Featured Update
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent time training and working with K9 Axel and assisted with an ATV safety class. Time was also spent checking anglers in the area and monitoring ATV activity. Swedberg and Axel also assisted with attempting to locate evidence relevant to the wildfire suppression plane that was struck by a bullet in St. Louis County.
District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2026-05-18
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week checking anglers fishing the Red Lake River. Time was spent investigating timber theft and following up burning violations.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers and following up with various complaints.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week patrolling Lake of the Woods and handling various wildlife calls. Fontes also noted an uptick in bear related issues, and recommends people be aware of all of the different food sources that they are leaving out in their yards and do their best to limit them to avoid bear problems.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports a busy week of fires in Lake of the Woods County. The wind and dry conditions created a significant fire danger. Prachar assisted local resources and MN DNR forestry with numerous fires.
CO Bobby Stringer (Thief River Falls West) reports dusty and windy conditions throughout the region, thus elevating the fire danger. Stringer responded to a local area debris fire where the wind rekindled and ignited a previous approved burn. Despite windy conditions, a variety of watercraft ventured out seeking tight lines. Stringer wants to remind watercraft operators of small craft advisories with the recommendation of wearing approved life jackets vs. stowing them in compartments. Enforcement actions for the week included watercraft and ATV violations.
CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) time was spent monitoring area activities for fishing and the end of trapping season.
Baudette East – vacant.
Blackduck South – vacant.
Blackduck North – vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2026-05-11
CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #1) checked anglers on a cold opening weekend of fishing on area lakes. Most anglers reported limited success. Enforcement actions were taken for no license in possession, personal floatation device required, expired boat registration, no throwable on board, and angling without a license.
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) worked a busy fishing opening weekend on area lakes and rivers. Many folks were surprised to find low water levels and water temperatures still hovering around 50 degrees. Fishing success was sporadic, with a range from limits of walleyes to many folks being skunked. Water safety equipment and watercraft registration compliance were very high, contributing to a safe and rather uneventful weekend in Otter Tail County.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) assisted with training at the DNR’s Deputy Boat and Water School this week. Swedberg assisted with training deputies to operate watercrafts and in water survival situations. Other time was spent on the water checking anglers. Weather wasn’t perfect, but some people still had success finding fish on opener.
CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on ATV and off-road vehicle activity. Fishing opener was worked, with a few anglers out and about. Anglers checked reported a tough bite with windy conditions. Boating safety checks were performed. Leeching activity was worked and AIS compliance was monitored. Warren provided information on nuisance-bear activity, wildlife management area rules and regulations, and angling limits.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking anglers in the Moorhead station. Weather conditions over walleye opener kept many people off the lakes. Those anglers who did stick out the wind and cooler weather had poor success. Anglers should find a better bite as water temperatures increase. It was encouraging to find high compliance, as no violations were encountered over walleye opener.
CO Grey Corbus (Pelican Rapids) spent the week monitoring angling activity, ATV activity and assisting other local agencies. The wind made fishing opener a challenge for those who braved the weather in a boat. Success varied. Corbus also worked with the District 2 intern as well. Enforcement action was taken for various ATV violations, an overlimit of crappies, and various boating violations.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) checked anglers for the opening weekend. Seventeen lakes in the region were checked, with minimal to no activity due to the high winds. Balm Lake had a fair bass bite and water temps were 48 to 49 degrees. Burning without a permit for a fire that got out of control in a restricted zone was addressed. Training for water survival was provided to county deputies from around the state this week.
CO Ryan Schaefer (Bemidji #2) spent this past week checking local anglers, as the 2026 fishing season began. High winds and cold water made for a very slow bite on area lakes. Schaefer and other area COs assisted the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension with a joint ground search for a missing person from last year. Schaefer also gave an ATV law and ethics presentation to a group of youth at Bagley High School, in conjunction with the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office. Enforcement action was taken for individuals attempting to take beavers by improper means and fishing in a closed spawning area before the season opener.
Osage – vacant.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2026-05-18
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) assisted with a hooked on fishing event taking youth fishing. Fishing complaints were investigated along with boating safety checks and ATV traffic. Otter registration was conducted in the field.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports checking boating and angling activity during the week with angling success being mild according to anglers. Enforcement action taken this week included: No angling license in possession, failure to display current watercraft registration, and no lifesaving device onboard watercraft.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, boats and AIS. Complaints of water levels and trapping issues were received. An ATV safety class riding portion was scheduled with an area instructor.
CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County for angling, boating, and recreational vehicle activities. Time was spent following up on ongoing cases as well as attending the May fur registration day. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of angling offenses, OHM offenses, and an over limit of otter.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) spent a very busy week speaking at three firearm safety classes, attending the Osakis firearm safety field day, and educated kindergarten- 3rd grade students at the Minnewaska Wonder Wednesday about wildlife. She served on Honor Guard at the St. Paul Police Memorial for Police Week. All while she still found time for angling and ATV enforcement. She attended the annual Lake Osakis Association meeting where she answered numerous questions.
CO Curtis Jepson (Wheaton) spent time checking anglers. Also spent time training at Camp Ripley. Various calls for service were fielded.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working fishing and boating activity. Training was attended at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for various fishing violations.
CO Andrew Ladzinski (Glenwood) spent his time on angling enforcement. He presented a furbearer identification and safety class to local youth with a neighboring Officer. Questions were handled on nuisance beavers with the close of the season.
Weekly CO report
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2026-05-18
CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) assisted Itasca State Park Ranger with a ride along. CO Baum attended training at Camp Ripley. CO Baum attended Mora schools DNR day with MN DNR Aviation Helicopter. CO Baum assisted area Wildlife office with Fur Registration. CO Baum conducted a law talk and assisted with an ATV Safety Course in the Motley area.
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) Spent time at Camp Ripley completing training. Time was spent on area lakes checking anglers, most anglers reported limited success. Enforcement actions were taken for no license in possession, personal floatation device required, and expired boat registration. CO Saewert also spent two separate days at hooked-on fishing events, one on Shamineau Lake and one on Stocking Lake.
CO Patrick McGowan (Cass Lake) spent time at Camp Ripley assisting with training. CO McGowan also worked on open cases, and assisted with wildfire investigations.
ATV rec officer – vacant.
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