As the shoreline ice thickens, CO Gregory Verkuilen (garrison) continues to check the luck of some ice anglers. Despite the poor conditions, some snowmobile activities were still observed. The weather is best for shotgun deer hunters to take advantage of the last few days of the season.

CO Ashley Whiteoak (Malmö) spends time patrolling the area for deer hunting, small hunting and ice fishing. Anglers fishing on smaller lakes report 5 to 8 inches of ice. The ice of Mille Lacs Lake is still variable, with 3 to 8 inches of ice. Please remember that no ice cubes are safe ice cubes, and check the ice cubes while walking.

CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) investigated a deer hunt in which the leg of a doe appeared to be shot down. This doe was found alive on the land of the man who called it. The investigation is ongoing. Speldrich assisted the county with a vehicle entering the ditch twice. The informant assisted the driver to get off the car, but suspected that the driver was affected. Speldrich and his deputy found the vehicle. The driver was arrested for endangering public safety after driving was cancelled.

CO Dan Starr (Onamia) is responsible for equipment updates and training programs. Early ice anglers had some success in fishing for silver carp and small pike. A work detail in Lake County found that snowmobiles were riding on untouched, rugged trails. Starr also received a call for two dollars locked together by antlers during the battle. One dollar is dead, but another dollar can be released.

CO Mikeena Mattson (Wealthwood) was engaged in fishing and hunting activities last week. Some anglers are walking to the Mille Lacs lake. The ice condition of the entire lake varies greatly, reminding anglers to be careful when venturing on the ice. Anglers are also reminded to bring safety equipment such as flotation devices, ice axes, ice chisel and splints. Anglers inspected reports that the success rate of wallfish fishing was very low, but some people saw pike and perch being kept on weekends.

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) this week is dedicated to dealing with muzzle loaders, fishing, trapping and garbage issues. Enforcement actions have been taken against repeated hunting violations. The trapping and fishing investigation is underway.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) inspected anglers who found consistent ice throughout the station. Fishing seems to be fair. He received complaints from dogs chasing deer and attended the funeral of retired CO Tom Rau as part of the guard of honor.

Officer Jim Jeddah (Brainerd East) patrols, engages in deer hunting and sport fishing with muzzle loader. Some anglers went out and tried to catch some fish. As different ice thicknesses are observed, please continue to be careful when sailing on regional lakes. Guida is also responsible for the details of remote work.

CO Amber Ladd (Aitkin) followed up an illegal party hunting case and an over-limit case. She also assisted the department in military training at Camp Ripley.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) reports checking anglers and snowmobiles. Anglers have achieved varying degrees of success on regional lakes. Enforcement actions were taken against illegal deer feeding in the CWD observation area. Investigated several deer hunting TIP calls.

CO Eric Sullivan (Brainerd) investigated illegal ORV operations in several wetlands. There was very little snowmobile activity in the area last week, but illegal registration was detected. The ice conditions in the area continue to change, and the thickness of the ice layer is slowly increasing due to the warming weather.

CO Andrew Dirks (CCRSA) reports that there are more and more winter activities in the park, and cyclists can enjoy the snowy trails. The ice conditions are uneven, and most of the pits have very thin ice. Ice fishing began in some shallow surrounding lakes. A trespass complaint was investigated and enforcement action was taken against an archer who did not wear orange during the muzzle-loading deer season.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) examines the anglers of the lakes in the area. The snowmobile trail has been repaired, but the weather deteriorated at 40 degrees during the weekend.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports that ice conditions have improved, but anglers should check the ice thickness frequently when taking risks. Contacted the Muzzleloader deer hunter and checked the activities in the local wildlife management area. The call of a swan that might be trapped in the ice was dealt with. Completed the required training.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) attended the training to handle ongoing cases and handle trap and hunt calls.

CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) is engaged in small games and gun hunting activities. Patrols were carried out in regional WMA, waterfowl production areas and national forests. Ice fishing activities have begun to pick up, but the ice conditions continue to change, it is recommended to proceed with caution.

CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reported seeing anglers starting to go to sea in lakes and rivers in the area. He wants to remind anglers that the upcoming weather will affect the ice conditions, and be sure to check the thickness of the ice before taking the plunge. Calls from the public include trapping issues, injured animals, possession of a deer permit, possible pan-fishing over-limit reminder calls, and general hunting issues.

CO Calie Kunst (Remer) took the time to check the ice angler and follow up the big game case of the firearms deer season. Kunst took enforcement action to capture leukoplakia of illegal length. Some snowmobile riders used to ride on the trails in the area, but they lacked snow and were in poor condition.

CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) patrols regional lakes for ice anglers. Take time to follow up the cases of the past deer season.

CO Jacque Hughes (Longville) inspected hunting and fishing activities and responded to the call of a lead poisoned eagle. She also reminded people to be careful when going out on the ice.

CO Jordan Anderson (Wadena) spent a week patrolling local public land, hunting and trapping. Many illegal buildings in Huntersville State Forest have been recorded and will be demolished. I spent some time on snowmobiles, but the snow conditions in the area are very poor. Investigated a deer case.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) mainly inspects fishing and snowmobile activities. The ice varies from 1 to 13 inches and is still very uneven depending on the location. Snowmobile trails are fair, but they get worse as the weather gets warmer. Provided help on the injured phone call and handled a large game case. Enforcement actions were taken against fishing, ATV and snowmobile violations.

CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrols the area and engages in hunting and fishing activities. As the week went on, Baum found that the hunting activities of the muzzle loader were less and less, but with little success. Baum observed that as ice conditions became more consistent, fishing activity increased. He continued to urge ice anglers to check the situation when they go out to ensure a safe ice. Baum used the initial good trail conditions to get in touch with many snowmobile riders. He wanted to remind people to go out on snowmobiles to check the equipment and registration of their machines. Baum has taken enforcement actions against various violations related to snowmobiles, from expired registration to lack of an out-of-state pass.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) inspected ice anglers and enforced snowmobile and ATV activities. Enforcement actions have been taken against expired snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle registrations, snowmobile exhaust noise, and fishing without a fishing license.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) patrols state parks, checking anglers, large and small game hunters, and ATV operators. Answered many questions related to games and fish. He also responded to complaints related to wildlife and assisted other agencies.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked with early ice anglers and had some great success in fishing for bigeye, panfish and even barracuda in the regional lakes. The ice conditions are very uneven at best, and due to the expected warm weather, it is necessary to carefully observe the lake before venturing. Enforcement actions were taken because they did not hold a fishing license. Multiple road dead deer tags have been issued, and the deer are still in rutting mode.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) reports large-scale game, fishing and snowmobile law enforcement in the surrounding area. Van Asch also talked about law and safety in the snowmobile safety class. Enforcement actions have been taken against various phishing and ATV violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) focuses on checking early ice anglers. As the ice conditions improve, more and more people begin to take risks. Hochstein also talked with some later muzzle loader hunters. Provided assistance to other law enforcement agencies in terms of service calls.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) inspected anglers and muzzle loader for deer hunting. Also spend time monitoring recreational vehicle activities, including snowmobiles. Received complaints related to deer hunting violations.

CO Stephen Westby (Little Falls) works as a pheasant and muzzle loader hunter in the area. Poor ice conditions and slow bite. Westby received calls about more deer herds on public land and other game-related questions. Take time to prepare equipment for winter.

CO Tou Vang (Pierz) Examines archery and musket deer hunters and ice anglers. He is also responsible for equipment maintenance.

CO Caleb Silgjord (Sok Center) provided details of the Honor Guard for Thomas Rau, Olivia's retired protection officer. Military training and guidance were conducted at the Ripley camp this week. A label of owning a deer was also released.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Painesville) is engaged in trapping, fishing and hunting in the area this week. He completed the annual training. He also attended a snowmobile safety course and introduced the legal part of the course to 54 students.

CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) reports that ice conditions in small lakes are improving, but caution is still recommended. Muzzle loader hunters and catchers were inspected. Handled the first complaint of snowmobile intrusion this year.

CO Ryan Hanna (Milaca) assisted the local snowmobile club to deliver legal and ethical speeches to young snowmobile riders. Snowmobile safety starts with teaching safe riding habits. Hannah also checked some early ice anglers.

CO Mike Krauel (Mora) spent a week following up the deer hunting case. Crower also talked to several anglers who were very happy to be on the newly formed ice. Krauel would like to remind anglers that no ice is safe, and check the DNR Ice Thickness Guide before risking their lives on the ice.

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