Cases from the Lower St. Croix River Warden Team
Warden Blotter: Boat crash, wildlife rescues and stopping hitchikers at the dock
Dunn, St. Croix, Polk and Pierce counties
Wardens Paul Sickman of Hudson and Brad Peterson of River Falls received a request to assist in Pierce County for a fatal boat accident where a 40-foot performance cabin boat crashed into the Wisconsin shore with three people on board. There was one fatality. The accident investigation is ongoing.
Wardens Brad Peterson, Paul Sickman, David Hausman of St. Croix County, Bill Wrasse of Durand, Wayne Flak of Dunn County and Water Guards Rebecca Dick and Aaron Maase worked on AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) enforcement on area waters in Dunn, St. Croix and Polk counties. A decontamination unit was used at Bass and Cedar Lakes to clean boats exiting infected waters. Some fishers were unaware they had to drain their live wells before leaving the landing.
Warden Brad Peterson of River Falls assisted a landowner in removing a Timber Rattle Snake near a pool area. The snake was released safely.
Warden Jim Cleven of Colfax received a complaint from a concerned citizen who had seen an injured hawk on the edge of the roadway of I-94 near the Knapp Hill. Cleven captured the Red-tailed Hawk and transferred the hawk to a wildlife rehabilitator in Colfax.
Warden Cleven assisted the Dunn County Fish and Game Club with their Annual Youth Trout Fishing event held at Herbie’s Bullfrog Fish Farm, located near Downsville, on June 13. One-hundred and ten kids ages 15 and under went trout fishing. The young anglers caught 160 trout.
Warden Cleven and Deputy Warden Gary Schwoch assisted the Dunn County Conservation Alliance with their June event on Lake Menomin -- “Sharing Our Resources on the Water.” This is a boating and fishing event for individuals with mobility, systemic, or health-related disabilities and for seniors. The purpose of the event is to introduce or re-introduce people with a disability to outdoor recreation. Wardens provided 20 personal flotation devices, DNR fishing poles and two DNR boats for the event. Approximately 32 people went fishing on Lake Menomin. A prize raffle was provided along with a fish shore lunch.
If you have information regarding natural resource violations, please call: VIOLATION HOTLINE: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay reported information to conservation wardens. Anyone who calls the Violation Hotline or provides information can remain anonymous.`