Conservation Officer Weekly Report District-5

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls#1) reports water levels on Rainy Lake continue to drop, but are still at flood level. The Voyageurs National Park Visitor Center boat ramp is back open, which will give people more access to the lake. People are still reminded that the no-wake zone ordinance is still in effect. Several animal-related complaints were also handled throughout the week.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports checking sturgeon anglers on the Rainy River this past week. Anglers reported the bite being good. ATV- and nuisance-bear-related calls were addressed as well.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports the Fourth of July holiday and associated weather brought out boaters, anglers, and sun worshipers in plentiful numbers. Campgrounds were busy, as were area resorts. Overall safety compliance was high and fishing reports were positive. As the week progressed anglers had to work harder to add fish to their creels. It appears the mayfly hatch had been delayed and has recently started to happen in numbers sufficient to notice. Turtles and waterfowl with their young have been very active. Be patient when encountering them on the roadways.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports continued work with bear, beaver, and wolf problems. Angling and boating activities were monitored. Fishing remains poor. Area forest roads were checked and equipment work completed.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) primarily worked ATV and angling activity. Larson also spent time patrolling Bear Head Lake State Park. He encountered violations including boating and registration violations, public water access violations, and ATV violations.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and boating/fishing enforcement. Time was also spent assisting local law enforcement agencies and fielding a variety of calls. Violations encountered included operating ATVs on a closed trail, driving after revocation, allowing juveniles on ATV with no helmets, and various boat/ATV registration issues.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time patrolling area lakes throughout the week. Multiple ATV and boating safety violations were encountered. Zavodnik and Lt. Matt Frericks encountered a party possessing a substantial overlimit of bass and panfish during the week. Ongoing work continues regarding the case.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating, and ATV activity. Recreational activity appeared to decline after the holiday weekend. Broughten fielded calls regarding nuisance animals, ATV operation, and watercraft registration. He also followed up on open cases.

Cook vacant.