Zebra Mussels Confirmed in Pelican Lake

[Brett Waldera]

It's very easy to play "Monday Morning Quarterback"...and state what should have been done. I personally believe that we should not be pointing fingers at the MNDNR for a lack of effort.

The spread of exotic species is a big deal...I would say as high as 90% of "boaters"... not just anglers are not taking the proper steps to prevent the spread of exotics. Everyone has the "not me" attitude...surely someone else is negligent...but not me. How many on this site actually dry their boats for 5 days before hitting another body of water other than the last one they were on? How many bleech thier livewells when they get home and dry them?

It is an extremely difficult task at hand to educate the masses and expect compliance. Please talk to a fellow boater and let them know what you know about spreading exotics. As some comments stated in previous posts...the time is now and we all need to do our part in educating each other.

Does the avg joe shmoe take any precautions when he buys a boatlift or dock system at a smoking price on lake X and moves it and installs it on lake Z?? I doubt it.

my $.02.

Brett Waldera

[Double A]

What I need is a government bailout to buy a better boat that doesn't take on water and require a gas powered bilge pump.

I only fish every couple of weeks but can see a major problem with frequent or local boats that maintain moisture in the part of the hull we can't inspect. The winter freeze will probably do the annual purge of the bad guys but that doesn't help the mid-season problems.

[DEADhead]

Our state legislators don't think our resources are a priority...

Bingo. That goes for alot of their constituents as well.

[scsavre]

It is tuff, to say and complain and expect the government to do more. everyone wants more funding for eveything. The government cant do everything for us. At some point we have to be proactive and take care of ourselves. If the gov would have bailed us out big time, and gave us billions of $$$ and completely solved the problem. We all know something else would have come up, and we would have blown it again. I dont know who does the lobbying for our lakes and resources, but i hope they tried to get some help for atleast education or research.

Its hard though. I saw in the MN bailout money there was like $8mil dedicated to build a bike path that would go to the new twins stadium. I would much rather have had that money go to lakes, but we both know more people would use that path in a day.

I guess one last thought is, I have a family cabin on Pelican, JS has a place. You all have seen the ridiculous money that is out there. Maybe instead of paying a $35 lake association fee, we should jack that up and pay our own way. Why wait for the DNR to work the landing. It is our lake to protect and everyones to enjoy, maybe we should employ the help ourselves. Go door to door and get the money to do so.

Is it too late, who knows.I hate to be the example. Other lakes in the area, maybe you need to do something your selves now, to prevent the spread.

Hope i dont sound too angry, but we need to take care of ourselves at some point. YOu know there is always another invassive coming.

[Dave S]

scsarve,

The DNR might be willing to work out a schedule with the lake association for future seasons. Might be worth looking into. Could save them a lot of $$$$.

[scsavre]

I will look into it. it is something that i think the association would fork some $$ over for.

Thanks.

[john skarie]

I guess I don't look at enforcing laws as govt. bailout.

The DNR doesn't have the man-power to enforce the laws that they are in charge of.

That's the choice our state govt. makes. It's [PoorWordUsage].

Our lakes, rivers and forests are living legacies for future MN residents, our kids.

It's the job of our MN govt. to protect them, but they fail time and again.

JS

[scsavre]

the bailout would be the money to enforce. We arent gonna get it. We need to try something ourselves. There are so many more people that just dont care. Its horrible but true.

Side note. I fished lake harriet in MPLS today. There was no DNR at the ramp. There was a sign that said millfoil as you back down the ramp. There was no signage that i saw leaving the ramp.