Township road

[muchowja]

Was going to fish a lake that we have fished in the past but when we got there the road to the lake had a fence across it and a no trespassing sign. I went home and according to the Mn DOT that road is listed as a township road. Last time we were there the road was close to being under water. If the road floods does the township abandon the road and the surrounding landowner assume ownership or is the guy just trying to keep people from accessing lake?

[VMS]

Hi,

Much of that is dependent on the land surrounding the lake. You can check with the township on this, and also check property lines as well... It should be pretty cut and dried as to who has right of way...

The township road where our cabin is at has right of way 33 feet on each side of the center of the road. anything outside of that bounary is privately owned. We have a lot that runs along the lake and along the township road. We blocked the sand access that has been used for years. due to runoff from the road, the access is now past 33 feet from the centerline of the road, so we closed it off due to abuse by others leaving their garbage there, tearing up the access, and just being plain disrespectful to our family and the property. We gladly open it for those who have property on the lake, but we no longer allow others who do not have property on the lake to use it. We got tired of the abuse... The lakes association has really liked that and support us 100%.

make a couple calls, and see what you can find out. The blocked section may possibly be township owned. If it is, talk to whomever blocked the road, show your proof and go fishing if it is township owned.

If I understand your question correctly, if the road goes under water due to lake overflow, that is public property as are all waters. So..you may have a very good argument, but definitely check into things further.

Steve

[Powerstroke]

If the road is a legal "township road" and not a private drive, someone illegally blocked the road for one and secondly htey cannot post the access to the lake. Its been discussed many times on here about finding lakes that touch the public right of way making them legal to access from the road.

Do your homework by talking to the county or township office. Once you know everything you can make an informed decision about accessing the lake. The biggest thing is to avoid trespassing. Its better to have the law on your side.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Contact the township, they 'should' be able to tell you if its a legal or abandoned road.

I say 'should', because one of the towns locally won't plow a buddies road, because they think it's a county road. The county won't plow it because they say it's a town road.

I'm sure one of the two, if not both know which it is, but one or both probably don't want to plow a mile road that dead ends for my buddies house.

The township that I mow for, they've got a map of all the roads they have to maintain.

[spearman]

Mind me asking what lake? Might be able to help you out.

[sparcebag]

Had the same problem years ago!Just called sheriff he watched as we tore down fence,then notified the owner who fenced it,as to the fact it was township Rd.He could not deny access!Or control the Rd.

[eyepatrol]

Check with the township and get the answer straight from them. If it's a township road or any other type of public road, you have all the rights to using the road. If it's fenced off, do as the previous post says. Have the sherriff or someone come out with you.