MN DNR Conservation Officer
Weekly CO report
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) attended a departmental meeting. Much time was spent this week working snowmobile enforcement with the quality trail conditions and high traffic. Time was spent patrolling with CO Lawler over a large swath of northeastern Minnesota. Bermel is happy to report that all groups encountered seemed to be operating with due care, staying in control, and on their side of the trail. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile speed, no non-resident trail pass, failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to display registration, and many instances of loud, illegal exhaust.
District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2026-02-23
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and attended emergency vehicle operation training at Camp Ripley. Anglers were cited for possessing too many walleyes/sauger, angling without a license, and having no shelter license.
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week at Camp Ripley participating in annual training. Time was spent checking anglers on the river and patrolling for recreational vehicle violations. Enforcement action was taken for multiple ATV violations.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers and following up on various complaints. Violations encountered were no license in possession, angling without a license, angling with extra lines, overlimit, possession of dressed fillets on the ice, and minor in possession of alcohol.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) focused on patrolling Lake of the Woods. Fontes spent time all over the lake and was pleasantly surprised to see more angler success compared to the previous weeks. Enforcement action was taken for using an extra line and overlimit of walleyes.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports consistent fishing pressure on Lake of the Woods. Time was spent working snowmobile activity on local trails.
CO Bobby Stringer (Thief River Falls West) reports favorable ice conditions on the Red Lake and Thief rivers. Some fish houses have been removed, with most anglers following the “leave no trace” approach. Stringer patrolled the river and noted several large pieces of lumber, debris, and other trash left behind. Please help keep the river clean for future outings. Enforcement actions for the week included angling with an extra line, litter on the ice, and multiple snowmobile and ATV violations. Additionally, Stringer investigated a case where several wild turkeys were maliciously killed by a motor vehicle.
CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time working angling activity on Upper Red Lake, where the bite was slow. Time was also spent working the Thief River Falls area and Argyle area for recreational traffic. Enforcement action was taken for extra lines, filleted fish on a special regulation lake, failure to stop at an intersection, failure to display registration, and no helmets on a juvenile while in an ATV.
Baudette East – vacant.
Blackduck South – vacant.
Blackduck North – vacant.
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