DNR report

Recent reports from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in the area:

Scott Staples (Carlton) attended training at Camp Ripley during the week and gave assistance at a work detail in Duluth when the tall ships arrived. A complaint of littering was looked into after pictures were taken of a truck on a prohibited trail. The truck was pulling a trailer full of garbage with a bed full of garbage as well. The investigation is still ongoing. ATV and dirt bike operators were contacted for various violations near Nemadji State Forest.

Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) served as part of the Enforcement Division’s honor guard on two funeral details the past week. He followed up on public water-related investigations involving structures and surface water use. Humphrey also investigated a wolf-depredation complaint in Pine County and worked with other officers in the Duluth Harbor with the Festival of Sail event. Assisted an Ontario conservation officer with an interview on a litter investigation.

Jacob Willis (Brookston) attended training at Camp Ripley and instructed at the academy with new officers in week 12 of their preliminary training. A large multi-agency detail was worked on Lake Superior and the Duluth Harbor for the tall ships festival in Duluth.

Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) spend most of the week attending training at Camp Ripley. He investigated a complaint of work in a wetland and handled calls about floating bogs causing damage on a local lake. Schmidt also assisted with the Festival of Sails event in the Duluth Harbor and Lake Superior.

Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) attended training at Camp Ripley and worked the Festival of Sail event in Duluth. The beautiful weather resulted in many people watching from watercraft and from shore. Attended a National Night Out event and fielded many questions.

Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) gave instruction to cadets at the DNR Academy. A water security detail was worked for the Duluth tall ships event. Commercial cisco nets were checked and trollers continue to have success with lake trout and salmon along the North Shore. Enforcement action taken for angling violations.

Report of the week

Mike Krauel (Mora) witnessed an individual trying to avoid an angling license check by throwing his fishing rod down and walking away. When Krauel asked for a license, the individual said he was not fishing. After advising that he had been observed angling, the individual admitted he didn’t have a license and was hoping Krauel hadn’t seen him angling. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license, unattended lines, no life jacket, possession of marijuana, and using a bluegill for bait.