Sheriffs shuting down all public launches?!

[DTro]

So just for arguments sake, what about people who access the lake from their own property? I can understand shutting down a public access, but can you shut down a lake?

[fishersofmen]

Liberty? People don't have the ability to think for themselves anymore apparently.

[Slabasaurus]

I'm with TK and all others who think this is a horrible infringement. Instead of locking up the access' I can assume a "safety" procedure should include marking areas of thin ice?!

It's a slippery slope, this may very well facilitate future infringements upon us sportsmen who understand ALL of the risks of our preferred sports.

Would you lay down and roll over for some CO who told you that the waves are too big on Mille Lacs and since a few 14' dinghies capsized you need to take your 20 Lund home until we tell you it's safe?

I'm usually right there with ya on the slippery slope deal, but I have a question before I make up my mind on how I feel about this.

Are just the accesses closed? If you had a shoreline property that you are able to drive onto the lake from, is there anything they can do at all?

Regardless of how I feel about this, I'm not surprised. People really haven't been the smartest this year driving on metro ice.

[CrappieNight]

I think they may have covered their bases by saying "onto the ice". It could certainly be argued that someone driving on at a private access wasn't aware of the restrictions.

[CrappieNight]

Also, for arguments sake, what happens if there are shacks on the ice now that are too big for a wheeler and the ice deteriorates as the season ends? If we don't get enough cold weather to satisfy their worries by the end of the season are the owners of those shacks just supposed to file insurance claims for their loss or send the bill to the County Sheriff's office?

[muskE]

You have a 20' Lund?

[JakeJ_Mn]

I'm sure it's not fun for the law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, or the good samaritan to keep pulling people out of the water for not being responsible, BUT I find this action to be an infringement of rights. What's next - too many car accidents so we have to walk?? Time to call your state representative or the Governor to voice your displeasure.

[muskE]

Also, for arguments sake, what happens if there are shacks on the ice now that are too big for a wheeler and the ice deteriorates as the season ends? If we don't get enough cold weather to satisfy their worries by the end of the season are the owners of those shacks just supposed to file insurance claims for their loss or send the bill to the County Sheriff's office?

For your argument, it's called paying attention to conditions. I have a semi-perm and I haven't left it on the ice unattended at all this year. It's been too variable. If they don't have their shacks off and haven't been paying attention to the weather reports and ice conditions who's to blame?

I'm just sayin'

[muskE]

Are just the accesses closed? If you had a shoreline property that you are able to drive onto the lake from, is there anything they can do at all?

They can either walk, sled, or risk a fine by driving a car. Why would lakefront ownership change law enforcement? This was Medicine lake not Christmas <different thread>.

[Slabasaurus]

They can either walk, sled, or risk a fine by driving a car. Why would lakefront ownership change law enforcement? This was Medicine lake not Christmas <different thread>.

huh. what I meant was, how can the sheriff prevent anyone who can access the lake from their own property from doing so how they (the homeowners) choose to?

After reading the sheriff's press release it sounds like anyone driving onto a metro lake, no matter how they got there, will probably be talked to. Not necessarily ticketed, but talked to. They are closing all public access points though.

[wayne123]

I have no problem with the decision. I have not drove out yet this season even though sometimes I have thought there was enough ice for it. Remember everybody that goes in thought the ice was thick enough.

[motley man]

The lakes down south are just to dangerous to drive on, and some folks just seem to want to drown. No need to risk the lives of the rescuers to fish them out. Any house to big to pull off with a wheeler should not be out on these lakes now. The lakes up north are still iffy also. The lake I fish has not made any ice all winter, it is still 16" of ice. It just takes common sense, but so folks just don't use it.

[The_King48]

The lakes down south are just to dangerous to drive on, and some folks just seem to want to drown. No need to risk the lives of the rescuers to fish them out. Any house to big to pull off with a wheeler should not be out on these lakes now. The lakes up north are still iffy also. The lake I fish has not made any ice all winter, it is still 16" of ice. It just takes common sense, but so folks just don't use it.

So if this winter hasn't made any ice, you need to inform me how you have 16" of ice. Must be one heck of a "drive in" freezer!!

[PoorWordUsage] global warming!!

[DIESELDAN]

I think it's really nice that big brother watches out for us. I've heard of people tripping and hitting there heads maybe if we're luckey they will make a law that we all have to where helmets at all times, might save a few brain injuries. They are already talking about taxing foods that are'nt good for you at a higher rate, got to love this "freedom" we all enjoy. Just saying some signs that warn people and a fine if you polute the lake with oil, gas whatever along with the hefty bill to get your vehicle out would probally suffice. DieselDan

[hanson]

Honestly... this is the screwiest winter I have ever lived through.

Last winter, seamed like I was blowing snow every 4-5 days, up to 15-17 inches at a pop and that happened a few times in the Cities. This winter, I've run the snowblower 3 times with less than 2 inches on the ground each time. Could have shoveled it, just did it to run the blower.

Ya'll can blame LMITOUT... he posted a thread a long time ago about a repeat of last winter predicted by the predicters. What a flippin' miss that was. Now winter is not over yet but it doesn't have much time left. Mid-March in the Cities can be in the 70s.

All I've read about on the forums this winter is open water on our big lakes. Lake of the Woods had open "cracks" for a period of time as did Mille Lacs and URL. Winnebago in Wisconsin was the same thing. This scenario scares me as you'll have solid ice in one area and freshly frozen ice one step away, thats how it works.

The other way ice fishing works is the blind follow the blind. "There's a truck on the ice, it must be safe." How many times you think that phrase has been uttered when someone is contemplating driving on the ice. Everyone waits for others to try it out first and then they follow, thats just the way it is.

I tell you what though... if I'm the guy that lead everyone out on the ice and proved to them it was safe, do you think they'd all be following me back off the ice when I say I don't think we should be out here? No... it just doesn't work that way.

I have no problem with the Sheriff shutting down vehicle access to frozen lakes if its a public safety issue. The bottom line is I'd have never put my pickup on a lake in the metro area this winter period... no way!

[Hoffer]

I have no problem with this. The seasons almost over - lets all be safe and around for the next season. For now, I will just walk out. There is not much snow and its easy going.

[amateurfishing]

1. no rights are being violated, everyone still has access to lakes, u just cannot drive something larger than an atv or snowmobile so all DO have access

2. no one is forcing anyone to stay & have to deal with it (in other words, you can always leave if u dont like it)

...besides, northern/walleye season is almost over and with our weather it is likely to be over in a month anyway

....and if anyone has issues bout perms, im sure if you contact your local law enforcement offices, they will be more than happy to help you find reasonable & safe solutions to getting any structures off the ice. im sure if u work with them instead of being aggressive & forceful, they will be more than happy to work something out with you.

[otterman91105]

Is this ban just for the lake's in Hennepin county or is there more counties doing this as well?

[Beast26]

Gotta love it when when Hennipen County decides they need to "protect" stupid people from being stupid. As already stated good ole' nanny state.

[muskE]

Gotta love it when when Hennipen County decides they need to "protect" stupid people from being stupid. As already stated good ole' nanny state.

The same logic applies to locks protecting innocent people from being theives.

For some reason I'm finding the knee-jerk responses of "oppression by the Man" mildly amusing. I haven't seen any comments of people's rights being violated by the evil tyrants that run the big ice derbies when they make people walk to their holes (and even DQ'd if they bring a vehicle). They do it to protect the masses and very few seem to complain and still manage to have a good time.

Just relax, adapt, and have some safe fun out there!

[BartmanMN]

Is this ban just for the lake's in Hennepin county or is there more counties doing this as well?

Just Hennepin, I drove out on Wright county lake last night.

[HookEmHard84]

Without getting into all the politics of the situation. I think its awesome, keep more pressure off the lakes for a little longer. Plenty of places you can walk to, and less company without all the vehicle traffic.

Kinda hope they do it in my county only for the reason above.

[hookncook]

I'm all for it! I've talked to a couple people that went through the ice in years gone by and they were both avid and seasoned anglers.

Truth is, when someone drives on ice that are bad conditions, it puts everyone at risk from the rescue trucks that need to recover the vehicle as well as the contaminants that trickle into the eco system from a car sitting in the water for a day or two.

Get out and go for a walk to your favorite fishing hole or find one closer. People are too vehicle dependent when it comes to ice fishing.

[reinhard1]

this happened to my brother years ago. he was driving slow on a traveled road up north which many trucks have driven on. the front end broke through. he got out safe and in the end only the back bumpers were visible. he has always been carefull and more so since that event. it can happen to anyone. good luck.

[Nick Kuhn]

While there at it, I think that after, and while it's snowing, all roads in the "snowy area" should be shut down until they are cleared to prevent the hundreds of accidents that are a result of poor road conditions.

In blizzards they do close stretches of roads, and I don't hear too many complaining about that.

I don't have a problem with them closing the lakes. It's cold today, but starting Tuesday the forecast is for warm and sunny. We will go into that stretch with little if any snow on the ice. The amount of solar energy we get increases rapidly this time of year: We get 50% more at the end of February than the start of February. These bad spots will start popping up in more and more locations on the ice. I would start pulling the permies in the other counties in the metro by the end of next week, and stick to a portable for the remainder of the year.