Lake MacBride Legislation to change to No Wake

I live near Lake McBride in Linn County but in the last few years, I have become increasingly disappointed that I am unable to utilize the resource except on a limited basis due to the 10 hp motor restriction during the summer months.

I would like to see the regulations changed to a year round no wake rule. It is obvious that the no wake rule when in effect during part of the year is not causing problems on the lake. In addition, recent improvements to the lake by the DNR have improved the fishery and will also improve the Lake MacBrides’ ability to deal with any increase in usage by the people that paid for the improvements.

The NO WAKE regulation is an effective management tool in many smaller bodies of water in the state. It is way past time to make the change on Lake MacBride.

A bill proposal to change the law is currently in committee. This committee is charged with bringing the bill to the General Assembly for consideration.
If you are interested in this proposed legislation, please send a note expressing your support to the following committee members;

>Senator Hubert Houser [email protected]
>Senator Ron Wieck (R). [email protected]
>Senator Steve Kettering (R) [email protected]
>Senator Joe Seng (D). [email protected]

We would appreciate any support the members of Fish the lake can provide in this matter.

Thanks for your help:
Joe Carpenter
Dan Jarosh (Jardan)

I have sent off my e-mails but would like you to go to fishtheriver.com and post this on their site also as I think a lot more fisherman read that then they do the fishthelake.com and you might get more response I will pass this on to my fishing friends all so@

Thanks Redman. I submitted to FTR yesterday, but has not made it for some reason?

I saw that it was up there today – they filter everything that goes on the EFN community news forum, so a moderator has to O.K it before it goes up.

This is great news, I hope it passes. The only down side of it would be if the lake gets overrun & fished out, but most people with boats bigger than 10hp are not out for gills & crappies; they’re into the bass & eyes. I seem to be a rare exception.

John, now dont take this wrong, but, well, you look just like a little baby!!!

You know i noticed that too but he is a cute little guy isn’t he?

I have to apologize to chitwood- i wrote on FTR to post it here without looking, but it is already here. Maybe the editing crew will realize i am an idiot and not post it. Anyway, thanks for the email addresses, ill send a note.

side note- i grew up in ic fishing lake mcbride with a flat bottom and 8 horse and loved the rule, but my “toys” are bigger now and I would love to check out the renovations. Thanks.

I also mailed Rob Hogg (D) in the house and Chuck Larson (R) in the Senate, as they are my district. Chuck got right back to me and said that he knew there was also a bill in the senate & would look it up.

Keepin’ my fingers crossed & charging up the electric until then.

In reply to:

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Mr. Weger:

Thank you for contacting me about the Lake Macbride bill (House File 336). My initial instinct is to vote for the bill. I have visited Lake Macbride in the past for swimming and sailing, and I don’t see any need for large motors on the lake. That is especially true when the Coralville Reservoir is so close for use by larger motors. I have not had the opportunity to hear from the other side on the issue, but I wanted to share my initial reaction with you.

Thanks again for contacting me about the bill.

Rep. Rob Hogg
(D-Cedar Rapids)
State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 242-6430 (Direct)
(515) 281-3221 (Switchboard)

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I formulated a response, hopefully I can convince him.

I see in todays paper that they will not get a chance to do anything on this subject! What would it take to get the people that realy care to be able to vote on this matter as I feel it it just the the big money people that is fighting a no wake change in the proposal!

I have been told flat-out, by several people, that the big-money people are the ones making sure this never gets done.

I’m not normally a believer in grand conspiracies, but it seems as though in this case, a very small minority can really put the brakes on change.

BTW, does anyone know if they enforce it?

I’ve been out several times with only the electric motor to get me home, and thought that if a stiff wind came up and I had to choose between sleeping in my boat and idling across the lake with the gas motor, I’d be burning some unleaded.

I think it is the wealthy who are resisting- and many of them live in the cabins on the points between the arms- they want their precious privacy and also they are invested in 8-10 hp engines. It really is unfortunate, because it can be a very good lake.

Not sure how they enforce the laws, but I do have an interesting story- my friend and I were out several years ago in our belly boats and got written warnings for “swimming” in the lake. We had life jackets and Im fairly sure belly boats are as legal as any as long as the pfds are on board. Anyway, the DNR guy said it was not a legal way to fish (not sure if he meant anywhere or just there). I know my legs are not > 10 hp because it is a grind against the wind. I am scared to go only electric- I would not want to have to sleep in the boat to wait for a wind to die, and loading the boat on the trailer can be a bear in cold water with only an electric.

I have a hard time understanding why we can fish in the spring and the fall with our big engines and not cause a problem but as soon as the big money cabin owners show up {warm weather} we have to stop! I think that is proof in the pudding what and who is stopping us from fishing all summer long. I know if the DNR had their way they would vote yes and support us 100%.

In reply to:

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This week marks the first of several key “funnel” deadlines – the times by which bills must reach a certain point or they will not go any further in the legislative process this year.

This week, all non-appropriations bills had to be passed out of committee in order to be considered on the Senate floor later this session.

I am interested in your opinions concerning some of the key topics that remain on the table and open for debate. Several of these are detailed below.

Thank you.

Warmest regards,

Senator Chuck Larson

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Looks like if it’s not out of committee, it’s dead. It’s probably time for an editorial, but getting the CR Gore-zette to print it might be difficult.

Redman, not sure what it is going to take, but one thing is sure, if we give up we are doomed to continue with what we have now. Jardan and I and others in the Cedar Rapids area will be beginning our battle earlier next year. Jardan has been contacting local fishing organizations to concentrate our efforts more effectively. We have friends in the Iowa General Assembly, but we need to swing some more votes. So far this has been in committee and not made its way to the floor for open discussion. Our biggest hurdle is to get a bill out of committee. Not sure who is holding us up but we will find out. Not set in concrete yet but consideration is be given to organizing a timely trip to Des Moines to protest the current status of the motor regulations. Looks like we are into a renewed effort next year.

keep me posted and I will continue to fight the process and maybe not in my life time but my kids might be able to enjoy! I have talked and talked untill I am blue in the face and I truly believe that we must vote out any one who supports not having large motors on this lake and maybe one day our message will get across!

I’m not sure, but I think some heavy weights from the University of Iowa Yaught club have got a lot to do with this bill. {John}