District 11 - St. Cloud area

CO Stephen Westby (Little Falls) patrolled area lakes and rivers for boating and angling activity. The officer continued to work on an ongoing turkey investigation. The 2024 Minnesota fishing opener was worked with many people out fishing with great weather and northern lights! Several violations were addressed including no angling license, out of season bass, no life jacket, no throwable type IV and over loaded boat.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) took a report of an Osprey that was dead and found in the waters of the Sauk River Chain of Lakes. The Osprey was found to have been shot and the investigation continues. The officer assisted first responders with an ATV accident.

CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked a busy walleye opener. Great weather had many out enjoying the water. Many boaters were missing common boat safety equipment like throwable PFD and fire extinguishers. Turkey hunters and ATV activity were monitored. Enforcement activity included no fishing license, no PFD, and expired boat registration.

CO Brett Fox (St. Cloud) spent the week patrolling for ATV, angling, and boating activity. Fox spent a lot of time on area lakes during fishing opener. Many anglers reported not catching as many fish as they would like and having a slow opener. Violations this week include extra lines, boat registration issues, fishing without a license, insufficient amount of life jackets and ATV registration issues.

CO Adam Stennett (Annandale) worked the station for remaining turkey hunting activity and prepared for the fishing opener. A TIP complaint was investigated of fishermen taking bass out of season. The caller reported two fishing with crank baits and targeting species that weren?t open at the time. CO Stennett found the fishermen. They were attempting to remove the lure they were using as he was approaching and also dropped one of their rods in the water in attempt to hide evidence of their illegal fishing. Enforcement action was taken. Multiple ATV violations were found including operation in the ditch during the agriculture closure, operation on state highways, registration and having juvenile passengers without helmets. Anyone under the age of 18 is required to wear a helmet even in enclosed class 2 (side by side) type ATV?s. Other enforcement for the week included fishing without a license, over-limit of crappies on a special regulation lake and not having enough life jackets on board a boat.

CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) reports having a busy fishing opener with the nice weather. Enforcement action was taken for no fishing license, no boat registration, and insufficient boating safety equipment. Thanks to the public?s help, Bertram was able to locate the person who shot the sandhill crane.

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