Recreation Enforcement
Beltrami County has some of the most tremendous fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, boating, canoeing, kayaking, ATV/ OHV and snowmobile riding opportunities in the state. Each year, many thousands of residents and visitors head out to the lakes, woods and trails to take advantage of the many recreational opportunities that abound. The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing a safe environment for citizens spending time in the great outdoors.
The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Recreation Division consists of a supervisory Sergeant and two Deputies. The division is equipped with boats, personal watercraft, 4-wheelers, snowmobiles and other search and rescue related equipment.
There are more than 345 lakes covering over 345,000 acres that are patrolled during summer months. The Recreation Division enforces safety regulations, responds to boating accidents, search and rescue/ recovery operations, marking waterways with buoys, and enforcing local ordinances and state laws. The Sheriff’s Office works closely with volunteers, local fire departments and the Minnesota department of Natural Resources to help educate the community through training exercises. The Recreation Division issues permits for events and temporary structures on the water, and inspects rental watercraft at local resorts and campgrounds.
Here are some easy tips you can follow to make your boating experience safer and more enjoyable.
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Know and follow water safety and boating rules.
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Have adequate personal flotation safety devices.
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Make sure children under age 10 are wearing their life jackets at all times while in a watercraft.
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Obey speeds and no-wake rules.
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Exercise extra caution in areas where boats congregate and visibility is limited.
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Don’t tow tubers or skiers thru channels or other difficult-to-maneuver areas.
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Don’t drink and boat.
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Watch the weather report and use common sense if lightning is present or bad weather approaches.
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Have a cell phone or communication devise available.
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Know your local emergency numbers.
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Report problems to the Recreation Division and let them handle the investigation.
Beltrami County deputies patrol approximately 677 miles of snowmobile trails. The purpose of ATV and snowmobile patrol is to increase law enforcement presence on the local trails to ensure compliance with state and local laws, and to serve in a public safety awareness role. The Recreational Deputies purpose mirrors that of the patrol division in many aspects.
The Beltrami County Recreational program is partly funded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) through state and federal grants.