Denis Anderson and politics????

[Evenflow]

Swampman-

I read your post in the other thread too and before I say anything I want you to know that I'm not trying to just pick on bait dealers. Farmers and tiling fields are in my opinion far more to blame for declining duck populations in MN.

However, I do believe the DNR has been catering to fishing and fishing needs (bait) too much. I can't give you specific instances, but I know on more than just a couple of occasions when the DNR has tried to lower water levels in lakes to produce a "man made" drought on small lakes that no longer go through normal drought cycles (do to drainage ditches, tiling and dams) they have met fierce resistance from the general public and specifically bait dealers that harvest minnows from these waters.

You want more info on the DNR catering to the fish? Ok...

The wildlife lake designation legislation was put into effect over 35 years ago. Under the law the DNR Commissioner has the authority to include shallow lakes and waters in the designation which allows for raising and lowering water levels to benefit wildlife (not fish) whenever needed without public input. The commissioner can either place them on the list directly or they can also can add lakes to the designation via public discourse that includes meetings, public postings, etc. All the information is available here:DNR link

Why I believe that the DNR caters to fish too much is because I've never heard of the DNR exercising their power and designating wildlife lakes without public input. It's clearly within the power of the commissioner to do so... Wouldn't you think that a duck producing lake or an important stop over point for birds during migration is what it what is, regardless of public input?

The DNR was created to make difficult decisions for citizens that might get some people upset. That's why we have the DNR, to regulate our resources for the good of all. If everyone self regulated their limits, outdoor activities, seasons, stocking, management, etc.. then there would be no need for government involvement. The problem is, the DNR doesn't want to get involved with this aspect of resource management. They seem to think that water quality and fish management (yes killing) of small "wildlife lakes" isn't very important. They must not think it's worth the flack they may receive from landowners and others by designating these lakes as managed for wildlife not fish. Why else would there have only been 37 lakes placed on the wildlife designation list since its creation? In the land of 10,000 lakes there are only 37 that are important enough to manage for things other than fish? It's a joke...

How does this mean the DNR caters to fish interests? Look at the number of aerated lakes in Minnesota. There are over 350 publicly accessible shallow lakes that are being aerated in MN this winter alone... and that doesn't include private ponds that are being aerated or shallow lakes that have had their waters raised for recreational and fishing purposes.

Doesn't seem right does it?

So yes, you're right, who put us in this position? It wasn't bait dealers. It was farmers and lake shore land owners. But who is limiting our options to fix what we have left? It's a whole bunch of people and somewhere in there, the fishing community (bait dealers too) is involved.

Evenflow