District 10 - Mille Lacs area

CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked angler and boating activity that went along with the fishing opener. Complaints were investigated regarding wanton waste, trespassing, and public waters violations. The area was still dry, and burning was limited to campfires only.

CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) worked a busy fishing opener on Mille Lacs Lake. Anglers talked about the great weather and had good success with fishing. ATV and off-highway motorcycle activity was also monitored. Assistance was given to a local agency on a fire. Enforcement action was taken on ATVs and off-highway motorcycles operating on a state highway, angling without a license, and boats missing various safety equipment. A reminder to have a wearable lifejacket for each person on board your boat.

CO Joseph Scholz (Malmo) spent a busy fishing opener on Mille Lacs Lake. Blue skies and calm winds made for some of the best weather on an opening weekend in years. Anglers were successful in catching both walleye and bass throughout various parts of the lake. Enforcement action was taken for failure to display boat registration, no throwable flotation device, not enough life jackets, no sound making device on a boat, no fire extinguisher on board, and angling without a license. Be sure to check all safety equipment before heading out on the water.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) checked anglers on area lakes. Good compliance was found for following walleye and pike slot length limits. CO Benkofske assisted with local wildfires and assisted with nuisance animal calls.

CO Dan Starr (Onamia) gave the law and ethics talk at a firearms safety class. Numerous calls came in on the Mille lacs lake fishing regulations. Season opener saw good success, with everybody catching fish. Concerns were heard on the catch and release mandate and several violations were found for keeping walleye illegally. Calls were also taken on bear that were doing what bears do in the spring, and beavers doing their thing to cause conflict with landowners.

CO Ashley Whiteoak (Aitkin) spent time patrolling fishing, turkey hunting, trapping, and ATVing activity. Enforcement action was taken for illegal length Walleye, illegal length Northern Pike, expired boat registration, fail to display boat registration, fishing without a license, and no angling license in possession. The officer also assisted state forestry fire fighters with a wildfire.

Wealthwood vacant.

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