Caption: DNR Assistant Commission Bob Meier (far left), DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen (second from left) and Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director (far right), are pictured here with the 18 new conservation officers who graduated from the CO Academy and now are field training across the state.
Weekly CO report
District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2026-06-22
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) investigated a calf depredation near Warroad. Officer patrolled the south shore and NW Angle of Lake of the Woods. Violations encountered include anglers using an extra line and possessing illegal length walleyes. A citation was also issued for an angler transporting zebra mussels on a watercraft.
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week checking anglers fishing the Red Lake River. Assistance to local agencies was given throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for various watercraft safety violations and angling without a license.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers, monitoring local ATV traffic, and responding to various complaints. Violations encountered were insufficient number of PFD’s and Driving After Revocation.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week patrolling area public lands and Lake of the Woods. Enforcement action was taken for operating an OHM in a prohibited area and possessing an illegal-length fish.
CO Bobby Stringer (Thief River Falls West) reports a slower fish bite as warmer water, weeds, and algae has moved in along the banks of Red Lake River. Despite the conditions, there was good success and turn out for a local Northern Pike fishing tournament. Stringer also reports an increase in Kayak activity with some registration deficiencies noted. Additional Enforcement actions included failure to properly display watercraft registrations and multiple PFD/life jacket violations.
CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls) time was spent monitoring angling activity in the area. Assistance was given to area law enforcement. People are reminded to check their safety equipment before heading out on the water while boating so all required equipment is accounted for!
CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck #1) reports increased ATV and angling activity. Time was spent monitoring fishing activity in local tributaries and lakes.
Baudette #1 – vacant.
Blackduck #2 – vacant.
Baudette #2 – vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2026-06-22
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports following up on lake shoreline violation cases. Time was also spent checking anglers and watercraft operators. Various wildlife related complaints were fielded from the public.
CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #1) spent the week checking anglers on area lakes, working an AIS saturation patrol, and working a boat/water enforcement shift on Upper Red Lake. Violations encountered were expired watercraft registration, insufficient life jacket, fire extinguisher, and operating an OHM unlawfully.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) participated in the USPCA Region 12 PD1 K9 certifications this past week with his K9 partner Axel. They successfully certified in evidence detection and obedience. Other time was spent catching up on open cases and reports.
CO Curtis Jepson (Osage) spent the week focusing on angling and recreational vehicle enforcement. Time was spent investigating public water violations. An AIS detail was also conducted along heavily traveled routes in the lakes area of the Pelican Rapids station.
CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) worked angling and boating activity, monitored leeching activity, and performed AIS compliance inspections. Patrol was conducted for ATV and off road vehicles.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking anglers, boaters, and following up with ongoing cases. Time was spent on an area AIS detail in northern Otter Tail County, with high overall compliance with AIS laws. Weather patterns have created some strange fish patterns, but over the weekend some walleyes were starting to be caught again. Enforcement action was taken for failure to remove boat plugs prior to transporting watercraft and fail to display valid registration on watercraft.
CO Grey Corbus (Pelican Rapids) spent the week monitoring ATV, boating, and angling activity, with a focus on aquatic invasive species. Corbus also worked with county and state local government units on various public waters and wetland violations. Enforcement action was taken for children under 18 without helmets on ATV’s, various boating and personal watercraft violations, and aquatic invasive species violations.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) checked anglers and boaters this week. Good compliance on licenses and registrations was observed. The walleye bite in the region has picked up well. OHM and ATV enforcement was conducted, burning of a structure and debris was investigated, calls about wildlife were handled and assistance was provided to the public on the new license system. Work addressing transportation of watercraft and water related equipment was also conducted.
CO Ryan Schaefer (Bemidji #2) spent this past week checking local anglers and monitoring ATV activity. Fishing reports were slow, due to a cold front moving in mid-week. CO Schaefer also provided education and assistance to anglers regarding the new electronic license system and mobile app. Enforcement action was taken regarding individuals operating ATVs without registration being displayed, juveniles failing to have helmets on an ATV, and no fishing license in possession.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2026-06-22
CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week focused on angling and recreational vehicle enforcement. Invasive species and commercial enforcement were also worked.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) took several bear sightings and nuisance bear complaints this week. Boating, fishing, and AIS enforcement was conducted throughout the week and weekend. Fishing reports seem minimal with some scattered success. A Firearms safety talk was conducted for a field day in the area.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports checking angling and baiting activity throughout the week. He also monitored ATV activity and fielded calls regarding nuisance animals. Enforcement action this week included: no helmet work by juvenile ATV rider violations, juvenile under 15 operating a class two, and no license in possession.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) responded to injured and orphaned animal calls. AIS enforcement was conducted at area public accesses. License purchase questions were received.
CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County for angling and ATV activities. Time was spent assisting local agencies on a variety of calls for service. Enforcement action was taken for two individuals who did not have angling licenses. This offense led to an over limit of sunfish and walleye.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) focused her week on angling and ATV activity in Douglas and Todd Counties. She followed up on ongoing deer season cases and assisted partners on various calls. She responded to several wounded animal complaints.
CO Andrew Ladzinski (Glenwood) dedicated his time to angling, boating, and recreational vehicle enforcement. The walleye bite turned on this past weekend with many limits of walleyes seen in the live wells. Enforcement action was taken for insufficient life jackets, fishing without a license, and youth on ATVs without helmets. He continued to help the public with questions on the new digital electronic licensing system.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2026-06-22
CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked angling, boating, off highway vehicles, and investigated wetlands violations. Cross additionally took multiple bear complaints. Cross reminds all that all food sources, including grills and water sources may need to be securely stored until the bears find food and water sources naturally. The MN DNR does not relocate bears. Enforcement action was taken for angling, boating, and wetland violations.
CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the local area for angling, boating, and recreational vehicle traffic. CO Baum investigated some aquatic plant and public water violations. CO Baum took enforcement action for various ATV and OHM violations. CO Baum found anglers having various success on area lakes.
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) spent the week monitoring ATV and OHM activities in the Huntersville State Forest. A work detail was worked on Upper Red Lake, numerous boating violations were encountered.
CO Patrick McGowan (Cass Lake) worked area lakes for boating and angling activity. McGowan also worked a detail on the Whitefish Chain. Enforcement action was taken for numerous boating and angling violations.
CO Jack Lien (Walker) patrolled and enforced ATV activity with a partner and conducted angling checks on Leech Lake. Few violations were observed, and a big part of his week was helping the public understand the new online licensing system as it has been brought into effect in recent days. Lien has been happy to help assist anglers, but he encourages folks to make sure angling licenses are purchased before heading out on the water.
CO Corey Sura (Remer) gave a firearms safety presentation for kids attending Fork Horn Camp at Deep Portage Learning Center. A shift was worked on Upper Red Lake. Anglers checked were not having good success. Sura continues to field miscellaneous bear complaints. Remer area panfish lakes were patrolled where success was also slow.
CO Levi Brown (Staples) patrolled the area focusing on ATV activity this week. Throughout the week, Brown spoke to many riders out enjoying the weather. Brown also assisted a local agency with an ATV crash near Spider Lake OHV Trails. Enforcement action was taken for registration violations and other issues.
ATV rec officer – vacant.
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