Conservation Officers Weekly Report 4-26-22

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports the Rainy River has been fairly busy with catch-and-release sturgeon fishing, even with the wet, cold and windy conditions. The sturgeon keep season started on Sunday and will end May 7. Sturgeon anglers are reminded that if they are planning on keeping a sturgeon it must be between 45 and 50 inches. They also must validate their sturgeon tag and immediately place the tag on the sturgeon in front of the tail fin. Enforcement action for the week centered on boat registration and safety equipment.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working the Rainy River this past week checking sturgeon anglers. The sturgeon keep season opened this past Sunday and anglers had to battle high waters with a lot of debris floating down the river. Anglers who attempted to fish reported the bite was slow. Simonson would like to encourage people to take the time to secure docks, boats, or anything else along your shorelines on the Rainy River. The water will continue to rise. Lastly, take extra safety precautions if you decide to go out on the river.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports sturgeon anglers proved to be a tenacious bunch this past weekend. Campers from various sites along the Rainy River reported waking up to inches of water in tents and water surrounding campers and wheelhouses. With recent rain and tributary rivers releasing ice, the amount of water rise overnight was measured in feet. Success was not as good as hoped but most people were in good spirits and several anglers contacted had caught their first sturgeon ever. With cold water and fast currents, extra caution should be taken and safety equipment inventoried prior to embarking on the water. Several calls were fielded about people concerned about the condition of wild animals. Seasonal road and forest closures were monitored. Ice conditions on area lakes are rapidly deteriorating.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) continued monitoring closed roads and ATV trails in the area. Heavy rain has washed out a couple roads locally. Rivers and streams are outside their banks and ditches are full of water. Fishing activity remains nonexistent. Lakes remain ice-covered. Equipment work is ongoing.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and snowmobile activity. Larson also responded to violations in the state parks. Activity was slow on the lakes over the past weekend due to poor weather conditions. Ice is deteriorating quickly with the rain.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) attended annual in-service training at Camp Ripley. In addition, time was spent presenting at a firearms safety class in Hibbing and assisting local law enforcement agencies. Persistent rain and cold weather continued to significantly impact outdoor recreational activity.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) reports outdoor activity remained low due to lingering winter weather and ice-covered lakes. Several contacts were made involving ATV violations and burning prohibited materials throughout the week. Zavodnik continues to work on investigations involving big-game violations from throughout the previous deer hunting season.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing and ATV activity. Lake ice continues to slowly deteriorate. Broughten worked closed trails for illegal ATV activity. ATV operators who continue to use these trails and cause damage will be responsible if the trails become closed permanently. It?s unfortunate, but ATV operators are reminded barricades and gates aren?t placed to go around.

Cook vacant.