Minnesota DNR Weekly Enforcement Report: Fishing & Snowmobiling Violations Across Multiple Districts
📅 Last Updated: February 3, 2025
📍 Regions Covered: Baudette, Bemidji, Fergus Falls, Walker, and surrounding areas
🚔 Key Enforcement Focus: Ice fishing violations, snowmobile infractions, and wildlife-related incidents
District 1 – Baudette Area
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) reported slowed fishing activity on Lake of the Woods. He assisted in a medical emergency on the lake involving a suspected cardiac arrest.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) focused on angler compliance, citing violations including fishing without a license, angling with extra lines, and improper fish filleting on the water.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) encountered anglers violating walleye overlimits, illegal-length fish possession, and expired snowmobile registration. He also assisted in a medical emergency on the lake.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) participated in DNR snowmobile training and handled enforcement for unlicensed anglers and unattended lines violations.
CO Paul Kennedy (Baudette East) monitored heavy snowmobiling activity, assisting in a snowmobile crash investigation.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) conducted follow-ups from deer season investigations, with citations issued for taking deer without a license, hunting in a closed season, and possessing illegal-length northern pike.
CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) handled nuisance-animal complaints and attended snowmobile training. She cited violations for missing snowmobile trail passes.
District 2 – Bemidji Area
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) reported poor snowmobile trail conditions but a successful vintage snowmobile run. Citations were issued for failure to display snowmobile registration.
CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) continued angling enforcement and prepared coursework for DNR officer training.
CO Matthew Boyle (Pelican Rapids) seized multiple illegally harvested deer and cited anglers for fishing with extra lines, keeping protected-size crappies and pike, and expired snowmobile registrations.
CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) patrolled snowmobile trails and fishing areas, issuing citations for ice fishing and snowmobiling violations.
District 3 – Fergus Falls Area
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) checked ice fishing activity and followed up on deer season violations.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) investigated fish house licensing violations and responded to injured-animal complaints.
CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) assisted in seizing overlimit walleyes and northern pike.
CO Bobby Stringer (Wheaton) warned of hazardous ice conditions on Lake Traverse, citing an open gap stretching 800 yards with no visible warning. He investigated gross overlimit fishing violations.
District 4 – Walker Area
CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) monitored Leech Lake anglers, noting a slow walleye bite but some perch success. He also assisted in snowmobile training.
CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) worked the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza, issuing citations for unregistered snowmobiles, missing helmets on youth, and improper ATV lighting.
Key Violations Reported Across Minnesota
🔹 Fishing Infractions:
- Fishing without a license
- Using extra lines
- Keeping illegal-length fish
- Overlimit walleye and pike cases
🔹 Snowmobile & ATV Violations:
- Expired registrations
- Failure to stop at crossings
- Helmet law violations for youth
- Unlawful ATV use on snowmobile trails
🔹 Hunting & Wildlife Violations:
- Illegal deer hunting
- Poaching cases under investigation
- Trapping & licensing concerns
🚨 Safety Reminder from DNR Officers:
- Snowmobilers must stop before crossing roadways regardless of signage.
- Ice fishing shelters must display identification properly.
- Check ice conditions before venturing out—warmer temperatures are causing instability.
📢 Stay tuned for more DNR enforcement updates.
📌 I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me