Conservation Officer Weekly Report District-5

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports with the water on Rainy Lake receding approximately 40 inches since the crest and warmer weather, people were out in full swing enjoying lake life. The fishing has slowed a bit on both Rainy Lake and the Rainy River, possibly because of a mayfly hatch. A youth ATV safety class was held in Littlefork\Big Falls. Several animal-related complaints were also handled. Enforcement action was taken for license violations and boat safety equipment issues.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working Rainy Lake and the Rainy River this past week. Fishing reports remain slow on Rainy Lake. Nuisance-beaver complaints were received and addressed throughout the week as well.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) spent time monitoring inbound and outbound traffic for AIS compliance, boating and safety enforcement, and angling activity. Investigations into wetland and shoreline violations were conducted and wildlife-related complaints were heard and investigated. One complaint involved a wolf spending time in a residential area at one point on the deck of a house. Contact with the Voyageurs Wolf Project team provided insight. Wolves in the area are visiting areas where people are dumping fish offal, garbage locations, as well as more traditional wolf food sources. This reaffirms that many ?conflicts? with wild animals are a result of human behaviors.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring angling and boating activities. Beaver problems continue. Fishing remains poor, with high heat and a mayfly hatch contributing to poor success. Area forest roads were checked and bears continue the cause problems. He also spent time working on computer data entry and returning phone calls.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling enforcement. Larson sent time on many of his station lakes including Lost Lake, the Eagles Nest lakes, and Lake Vermilion. Anglers seemed to be having a tough time finding numbers of walleyes, but the size being caught remained good.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked angling and ATV activity. Time was spent assisting with and speaking at the Hibbing Police Department Youth Police Academy. Calls were fielded and investigated, including a complaint of a wetlands violation and numerous nuisance-animal-related questions/complaints.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time working OHV enforcement over the week. Multiple ATV and ORV violations were encountered during the busy weekend. Zavodnik also assisted local law enforcement in attempting to locate an individual wanted for a DOC warrant related to homicide charges.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating and ATV activity. Anglers reported limited success this week. Boating activity still appears lower than past years. Broughten also fielded calls regarding bear regulations and recreational vehicle registration.

Cook vacant.