DISTRICT 1
Conservation Officer (CO) Byron Parks was patrolling in southern Houghton County when he approached a grey pickup truck while traveling down a county road. CO Parks observed the pickup truck cross over the centerline and the white fog line of the road multiple times. At one point, the pickup truck was almost entirely in the opposite lane of travel. CO Parks initiated his emergency lights and siren. The driver of the pickup truck continued driving 35 to 40 mph. Eventually the pickup truck turned left onto busy US-41 with CO Parks following behind the pickup truck with his emergency lights and siren activated. CO Brian Lasanen was able to respond and assist. The COs were able to get the driver to stop his vehicle a few miles north on US-41. When they approached the driver’s door window, he put the vehicle back into gear and drove off. A few minutes later, COs Parks and Lasanen, along with a deputy from Houghton County, were able get the vehicle stopped a second time. As COs Parks and Lasanen approached the driver side door, they could smell a strong odor of what was believed to be marijuana. They opened the driver’s door, and the suspect was still actively smoking. The suspect was arrested without further incident for operating under the influence of drugs, flee and elude, and was lodged in the Houghton County Jail.
In Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar gave a presentation on marine safety. CO Sajtar educated first graders at Blesch Intermediate School on the importance of wearing personal floatation devices (PFDs) while on the water. Additionally, CO Sajtar showed the students a patrol boat and explained basic nomenclature
CO Steve Sajtar assisted the Menominee Police Department (MPD) with an operating while intoxicated (OWI) investigation in the City of Menominee after a BOL (Be on the Lookout) for an intoxicated driver was broadcasted by Menominee County Central Dispatch. An MPD officer initiated a traffic stop on the BOL vehicle, but the suspect continued driving toward Marinette, Wisconsin. The suspect eventually stopped on the Interstate Bridge between Michigan and Wisconsin. Upon contact, the driver was uncooperative. Standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) were conducted, and the suspect was arrested for OWI. Two loaded pistols were in the center console of the vehicle during an inventory search. A report was submitted to the prosecutor requesting charges for the felonies of flee and elude and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
COs Steve Sajtar and Zach Painter attended Kingsford Elementary School’s annual Salmon in the Classroom release in Menominee County. COs Painter and Sajtar gave presentations to several classes of fourth grade students on safe boating. The COs also explained what Michigan conservation officers do and how they focus on keeping people safe. The COs emphasized the importance of wearing PFDs, helmets, eye protection, and safety belts while recreating on boats and off-road vehicles (ORVs). The students were able to ask the COs a wide variety of questions.
In Menominee County, COs Zach Painter and Steve Sajtar noticed a vehicle parked near the Chalk Hill Dam of the Menominee River. After walking a short distance through the woods to the Menominee River, COs Painter and Sajtar located three individuals fishing. When the group noticed the COs approaching, two of the individuals put their fishing rods down. When the COs asked to see fishing licenses, the two individuals who put their fishing rods down admitted to fishing without licenses. Both individuals were issued citations for fishing without a valid license.
CO Steve Sajtar responded to a water rescue call on Lake Michigan in Menominee County. A sailboat occupant became stranded for approximately six hours after accidently running his 38-foot vessel aground in shallow. The United States Coast Guard was not available to respond due to being occupied with another water rescue call. Shortly after dark, CO Sajtar arrived on scene with his patrol vessel and located the stranded sailboat. CO Sajtar maneuvered his patrol vessel to the stranded sailboat and retrieved the single occupant. After securing the sailboat with an anchor and activating all navigation lights, CO Sajtar transported the occupant to Cedar River boat launch. The occupant did not sustain any injuries and was eventually picked up by his wife.
CO Anna Viau and an Iron County sheriff’s office deputy held an ORV safety class for Iron County youth. Twelve students earned their ORV safety certificate that day.
CO Anna Viau participated in a Big Truck event for Iron River students in pre-Kindergarten through 2nd grade. She showed them how the lights and sirens worked in her truck and answered their many questions. Also attending the event was the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Resource Division (FRD) forest fire officers, Aspirus MedEvac ambulance, West Iron County Fire Department, Iron River Department of Public Works, Spicer’s Trucking, and Shamo Logging.
CO Jared Ferguson attended a special event called “Boats, Bobbers, and Big Smiles” in Dickinson County that was focusing on getting kids into fishing and the outdoors. CO Ferguson instructed the kids on marine safety and fishing laws in the State of Michigan. The event consisted of games with each kid receiving a free fishing pole and lures which were donated by local businesses. The event had 78 kids registered and a total of over 100 people attended, the event planners are already looking ahead to plan another event this upcoming year.
COs John Kamps and Cody Smith responded to two separate dirt bike accidents in Forsyth Township that occurred only an hour apart. The first was a collision with another vehicle. The individual got disoriented in the dust from other riders, crossed the center line of the road, and struck a sport utility vehicle head on. The second individual lost control of his dirt bike, struck a mailbox, and then crashed into a telephone pole. The COs were able to provide first aid to both subjects before they were transported to the hospital to be treated for further injuries. The second individual was subsequently arrested by the MSP for OWI.
CO Cody Smith gave a safety brief to boat captains for the Baraga Next Gen Team’s Keweenaw Classic Fishing Tournament and L’Anse Lake Trout Festival. There was a record setting 142 teams getting ready for the following morning’s tournament start. The next day, COs Smith and John Kamps patrolled the waters of Keweenaw Bay during the tournament contacting vessels from L’Anse to the Huron Islands. Despite heavy fog, the anglers saw great success landing many fish with the largest salmon being over 19 pounds and lake trout being over 22 pounds.
While patrolling in Marquette County, CO Jackson Kelly responded to back up a local officer who had a vehicle stopped without proper plates and insurance. The driver would not produce identification, did not have proper registration or insurance, and would not roll their window down or get out of the vehicle. The driver claimed to be exempt from state law since they were not a commercial vehicle. After more than an hour of negotiating the driver’s side window was smashed out and the subject was taken into custody without any further incident. The vehicle was towed, and the subject was lodged on multiple counts by the local agency.
DISTRICT 2
CO Steve Butzin assisted the MSP on a traffic accident in Masonville Township. Two vehicles hit head on causing serious injuries and one fatality. CO Butzin assisted with traffic control for over five hours while the scene was documented, and the vehicles and debris were removed from the roadway.
CO Robert Freeborn received a complaint of a camper left on state land in a remote area of Schoolcraft County. Upon arrival, CO Freeborn recognized the camper from last fall where he arrested a subject with multiple outstanding warrants. CO Freeborn was unable to locate the owner and started the abandoned vehicle process to get the camper removed.
COs Scott Pankow and Corporal (Cpl.) Todd Sumbera received a tip of individuals taking over-limits of smallmouth bass. CO Pankow and Cpl. Sumbera contacted three individuals that had been staying at a resort for a week. They were advised all three had caught their limit of smallmouth bass for six days except one day they were one fish short. The three individuals were in possession of 89 small mouth bass between the three of them. All 89 smallmouth bass were seized, and all three individuals were cited for take/possess over-limit of bass.
DISTRICT 3
CO Jack Gorno assisted the Cheboygan City Police with a subject who barricaded himself in his house after threatening another individual with a crossbow. After several hours of negotiation, the subject surrendered to law enforcement without incident.
CO Jack Gorno responded to an illegal burn in Cheboygan County. The subject admitted to burning a camper, “because it had black mold.” CO Gorno advised the subject there was a current burn ban and more importantly he could not burn a camper to dispose of it. CO Gorno ticketed the subject for unlawful disposal of solid waste and burn when not permitted to do so.
CO Matt Theunick received an anonymous complaint of a subject who had killed a bear that morning. CO Theunick responded to the scene and contacted the alleged suspect. An interview was conducted and the subject admitted that he had shot at a black bear that was getting into his multiple bird feeders. The subject stated he shot 9 or 10 times with a handgun at the bear from a close distance. Several area officers checked the area and recovered numerous shell casings. The bear was not located. Charges have been requested with the Otsego County Prosecutor’s Office.
CO Matt Theunick participated in a career day at Wolverine Schools. Students in grades eight through 12 were able to ask questions at several different tables where different professions were represented. About 85 students participated.
CO Jon Sklba assisted a motorist in Presque Isle County who’s trailer brakes were on fire. The fire was extinguished, and the subject was able to safely get the trailer to a residence.
CO Jon Sklba worked an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) marine patrol in Presque Isle County. Of the many people the CO contacted, nobody was aware of the laws that are in place to help prevent the spread of AIS. The CO was at a state launch and able to point out a sign at the launch that advises of these laws.
CO Sidney LaLonde assisted DNR Wildlife Division staff with a complaint of a bear in the Hillman area that had a plastic lid on its head. The bear was successfully trapped, and Wildlife Division staff were able to remove the lid and release the bear.
CO Jon Sheppard investigated a fire complaint in the Hillman area of Montmorency County. A subject did not take precautions to prevent the spread of a fire. The investigation continues.
Sgt. Paul Fox received a call regarding a fawn that was lying next to a residence. The caller was concerned that the fawn was abandoned, and that the doe would not return for it. Sgt. Fox advised the caller to leave it be and that it would likely move on its own and return to the doe. The caller advised the following morning that the fawn was gone.
DISTRICT 4
While CO Zack Walters was patrolling in Leelanau County he was dispatched to a grass fire. When CO Walters arrived on scene, the fire was just about extinguished by local fire departments. The landowner had been burning brush and driftwood from the beach on a day that burning was not allowed. CO Walters issued a citation for failing to contain the spread of a fire.
CO William Kinney attended the Special Olympics of Michigan’s annual summer games held in Mt. Pleasant. CO Kinney attended for the day to help hand out medals to all the athletes participating in the various events.
CO William Haskin was patrolling along the Wexford County and Missaukee County line when he stopped at a campsite on state land that contained a large amount of litter and had been in the location past the 15-day limit. CO Haskin issued the subject a ticket for littering and instructed the subject to relocate their camp after the litter was cleaned up.
CO Josiah Killingbeck responded to an ORV accident with injuries. CO Killingbeck was first to arrive on-scene. CO Killingbeck learned that a rider had been ejected from a dirt bike after colliding with another dirt bike and was then run over by another ORV. CO Killingbeck rendered aid and requested Aeromedical services. The victim was transported by vehicle to the ambulance which could not access the accident location. The victim was then flown to a trauma center for her injuries. CO Killingbeck discovered that one of the ORVs involved had left the scene of the accident. CO Killingbeck was able to contact and interview the driver that had left. Numerous violations including improper license plates and illegal tires, along with leaving the scene of an accident were addressed and a report will be submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
CO Josiah Killingbeck received a tip from the Wexford County Sheriff's Office regarding a stolen gun in a vehicle that CO Killingbeck had impounded in 2023. CO Killingbeck was able to locate the vehicle at a scrap yard and a stolen handgun was found in the vehicle after some disassembling. The firearm was turned over to the Wexford County Sheriff's Office and the investigation is ongoing.
CO Josiah Killingbeck responded to a report of an ORV accident with one of the victims unresponsive. CO Killingbeck was the first to arrive on-scene. CO Killingbeck rendered first aid and performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the victim. The victim was pronounced deceased on-scene after emergency medical services (EMS) attempted resuscitation efforts. CO Killingbeck requested an accident investigator from the Michigan State Police. Other investigators who arrived were from the Mid-Michigan Medical Examiner’s Office. Interviews were conducted and the investigation is ongoing.
CO Scott MacNeill responded to a report of an individual who was overdosing on narcotics and was unconscious. Once on scene, CO MacNeill secured the scene for EMS to respond. While awaiting EMS, CO MacNeill administered NARCAN to the patient, who after a brief period of observation, regained consciousness. Once advanced medical services arrived on scene, care was transferred, and the patient was treated and released from medical care later that evening.
CO Angela Greenway received a complaint of someone shooting at a family of geese that was on their lawn and hit one of the goslings. CO Greenway interviewed the suspect who admitted to shooting at the geese to try and get them off his lawn. He said it was an accident that he hit one of the goslings. A charge of harassing wildlife is being requested with the Mecosta County Prosecutor’s Office.
COs Logan Turner and Cameron Wright were patrolling in a closed area in Oceana County when they were passed by an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with two riders. CO Turner conducted a traffic stop on the ATV. Upon contacting the driver, it was found that there was an infant between the two parents. No one on the ATV had a helmet on, the ATV was not registered, and the ATV was only designed for one occupant. The driver was cited for the violations.
COs Logan Turner and Ryan Jager were on a boat patrol near Pentwater when they noticed an angler near the end of the pier head fishing with four poles. CO Jager got close to the seawall and CO Turner jumped onto the ladder of the pier. The angler noticed the two COs and started reeling in one of the fishing poles. After CO Turner contacted the angler, the angler admitted to knowing he could only use three fishing poles. He was cited for fishing with more than three lines.
While patrolling along the North Branch of the White River in the Manistee National Forest, Sgt. Ben Shively was finishing up a contact with subjects in a truck when a minibike came down the road. Sgt. Shively motioned for the driver to stop as he was not wearing a helmet, did not have a headlight or taillight, and did not have an ORV license. The subject stated he was just running back to his van parked a mile down the road to grab his phone and had used the minibike from his buddy’s camp. The subject was cited for operating an ORV without a helmet, educated on ORV laws and local ORV ordinances, and escorted back to the camp.
CO Cameron Wright responded to a reckless driver call just west of Fremont in Newaygo County. Dispatch reported that multiple calls had come in from Muskegon County reporting a sedan that kept crossing into oncoming traffic, had crashed into two telephone poles, went off the roadway into the ditch, and hit guardrails. Callers reported that the vehicle was still driving northbound. They also reported that the airbags had deployed, and the entire right side of the car was smashed. CO Wright located the vehicle parked near Maple Island and M-82. The entire right side was smashed, and the front right tire of the car was missing. CO Wright approached the car and located a 90-year-old male driver behind the wheel. The driver was incoherent and not making any sense. He was not sure where he was or what was going on. CO Wright requested EMS who arrived shortly after. It was determined that the male was having a diabetic emergency. EMS treated him on scene and the driver quickly became more alert. When the driver was told he had been in multiple crashes with his car, his jaw dropped and he said, “You have got to be freaking kidding me! Was I really!?”
While on patrol, CO Tim Barboza heard a Newaygo County deputy call out a traffic stop nearby. CO Barboza was asked to assist with the vehicle as the deputy was arresting the driver for a felony warrant. CO Barboza and the deputy conducted a consent search of the vehicle and discovered an open container of vodka and suspected cocaine. The suspected cocaine was collected for testing and the male was lodged on the warrant.
CO Tim Barboza was contacted by CO Ryan Jager who was off duty and fishing on the Muskegon River in Newaygo County. CO Jager was watching an angler on a kayak bow fishing. CO Barboza was nearby and patrolled to the boat launch down river of the angler to where he would most likely be pulling out of the river. CO Barboza contacted the angler at the launch, who had a bow set up for bow fishing on the front of his kayak and advised him that it’s unlawful to bow fish on a designated trout stream. The male was issued a citation for bow fishing on a trout stream.
DISTRICT 5
CO Josh Russell responded to a complaint at House Lake State Forest Campground and observed a campsite with no visible registration. Upon contact, the camper admitted he had not paid, stating he arrived late and "did not have change" for the pay pipe. CO Russell explained that payment must be made before setting up camp. A citation was issued for camping without paying fees.
While working in Gladwin County, CO Josh Russell observed two ORVs operating in a wetland area via surveillance. He responded and located the vehicles nearby. The subjects initially denied the violation, but after CO Russell showed video evidence, they admitted to the offense. Citations were issued.
Sgt. Phil Hudson and CO Kyle Bader attended a youth fishing derby at Skidway Lake on June 7th. The COs spoke with the young anglers and their parents about the importance of fishing regulations and the impact of AIS on Michigan’s inland lakes and streams. Approximately 35 youth participated in the event.
CO Kyle Bader was investigating an illegal burn complaint when Ogemaw County Central Dispatch aired a domestic dispute involving a person allegedly striking their brother with a baseball bat. CO Bader, just two blocks from the scene, responded. Upon arrival, dispatch advised that both individuals were juveniles and the incident was accidental. CO Bader checked on a 4-year-old boy who had missing teeth and a bleeding mouth. EMS assessed him on scene, and his mother transported him to the emergency room. No serious injuries were reported.
While patrolling for illegal ORV activity in Ogemaw County, CO Kyle Bader heard a West Branch City Police officer request backup for a report of a juvenile with a handgun in a city park. With other local units tied up on a domestic dispute, CO Bader responded to assist. The juvenile was found in possession of a backpack containing a 9mm pistol, multiple magazines, 12-gauge ammunition, and various drug paraphernalia. The items were seized, and the juvenile was turned over to his parents. West Branch PD is pursuing charges.
CO Casey Pullum assisted with a loose horse and pony in Oscoda County. The dark-colored animals were difficult to see after dark. As CO Pullum attempted to contain them, the horse ran into the roadway and was struck by a vehicle traveling around 55 mph. The horse was severely injured and had to be euthanized. The Oscoda County Sheriff’s Office took over the scene. The driver was cited for no insurance and expired registration. The pony was unharmed and returned to its owner.
COs Kyle Cherry and Jake Hamilton were conducting a traffic stop in Kalkaska County when they observed several ORVs approaching on a nearby road. After completing the stop, they flagged down the ORVs due to multiple violations. The group consisted of several quads and a side-by-side, none of which had ORV licenses. Riders on the quads were not wearing helmets, and two machines were carrying too many passengers. The COs provided education on ORV laws and issued citations for the licensing violations.
Sgt. Brian Olsen coordinated the removal of an abandoned vehicle that had been stuck on state land following a police pursuit over a year ago. He worked with a local tow company and Adopt-a-Forest to have the vehicle removed from the area.
Sgt. Brian Olsen assisted Richfield Township officers during a search warrant in Roscommon Township, where a pet raccoon was found in the residence.
DISTRICT 6
While patrolling in Bay County, CO Jason Ruth noticed an ORV traveling towards him and the operator was not wearing a helmet. CO Ruth conducted a traffic stop on the ORV. When asked about not having a helmet, the driver informed CO Ruth that he wears a Marine Corps military cap to gain free access to the Patterson Road boat launch. CO Ruth advised him he still needed to wear his helmet. While running the driver through LEIN, he told CO Ruth he was never in the Marines he just wears the hat. The operator of the ATV was issued a citation for not wearing a helmet.
While on patrol in Saginaw County, CO Nick McNamee was informed from dispatch that a woman was attempting to keep and care for a baby raccoon that had been separated from its mother. This individual had been talked to before about the same instance last year. CO McNamee contacted the individual and was able to retrieve the baby raccoon. A citation was issued for possessing a wild animal with no license or permit.
CO Kory Crawley was patrolling for illegal ORV activity when he observed a subject riding a dirt bike without a helmet in an area closed to all wheeled motor vehicles. The subject was cited for the two offenses and arrested for a misdemeanor warrant they had.
CO Michael Lator was patrolling Gratiot County when he observed several vehicles parked at the end of a dead-end road in the Maple River State Game Area, an area known for angling activity. The CO hiked into the woods and located several anglers fishing in a public pond in the SGA. Upon contact, one angler advised CO Lator that he was 16 and did not need a license to fish. Further investigation revealed that the individual had lied about his age and birthday to appear younger than he was. The other angler admitted immediately that he did not have a fishing license. Citations were issued.
CO Michael Lator was patrolling Gratiot County when he observed a side-by-side operating along M-57 and the operator was not wearing a seat belt. The CO conducted a traffic stop on the ORV and the operator admitted he knew he should not have been operating on the M-road and that he needed to wear his seat belt. A citation was issued for operating an ORV without wearing a seat belt and a warning was given for operating on the M-road.
DISTRICT 7
CO Carter Woodwyk was patrolling Allegan County for ORV activity when he observed an ORV parked on the shoulder of a county roadway that goes through the Allegan SGA. The CO contacted the subject seated in the driver's seat and learned that the ORV did not have proper licensing to be operated on the roadway. The CO completed a check on the driver and found that they had an active warrant for their arrest. The driver was placed under arrest and lodged on the arrest warrant.
CO Jim Nason received a complaint of an abandoned car that had crashed in the Gourdneck SGA in Kalamazoo County. The car appeared to have left the designated roadway at a high rate of speed and was left abandoned with the rear tires still suspended in the air. A quick investigation revealed a young woman was responsible. She was charged with failing to report an accident and received multiple citations revolving around state land use violations.
CO Sam Schluckbier was on ORV patrol in the Allegan SGA. Two dirt bikes operated by juveniles and a golf cart operated by an adult guardian were stopped. The adult was not aware of the juveniles requiring ORV safety certifications to legally operate. The ORVs were not properly licensed as required by law. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Sam Schluckbier was on ORV patrol in the Allegan SGA when a subject was observed operating without a helmet. The individual recently lost his driver’s license for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He claimed to not be aware of the ORV laws but needed to get to his grandmother’s residence as she was going to lend him five dollars. A citation was issued for the safety violation.
DISTRICT 8
CO Wes Butler was on patrol at Round Lake when he spotted a boat with an out of state registration. CO Butler recognized the boat and remembered that he had given the owner a warning a couple weeks prior for failing to transfer the title within 15 days of ownership. CO Butler contacted the anglers on the boat and asked the owner if he had gotten the boat registered yet. The man explained that he hadn’t been able to get to the Secretary of State yet. He also said that he didn’t get it registered yet because he didn’t have enough money. CO Butler told him that doesn’t make much sense because he just spent thousands of dollars on a bass boat, but he somehow did not have enough money to get it registered. The man explained that he sold his car so he could have enough money to buy the boat. CO Butler ran the man’s information and found that he had a suspended driver’s license for driving under the influence, so he didn’t have any use for a vehicle anyway. CO Butler issued the man a citation for failing to register his vessel within 15 days of ownership.
CO James Rowley checked anglers on the Grand River within the City of Lansing. CO Rowley observed one individual on a pier with their fishing rod in hand and a line in the water. Once the individual noticed the marked patrol truck enter the parking lot, the individual reeled in their line and began walking off the pier. At the base of the pier the individual dropped their tackle bag and rod into the weeds and continued walking down a wooded river trail. CO Rowley located the individual and he admitted that he did not have a fishing license. A citation was issued.
While following up on a prior unusual fishing contact, CO Elliot Worel observed an elderly man on a riding lawn mower waving at him in his patrol truck. CO Worel stopped to speak with the man and observed that his left hand was bloody. The man stated that he was patching some siding on his barn and missed the nail striking his thumb and that he was trying to drive his mower to his house, about half a mile away, to take care of it. CO Worel got some rolled gauze from his first aid bag and gave it to the man to wrap his bleeding finger. The man thanked CO Worel for stopping to help and told him to come by his house anytime for some coffee.
While on patrol, CO Jeremy Beavers checked angler activity along the Flat River in Ionia County. While checking access sites in the Saranac Lowell SGA, he spotted three people who appeared to have a camp set up. He contacted the group and asked if they were camping, and they said no. He then educated them on rules pertaining to fires and camping in SGAs. CO Beavers then asked if anyone was fishing, and one person stated he was. CO Beavers then spotted some fish cooking over the fire. At first glance, he was unable to determine what type of fish they were. After closer inspection, he could see one was a smallmouth bass that was clearly shorter than 14 inches. CO Beavers measured the bass, and it came to 9.5 inches. The angler was cited for possessing a smallmouth bass less than 14 inches and given a warning for possessing mutilated fish.
DISTRICT 9
COs Kris Kiel and Brad Silorey were patrolling Lake St. Clair, for Operation Stonegarden patrol. As they were pulling up to one vessel, the COs observed a female angler cast and then set her rod down once she noticed the patrol vessel. When asked for her fishing license, the Kentucky resident stated that she doesn’t fish. The COs explained that they watched her fishing and if they had not, the male angler would be getting a ticket for fishing with too many lines. A citation was written for failing to exhibit a fishing license.
CO Sydney Griffor was in the Kimball Township area when St. Clair County Central Dispatch advised of a motorcycle versus deer personal injury accident on I-69 with the driver unresponsive but breathing. CO Griffor arrived on scene with a deputy. EMS was on location rending first aid to the driver of the motorcycle. CO Griffor assisted St. Clair County deputies on scene with the accident investigation and traffic. The driver became responsive and was transported by EMS with head injuries.
COs Joe Deppen and Cody Bourgeois worked a late patrol on the boat looking for over-limits and undersized walleye in the St. Clair River. The COs checked many boats and wrote several citations that evening. One contact led to the COs discovering a short walleye in the live well. The anglers stated it was legal size, and the COs decided to measure the walleye on the angler’s measuring device which still ended up being a ¼ short of legal size. The angler received a citation for keeping an undersized walleye.
DISTRICT 10
COs Brandon Hartleben and Mike Drexler attended the Ann Arbor Police Department’s inaugural Fishin’ with a Cop event that was held at Gallup Park along the Huron River in Ann Arbor. Schultz Outfitters out of Ypsilanti also sent several staff to assist with the event and provide technical assistance and guidance to the young participants. Approximately 20 local youth attended the event, with many catching their first fish ever. The event was a huge success based on feedback received from many of the participants. Suzanne Stone of Fisheries Division and her husband also attended the event and were instrumental in getting the new fisheries outreach trailer and the associated equipment inside ready for the participants. Each registered youth received a new rod and reel from the trailer along with some terminal tackle, stickers, fish identification guides, and various other equipment.
While working Belle Isle, CO Jeremy Woods observed a vehicle pass him at a high rate of speed and then stop in the middle of the intersection after disregarding a stop sign. A stop was conducted and when CO Woods advised the driver that they were receiving a ticket for disregarding a stop sign, the driver stated, “I did stop.” CO Woods advised them they are supposed to stop at the actual stop sign.
CO Jacob Robinson was on patrol in Belle Isle Park when he witnessed a subject begin to pass a line of vehicles, including the CO, on the right in designated parking spots. The CO conducted a traffic stop and cited the subject for improper lane use and warned the subject for operating over the speed limit in the state park.
CO Nicholas Ingersoll was conducting speed enforcement on Belle Isle during his shift, when he noticed a vehicle swerving in and out of traffic. CO Ingersoll used his LIDAR unit and was able to determine the vehicle was going 58 mph in a 25-mph zone. When the driver was questioned, he stated he wasn’t speeding and did not know why he was stopped. The driver was cited for speeding.
Sgt. Shane Webster encountered a subject who disregarded a stop sign while driving on Belle Isle. Upon locating the vehicle parked, he observed a young female exit the vehicle and run to a group of people. Contact was made and it was found that the father had allowed his unlicensed 16-year-old to drive around Belle Isle Park alone so she could “learn to drive”. A ticket was issued to the father.
GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)
Cpl. Todd Sumbera assisted District 2 with a patrol in the Straits of Mackinac, transporting MSP troopers to Mackinac Island for a specialized patrol during the Mackinac Policy Conference. Approximately 150 protesters attended to protest Line 5, and no issues were documented.
Cpls. Cole VanOosten and Todd Sumbera, along with Lt. Nick Torsky, followed up on two net entanglements reported by anglers - one in Detour and one in Cedarville. Both entanglements turned into net lifts with approximately 3,900 feet of abandoned, unidentified gill net being lifted between the two locations. Among the two nets were approximately 80 burbot, lake trout and suckers, and 10 unidentifiable waterfowl. The gear lost by the fishermen that reported the entanglements was recovered and will be returned to the rightful owners.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen attended a Pentwater Sportfishing Association fishing tournament weigh-in to introduce himself, talk about commercial nets, and answer questions.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen received a complaint of many small perch in a bait dealer's minnow tanks. Cpl. Van Gelderen conducted an inspection and found many perch and a crayfish. The information was given to Cpl. Justin Vanderlinde since the bait wholesaler is in Interlochen. Cpl. Vanderlinde is conducting a follow-up.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen and CO Logan Turner conducted a Lake Michigan patrol out of Whitehall. Tickets for fishing with too many lines were issued.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen worked with biologists and fisheries technicians on the survey vessel "Steelhead" on Lake Michigan out of Manistee. 8,000 feet of gill nets were pulled, and samples were taken.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen and CO Ryan Jager conducted a Lake Michigan patrol out of Whitehall. Tickets for fishing with too many lines were issued.
Cpl. Cole VanOosten assisted in transporting EIS Detective Josh Boudreaux and 3 EGLE field staff to Gravel Island in Northern Lake Huron for follow-up with an environmental development violation.
Cpl. Pat Hartsig did a “show-and-tell” of furs and fish at a local elementary school. The bear rug was the big hit of the day.
Cpls. Brett DeLonge, Cole Vanoosten, and Tom Peterson assisted staff from Lake Superior Watershed Partnership and the University of Michigan with equipment maintenance at Stannard Rock lighthouse. The officers brought the crew to Stannard Rock so they could work on weather data collection equipment and mount a test live-feed camera. During the patrol, the officers then checked several sport anglers on the reef, and one angler was cited for failing to possess a valid fishing license.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge checked sport anglers returning to Upper Harbor in Marquette. Two anglers from one boat mentioned that they limited out and showed Cpl. DeLonge their catch, which included ten lake trout and 1 chinook salmon. Cpl. DeLonge informed the anglers that they were one fish over limit. Cpl. DeLonge clarified the angler’s perception of the legal limit for that management area in Lake Superior, one lake trout was seized, and the anglers received a verbal warning and a better understanding of the regulations.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge received a phone call from a commercial fisherman fishing out of Marquette regarding an entanglement that occurred in their net while they were pulling. The commercial fisherman contacted the sport angler, who was apologetic for running into the marked net, and returned the entangled gear.
