DNR Report: ATV riders are out, but many trails are closed

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) monitoring the stream trout opener, ATV activities and spring road closures. Area rivers and lakes remain frozen, he reports.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) checked for spring trapping activity as many rivers have opened up. ATV activity has began to pick up with warmer temperatures. He reminds riders to check for check for trail closures as many ATV trails remain closed as the ground thaws.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked trapping and ATV enforcement. He also assisted with a nuisance bear presentation, which recommended people remove all food sources, especially this time of year.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) monitored trapping and ATV activity and patrolled the Rainy River during a busy last weekend of the catch-and-release walleye season. Anglers reported mixed reviews on sturgeon and walleye success.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) reports that lake ice is slowly deteriorating and few fishermen were encountered. As bears come out of hibernation he also suggests people remove food sources and garbage.

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports: angling activity was again limited, while ATV activity has increased with the warming weather. Violations included: angling with no license in possession and operating an ATV on a closed trail.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) patrolled on snowmobile checking anglers along the Canada/U.S. border, worked seasonal fishing closures and participated in a school outreach event.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) patrolled angling activities and saw anglers out fishing the border lakes for walleyes and chasing panfish on a few interior lakes. Steel head anglers report that a few fish are around, but water temps are pretty cold. He expects weekend rain will increase the flow on the tributaries heading into Lake Superior.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked recreational vehicle enforcement and checked crappie anglers. He notes that local ATV trails are currently closed and will remain closed until conditions dry up. Enforcement action included expired ATV registration, no helmets on youth passengers, and off-road vehicle operating on an ATV trail.

CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) checked trout anglers and reports that those fishing the more popular Superior tributaries had varied success. Warm weather and rainfall over the weekend depleted quite a bit of the snow and ice, but many of the lakes and streams north of the shore are still ice-covered.

CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling and trapping enforcement. Anglers found mixed success on border waters and encountered sloppy ice conditions. Steelhead activity remains low but should increase with rain and warmer temperatures. Enforcement action was taken for various ATV-related violations.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) conducted ATV enforcement, monitored trapping activities, continued checking late-season ice anglers, patrolled forests and answered wildlife-related calls. Enforcement action was taken for ATV-related violations.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV’s, small game and fishing activities, patrolled area trails, answered game and fish questions and responded to wildlife-related complaints.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, responded to nuisance/injured animal complaints and monitored off-highway vehicle activity this week. He and his K9 partner, Fennec, also attended training and assisted the county with a fleeing suspect. Enforcement action was taken for illegal operation of an ATV, DWI and fleeing in motor vehicle.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked late-season ice anglers and saw some nice-size panfish in anglers' buckets. Many trappers were are out and about. He also issued roadkill deer tags and planned youth safety classes.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on sport fishing, ATV and trapping activities. Enforcement action was taken for various trapping and ATV violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) continued to monitor spring beaver trapping activity. Fire danger in the area has increased with dry conditions, and he asks people to check for burning restrictions and obtain a permit when required.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked trapping and recreational vehicle activity, checked closed roads and trails, handled wildlife complaints and gave a law and ethics presentation at a firearm safety class.

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) monitored anglers venturing out on Lake Superior targeting salmon and shore anglers on the St. Louis River Estuary looking for catfish and catch-and-release sturgeon. Others waiting on smelt are also checking on conditions waiting for the run. He also fielded several calls regarding wolf behavior.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) continued tactical flight officer training and took nuisance animal calls. He also conducted North shore angling patrols and handled angling license and watercraft registration violations.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) worked sport fishing, trapping, fire, and off-highway motorcycle and ATV enforcement. Time was spent following up on trapping, wildlife, ATV and state park complaints.

CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) checked shore anglers and reports that lakes are close to being completely open. ATV and off-highway motorcycle activity remains plentiful, she reports. She continued to field complaints regarding illegal operation in the Nemadji State Forest.

CO Gabriel Soriano (Hinckley) worked recreational vehicles and reminds that children must wear a helmet and a seat belt if installed. She notes that off-highway motorcycles are restricted to designated trails, and that the forests are closed for riding, except the Gandy Dancer Trail remains open. Multiple violations resulted in enforcement action.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) checked anglers and people out smelting, and patrolled for activity in closed areas. Anglers reported more success toward the end of the week.