BRAINERD, Minn. — Conservation officers will be cracking down on underage drinking this winter on Brainerd area lakes.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says its officers have routinely encountered underage drinkers when conducting routine fishing license checks on the ice.

During the holiday season, conservation officers will be working throughout the Brainerd lakes area and focusing on places that have underage consumption problems in the past.

The enforcement initiative is supported by a grant from the Minnesota Institute of Public Health.