Lake Assoc Fines????????

[MUSKY18]

Was out fishing a particular lake yesterday and there were signs at the landing saying if you have weeds on your boat/trailer the lake assoc would fine you $1000 bucks. Can they do this legally? Doesn't sound right to me.

[hunter991]

depends on the local ordinance. This is to stop the evasive weed species like milfoil etc.... make sure your boat is clean and the water is drained from the livewells. But yes, i suppose it is possible.

[9joey1]

It is not right to put your boat in lakes with weeds on your trailer. A lake can get wrecked very quickly by people introducing invasive species.....

[DTro]

It is not right to put your boat in lakes with weeds on your trailer. A lake can get wrecked very quickly by people introducing invasive species.....

I don’t think that is the issue here. Most people know that they should remove the weeds from thier boat and trailer.

I just don’t see how a lake assoc has the jurisdiction to levy a fine. They might have a way to streamline getting a CO out there to take care of business, but unless the lake is privately owned, I don’t think they can do that. But I really don't know, that is just my thought.

[MuskieJunkie]

They can try to fine you, there's no way they can enforce it though. Even if they knew your name and address to send you an angry letter/bill how are they going to collect?

With that said I don't disagree with them doing it.

[bassphish2005]

just heard that the DNR found Spiny water fleas in Mille Lacs lake,all it takes is one person not checking things out too spread exotic species to new waters

[RumRiverRat]

It is not right to put your boat in lakes with weeds on your trailer. A lake can get wrecked very quickly by people introducing invasive species.....

Thanks for stating the obvious.

I am sure that is not the issue in this case, this post is about the legality of a Lake Association fining people for have weeds on their trailers.

[DHanson]

It's a scare tactic. My guess, Bret, is that the lake you found this sign on has a couple homeowners who like to think they are a big deal. I'm sure they spend a good portion of their time scaring or intimidating people at the landings with their fake power. But really, all they can do is call a local CO stating Bill and Fred have weeds on their trailer.

[MUSKY18]

Kind of what I was thinking as well. I always check and recheck my trailer after pulling it out of the water. I have no problems with doing that, as I think everyone should be doing the same thing. Was just wondering if the lake assoc could really fine you or if they were just trying to bully people. Only lake I have ever been too where I have seen these type of signs from the lake assoc.

[50inchpig]

Hanson is probably right, the lake you're fishing probably already has milfoil too. Too little, too late. Zebra mussels, spiny water fleas, hopefully it's not too late to stop the VHS.

[St_Croix_Banks]

I heard on the Minnetonka Lake Assoc was trying to do this? Is that the lake you saw it on?

[hunter991]

If the lake association doesn't have the "rights" to fine you, you can bet someone there who is watching has the phone number to the local DNR guy. all they need to do is call and then a ticket will be issued. Especially if your trailer has weeds on it and you park it. You would be surprised at how fast some DNR guys respond.

[Musky Buck]

These things are scary, a good friend told me last night he was working on Pelican Lake by DL and they found what they believe to be zebra mussels attached to the docks and lifts. Maybe that's old news already I don't know but he said the DNR was there taking samples and etc.

[Musky Buck]

That's the bad part, 1 person can do a lot of damage knowingly or unknowingly and as much garbage and litter found at the accesses this summer, makes you wonder how much effort is put into cleaning the boat and trailer for potentially harmful aquatics.

[Cold Front Pooch]

Half the people in the metro can't even back in a trailer or operate their boat... odds are hardly anybody is actually checking for weeds. Its very unfortunate, but its the world we live in.

[hopeforfish]

I could see why they would have a sign, it is the lake Association that will be footing the bill to try and treat the problem.

[JRedig]

I'd say this is like the power loading "fine" at WBL Matoska launch that doesn't exist...

"You can't powerload."

"Ok, fine me."

"Um.....there isn't one..."

That was a very entertaining conversation...lol.

[Musky_Madness]

I know what lake what you're talking about. A little overkill with the billboards all the way down the parking lot to the ramp. My dad and I were laughing about the same thing earlier this year. I guess it can't hurt to try and persuade people to check everything, but again, how are they going to collect that money?

[Muskiefool]

Muskie anglers are typically a conscientious conservation mined bunch that wont have have to worry about this, but I'm glad it brings some awareness to the landings again. I saw a pontoon and another pleasure craft just barrel off the landing the other day without looking at anything, clearly a heavy scum line so probably a Lake property owner but who knows 100%.

Check your boats and drain the water; I wish it was $10,000 fine maybe then people would take these issues serious.

[merkman]

just heard that the DNR found Spiny water fleas in Mille Lacs lake,all it takes is one person not checking things out too spread exotic species to new waters

Or one bird...

[propster]

What if you were clean going in and picked up weeds from their lake pulling out? You'd remove those before putting into another lake, and probably before putting back in this one, but how could they prove they were anything but their own? That situation doesn't seem fine-able.

[Nick Kuhn]

Originally Posted By: bassphish2005

just heard that the DNR found Spiny water fleas in Mille Lacs lake,all it takes is one person not checking things out too spread exotic species to new waters

Or one bird...

I think this is more often the case. I believe I have found the dreaded curly-leaf pondweed in my cabin's lake (on two occasions I caught parts of leafs) and there's no reason that if they came from a boat they would first grow there (they'd start near the boat launch or in the main basin). However that area is frequented by waterfowl, which would make more sense. Currently that area is so weed choked with other types of weeds that I haven't been able to confirm or not the situation. At the next lake association meeting I'll ask them to investigate thoroughly next May.

[half-dutch]

depends on the local ordinance. This is to stop the evasive weed species like milfoil etc.... make sure your boat is clean and the water is drained from the livewells. But yes, i suppose it is possible.

All it takes is a quick call to the local DNR office and you very likely be told that a lake association has no such enforcement rights. It may have fines it can apply to its own membership in some cases, however. If members of the general public can launch into a lake, I don't think you will find it is a private lake; there aren't very many of them at all in Minnesota anyway.

A municipality may have some fine rights for behaviors at municipally owned launches just like they do for parks.

I am not quite sure but it is my impression that for the state DNR to tag you for weeds they have to be defined as exotic, unless you are coming OFF an infested lake. Then everything is considered contaminated. Members of the general public may try a citizen's arrest, but that is not very likely.

[9joey1]

I know I was stating the obvious. What I am saying is just do the right thing and the fine concern won't even be a problem. Our cabin up north has many issues with people backing in and out without taking weeds off trailer. Same with not bothering to follow the slow no wake sign. Oh and by the way, many are muskie anglers........

[Musky Buck]

Hear ya Joey, but many are muskie anglers means many are not. I know, I wish a co could watch every lake in the summer and winter and some of the rule breakers could finally get caught, I know we take hunting rights away for certain violations I wish it were the same for blatant fishing/boating violations. Almost every night on the water if I were a CO I could write someone up for running without lights or no wake or something.