Conservation Officer Jacob Willis (Brookston) worked on the Rainy River on a detail focused on sturgeon fishing, as well as boating safety. Willis found multiple violations, but no illegal length fish were found in possession. He took enforcement action for failure to display lawful registration, operating a watercraft with expired registration, no required fire extinguisher, no Type IV PFD, no wearable PFD, no angling license in possession and failure to attach a validated sturgeon tag.
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) spent time checking anglers and patrolling in area state parks. A complaint of illegally dumped garbage is under investigation. Names of suspects were found in the garbage and officers are in the process of tracking them down. Dog training continues with other K9 units.
CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked fire, fishing, turkey hunting and OHV enforcement throughout the week. Humphrey patrolled the Fond Du Lac State Forest during spring road and trail closures. Humphrey also spent time working in area state parks and wildlife management areas, and he served a restoration order on a waters issue. He received several calls/complaints about wetland excavation, a dead loon, turkey hunting, OHV operation and safety training. He made contacts for illegal burning, litter, boating, OHM operation and registration violations.
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) patrolled closed state forests for illegal OHV use. Several large groups were advised of the closures before making it to the state forest. Others were not as lucky, and Speldrich took enforcement action. Speldrich checked anglers on area rivers and took enforcement action for no angling licenses. Local lakes had an increase in angling activity as the weather warmed and panfish began to bite. She took enforcement action for failure to display current watercraft registration and no angling license in possession.
CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) worked area lakes and rivers for angling activity and ice-out conditions. Anglers on shore and watercraft were checked on Lake Superior. He handled complaints of ATV trespass and damage, along with a complaint of a structure under construction near an area lake.
