Minnesota DNR adds K9 teams to protect lakes, fight invasive species

On June 11, 2026, Conservation Officer Matt Brodin and K9 Molly in Brainerd, along with Conservation Officer Mitch Nowak and K9 Hank in St. Peter, earned detection certification and joined the Minnesota DNR K9 Unit. The new teams add trained noses for aquatic invasive species, fish and game violations, evidence recovery and missing-person searches. In Otter Tail County, there are 1,048 lakes, the most of any county in the United States, and that work can show up at boat launches, fishing access points, hunting areas, trails and public lands.

Earlier in 2026, K9 Fennec died, leaving the unit with nine handler-dog teams.

The dogs are trained to detect zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species, recover evidence, protect officers and locate missing people. They also assist other law enforcement agencies when needed. K9 Jet found a missing person and shell casings in hunting cases. K9 Trapper located evidence from a carjacking and a poacher’s rifle. K9 Cora helped officers connect three dead deer and a shell casing to illegal shooting. K9 Axel helped the Red Lake Nation and the FBI find a firearm in a homicide investigation.

Otter Tail County’s long-range strategic plan includes preserving natural resources for future generations.

The newest dogs had already completed hundreds of aquatic invasive species checks statewide, including detections involving zebra mussels.

Captain Phil Mohs leads the K9 Unit. Handlers and dogs train every day, and the unit trains together 16 hours a month to keep those skills sharp.

Report violations on the water, in the woods or on a trail to the TIP hotline at 800-652-9093 or use the conservation officer patrol-area map to find local contacts.