DNR Conservation Reports

District 9 – Brainerd Area:

CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time working at Camp Ripley instructing at the Academy. Time was also spent assisting the Morrison County Sheriff?s Office and the City of Randall with flooding after heavy rains.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) patrolled for angling and all-terrain vehicle activity. Guida assisted with the DNR Academy at Camp Ripley and responded to flooding in the area. The area was saturated from recent rain events and received 4 to 6 inches of rain overnight. Area ATV trails and numerous gravel roads were underwater and washed out, requiring repair and maintenance. Operators should use caution and avoid these areas until repairs are completed and water levels lower.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) reports checking anglers and ATV riders throughout the area. State parks and campgrounds were patrolled. Nuisance-animal calls were handled. Enforcement action was taken for no life jackets, extra lines, speeding, and drug paraphernalia.

CO Calie Kunst (Crosslake) spent time patrolling fishing, boating and ATV activity throughout the week. Multiple violations were found and addressed. Kunst also took calls on nuisance-bear and -beaver complaints.

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) spent the week on ATV, boating and fishing activities. Complaints of aquatic vegetation cutting were also handled. No helmets on kids in/on ATVs is still an issue. And this was the worst weekend of the summer so far for the amount of garbage left behind at dispersed campsites in the state forest. Pack out what you take in.

Pine River vacant.

Cross Lake vacant.

District 10 – Mille Lacs area:

CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked lake activity where aquatic vegetation growth becomes more of a transportation issue every week. ATV traffic was monitored, including some areas of wetland rutting. Verkuilen also assisted with equipment maintenance, investigated a trespassing complaint, and issued a nuisance-beaver permit.

CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) worked angling activity on area lakes throughout the week. Fishing success has been hit or miss. ATV activity was a focus through the weekend. The trails were busy with many riders out enjoying the weather. Enforcement action was taken for multiple boating and ATV violations. A litter complaint on public land is also being followed up on.

CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked fishing, boating, and ATV activities. Overall outdoor recreation activities seem to be down, with public access areas found empty. Nuisance-animal calls continue. A wolf-depredation case was investigated in which a beef calf was killed just north of Milaca. A safety talk was also given at the start of a large bowfishing tournament.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) spent a majority of the week patrolling lakes and rivers. Anglers were having good luck catching crappies and sunfish and there was an increase in water skiing and tubing due to surface water temperatures getting close to 80 degrees. Violations found included boaters not having enough life jackets in the boat and anglers fishing with too many lines. Time was also spent handling trespass complaints and looking into possible wetland violations.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent time this week checking anglers and on boat patrol. Patrol for ATV activity was conducted. Miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints were handed as well.