Help me find the answer in the regs or if state law

[CigarGuy]

My fishing buddy got in a argument with a fellow worker on whether it is against the law to pee in a lake....be it winter or summer. Him and I both say it's against the law, however I can't find it in the regs. It is just a state law about "urinating in public" or is it posting under "public water regs" some where?

I don't want to get into a debate about it, just the facts........please.

[Crm7290]

I believe public urination is illegal but dont know where in the laws it would be. I see it in the police blotters all the time.

[croixflats]

Only if you eat asparagus.

[fishersofmen]

I don't even want to think about what goes into the lakes we take fish from.....

[Crm7290]

"Is it necessary for me to drink my own urine? No! But I do it anyway, cause it's sterile and I like the taste."

Dodgeball anyone?

[LMITOUT]

indecent exposure, perhaps?

[DeeJ]

617.23 INDECENT EXPOSURE; PENALTIES.

Every person who shall wilfully and lewdly expose his person, or the private

parts thereof, in any public place, or in any place where others are present, or shall

procure another to so expose himself, and every person who shall be guilty of any

open or gross lewdness or lascivious behavior, or any public indecency other than

hereinbefore specified, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and punished by a fine of

not less than $5, or by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than ten days.

Every person committing the offense herein set forth, after having once been

convicted of such an offense in this state, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

History: RL s 4953; 1931 c 321 (10186)

Seems to apply...

[merkman]

You can pee in a pool, why not the lake?

[Crm7290]

indecent exposure would depend more on where you peed then peeing in general. Peeing in front of a school is different then peeing in front of your fish house. Just look around before you pee and no one will know.

Its like speeding

[mainbutter]

I'm fairly sure that just about every officer, CO, etc wouldn't do a thing about anyone taking a leak while out on the water, as long as you make a reasonable effort to not expose yourself to others.

The more wilderness-y, the better.

[Crm7290]

I dont know if that is true, they might let it slide sometimes but if you are in the metro or near population I'm sure they can find an easy money making ticket for you.

Wilderness-y works, just dont get caught.

[mainbutter]

Its like speeding

Except I doubt there's an officer around the corner just out of your line of vision waiting to pounce and write a ticket as soon as you unzip

[CigarGuy]

You guy's are killing me! I knew this question was going to be trouble!

The facts and only the facts.....It must just be again the law under "urinating in public".

TO PEE OR NOT TO PEE IN PUBLIC........THAT IS THE QUESTION

[mr.z 1972]

indecent exposure, perhaps?

Maybe for some of you

[MJ1657]

Alot of "law enforcement" is left up to the officers discretion. I'm not sure if there is a correct answer???????

[Crm7290]

You never know butter, I know of one lake where I am regularly checked by the police, you can see them with binoculars at the dock just waiting.

Ill pee in public, but I am mindful of my surroundings. Unless you want to drive off the lake every now and then you are going to have to.

[DeeJ]

Bah, settle your own bet then. If you want the exact statute, look it up yourself. Here's the site. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/

As already alluded to, discretion (Both yours and the officer's) will also play a role.

[CigarGuy]

I tried that site....I only have a little over 60,000 documents to finsh going through. Good Night

[RJMOEN]

Email the dnr, they usually respond within a couple days. Then I print their responses and put'em in the car.

[croixflats]

If in doubt hold/hang one of those invisible dogs on a wire in front of you. Blame it on the dog when they get there.

[zamboni]

617.23 INDECENT EXPOSURE; PENALTIES.

or by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than ten days.

What are you in for?

Murder. You?

Peeing.

[BLACKJACK]

What are you in for?

Murder. You?

Peeing.

The group W bench for you!!

[TruthWalleyes]

I had a CO many years back say "I wish i had a video camera, i bet you guys have flipped that house open 10 times in the last two hours, hopped out and pee'd, then jumped back in" He though it was funny....I was also underage and had a few empty's in a bucket that he didn't care about...Just keep your winky hidden from others views...Keep in mind that it will offend probably any parent if you whip it out infront of a kid to see.

I've gotten on my kneed in my boat to tinkle into a bottle of some sort a time or two when the lake is busy... Or just pee in a bottle in your fish house...When hole hopping, just be mindful of others....

Sorry, no statute.

[Roomylegend]

I heard it was illegal due to public nudity and that it's hard on the lakes. Because bacteria doesnt break it down till spring and where there is a lot of people urine can be hard on a lake during spring time.

But I doubt u will get a ticket for it. Unluss he is a big jerk.

[Hookey]

It's only hard on the lake if the temps are below freezing.