Weekly CO report

District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports the main emphasis of the work activities were focused on the fishing opener, mainly on Rainy River. Enforcement action was taken for taking sturgeon in a closed season, extra lines, license issues, and boating safety equipment violations. People are reminded of the dangerous fire conditions in the area and around the state.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working area waterways this past week checking anglers. Trapping and ATV activity was monitored this past week. Time was spent working with neighboring officers over the MN fishing opener weekend. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, fishing with extra lines, and being in possession of a 60 inch sturgeon during a closed season. The sturgeon was able to be returned to the river.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Attended a job fair at the International Falls High School. CO Slatinski also monitored for illegal fires, as conditions area ripe for fires to become uncontrollable quickly. The CO fielded questions about the ongoing spring trapping season and checked area campground and day use facilities prior to the fishing opener. One location was found to have people camping in parking areas prior to the facility being open. Alternative options were provided.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area lakes. Fishing overall very slow with little observed being caught. Public access sites were checked. Area forest roads continue to be monitored. Equipment work is on going. Fire danger in the area remains extreme.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent this week checking anglers on area lakes. Prior to the opener anglers were having mixed success targeting Crappie. Time was also spent monitoring trapping and ATV activity. It was a busy opener on Lake Vermilion, with beautiful weather until the strong winds and heat on Sunday. Success was mixed, but many anglers had a successful opener. Cannon also responded to a cabin fire on Lake Vermilion earlier in the week while out on the boat, when he arrived the fire was spreading through the woods towards other nearby cabins. Crews from Vermilion Property Services, a lake service provider on Vermilion, arrived shortly after with a pump and hoses, and assisted Cannon with extinguishing the spreading wildfire so arriving fire crews could concentrate on the burning structures.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling enforcement. Larson spent a busy fishing opener on Lake Vermilion and checked other area lakes. Anglers were having mixed success with both walleye and crappie. Violations encountered were taking fish out of season, allow youth to violate fish and game laws, boat registration, and boating safety equipment violations. He also assisted with evacuating houses at a forest fire and assisted other agencies with a vehicle accident.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked trapping, ATV, and fishing activity. Little activity was observed on local lakes over the fishing opener with most anglers choosing larger bodies of water. In addition, time was spent presenting at a firearms safety class in Buhl and responding to various calls. Violations encountered included illegal fires, angling license violations, and illegal ATV/OHM operation.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) Warm weather made for a busy week. Zavodnik handled a nuisance bear report at the Eveleth Golf Course and worked primarily OHV and angling enforcement throughout the week. Several anglers checked during the busy opening weekend were found to have opted on taking their chances with not buying an angling license. One of these violators were also found to have a warrant for their arrest and had traveled on the roadway while cancelled IPS. Several assist other agencies calls were also fielded, one of which involved a gun pointing incident.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating, and ATV activity. Warm weather brought out boaters and fishermen over the fishing opener. Fishermen reported limited success. ATV activity was lower than expected. CO Broughten also assisted with a wild fire.

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