatinski checked anglers who were enjoying the unseasonably warm weather, but were not providing stellar success reports. Snowmobile activity continues to improve with an influx of participants to the area. Follow appropriate trail etiquette and regulations to keep all trail users safe.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) monitored snowmobile and angling activities. Weekend temps in the 40s have caused trails to deteriorate, and dirt and rocks have appeared in corners and high-traffic areas. Angling success remains poor with very little observed caught. Timber sales continue to be checked.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily snowmobile enforcement. Larson also spent time in yearly training at Camp Ripley. Violations encountered were related to speed on snowmobile trails, modified snowmobile exhaust, and snowmobile registration. Larson also took complaints from the state parks in his station.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked angling activity and snowmobile enforcement. In addition, time was spent training at Camp Ripley and attending the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour lunch hosted by the Pathblazers Snowmobile Club. Violations encountered included snowmobile speed, expired registration, allowing illegal operation, and taking fish without an angling license.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time attending annual training at Camp Ripley over the week. He also worked a detail in Lake County and around the Lake Vermilion area over the weekend. Multiple violations were encountered over the weekend such as angling without a license, unattended lines, excessive speed on the snowmobile trails, and several snowmobile-registration issues. Snowmobile trail conditions deteriorated greatly over the weekend due to unusually warm weather.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring ice fishing and snowmobile activity. Anglers reported limited success. Recent warm weather brought high snowmobile activity. The warm weather and high traffic left snowmobile trails in need of new snow.

Cook vacant.