Boaters will face roadside checks for invasive species

[headcheese]

I wonder if the state plans to patrol the lake shores 24/7 and pressure wash any turtles that may be leaving the lake with zebra mussells on there shells.

haha. seriously if they want to make a difference they need to be just at the landings educating people and offering help.

with some of these wide boats that sit low to the ground it is hard for some people to get all the weeds off their trailer.

[bottom-bouncer]

Im a litle late on this topic but wanted to add my .02 worth. first remember back twenty or so years ago when they used to set up random roadside checks checking for over possession of fish and illegally taken or un registered deer didnt this stop because they deemed it unconstitutional. These new checks are the same thing. as far as stopping for it all depends. I do drive a truck for a living. And I do deal with scales all the time usually you just do your best to avoid them but sometimes you cant. personally when I do come upon a scale that is open and rolling trucks across I do comply. But sometimes the troopers have there head stuffed up there keesters and they keep the sign on that tells you they are open untill they have trucks backed up onto the highway wich creates unsafe conditions. Then I do not stop and go past and tell them on the C.B sorry but you need to look out your window and see the trucks backed up onto the road you are creating unsafe conditions. I have done this a number of times and have never been bothered. For me it will be no different for these roadside checks if they provide a safe place for me to stop I will comply if not I will simlpy drive by and give them a wave. I cant imagine these random checks will last long there will be somebody who has money and dislikes are goverment enough who will intentionally get stoped with violations or will refuse to stop and will take this to the supreme court and fight it untill it is over turned.

[ronnywalleye]

how many zebs are on the gill nets and do they get checked?

[Down Deep]

This discussion seems to have brought attention to the need for everyone to check their boats.

[reinhard1]

and i think that's a good thing. i was talking to a young meat cutter the other day about local fishing spots. he was not aware of the law's regarding the bait bucket rule and some of the others. he knew about pulling the weeds and that was about it. so it makes me wonder how many are out there not aware of some of the laws. how many even take the time to check the reg books once in awhile? so i think having threads like this with different opinions has an educational aspect to it. good luck.

[thatoneguy]

I received an email from the DNR today advertising job openings they have. Among the many listed were seven positions for "Invasive Species Watercraft Inspector."

The seven job locations were listed as:

Winona

St Paul

International Falls

Detroit Lakes

St Cloud

Brainerd

Duluth