St Croix Buoys in nav channel

There last two years I have seen more of these red buoys show up in front of lake shore properties.

It is my understanding that is completely legal as long as a permit is obtained.

I ran between shore and 3 buoys yesterday and a shore owner gave me grief with some hand signals…I approached and talked to him.

I asked him what the problem was, he said it gets bumpy and would be nice if boats stayed away from shore.

I asked him what the buoys are for, he said to keep boats away from their property.

I asked him if he has a permit, he says no.
I told him this is seriously imparing our ability to fish these areas and I’ve wanted to contact a sheriff to have these buoys removed or at least confirm they have legal permits.

So, my question.

Who do I talk to to have these illegal buoys removed? It is becoming a trend on the Croix and I’m annoyed.

I’d start with the county sheriff water patrol. So it will depend what county the bouys are located.

-J.

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

It is my understanding that is completely legal as long as a permit is obtained.

As long as you are researching, ask if a “permitted” buoy has to marked with the permit number to be in compliance, (much the same as a dock sign with permit number). If not, how is one (anyone, even the water patrol) going to determine ownership of said buoy(s)?

Along with that; As you said, “what is the purpose of these buoys?” We know what the landowners would like, but what do the boating regs, require of the boater to not be in violation of disregarding the buoy? (hope I made sense of that)

Jon Jordan wrote:

I’d start with the county sheriff water patrol. So it will depend what county the bouys are located.

-J.

X2, it’s been my understanding that it’s the sheriff’s office that is responsible for nav markers on most MN waterways. Good luck

I’d be inclined to promote an informal fishing contest, particularly focused on bouy locations. Maybe a prize for the most fish caught within 100′ of a red bouy?

P.s. I haven’t used any hand signals in years, in response to folks. I found that blowing a kiss to someone who has already lost there $*it, is far more satisfying and just kicks their angst up another notch.

Deleted wrote:

I’d be inclined to promote an informal fishing contest, particularly focused on bouy locations. Maybe a prize for the most fish caught within 100′ of a red bouy?

P.s. I haven’t used any hand signals in years, in response to folks. I found that blowing a kiss to someone who has already lost there $*it, is far more satisfying and just kicks their angst up another notch.

Everything about this post makes me happy

Reminds me of the cityidiot who builds a house by a pig farm. Then complains about the smell. Same idiots buy shore property on the busiest river in the state and complain about wakes!

-J.

I talked to sheriff just now.

They are aware of the trend and have been in discussion with local DNR about these just recently.

I gave them locations of all buoys from Prescott to kinni.
I hope my conversation accelerates action on their part in removing the buoys.

They thought they were OK last year being closer to shore but they keep creeping further out.

This peticular deputy wasn’t clear on what makes a legal mooring buoy in regards to “tagging” with a permit.

I get the impression it is the DNR who has responsibility to act on these buoys.

Jon Jordan wrote:

Reminds me of the cityidiot who builds a house by a pig farm. Then complains about the smell. Same idiots buy shore property on the busiest river in the state and complain about wakes!

-J.

Naturally they have a big boat that throws a bit wake

Talking to my baby bruddah just now and he says that the red buoys are a pita up on prior lake also.

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

I get the impression it is the DNR who has responsibility to act on these buoys.

Anything that affects the shoerline the DNR is one to call. USACE use to control the bouys but now some are controlled by the sherriffs and others by private entities such as Marinas.
Call Windmill to get a price for a bouy I bet you will get an estimate.
Its a srewed up situation since the USACE pulled uot of the St.Croix.

I would check with Corps of Engineers or Coast Guard. They govern navigation and it is a federally protected wild and scenic waterway.

The Corp won’t have anything to do with AToN’s. It’s a Federal Waterway and the Coast Guard is in charge of where they are placed.

Private buoys (illegal) will be handled by the DNR of the State they are in. I THINK they could be handled by the county sheriff IF they wanted to but since they are likely to be in more then one county, it’s going to fall into the DNR’s lap.

Jon Jordan wrote:

Reminds me of the cityidiot who builds a house by a pig farm. Then complains about the smell. Same idiots buy shore property on the busiest river in the state and complain about wakes!

-J.

How about , the people trying to make “Their!” Lake into a swimming pool by killing every damm weed they can spray!

Why would anyone consider obeying a private citizens buoy or sign on the river?
The water is public property. Treating it as anything else is just ridiculous. Reminds me of those property owners that tried to gate a small harbor by Prescot years back. It didnt work.

suzuki wrote:

Why would anyone consider obeying a private citizens buoy or sign on the river?

Something I’ve been wanting to confirm with the DNR/sheriff’s is

“Kings cove” actually Conley lake.

Mississippi River guide does not show it as a no wake.

Kings cove has a monster no wake sign.

Would be a great spot for a boat to whip a tube but I’m betting the marina would throw a fit.

I am all for not ceding our rights. But at the same time, fisherman need to be respectful of others as well. Slowing down for marinas and smaller boats makes sense whether it is required or not. Staying away from swimmers, give canoes and kayaks some extra space is just the right thing to do. If someone runs out of their house to yell at you, that is a different story. We should be respectful, there isn’t a lot of value in poking the bear.

Treasure Island Casino and Marina has a very long area that is marked with No Wake buoys. It’s not listed on any map as no wake.

On two separate occasions I and another person noticed the Goodhue County water patrol making a large wake going through this area. It was explained to both of us that since it’s not listed on any State or Federal map, it can’t be enforced.

Now I blow through that area and frequently get scolded by other boaters. I do go to no wake speed around the marina. They wouldn’t even need a no wake sign for me to do that.

It will be interesting to hear what will be done with these hazards to navigation.

[,=1785101]This peticular deputy wasn’t clear on what makes a legal mooring buoy in regards to “tagging” with a permit.[/quote]
Mooring bouy is the keey point here. Are boats being tide to these bouys? If not they are not mooring bouys. All they are is an attempt to expand their living space.
To be clear fishblood when you say “red bouys” are talking about those red channel marking bouys?

1hl&sinker wrote:

Are boats being tide to these bouys?

No.
Though there is one exception a few miles up from Prescott where they occasionally tie off a jetski.

1hl&sinker wrote:

All they are is an attempt to expand their living space.

Exactly what the person admitted, “keep boats away”

1hl&sinker wrote:

To be clear fishblood when you say “red bouys” are talking about those red channel marking bouys?

See attached. Anchor buoy probably a better term, though they can be used as mooring buoys.

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DaveB wrote:

But at the same time, fisherman need to be respectful of others as well. Slowing down for marinas and smaller boats makes sense whether it is required or not. Staying away from swimmers, give canoes and kayaks some extra space is just the right thing to do.

Agreed!!

Maybe a stealth, nighttime mission is in order. SNIP, SNIP, SNIP

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Maybe a stealth, nighttime mission is in order. SNIP, SNIP, SNIP

I have had my own run ins with one guy in particualar. It might go more like this in the darkness…

SNIP, SNIP, SNIP, BANG

I kid not.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ralph Wiggum wrote:</div>
Maybe a stealth, nighttime mission is in order. SNIP, SNIP, SNIP

I have had my own run ins with one guy in particualar. It might go more like this in the darkness…

SNIP, SNIP, SNIP, BANG

I kid not.

I really don’t know why you would shoot the poor guys bouy.

With no permit number it sounds more like abandoned property to me…
DT

deertracker wrote:

With no permit number it sounds more like abandoned property to me…
DT

Just like putting garbage out on the curb.

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>suzuki wrote:</div>
Why would anyone consider obeying a private citizens buoy or sign on the river?

Something I’ve been wanting to confirm with the DNR/sheriff’s is

“Kings cove” actually Conley lake.

Mississippi River guide does not show it as a no wake.

Kings cove has a monster no wake sign.

Would be a great spot for a boat to whip a tube but I’m betting the marina would throw a fit.

Just remember that if you or your boat create a condition that damages property you can be held liable for any and all damages. If someone gets your license you will be getting a knock on your door.
I spent many summers at one of the Prescott marinas and have been witness to a few times where someone creates a wake in a no wake zone that damages boats, boat owners get ahold of the sheriff and they will find whoever is responsible if there is enough evidence.

It doesn’t matter if there’s a no wake marker or not. We are all responsible for our wake where ever we are at.

I hear what your saying Munchie, I think we are talking trolling speeds here.

I really don’t understand how these buoy’s will stop wakes from the big boys as they aren’t close to shore when tossing the big wakes.

The fella I know of just didn’t want anyone fishing around his dock on his river. In fact be put a rope between his dock and his diving platform…which was legal on the WI side. I’m not sure if it’s still there or not. Just behind catfish bar.

@suzuki you remember that lady?

I hear what your saying Munchie, I think we are talking trolling speeds here.

I was just responding to “whipping a tube” in Kings Cove. But you are correct, everyone is responsible for their wake at all times.

munchy wrote:

I hear what your saying Munchie, I think we are talking trolling speeds here.

I was just responding to “whipping a tube” in Kings Cove. But you are correct, everyone is responsible for their wake at all times.

If you tie your boat to a dock in a wake allowed area and don’t use any bumpers (protection for waves)…
Why am I responsible for their negligence in protecting their equipment?
If they don’t use the right knot on a cleat and rope slips due to rocking boat… I’m responsible?

Doesn’t seem right?

If you beach your boat on rocks and a boat wake damages your boat on the rocks the person who threw the wake is responsible?

I’m not a hell raiser, just trying to understand the reasoning.