Weekly CO report

District 1 - Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked turkey hunters during the week and anglers on Lake of the Woods for the opening weekend of fishing season. Fishing on Lake of the Woods was good for the first two days, with lots of large fish being reported and some limits being seen. Violations for the week included angling with extra lines, angling without a license, and possessing an overlimit of walleyes.

CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers and following up with various complaints. Despite the wind it was a busy fishing opener with anglers reporting success and many slot walleyes being caught. Violations encountered were no license in possession, no throwable PFD, expired boat registration, and angling without a license.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week preparing for the Minnesota fishing opener and following up on several illegal-burning complaints. Fontes investigated two separate and unrelated reports of tires being burned, one of which involved several dozen tires that were torched. Fishing opener brought a lot of anglers to Lake of the Woods, and a lot of success for them as well. Enforcement action was taken for the use of an extra line and fishing without a license. Fontes also assisted with the apprehension of an individual who had taken off on foot from a drunk boating investigation.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports a busy fishing opener. Prachar worked with CO Kennedy in the area of Lake of the Woods and Rainy River. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines, numerous safety equipment violations, possession of illegal length fish, and over-limit of walleye. Prachar was investigating a boating while intoxicated case when the suspect fled on foot through the Wheelers Point Resort Area. The suspect was later arrested and booked on numerous counts including 2nd Degree BWI.

CO Paul Kennedy (Baudette East) checked sturgeon anglers along the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods before the weekend walleye opener. Anglers were reporting more success as the week went on. He responded to grass fires as weather conditions resulted in red flag warnings in most of the area. Most anglers contacted over the weekend had great fishing reports. Enforcement action for the week included watercraft safety violations, angling with extra lines, and an overlimit of walleye.

CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) reports monitoring ATV traffic throughout the week. CO Bruesewitz reports spending fishing opener on Lake the Woods where multiple anglers were seen having success. Assistance was given to local law enforcement agencies this week.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) worked a busy walleye opener weekend. Anglers enjoyed the warm weather and success varied depending on areas fished. Anglers are reminded to check for boating safety equipment before venturing out onto the lake.

CO Brianna Shaw (Blackduck South) spent the week patrolling for small game and recreational vehicle activity. Additional time was utilized checking for permit compliance. Shaw had a busy opener weekend working Upper Red Lake with CO Vollbrecht.

Thief River Falls West vacant.

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