Weekly CO report

District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports the recent rains have put the fire conditions back to normal. However, the cold front has put a damper on the fishing success on the Rainy River and Rainy Lake. Along with responding to small fires, fishing, boating, and ATV enforcement continue to be the main emphasis of the workload.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports spending time this past week checking anglers on area lakes and rivers. Trapping and ATV activity were monitored throughout the area as well.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports activity in the area continues to increase as people get campers and cabins open for the summer. An uptick in the number of boats on the roadway was noticed, coinciding with the Canadian fishing opener. Trapping activity has ended for the season and furs requiring registration were tended to. Fishing activity continues to pick up and success has been reported as the water temperatures have risen. Illegal burning was investigated, and multiple litter complaints were investigated. Equipment maintenance and preparation was completed.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) monitored area lakes over the week. Few fish were observed being caught. ATV activity and area forest roads were checked. Ongoing monitoring of public access sites continues. Numerous beaver-related problems were dealt with over the week. Equipment work continues.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking anglers and monitoring ATV activity and the close of spring trapping. The bite on area lakes has been up and down with the big weather changes. Cannon also responded to several fires, including helping on the Jenkins Creek fire early in the week.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and trapping enforcement. He assisted DNR Wildlife with the spring otter registration station in Tower. He also spent time checking for ATV and OHV activity in his station. Violations were related to trapping and small game.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) spent the week at Camp Ripley assisting with training the current CO Academy, which consists of 13 cadets. The cadets were trained all week in use of force, firearms, and defensive tactics.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time at the State Capital for National Police Week as an Honor Guard member. Additional time was spent investigating a trespass complaint, attending spring fur registration day, and preparing for upcoming CO Academy training.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating, and ATV activity. Anglers continued to report limited success. Few ATVs were encountered this week. Broughten assisted with evacuations from area wildfires and investigated a wetland violation. Broughten also gave a presentation to Mesabi East first-grade students on life jackets and ATV helmets.

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