DNR Conservation Officer Reports – District 10 (Mille Lacs area)

CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked ice angling activity, including a local fishing contest. Several fish houses were being removed from the lakes due to the snow forecast and the season winding down. A lot of snowmobile riders were out despite icy conditions.

CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) worked snowmobiling and angling activity. Mille Lacs Lake was busy, with angling success being low. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines, shelter license violations, expired snowmobile registration, and driving after suspension. Assistance was given on a warrant arrest. Griffith encountered an individual operating a Class II ATV in the ditch of a state highway on a designated snowmobile trail. The operator believed they should be able to operate there due to the snow conditions. A reminder that Dec. 1 to April 1, in any year, no use of a motorized vehicle other than a snowmobile, unless authorized by permit, lease, or easement, shall be permitted on a trail designated for use by snowmobiles.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) checked anglers, snowmobilers, and ATV riders in the area. Enforcement was taken for snowmobile off-trail and riding in prohibited areas, expired registration, angling without licenses, and possession of controlled substances. Benkofske would like to remind people that ATVs cannot operate on snowmobile trails. This violation was seen numerous times in the past week as snow depths were compacting from the warm weather.

CO Dan Starr (Onamia) continued to check Mille Lacs Lake for litter and fish house debris. Rain hampered snowmobile trail riding, but new snow was helping to improve the conditions. Concerns were heard about the harsh winter conditions and its effect on the deer population.

CO Ashley Whiteoak (Aitkin) spent time patrolling ice angling and snowmobiling activity. She also spent time patrolling Mille Lacs Lake. Enforcement action was taken for extra lines, shelter on the ice without a license, failure to display a shelter license, failure to display shelter identification, no license in possession, operating an ATV without lights, failure to renew ATV registration, and driving after suspension.

Wealthwood vacant.

Malmo vacant.