Monday, May 6, 2013
Department of Natural Resources will be out in full force this weekend.
Anglers and boaters can expect stepped-up patrols and citations for violating the state's aquatic invasive species (AIS) laws, according to Lt. Col. Rodmen Smith, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Enforcement Division assistant director. "We are setting the expectation of the angling and boating public that they will follow the laws to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, that they will be checked for AIS violations, and that they will cited if a violation is found," Smith said. The increased patrols will begin with the walleye opener on Saturday and continue through the Memorial Day weekend and into the summer. Minnesota law prohibits the possession or transport of any AIS in Minnesota. Conservation officers and peace …
Monday, April 29, 2013
Direct spending of resident and nonresident anglers in Minnesota totaled $2.4 billion in 2011, the latest year for which information is available.
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: The anglers who enjoy Minnesota’s sky blue waters are a powerful engine for the state’s economy, according to a new survey data released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Direct spending of resident and nonresident anglers in Minnesota totaled $2.4 billion in 2011, the latest year for which information is available. That amount included $1.4 billion on equipment, $925 million on trip-related expenditures and $41 million on various items such as magazines and fishing organization membership dues. Angler spending supports about 35,000 jobs. “Only three states had higher angling expenditures,” said C.B. Bylander, outreach chief for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) …
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Repair of six pipe leaks, coupled with a water conservation ordinance passed last year, have resulted in significant downgrades in Wayzata's actual and projected water use.
An article posted Tuesday on Lake Minnetonka Patch examining water use by area municipalities and based on figures compiled by the Metropolitan Council contained data some city officials say was incomplete. The post reported that the City of Wayzata’s water use is expected to grow 16.0 percent between 2010 and 2020—from 1.06 million gallons per day on average to 1.23 million gallons per day. By 2030, it’s expected to climb to 467.20 million gallons per year, far above the 350 million gallons it’s permitted now. Dave Dudinsky, Director of Public Service for the City of Wayzata, said those statistics were “based on projections and assumptions that may need to be updated.” “In 2010 the City performed a water leak study,” Dudinsky said. “…
Sunday, April 7, 2013
This winter we experienced exceptional early ice season conditions. As the winter progressed abundant snowfall quickly changed the ice fishing landscape. Travel conditions on the lake, as well as the weight of snow on the ice, created serious problems.
By Maj. Roger Tietz, Minnesota DNR Enforcement Division The 2012 ice fishing season is drawing to a close. For those of you who spend time on the ice, there are a few things we can learn from this year’s ice fishing season. These are important lessons, life’s moments that will someday be the “I remember back during the winter of 2012” that will be ever etched in our minds. So, from an avid ice fisherman and a conservation officer for more than 30 years, here are “Lessons learned from the 2012 ice fishing season.” Putting a fish house on the lake requires dedication In Minnesota we enjoy the opportunity to put an ice fishing or spearing shelter on the lake. The law allows us to leave it on the lake unattended. To be clear, I’m not focusing …
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Seventy-five percent of Minnesotans get their drinking water from groundwater, but some aquifers are on a long-term downward trend that is not sustainable.
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Thursday, March 28
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Governor Mark Dayton is proposing a new funding structure to help ensure that Minnesota’s growing economy has reliable supplies of high quality water. The proposal is expected to be introduced in the Legislature early next week. Seventy-five percent of Minnesotans get their drinking water from groundwater, but some aquifers are on a long-term downward trend that is not sustainable. The drought has raised the profile of chronic water problems around the state. At the current rate of use, surface water and groundwater supplies may be at risk. The state needs more reliable information on water sources and how they are being used. The additional funding would increase the Department of …
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Fines north of $100 could be levied by the DNR against the owners of fish houses violating state statute.
All fish houses and other forms of ice shelters must be off local lakes by midnight, March 4. Shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officer Aaron Kahre, who spends about 90 percent of his time on Lake Minnetonka, said fines north of $100 could be levied by the DNR against the owners of fish houses violating state statute. Kahre went on to remind all recreational lake users to also take their garbage and other refuse with them when they leave the lake. Litter, he said, spikes around lakes at this time of year as ice shelters are removed. Related posts: It's not uncommon for the DNR to have to remove ice houses …
Friday, February 22, 2013
Deaths in Stillwater and Lake Minnetonka; dozens of cars, snowmobiles and ATVs have broken through area ice this winter.
This winter season (November to April) is on track to be the deadliest on the ice in more than five years, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). So far this winter, five people have died after going through the ice in Minnesota. A sixth person is missing and presumed drowned. In the 2006-2007 winter season, eight people died in ice-related incidents. Just last week a snowmobiler died after going through ice on the St. Croix River near Stillwater. Three of the state's five deaths—an infant, a man in his 30s and an elderly female—have occurred on Lake Minnetonka. “There could be several reasons why so many people have died this year,” said Kara Owens, DNR boat and water safety specialist. “It could be there are …
Thursday, February 21, 2013
After removal dates, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended.
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Thursday, February 21
From Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Minnesota’s ice fishing shelter removal dates are approaching, and dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off Lake Minnetonka no later than midnight on March 4. Enforcement action will be taken if shelters are left after the deadlines. Those not removing shelters will be prosecuted. Conservation officers may remove the structure and confiscate or destroy it. It is also unlawful to store or leave a shelter at a public access. Anglers are advised to remove shelters earlier, if ice conditions warrant. For border waters, the shelter removal deadlines are: Minnesota-Iowa, Feb. 20; Minnesota-Wisconsin, March 1; Minnesota-North Dakota and South Dakota, March 5; Minnesota-Canada, …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Anyone heading out on the ice should: wear a life jacket, carry a set of ice picks, check with a local bait shop or resort— ask about ice conditions— and measure the ice.
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Wednesday, January 9
With several days of temperatures hovering above and below freezing, 32°F, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding everyone not to let their guard down when traveling out on a frozen lake, river or pond. With days of warmer than normal temperatures, it doesn’t take long to make the ice brittle, said Kara Owens, DNR boat and water safety specialist. “Anglers or snowmobilers might be safe in one spot one day, but might fall through in the same place the very next day." So far this winter, there have been no ice-related deaths in Minnesota. Last winter, four people died after falling through the ice. Last winter, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek ordered all vehicles off the ice after a string of accidents and …
Friday, January 4, 2013
New report says approach is feasible at Lock and Dam No. 1 in Minneapolis; would be considered experimental because such barrier has never been tested in an environment similar to a lock chamber.
A new report commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has concluded that an Asian carp barrier using sound, bubbles and lights would be the most viable option to deter invasive fish from moving past Lock and Dam #1, commonly known as the Ford Dam. The DNR recently contracted with Barr Engineering Co. to evaluate options for an Asian carp deterrent barrier at the lock and dam on the Mississippi River. The report specifically examined what type of barrier could be used within the lock chamber, which allows commercial and recreational boats and barges to move upstream. The chief advantage of a lock barrier is that it does not need to block fish passage across the entire river, but to deflect fish away from the …
