Mandatory boat inspections

As long as your rig is clean, there is no problem. Those that give the Officer’s a bunch of crap will be targeted and slow everyone else down.

Just remember, they will be dealing with all of the recreational (non-fishing) boats too. They will be targeted as much as fishermen as many do not know or follow the law or simply choose to ignore it. The Wake Boats will also be on the Targeted watch list as their ballast tanks rarely drain completely.

No, I do not like the inspections anymore than the next guy, but if it stops another lake or two from becoming infested with someone trying to skirt the law, I am all for it.

No, it will not stop or prevent the spread, but it will slow it down.

The best thing we can all do is get involved in the Political process that will be heating up soon in Minnesota with Party Caucuses and let our thoughts and voices be heard. Get to know your City, County, State and National Political leaders. Attending the Precinct Caucuses and then County or Senate District Conventions will give you ample opportunity to meet and discuss issues with you elected representatives.

We need to impress upon them that this is a National Issue and the Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers need to force inspections and Ballast Tanks on ALL Vessels entering U.S. Waters prior to entering Fresh Water areas. Any Vessel should be boarded and verified that their tanks have been flushed at Sea or they will not be permitted into any inland waterway. They are the reason we are now dealing with Zebra & Quagga Mussels, Spiny Water Fleas, Eurasian Milfoil, etc.

In the meantime, call & write your State Representatives and Senators about these issues:

Shorter Link

State Government

Constitutional Officers

Contact Information

To see a description of what each constitutional officer is responsible for click on the office title. To see a biography of the officer click on the officers name.

Governor Mark Dayton

Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor

130 State Capitol

75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155

Telephone: (651) 201-3400

Toll Free: (800) 657-3717

Fax: (651) 797-1850

Email: http://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/

Web site: http://mn.gov/governor/

Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon

Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor

130 State Capitol

75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155

Telephone: (651) 201-3400

Toll Free: (800) 657-3717

Fax: (651) 797-1850

Email: http://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/

Web site: http://mn.gov/governor/dayton/

Attorney General

Lori Swanson

1400 NCL Tower

445 Minnesota St.

St. Paul, MN 55101

Main Office:(651) 296-3353

(800) 657-3787

TTY: (651) 297-7206

TTY: (800) 366-4812

Email: [email protected]

Web site: http://www.ag.state.mn.us/

State Auditor

Rebecca Otto

525 Park Street

Suite 500

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55103

Main Office: (651) 296-2551

Fax: (651) 296-4755

TDD: (800) 627-3529

Email: [email protected]

Web site: http://www.auditor.state.mn.us/

Secretary of State

Mark Ritchie

180 State Office Building

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

St. Paul, MN 55155

Main Office: (651) 296-2803

(877) 551-6767

TTY: (800) 627-3529

Fax: (651) 297-7067

Other: Contacts

Email: [email protected]

Web site: http://www.sos.state.mn.us

State Senate info:

senate.mn/members

State Representative info:

house.leg.state.mn.us/members

house.leg.state.mn.us/members/housemembers

Have a great day

_________________

Carroll

Bass are Fun, Walleye’s are Tasty!

Eat, Sleep, Fish

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The Wake Boats will also be on the Targeted watch list as their ballast tanks rarely drain completely.

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And how many livewells drain completely? I know mine does not.

This is one of the dumbest laws I’ve come across since moving here. In the land of 10,000 lakes and 50,000 boat accesses please tell me how the DNR is going to effectively police every boat in Mn. I can only imagine the amount of headache and heartache this will cause until someone challenges the legality of illegal search and seizure.

Think about these lakes alone, Minnetonka on the 4th of July. After the fireworks show as 100’s of boats are pulling off the lake. How much congestion do think a check station is going to cause? The roads around the lake aren’t exactly convenient as it is. What about Mille Lacs on fishing opener? 1000’s of boats coming and going from the lake all weekend long. The lines are already long enough getting in and out of the lake.

How will the DNR police private property? I’ll use Mille Lacs again. Joe fisherman has a cabin/fishouse/camper at resort X. He pulls his boat out and pulls 400 yards over to his camper. Can the DNR enter private property without probable cause to perform an illegal search?

Who came up with this new law? Was the DNR involved or was it the same guys who thought up the gates/inspection station on Christmas Lake? I swear common sense is lost on most individuals now days. What’s next, targeting mother nature to stop spreading Mercury into our lakes.

maybe we should contact the ACLU and inform them of these illegal searches to be implemented?

I am with you Kooty for so many reasons. This is a feel good measure that does nothing to address the real problem. These inspections will be a hassle but the part that gets me is the pulling the plug every time. My plug never comes out of my boat—I see no reason for this. I will bet at some point that there is a life lost because of this stupid rule and I sure hope someone sticks it to the state when it happens. With modern boats with floors you are far from the landing by the time you figure out the plug is out—it is not like the old days when the metal floor was visible. Given the right circumstances I can see someone getting into big trouble complying with our silly rules. As for me—I fish the river. Last time my boat was in the water it was on the river and the next time it hits the water it will be on the river. How can I transport anything????? Give me a sticker that says my boat is not allowed anywhere else and I am immune from this BS and I am all for it. I can’t help but thinking that with the state in the financial mess it is in this is nothing but a money generating venture and we are going to be the victims.

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As long as your rig is clean, there is no problem. Those that give the Officer’s a bunch of crap will be targeted and slow everyone else down.

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i could argue the same about random home searches for drugs. would you be OK with an officer repeatedly showing up unannounced, with no probable cause and no warrant, to search your home for drugs?

Just to make the spread of illegal narcotics is slowed?

By allowing the government to do these things, we are allowing them to overstep their boundaries. How long until they decide to overstep their boundaries in another area?

Exactly.

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How long until they decide to overstep their boundaries in another area?

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Well…

I’m driving down the road in my car…Just because I’m driving can an officer assume that I might not have a drivers license? Of course not. He needs to see a violation prior to stopping me…even if it’s my license plate light being burnt out.

Now, I’m sitting in my boat fishing…how can a CO assume I don’t have a fishing license (or am breaking the law) and swing over to check to see if I have a license?

Just wondering?

The DNR fisheries will be going bankrupt in the fall of 2013. That was the latest numbers given out at last weeks meeting. How can our governor give the DNR money to fund what? 150 new inspectors and the “decontamination” equipment?

I’ll take a tag that says I’m only allowed on the Mississippi and connecting waters .

Blanket laws stink.

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And how many livewells drain completely? I know mine does not.

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So you’ve been spreading the Zebras!

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The DNR fisheries will be going bankrupt in the fall of 2013. That was the latest numbers given out at last weeks meeting. How can our governor give the DNR money to fund what? 150 new inspectors and the “decontamination” equipment?

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Don’t you pay attention? Grants. Separate monies. Ok, maybe not.

Not to get off subject, but I have a solution to keep the DNR from going in the red for many years that doesn’t require offices to be shut down. STOP STOCKING! What was it, 20-25% of the budget???

Also it could be explained to my fellow Republicans that raising the cost of a license is not the same as Pawlenty disguising a new tobacco tax as a fee. It wasn’t like he had support from a bunch of smokers.

continue…

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So you’ve been spreading the Zebras!

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Yes. In the 5-6 times I filled my livewell last year

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Now, I’m sitting in my boat fishing…how can a CO assume I don’t have a fishing license (or am breaking the law) and swing over to check to see if I have a license?

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When you are driving down the road you have your local PD, county sheriff, state patrol, ect… All these department enforce traffic/criminal laws and have plenty of backup. Now you have fish/game laws that are enforced by about 70 CO’s in the whole state. I for one would be happy to make their jobs a little easier.

Some people may have a different opinion. I for one do not think this is a issue for me at all, but then again my location is not “one step ahead of the warden”.

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Now, I’m sitting in my boat fishing…how can a CO assume I don’t have a fishing license (or am breaking the law) and swing over to check to see if I have a license?

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When you are driving down the road you have your local PD, county sheriff, state patrol, ect… All these department enforce traffic/criminal laws and have plenty of backup. Now you have fish/game laws that are enforced by about 70 CO’s in the whole state. I for one would be happy to make their jobs a little easier.

Some people may have a different opinion. I for one do not think this is a issue for me at all, but then again my location is not “one step ahead of the warden”.

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Your opinion was reasonable until you acused everyone on the other side of being a lawbreaker.

Hmmm…I’m not “one step ahead of the warden”, never have been and never will be.

I’m the guy walking WITH the warden.

So if what your saying is true, we could get rid of 90% of the LE’s if the 10% that’s left could pull us over to check if we have a D/L…to make their jobs easier I mean?

Brian, I understand how you can see that might have been pointed at you. I quoted you and the first paragraph dealt with the quote. The other part of my post was aimed at another member on here that used that location for his profile. I am very sorry if you took it the wrong way. You are the last guy on IDO that I would think that way about.

My main point was that there are very few CO’s thus they are given a little more power to perform their duties. This is only going to help our resources in the long run with only minor inconveniences to the general public.

Sorry for the confusion and once again, I should have kept my big mouth shut.

Yup, should have cleaned my glasses this morning.

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My main point was that there are very few CO’s thus they are given a little more power to perform their duties. This is only going to help our resources in the long run with only minor inconveniences to the general public.

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actually, it’s a pretty big inconvenience. Say you are transporting a boat from one place to another, where it has been drydocked all year. You think its “right” for them to be able to flag you down and search your stuff, just for legally driving down the highway, pulling a boat?

I think not!

If they want to legally enforce this, they need to do it at the public access’, when people come and go from there. They have no legal right to stop and search you, just because you are pulling a trailer.

Do the police have the right to stop and ask for your ID just because you’re walking down the sidewalk, doing nothing? No they do not. So how is this any different.

Just relax and show them your papers comrade….

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actually, it’s a pretty big inconvenience. Say you are transporting a boat from one place to another, where it has been drydocked all year. You think its “right” for them to be able to flag you down and search your stuff, just for legally driving down the highway, pulling a boat?

I think not!

If they want to legally enforce this, they need to do it at the public access’, when people come and go from there. They have no legal right to stop and search you, just because you are pulling a trailer.

Do the police have the right to stop and ask for your ID just because you’re walking down the sidewalk, doing nothing? No they do not. So how is this any different.

Just relax and show them your papers comrade….

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Phigs, it always scares me when you and I agree.

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Not to get off subject, but I have a solution to keep the DNR from going in the red for many years that doesn’t require offices to be shut down. STOP STOCKING! What was it, 20-25% of the budget???

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How about we take Pug’s advice and quite stocking walleye. Then we won’t have to worry about any of those pesky fisherman going around spreading invasive species. Everyone will just stay home or fish the handful of lakes with natural reproduction.

Ok, you got me to bite Pug… worst theory ever award goes too, wait for it…. mplspug

I’m sure there are some lakes where it doesn’t make sense to stock, but as far as I’m concerned stocking is a huge success state wide. I grew up around St.Cloud and you can’t tell me there’d be a fishable walleye population in any lake in that area if it wasn’t for stocking. Making spawning grounds sounds good on paper, but it just wouldn’t be affective in most cases.

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Ok, you got me to bite Pug… worst theory ever award goes too, wait for it…. mplspug

I’m sure there are some lakes where it doesn’t make sense to stock, but as far as I’m concerned stocking is a huge success state wide. I grew up around St.Cloud and you can’t tell me there’d be a fishable walleye population in any lake in that area if it wasn’t for stocking. Making spawning grounds sounds good on paper, but it just wouldn’t be affective in most cases.

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I must have just beat out the sound logic in your post. But I am contesting the award as there are way too many walleye guys on the selection committee.

Can’t tell you? I think I already did. And I talked to a few DNR people who agreed with me.

Thanks for putting 20% of my license fee to good use.

If not on major highways how do they expect this to lower the previous 18% non compliance? Which doesnt sound that bad to me. Also where/when do we get mandatory stickers? Between licence numbers, registration and now this my boat is going to look like its in nascar.

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They have no legal right to stop and search you, just because you are pulling a trailer.

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Tell that to the 400,000 over the road Truckers on our Hyw’s that have to pull into weigh-stations on a daily basis.

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They have no legal right to stop and search you, just because you are pulling a trailer.

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Tell that to the 400,000 over the road Truckers on our Hyw’s that have to pull into weigh-stations on a daily basis.

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you know what i meant, so stop trying to turn it around on me.

I’m done arguing on this subject. It is just very apparent how little, so many people value their rights in this country. And also, how easily people will let those rights be trampled for “the greater good”, as long as a government official tells them that.

Trust me Phigs, as much grief as I give you I certainly do appreciate all the input/incite you provide us on a variety of issues!

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I’m done arguing on this subject. It is just very apparent how little, so many people value their rights in this country. And also, how easily people will let those rights be trampled for “the greater good”, as long as a government official tells them that.

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I am not arguing, I am just giving my opinion. We definitely have different opinions on the subject. I can agree to disagree.

The reason I am not to worked up is because I doubt I will ever get pulled over. How are the CO’s going to be pulling over every boat they see and still continue to perform all of their other duties. I except to see a few road checks in very high profile spots (i.e. Mille Lacs opener weekend – July 4th weekend, ect…) This is just an assumption but maybe we can put up a poll next fall and see how many people where pulled over. My guess will be very few. That is why I am not to worked up over it.

Too funny.

incite
v incite [inˈsait]

1 to urge (someone) to do something. He incited the people to rebel against the king.

2 to stir up or cause They incited violence in the crowd.

3 to have the check point incite. Time to detour.

I want to apply for one of the inspector jobs. Show me bikini tops and beer and I’ll help you clean those pesky green things off your bunks. As long as they say US Treasury on them. Discount if you have an IDO sticker.

The new MN boat stickers will be going out soon to bait and tackle shops, license vendors, sports shows and other such places. They were previewed at the roundtable.

Vern, were they the white ones?