CO Reports: ATV operators cited for ignition interlock violations

CO (Conservation Officer) Adam Stennett (Annandale) stopped an ATV operator on a county highway for multiple driving violations. The operator had an ignition interlock restriction on their license and was cited for operating the ATV without an interlock device. Be sure to check the laws regarding your driver’s license status as many of the same laws apply for recreational vehicles. An off road motorcycle driver was stopped for operating in the ditch along State Highway 24 and cited. A reminder, OHM’s cannot be operated within the road right of way. A bow-fishing contest was worked in the Paynesville area. CO Stennett along with CO Dingmann (Sauk Rapids) contacted a boat of juveniles and took enforcement action on multiple violations including littering beer cans. CO Stennett also attended training at Camp Ripley.

CO Stephen Westby (Little Falls) patrolled area lakes and rivers for boating and angling activity. Time was spent at Camp Ripley assisting with training at the academy. Calls from TIP for angling violations were taken and several questions about the upcoming boating season were answered. Please take time to read through the new boating safety requirements on the DNR website. Investigation continues for a TIP complaint at Camp Ripley.

CO Andrew Struffert (Pierz) worked angling, watercraft, and ATV enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines and numerous ATV violations. Officer Struffert also worked a District-sponsored Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) detail, attended DNR Day at Mora Elementary School, and assisted at the academy.

CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) spent time during the week monitoring angling activity in the station. A ride-along opportunity was provided to a Melrose High School student for his career day assignment. Assistance was also provided at the academy for night observation training and an AIS work detail was attended. Silgjord also provided a presentation to the Big Sauk Lake Association for their annual meeting where attendees were provided updates on multiple DNR related topics. The busy holiday weekend was worked and many anglers and boaters were seen out enjoying the water.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) worked boating, fishing and bow fishing this past week. Baby animal calls were handled as well. The officer continues to take enforcement action for trespass that a landowner has posted due to past litter and shot ruff fish left on the shores of a once enjoyable fishing spot.

CO Chad Ziegler (Albany) spent the week focused on fishing enforcement. Weather slowed the bite but the second half of the week brought nice weather and anglers out. Ziegler fielded a call regarding a bear and handled an injured deer call. Enforcement action was taken for various fishing and boating violations along with failing to comply with burning permit conditions.

CO Brett Fox (St. Cloud) spent the week patrolling for ATV, watercraft, and angling activity. Fox also worked with neighboring officer on an invasive species related task. Violations this week include watercraft registration issues, life jacket violations, and fishing without a license.

CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) spent the week checking anglers and boaters. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license, no boat registration, no ATV registration, and insufficient boating safety equipment. A case was also made were a boat owner was found transporting aquatic vegetation and zebra mussels on the roadway.

CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) worked boating and recreational vehicle enforcement during the week. Numerous Off-Road Vehicles (ORV) were encountered operating illegally. Owners/operators are reminded they are responsible for knowing what type of machine they are operating and where it is allowed to be operated. As a reminder, current law defines ATVs as no more than 65” wide or more than 2000 pounds. Enforcement action for the week included operating an ORV on a public roadway, Violate ignition interlock restriction (on ORV), no youth helmet on ATV and No PFD.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) dedicated his patrols to angling and boating enforcement during the busy Memorial Day weekend. Many contacts were made with everyone enjoying the perfect weather. Enforcement action was taken for taking a northern pike in a protected slot length, anglers not having their license in possession, and various ATV violations. He also fielded calls about problems bears in the area.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) reports working a busy holiday weekend, for boat and water safety enforcement. Angling success was limited on the bluebird days but many boaters were out to enjoy it. Compliance was high amongst boaters, with the most common violations being no Type IV PFD (throwable device) and display of expired registration. Additional time was spent on ATV enforcement and alcohol enforcement training at Camp Ripley.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week training with K9 Axel at their last week of K9 School. CO Swedberg spent a busy Memorial Day weekend checking fishermen and working AIS around the Detroit Lakes area. He also answered questions for a local radio station regarding boating safety and the DNR’s K9 program.

CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) checked anglers on area lakes throughout the week and over the Memorial Holiday weekend. Walleye fishing continues to be a bit slow since the cold front, while pan fishing continues to be decent. Time was also spent working with the DNR Enforcement intern, providing a ride along to an individual interested in becoming a CO, and handling various wildlife-related complaints

CO Curtis Jepson (District #2) reports much of the week was spent checking boating, shore anglers, and ATVs in the Pelican Rapids and Detroit Lakes stations. Memorial Weekend was busy, with pontoons and personal watercraft cruising the lakes. The most common violation was angling without a fishing license.

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May 20

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By  Echo Journal / Brainerd Dispatch

CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked angling, boating, and recreational vehicle traffic. Cross saw many people out enjoying the great freedoms we have been awarded by those that made the ultimate sacrifice this Memorial Day. Enforcement action was taken for numerous boating, angling, and recreational vehicle violations.

CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the area for Angling, Boating, and Recreational Vehicle traffic. CO Baum attended a public speaking event in Mora with the DNR Enforcement Aviation Division Helicopter. CO Baum saw an increase of ATV, OHM, and ORV activity with the Memorial Day weekend. CO Baum found anglers having varying success on area lake. CO Baum worked Leech Lake for angling activity over the holiday weekend. CO Baum took various enforcement action over the busy weekend for Angling, Boating, and recreational vehicle violations.

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) attended the spring otter registration day in Wadena, approximately 35 otters were registered. Several calls were fielded for nuisance bear, the public is reminded just the spotting of a bear doesn’t mean it’s considered nuisance. Other wildlife calls were fielded.

CO Patrick McGowan (Cass Lake) worked Winnibigoshish, Leech and Cass Lakes over the holiday weekend. Weekend boat traffic was high with numerous people out enjoying the nice weather. Enforcement action was taken for numerous boating and fishing violations, including a perch overlimit.

CO Corey Sura (Remer) patrolled ATV trails and area lakes during the Memorial Holiday weekend. Enforcement action was taken for violations to include illegal length northern pike, fishing without a license, expired registration, and allowing juvenile ATV passengers to ride without a helmet. As a reminder, all children under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet on both class one and class two ATV’s when on public lands, waters (ice), and trails.

CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) checked angling and ATV activity. She took reports of nuisance bears and other wildlife concerns.

CO Levi Brown (Staples) spent time this weekend on the water monitoring the holiday weekend activities. Anglers were having better luck this week than the previous weeks both from shore and from watercraft. Brown would like to remind boaters to check their watercraft for required safety equipment prior to the getting on the water. Enforcement action was taking for multiple ATV violations.

CO Luke Belgard (Pine River) worked academy training at Camp Ripley this week.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd #2) worked boating and all-terrain vehicle enforcement this week. Officer Guida assisted the Forest View Middle School 5th graders learn about ATV operation. A routine angling contact resulted in the issuance of three citations for angling without a license. The anglers were also warned for operate watercraft with no personal floatation device, improper display of ATV registration, and expired ATV registration.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) spoke to a lake association about the job of a CO and answered questions. ATV use has increased with more riders on the trails and roads. Boaters were checked, with conversations about transporting zebra mussels and getting registration current. Bears have been getting into trash cans and bird feeders, causing hurt feelings with homeowners.

CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time checking anglers, recreational boaters, and ATVs throughout the week. Enforcement action included registration violations, operation without headlights, and youth helmet violations.

CO Chelsey Collette (Pequot Lakes) spent the week and busy holiday weekend on ATV activity, fishing and boating enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for numerous violations. Safety related items were the most prevalent issues (underage operation, no helmets, driving conduct, no floatation).

CO Matt Brodin (Brainerd #1) spent half the week patrolling on ATV in the Emily/Outing area. The other half was spent on Gull lake. Enforcement action was taken for no ATV registration, under 18 without a helmet and operate ATV without lights.

CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked holiday boating activity that included a lot of operators re-learning where their fire extinguishers and light switches are located. PWC activity was abundant for May and generated complaints of juvenile operator issues and operating past legal hours. Some anglers out on the holiday were found fishing without a license.

CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) spent time working area lakes and ATV activities. The perfect weekend weather brought many families out to the lakes and the trails. Enforcement actions were taken for angling violations, boat safety equipment issues, and ATV violations. A reminder that everyone under age 18 who is a passenger or operator of an ATV must wear a DOT-certified helmet.

CO Joseph Scholz (Malmo) patrolled for boating, angling, and ATVing activities. He also assisted with medical calls over a busy Memorial Day weekend. Anglers had limited success on Mille Lacs and other area lakes, but nice weather conditions were enjoyed by all. Enforcement actions were taken for no ATV registration, youth on ATV without helmets, expired boat registration, fishing without a license, and no lights on boats after sunset. Boat ramps have been very busy during the summer season. Please be patient with other boaters and AIS check station staff.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) checked anglers and ATV riders. Enforcement actions were taken for expired registration, shortage of lifejackets, extra lines, unattended lines, illegal length fish, no angling licenses, and various youth ATV violations. Black bear conflicts were also investigated, all deriving from an easy food source near homes.

CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked on fishing, boating, and ATVing activities. Mille Lacs Lake night ban regulations were monitored with a few violations found. An ATV crash, in a remote area in Crow Wing County, was also handled. The victim of the crash flown out and excessive speed was a large factor in the crash. Bass anglers were reporting good fishing, while walleye fishing was slower. A yearly reminder that fawns will be appearing in high numbers, and they need to be left alone.

CO Ashley Whiteoak (Aitkin) monitored fishing, boating, and ATVing activities. Enforcement actions were taken for various ATV and OHV violations. The officer also hosted a DNR Day at the local elementary school.

CO Trevon Pietz (Wealthwood) spent time checking anglers on Mille Lacs Lake over Memorial Day weekend. Walleye fishing was found to be extremely slow, but many enjoyed the beautiful weather and calm conditions. The night fishing curfew on Mille Lacs Lake was monitored and enforced. ATV operators were also enjoying the trails. Many positive contacts were made. Violations found included fishing without a license, fishing without a license in possession, failure to activate watercraft lights after sunset, boats without a throwable flotation device, operating a class-two ATV in the lane of traffic, and operating an ATV with an excessive number of passengers.

NOTE: This article does not include reports from every district that issued a report. This is a compilation of select reports from 5 Districts within our area.